It was only a year ago my husband and I were planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort.  Universal Orlando is home to three theme parks featuring Harry Potter, Minions, Jurassic Park, The Simpsons, Transformers, Marvel superheroes, and many other Universal Studio based movies and characters.  There is a big kid inside of me that still enjoys make-believe, thrill rides and being silly.

I specifically chose this time of year to visit, because one of the theme parks is transformed to Halloween Horror Nights.  After the sun sets, the entire theme park turns into a haunted house experience, with full blown sound, lights, special effects, costumes, and realistic makeup.  Not only do I have a big silly kid inside of me, but I’m a fan of horror movies and absolutely love Halloween.

Just when we didn’t think the trip would gather any more anticipation, we learned our friends were taking an adult getaway, at the same time, without their twin teenage girls.  We extended an invite to the twins, and they were thrilled to join us for the epic adventure.  We don’t have children of our own, but the girls have grown up around us.  Their addition was sure to double the fun!

Day one started with a water ride.  The line was short, and Orlando was hot during the time we visited.  What a “cool” way to start the day.  The anticipation of getting wet made me anxious and giddy.  I recall getting off the ride and all four of us were laughing and comparing who got more drenched.  It was with that first ride where I realized I wanted to keep this feeling alive all day, and we made sure we did.  We met each ride in perfect time, minimizing our wait and keeping our adrenaline pumping.

The next day was full of more exhilarating rides, perfectly timed lines and the anticipation of Halloween Horror Nights.  After finishing an early dinner, we purchased Halloween themed shirts from the gift shop to wear to the event.  I felt like a girl scout donning a newly earned honor badge.  Upon entering the park, we were immediately greeted with chainsaws and life size skeletons running amok.  It was dark, loud, eerie, and absolutely everything we imagined.  Screams of laughter followed by huddling close together.  This was only the first 10 minutes of entry.  I kept thinking to myself “Let’s keep this fun flowing.  Absolutely nothing was going to keep us from this moment right here, right now.”.

Throughout the night, we played chase through haunted houses, park attractions and drank Halloween themed concoctions in glow-in-the-dark glasses.  The joy was overflowing, and time flew by quickly.  As the saying always goes, time really does fliy when you’re having fun.

This year we’re experiencing a whole new way of life with COVID.  The theme parks are open at low capacity, character appearances are minimal, and Halloween Horror Nights is cancelled.  I will forever treasure the timing of experiencing the event in 2019.  Best of all, it worked out that we could share it with the twins.  In my heart I know future adventures await, and timing will work out perfectly.

If you love Halloween as much as I do, be sure to find some fun this year, and let the big silly kid inside you shine.  Share ideas of how you will make the best of Halloween 2020 in the comments below.

Tonight, I went outside and saw a beautiful pink sunset. It is one of my favorite things to do in New Mexico, every night. Our sunsets are so beautiful because of our wide-open spaces. I wish I could share them with everyone.

Over fifteen years ago, an art museum in Washington, D.C. had a wonderful exhibit to demonstrate how all of us are the same. We are 99.99% alike. The only thing that is different is our exterior.

The way they celebrated everyone’s ethnicity was to set up a screen and each person that entered the exhibit could walk up to a facial software program, in which, they could place their face in a chamber. They could then, see their face on the screen, and it would change their ethnicity and would rotate through different races so, that they could see themselves from a new perspective.

The exhibition reinforced how we are all the same except this one identifier. The artist wanted people to realize this and hopefully, be able to see beyond this one variable.

We all have the same basic needs and wants as human beings on earth. We all can see the same sunset and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us all.

Go check out a sunset. Think about who else may be looking at that same sunset, who is just like you. Be grateful for the beauty inside and out.

Growing up in a large metropolitan area, camping wasn’t something my family did on a regular basis.  I didn’t get into camping until I was a teenager, when we would use it as an excuse to stay out overnight with our friends.  One of my earliest camping memories was laying in the back of a pickup truck with pillows and blankets at night.  The air was crisp and fresh on my face.  The stars were bright and infinite.  Only the sound of crickets and wind could be heard.  I felt exposed, yet comforted at the same time.  A feeling so new, so pure, so exhilarating. That’s the night I fell in love with nature.

As adults, we’re often preoccupied with what we’re supposed to do, and lose sight of what we’re able to do.  I sleep in a protected house, in a comfortable bed, with temperature control, and modern plumbing.  I’m extremely grateful for these conveniences.  However, there’s something about sleeping outside that still gives me all the “feels”.  Nature evokes all of our senses.  Its open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  It’s healthy, physically and mentally.  It shares without bias.  It makes you feel alive.

Since I’ve been working from home, due to COVID, there are days I’ve found myself never getting outside.  I wake up, make a little breakfast, sit at my laptop, do some laundry, watch a little TV, eat lunch, get back to work, prep dinner, and before I know it, it’s dark out.  I get crabby.  I’ve lost sight of nature’s gifts.

The company I work for was promoting a “virtual walk” for mental wellness.  We had a virtual kick-off call, and then scheduled an hour off from our work calendars to walk on our own.  I thought about walking the dog to the mailbox and around the block a few times.  Then it occurred to me… You’ll be outside in nature, and all you can think of is the mailbox and the block?  That’s when I took note of what was around me.  The sky was blue, the flowers were bright, birds were all around, the dog was happy, and the weather was never better.  I cannot tell you if I went to the mailbox or around the block that day.  I just remember the nature I experienced.  Getting outside and changing my mindset changed my entire day.

