No…I’m not early. If the purpose of the statement is to wish you happiness in the upcoming 365 days then why wait? I want everyone’s HAPPY new year to start now. I have a couple of things I want to say before I head to Chicago to be with my husband.

First of all I realized today that I haven’t done a thankful post in a while. I thought about it after reading something on Oprah’s website. There is a section with Ten Rules to Live and Love By. Here is the abbreviated list.

1. Seeing your partner through the lens of love rather than fear automatically elevates the relationship to a higher plane.
2. Being willing to forgive yourself and your partner, and to make amends when necessary is an ongoing process of cleanup.
3. Relaxing when times get tough; assuming that “this too shall pass” allows you to roll with the punches.
4. Seeing in the dynamic of the relationship the reflection of what you need to learn helps bring you back to what is important.
5. When you don’t know how to handle a problem, pray and meditate, surrendering the decisions to Spirit.
6. Honoring your partner’s path and allow them the space to find their own way sends a clear message of respect.
7. Keeping up your personal growth work means you will keep your mind sharp and your awareness keen.
8. Following the path of your own creativity keeps you attuned to that which moves and inspires you.
9. Staying present keeps us in the moment which is where life is. Life does not exist in future predictions or past grievances; all we have for sure is right here and right now.
10. Being grateful for what you have zeros in on what is working, which in turn magnetizes more of the same.

Then Melette and I had a conversation about my previous post. She shared a little enlightenment of her own.

Melette: After I got the initial message, I started thinking of how our insecurities can make us take our gifts for granted. Like sure I can sing but I’m still fat. You know? Or sure I’m successful but I don’t have anybody to share it with. Or sure I have a husband but why don’t I have all those kids I wanted.

Diva: Exactly! It’s easier for us to focus on the negatives instead of the positives.

Melette: yep. Or on what’s lacking over what we have.

I love me some Melette!

So in case you’re new around here, this is how it goes. Author, Sarah Ban Breathnach, wrote the book Simple Abundance. The concept is that the power of gratitude can change the course of our destiny. In that book she suggested keeping a gratitude journal. The purpose being to write down at least 10 things each day that you are grateful for. And not the big things like a job, a roof over your head, health…no….small things that we often take for granted.

Think about it…..if you spend your entire day searching for NEW things to be grateful for (no traffic on your way to work, a special lunch, a found $20 bill) then you’re not wasting time focusing on all the self imposed misery you can find.

Well today I have a mixed list….it’s a combination of daily things I’m grateful for as well as 10 things that happened in 2007 that I’m grateful for.

1. I renewed some really great friendships this year.  One in particular is special to me.
2. I couldn’t sleep last night because it actually felt like my husband was missing from my bed.  I’m happy that I associate falling asleep with feeling his arm around my waist.
3. Ricola’s Honey Lemon cough drops with Echinacea are FABULOUS!  They are cutting this cough down.
4. I have tickets to go see Katt Williams this weekend!!!!
5.  I talked to one of my blog peeps on the phone today.  As a matter of fact we JUST hung up and she is freakin hilarious!
6. For that fact….I’ve spoken to FOUR friends today that just make me smile.  Melette, TJ, Glory, and Alyson.    YAY ME!
7. I had some really good chicken casserole for lunch.  It was tasty!
8. I got my initial information for floral design school today.  It’s time to get started.
9. I found some neat stuff on Oprah.com today that I plan on sharing with my friends and loved ones.  I’m really excited about that.
10. I married the most perfect man for me a few days ago and now I feel like the two of us can be on top of the world.