I've had the privilege of delivering my Reasons Why YOU ROCK! presentation to many groups in the past few months. People continue to tell me how impactful it is for them to take the time to focus on themselves and realize the fullness of the gifts they have to offer.

Here are just a few comments from recent audience members:

•  "I loved reconnecting myself with all the positives in my life!"
•  "My mom and I are working together to complete a chapter of the book each month. She told me the workshop changed her life!"
•  "Everyone needs this simple but very important reminder to focus on what is great about themselves."
•  "It can be so difficult to look in the mirror for positive comments, but it feels great to do so!"
•  "This is exactly what I needed!"

I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to share this work, and to help people, women especially, realize the Reasons Why They ROCK!

The opening exercise of my workshops and many of my shorter presentations is about gratitude. I ask the participants to write down what they are grateful for, why they are grateful for these things, and then share their gratitude with others at their table.

A recent presentation to a group of adults who are out of work included this question: "What is the gift in your current situation?" I was deeply touched by the change of energy in the room from a flavor of reserve and sadness to a mood of joy and light-heartedness as the group shared their feelings of gratitude and the gift in their current adversities. The difference was palpable, and they noticed it as well.

It is physiologically impossible to feel despair when we are truly in a state of gratitude. When we begin our days with gratitude, they are lighter, more joyful, and we are much more able to share joy with others. Even something as simple as a smile or a kind word can change a person's day. And changing a person's day can change their life. 

As Mother Teresa said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." This includes kind words to ourselves, which most of us too often forget to express.

Another favorite quote is from an unknown author: "It is lack of love for ourselves that inhibits our compassion toward others. If we make friends with ourselves, then there is no obstacle to opening our hearts and minds to others." And this is what Reasons Why YOU ROCK! is all about:  learning to give ourselves permission to completely appreciate, celebrate and stay firmly in touch with what is great about us so we can share our gifts with the world in all their glory every single day.

The quotes to the left are from a book called Gratitude, published in 2008 by Compendium, Inc. The book was given to me in gratitude for a recent Reasons Why YOU ROCK! presentation I delivered. I have found these quotes to be especially inspiring, and I hope you will as well.

My sincere thanks to you and all of those who are reading what I write, hearing what I say, and encouraging others to do the same. You are allowing me to share my life's passions, and let my light shine. I am deeply grateful.

Did you learn something valuable from this month's newsletter?  If so, consider forwarding it on to friends, clients or colleagues who might also benefit from this information.  Just click on the link at the bottom of this page.