It’s been a good Christmas Day. That’s the first time I’ve been able to say that and mean it in about ten years. Up until now, I’ve spent so much time worrying about what we didn’t have that there was no enjoyment in the day at all. It was just another day of stress designed to remind me that I wasn’t as successful with my life as I wanted to be. I also realize now that I’ve always compared these Christmases to the ones we had when I was a child… when I didn’t have any responsibilities except to enjoy the day. And when I wasn’t doing that I was busy telling myself that next year things would be better. Not once in the last ten years did I just sit down and enjoy the day as it was for what it was. Until today.

There’s definitely something to this whole living in the moment thing. Having experienced it once, it’s a feeling I want more of in the coming year.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for looking forward, or looking back to some extent. Accepting each minute as it the gift that it is creates an amazing feeling of peace in the moment. But the historian in me still wants to remember and look at the past and dissect it to know what I can do better in the next moment. And the optimist in me still wants to look forward and plan for tomorrow so that all my future moments can be as amazing as this one.

The trick for me is going to be in finding a balance between remembering, planning, and doing. And remembering to enjoy it as it happens, not file it away under the “I’ll think about it tomorrow” category.

For today, I’ll enjoy the feeling of peace and accept this gift for what it was. Stress-free, worry-free days don’t come often enough for me. My path isn’t that smooth just yet. But I’m getting there, and for that I’m very thankful.

I’ve been feeling decidedly un-Christmassy this year, as you’ve no doubt noticed by the lack of holiday talk. Ever since my parents passed away, and my son grew up, it just doesn’t seem to mean as much. I really think that it’s because there’s no going home for the holidays anymore and this is the one time of year when I really miss having a home to go home to.

When I hear of people losing their homes, especially at this time of year, it really makes me sad because I know how important it is to have that place that ‘s like an anchor in your world. The one place you know where you’re safe, where you can always go back to, where your family has grown up and made so many memories. It’s really heart-wrenching when someone who is a member of your community comes forward and asks for prayers because instead of getting ready to celebrate the holidays, she’s packing and getting ready to lose her home.

That happened this week, and what followed is nothing short of amazing. I know that as a group the Internet Marketing community gets a pretty bad rap a lot of the time. But let me tell you, when someone needs help I have never seen another group band together so quickly or give so selflessly. And that’s what’s happening right now.

There is a movement afoot to create a real Christmas story with a happy ending for this woman and her family. The Internet Marketing community has come together in a virtual barn raising of sorts to help save her home. To watch them in action is a sight to behold, and I’m so very grateful just to be a small part of it. You can see what’s happening here: A True Christmas Story – Virtual Barn Raising and if you can help out at all, that would be great too.

I’ve kind of gotten away from writing on the theme of thanks for this month’s NaBloPoMo so we’re going to rectify that tonight. This morning while I was doing my daily round of bloghopping I came across a cool little post by Vanessa Smith at Let Your Life Bloom.

The gist of her post was that we often forget to recognize all the little things that are good in our life. The examples that she used were her bathrobe, the shower, and even the floor.

That got me thinking about the whole cycle of paying attention, noticing the good things around us, and being thankful for them. It’s easy to remember to be thankful for the big stuff. But how many times do we really stop to appreciate all those little things that are good in our lives?

Just thinking about what’s good in my life today brings to mind my favorite pen, peppermint tea, and my mittens. And I’m extremely grateful for all of them.

What about you? What’s good in your life today?