Take a moment to think about this question: What are you thankful for?

What came to mind?
A person?
A pet?
A place?
Good health?
Home and family?
Work?
Friends?
Peace of mind?
Your spiritual path?
Life itself?

One of my favorite people in the world, a retired Episcopal minister, often shares a prayer at our weekly Rotary meeting that goes (something) like this:

Some would eat but have no meat,
Some have meat but cannot eat,
We have meat and we can eat,
And so the Lord be thanked.

Whenever I hear this statement of thanks, I think how simple true gratitude can be. While striving to improve the quality of life is laudable, obsessive pursuit of a good thing often causes me to focus on what's missing instead of the abundance in which I live. So I've begun to practice what I call "cultivating gratitude."

Each morning upon waking, I ask myself: What do I have to be grateful for today? Over the years, my list has grown longer. I usually start with the same one, two or three core items but also try to think of new things each day. I find more and more to be grateful for.

This practice helps counterbalance my tendency toward worry, doubt, and constant striving.

Later, at different times during the day, I take a moment to remember a blessing or two - especially when life seems hard. I feel younger, stronger, and happier when I do this.

What do you have to be grateful for today? If it's a person, why not tell them? You know, it takes about two minutes to write a thank you note. Go ahead - make somebody's day!

You can view current and past issues of Ki Moments HERE

When I'm worried and I can't sleep,
I count my blessings instead of sheep,
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.

When my bankroll is getting small,
I think of when I had none at all,
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads,
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds.

If you're worried and you can't sleep,
Just count your blessings instead of sheep,
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

-- Irving Berlin

Listen to Judy sing Count Your Blessings

I have a new CD! "Conflict in the Workplace: An Aiki Approach" is available now as an automatic download to your computer or iPod, or as a CD you can listen to in your car or home system. The downloadable audio is $5.00, the CD $10.00

And with the holiday season just around the corner, I'd like to make this special time of year a little easier for you.

As a subscriber to Ki Moments, you can purchase "Managing Conflict in the Workplace: An Aiki Approach" and my book of stories, quotations, and practices on conflict, "Unlikely Teachers," together at the special holiday price of $20.00 (a $25.00 value). I hope this special set of book and CD will help you with your holiday shopping.

But if you prefer, you can also purchase the CD, book, or audio separately.

Learn more

Based on Thomas Crum's influential text on the Aiki approach to resolving conflict, this one-day workshop offers mind/body practice in the skills of centering, discovery, appreciation, and the willingness to change ourselves in order to achieve our goals. You'll also learn and practice verbal strategies to engage others in problem-solving dialogue.

Objectives:

• Identify your conflict mode and understand its benefits and drawbacks
• Increase awareness, perspective, and responsiveness under pressure
• Recognize the opportunity conflict offers to increase understanding, flexibility, and personal power
• Learn to direct emotional energy toward a useful purpose
• Practice language strategies for powerful communication

Comments from past participants:

"It's rare that a training impacts me to this degree. I have gained useful, concrete skills in getting my emotions to work for me!"

"I have been wasting a lot of energy being resistant!"

Join me for a day of learning and fun on December 12

One person I'm really grateful to have met is my assistant, Cindy Morse. Cindy is a virtual assistant and completes all my work from her home office about forty minutes away. She's efficient, knowledgeable about her work (and mine!), and she delivers on time and with an upbeat, positive attitude. I always feel like I'm her only client (and I know I'm not). I write Ki Moments, but Cindy is responsible for making sure it reaches you every month - a very important job.

Thank you, Cindy!

If you need help with your business, meet Cindy!

Many of the principles reflected in Ki Moments come from aikido, the Japanese martial art that teaches self-defense through the redirection of energy.

If you're interested in practicing aikido and you live locally, Portsmouth Aikido is an ongoing martial arts school at the Seacoast Family Y in Portsmouth. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:45 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 and 2:15 p.m. You can stop by anytime and watch a class.

The next Aikido Beginner Class starts January 14. This new 8-week course will run through March 4, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. each Sunday. The cost is $95.00 per person for the course and includes a Portsmouth Aikido t-shirt. Anyone aged 12 or older is welcome. Gift certificates are available!

Learn more about Portsmouth Aikido

Judy Ringer
Power & Presence Training
76 Park Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
voice: 603.431.8560
website: www.judyringer.com

Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, a Portsmouth, NH company specializing in unique workshops to help you and your organization manage conflict, communicate effectively, and co-create a more positive work environment. E-mail Judy at judy@judyringer.com for a free initial meeting to discuss your training needs.

Ki (from Ai-ki-do) is Japanese for life energy. Ki Moments is a complimentary monthly "e-zine" with tips and how-to articles to help you manage the key moments in your life.

If you enjoy our news and stories, feel free to share them with friends or colleagues. Use our "FORWARD" link below to pass it along with our thanks!

email: judy@judyringer.com

phone: 603-431-8560

web: http://www.judyringer.com