Nature is readily available to all of us.  We all have great memories of it.  It’s time to find ourselves in nature again.  As you’re reading this blog, take note of the windows and doors around you.  What would you see if you looked out them?  How would you feel if you opened them?  What would you hear?  Today, get lost in nature.  Even if it starts with a scheduling a virtual walk, opening a door or window, or camping in the back of a truck.

15 months ago I had a spontaneous hip fracture. I was rushed to the hospital and had emergency surgery. It was a scary ordeal, as I had no clue what happened, and to this day, I still don’t know what happened.

My hip is fixed and I still have daily pain. It has been rough and I know it is a process. I exercise, follow my physical therapy regime and focus on losing a few pounds, as I know the extra pressure makes a difference. I direct my thoughts and intentions on gratitude, daily. It is not easy as the pain is a constant reminder. I wonder, “Will it get better?” I am reminded that I have been walking on this hip for over 50 years, and now, my cadence has changed and basically, I am learning how to walk all over again. It is a process. I have my moments.

Today, as I drove to take my dog on a hike, I was at a stoplight and a 70+-year-old cyclist road by. As he passed, I noticed he only had one leg. I had seen him once before, and now, again, I am taken aback. Immediately, I thought, “Get over it. You have both of your legs”.

It was a great reminder for me to keep moving and be grateful that I have both legs, even if one is artificial. I need to push through this pain and get my mobility back. Gratitude is the way back to your self. It can help you through challenging times. You can take the focus off of you and shine the light on others.

My “hip hip hooray” is a new experience and opportunity to see it from a different perspective. My new hip and femur are working, and my body is adjusting. I am grateful and resilient. How will you deal with your next “hip hip hooray”?

Did you know there are several options to donate funds to a cause you love simply by shopping or paying your bills?

Recently, I visited my local grocery store. Being a thrifty shopper, I often log into my rewards account app on my smartphone, and select instant coupons. It’s become part of my routine, only takes a few minutes and my pocketbook is much happier for it. Additionally, the rewards account app tracks my spending, and provides me points for every dollar I spend. Those rewards can be turned in for gas savings, free products (gallon of milk, box of pasta, dozen eggs, etc.) and store savings.

As I perused the list of awards I could claim with my points, I noticed an option to donate my rewards to community relief fund. I had 3 rewards expiring this month, and a choice: Redeem the rewards for a gallon of milk I intended to buy anyway, or turn them in for a $3 donation to feeding people right in my community. The choice was easy, I chose my community.

Looking in my pocketbook, there are a handful of “reward cards” holding space between my credit card and driver’s license. I pulled out those cards, and looked up my accounts online. I was pleasantly surprised to learn another grocery store I frequent offers a program to donate a portion of my spending to charity. The only thing required was to select the charity (I chose a local one) and assign it to my account. Every future visit will automatically provide a donation on eligible purchases.

The online tour of my reward accounts quickly took a detour, when I discovered the holy grail of online shopping offers a program to donate a portion of your spending. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Smile.Amazon.com. It’s the same Amazon.com store we all know and love, but with a twist. If you shop under the website Smile.Amazon.com, 0.5% of eligible purchases will go to a charity of your choice. The only hitch is, you have to complete your order through the website (at this time, it’s not available on the Amazon app). Alas, there is a solution to this dilemma. If you must use your smartphone or tablet app to shop (like I do), fill up your cart and save. When you’re ready to blast off the order, log into Smile.Amazon.com on the internet and check out from there. Your cart is already saved from your app.

These programs donate to our communities with no added cost to us. It’s especially meaningful when you have the power to select the charity and see the impact on a local basis. Next time you find yourself in front of the television playing on social media, take a few minutes to check out some of the reward programs you participate in. Your small amount of time could mean funding for important causes.

Below is a small list of reward programs I discovered on my tour. Each of these offer donations at no added cost to you. There are many programs out there. In addition to shopping, travel rewards can also be donated. Looking for a new car?  Consider purchasing during Subaru’s Share the Love Event and they  will donate $250 to a charity you select, at no cost. Lastly, consider looking into your wireless provider. They too, provide reward programs for paying your bill, which can also be donated to a charity.

Shopping:

Albertsons Rewards:  www.albertsons.com/justforu

Amazon Smile:  smile.amazon.com

Kroeger Brand Stores:  https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

Safeway Rewards:  www.safeway.com/justforu

Travel:

American Airlines:   https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-service/about-us/let-good-take-flight/donate.jsp

Hilton Hotels:  https://hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/en/earn-use-points/exchange/donate-points/charitable-organizations/index.html

Marriott Hotels:   https://giving.marriott.com/

Southwest Airlines:  https://www.southwest.com/html/rapidrewards/promotions/donate-points-charity.html

United Airlines:   https://donate.mileageplus.com/

Wireless Providers:

AT&T:   https://www.att.com/att/attthanks/en/index.html

Sprint:  https://www.sprint.com/en/landings/my-sprint-rewards.html

Verizon:  https://www.verizon.com/rewards/verizon-up/

Automobiles:

Subaru Share the Love Event:  www.subaru.com/share-the-love

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.