Blessed Beyond Measure

“Wash your hands everyone.”

“It’s time to gather.”

“Thanksgiving is ready.”

These are some of my favorite phrases this time of year. 

When family and friends, young and old, gather round the table for a celebration of the harvest, I know we are blessed beyond measure.

With platters, bowls, and small dishes of good food, we bow our heads, say our prayers, and smile.

A circle of thanks; a circle of celebration.

We listen to new stories and old stories.

We laugh with joy, remembering recent events and past experiences.

We weep for the ones we have lost, and celebrate those who are still here with us.

We honor the work of those who grew the food and prepared it.

We are grateful to have the time to share it with others.

And, in our family, as we do the dishes, we sometimes break out in song.

With three and four part harmonies filling the kitchen, we laugh, we sing and we know that we are blessed with this special time of being together. 

Our cups are full and over flowing with joy and thanksgiving.

I hope this week you can gather with your friends and family, and celebrate the blessings in your lives and the harvest of this season.

We have so much to be thankful for in our lives.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Service & Joy

This morning, I have been thinking of the following poem by Rabindranath Tagore:

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy.

I awoke and saw that life was service.

I acted and behold service was joy.”

That last line is so deep and powerful, “service was joy.”

This past year I have been blessed with many opportunities to work with great people. We have explored ideas, reflected on lessons learned, and dived deeply into complex problems and complicated issues. It has been a good journey.

And through it all, I have been so grateful for the opportunity to be of service to so many fine organizations and good people. From the bottom of my heart, thank-you for these opportunities. They have brought me great joy. 

I look forward to what we will experience together in the new year.

With Christmas being next Monday, this week will be my last Monday Thoughts Blog until the new year. Warm wishes to all of you at this special time of year!

See you on January 8th for more Monday Thoughts!!

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

With Family & Friends

Recently, I overheard a conversation between some one who has lived their entire life in the midwest and someone who was born here and just returned after many years away. Asked what is was like to be back in Iowa, she replied, “My DNA is happy. I’m home.”

At this time of year with the holiday spirit all around us, my DNA calls out to be close with family and dear friends. It is the feeling of being connected to these loved ones, even if we are separated by many miles, that creates purpose and meaning in my life. It gives me pause to realize how truly blessed we all are in this journey called life.

And one of the true blessings in my life are the fabulous people I get to work with on a regular basis in consultations, trainings, and executive coaching sessions. To be included in such important personal and organizational transformation is humbling and powerful. I feel honored. Thank-you.

This week, I hope you have time to be with family and dear friends. And that when you are all together, you will feel blessed beyond measure and find peace and love in your heart. From my family to your family, I send you joy and hope this holiday week.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257