In light of recent events surrounding the globe and COVID-19, Julie and Mia (creators of Thank Forward: A Gratitude Action Kit) would like to encourage you to keep “Thanking Forward”. Love, kindness and positivity are essentials for leading a healthy life.

Until we can see you again, here are some fun tidbits about us.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LITERARY GENRE?

Mia:  Self-Improvement/Self-Help: I am always looking for ways to improve myself and learn new tools and techniques. Learning is a value that is close to my heart and I feel that when I learn new ideas, that I can share them with my coaches and clients.

Julie: My taste runs from one end of the spectrum to the other.  I love self-help/inspirational books (huge fan of Hay House) and Supernatural Fiction. I especially love Charlaine Harris’ True Blood series of books. 

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO WRITING?

Mia: My father is a sports writer and I have always loved writing. As a young girl, I would keep journals about my life. It is creative expression for me, that I hope I can share with others to help them as well. Maybe, they can identify with my experiences and help them to know, they are not alone. We are all connected. It is my gift to the world.

Julie:  I’m an introvert when it comes to sharing my thoughts, dreams and feelings.  Never one to be the center of attention in person.  I find putting words down to paper very therapeutic, and allows me to quiet my inner saboteurs.

WHAT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC OF GRATITUDE DREW YOU IN?

Mia: I have noticed in my own life that when I come from a place of gratitude, I am more positive and happy. It feeds me, both mentally and spiritually, when I am helping others. It makes me stay focused on what is important, while I am here, on the earth.

Julie:  I love watching “feel-good” short videos on social media that surround acts of kindness.  However, I noticed many of the acts involved a generous gift or a sum of money.  The concept of Thank Forward came about with the belief anyone can perform an act of kindness, and make it beautiful.   With a little bit of energy, you can make it as bold or as simple as you feel. The world needs to experience more inspiration. 

WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH ON ANOTHER ON THIS PROJECT?

Mia:  Julie is a true partner. We have similar values and spiritual alignment which, support this work. We, both, bring our strengths to this project and we want to create a movement so that we get back to what is most important in this world, gratitude, compassion, and joy!

Julie:  Mia is the creative yin to my yang.  We both brought our own special talents to the project and held a space of balance.  I get in the weeds, while Mia sees the big picture.  We’re continually reaching out to each other to celebrate little victories, and share ideas.  Most importantly, we’re both living the Thank Forward life.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR MOVING FORWARD?

Mia:  The Thank Forward movement. Focusing on what is important for people and believing that we are all good, and we all have something to give. Igniting joy in each and everyone of us, through acts of gratitude! This movement will provide a more supportive and loving environment for all. Join us!

Julie:  Thank Forward is designed to create a gratitude movement.  We are encouraging participants to perform the acts and pass their card on to another to do an act themselves.  I’m excited to see and read how far a chain of gratitude will flow.  We encourage everyone to share their stories (no matter how small) with us on ThankForward.com and our social media pages. 

Well, here we are. My inspiration for the title for this month’s blog comes from “Love Actually”. Love is all around us. We just have to look for it. For weeks now, I have been hearing all the wonderful and magical gifts that have been occurring around the world. Many have brought tears to my eyes. We waiver from anger to sadness to realizing that there is still good in the world. Thanking Forward as we watch and see these small miracles.

Here are some really great things that have happened because of the current situation, we are all facing:

• Local veterinarians, dentists and even, a colleague are donating PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to hospitals. I saw a post on Next Door (a social media site for neighborhoods) last week, in which a neighbor had 40 boxes of PPE and wanted to know where to send it. My office has PPE and they have donated it as well. People are making masks, firing up their sewing machines and producing. A group of young entrepreneurs utilized their 6, 3D printers and produced 40,000 plastic shields. They also, solicited their colleagues that have 3D printers to help the cause.
• People are calling up the elderly and getting them groceries.
• As I am watching a woman in LA who lost her job on CNN, a viewer called in and is paying this woman’s rent to help her. WOW! Paying it forward.
• I heard about a nurse that died in NYC and CNN captured the story. The sister of the nurse wanted the body to come back to Pittsburg and CNN helped to make that happen for that family.
• There is a Teddy Bear game happening throughout the world which was created by Stevie-Lee Tiller, 13, in New Zealand. She was bored and stuck at home. It’s like a scavenger hunt suited for social distancing: People put teddy bears and other stuffed animals in windows, on porches, in trees and on parked cars. Then, children go for walks or drives with their families and try to spot as many as they can.
• Auburn University figured out how to alter a CPAP machine and make it a ventilator. They had to create a part that would work to make this happen. Last week they figured it out and Tesla has donated hundreds of CPAP machines. Just another creative way that people are looking at ways to help.

I love all of these stories and I hope they provide you with some comfort. It helps us to remember there is still good in the world and that we are here for each other. Love is all around us!

Thank IT Forward and don’t forget to tip those people from UPS, FEDEX, grocery delivery, Grub Hub, food delivery, etc. These are our heroes out there helping to us stay home.