Welcome to the 84th edition of this email newsletter from me, Rebecca Johnson, offering hand-picked resources for putting our values into practice. Was this email forwarded to you? Get your own: Subscribe here. |
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Hello, {{ subscriber.firstName | default('friend') }}. I've lost count of how many “in and out” lists were shared by friends as 2023 ended and 2024 arrived. I appreciate how the turning of the year prompts so many of us to consider what we will carry forward and what we will let go. Even while I'm choosing a posture of gratitude as this year begins, I have noticed various other companions traveling alongside—as the above illustration suggests. What's “in” for me is the honesty of holding space for more than one thing going on in any given moment. |
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Good things may or may not appear good at first. Sometimes goodness takes time to grow or only appears with hindsight. What's good may be challenging, perhaps even costly. Other times, goodness flows freely and delights us through simple or profound experiences. No matter how goodness presents itself, the practice of gratitude is an invitation to notice and name what we are for. It puts a frame around what we value. It doesn't whitewash the difficult realities we are against, but keeps us from dwelling in negativity. To quote Frederick Buechner, “beautiful and terrible things” are happening in the world. And here we are. We can choose to be grateful no matter what. |
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WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR RIGHT NOW? WHAT ELSE DO YOU NOTICE ALONGSIDE YOUR GRATITUDE? WHEN DO YOU FIND IT HARD TO BE GRATEFUL? WHAT HELPS YOU EXPERIENCE GRATITUDE? |
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Now, a few links for you: - Gratitude can help rewire our brains. I'm fascinated by the ways that neuroscience intersects with spiritual beliefs. Both point to the importance of gratitude to shape our mindset. Here's a quick look at what neuroscience says about practicing gratitude to counter negativity bias. It seems to echo what spiritual teachers have been saying for a long time about being "transformed by the renewing of your mind” and letting your thoughts dwell on positive things.
- Female spending power rose to new levels in 2023. From Barbie to Beyoncé to Taylor Swift, we're talking millions. The ripple effects impacted the economies of cities and entire countries, plus retail sales on Etsy and at Michaels Stores. For my nonprofit friends, this impact signals the potential of intentionally engaging today's generations of women in charitable causes. I've begun to work with clients on this, and there's still a lot of opportunity ahead for those willing to explore inclusive approaches.
- Does saying no ever get easier? Perhaps not. But we can get better at it. Last fall, quite a few of you connected with an article I shared about why we tend to stay too long in a bad job. (Been there, done that myself.) This Q&A with a poker player has some good insights on quitting—a form of saying no that seems harder because we're invested in a particular situation or relationship. As I continue to learn about saying no, the concepts of consolation and desolation help me see the signs of when it's time to leave.
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Thanks for meeting me in your inbox, {{ subscriber.firstName | default('friend') }}. Hit reply to share your questions or comments with me. Always learning with you, |
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Resources ready when you are: 1. Conversation Starters for your next team meeting — Get to know your team better while guiding a discussion around the value of Teamwork or Contribution with free guides I've created for you. 2. Dig deeper into your decision framework with a workshop on 4 Mindset Steps to Discern Direction and Live Wholehearted. I'll guide your team see decision-making as an invitation to grow beyond obligation (I should), capability (I can), and commitment (I will), into a deeply rooted sense of identity (I am). Contact me to learn more. |
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