At the beginning of each of our book study group calls, we have a check-in where everyone shares about their week. In last week’s call, I noticed how every single person had a smile on their face during that time. 

They talked about the good things that happened. Even those who had dealt with challenges found something they were grateful for and turned hard into hopefulness. 

If an alien listened to us, they would never know that collectively, we were in the middle of a really difficult time. 

Humans are amazing that way. We are wired to connect in our pain, and in our hope. 

When we create a safe circle of people where we trust we won’t be judged or pressured to be this-or-that way, we are able to open up and take off our guards. 

What happens then is what some call ‘blessing each other’ – we experience someone else’s joy (and gratitude) as our own. We feel uplifted. Maybe even a little bit healed. 

(I just came back from a check-up at my physician’s, who showed me a pic of his two-year-old at a birthday party with a huge ‘winning’ smile and his arm up in the air, as if he was saying: “Yeah!!! Being two rocks!” Immediately, joy-filled that sterile little exam room. And I forgot why I was there in the first place. LOL.) 

Connecting with someone else’s joy and gratitude feels like sitting in the same refreshing stream, letting the same water wash our bodies, dusty from traveling. Or like being warmed up by the same fire.

It’s a sacred energy that flows through us, taking stress and anxiety out of our stomachs and chests, and replacing it with calm fulfillment. 

And it also works the same when we connect in emotional pain, grief, or sadness… The difference is that the sharer gets to release the grip of those emotions while the others help move it and let it run down the river.

The sharer’s pain lifts a little and makes space for love that flows from the hearts of those who listen with compassion. 

As much as I miss being in the same room physically – singing together, breaking bread, holding hands and each other – this year I experienced some of the deepest connections through our weekly Zoom gatherings.

(I will be doing two Zoom calls for all who participate in 25 Gifts for Christmas daily reflections this Advent season. You are invited!  Click here.)

Connecting with you through these Saturday morning emails has been an incredible gift. I am grateful to those of you who share a reflection back with me. I’m grateful for many of you who receive my offering in silence.

I miss seeing you in live concerts and events, so these emails give me a platform to connect, continue to create, inspire, and support you on your journey. 

Today, I also want to invite you to share in the joy and abundance and consider some gifts I have to offer for you to share with others.

Gifts Of Inspiring Stories

My son, Evan Amadeus, designed these beautiful, cozy, and soft hoodies with a small smiley in the front and QR code on the back. The QR code leads to a page with mental health resources that he put together.

The story behind this creation is that when he struggled with anxiety, although he knew help was available, it was still difficult to access it. 

The hoodie makes a thoughtful and meaningful gift for someone who is passionate about raising awareness around mental health issues.

And you never know, who’s going to scan the QR code when you are in the checkout line at a store. You might save someone’s life. 

More Inspiring Stories In Books

All of my books are interactive and come with music 🙂

Plus, if you buy two, you get FREE SHIPPING!

Check out other offers on my newly redesigned web shop.

Music and Story

I have a collection of CDs and a beautiful Christmas DVD that you can gift this Christmas. And we are running some awesome specials right now!

Coaching

You can purchase a gift card for individual coaching sessions.

As I told a friend of mine, I would LOVE to receive a gift of an online course, or a session with my favorite coach!

Personal and career development is a gift that in turn gifts others 🙂

 Your Year-End Tax-Free Gift Opportunity  

As many of you know, I serve on the Board of Directors for Nashville Peacemakers. Our work with youth at risk of gang recruitment and sex trafficking didn’t stop even during COVID. Our programs provide hope and constructive paths to the boys and girls ages 12-18. 

This year, we aren’t able to hold annual party for our funder Clemmie, who lost her son to murder on December 8, 2003. That same year, Clemmie founded Nashville Peacemakers to “keep the guns out of their hands, and games out of their minds” by promoting peace with unconditional love.

If you feel compelled, please make a donation to Nashville Peacemaker’s PayPal account. Please choose “Memorial Fundraiser” in the drop-down menu, and let me know you donated so it can be counted toward my efforts as a Board member. 

Thank you so much! May God bless you abundantly for your generosity!

Something For Thanksgiving

This video is not available publicly (click here for a private link). It was filmed by my dear friend John Gasch and is a sample of exclusive content available to my Patrons.

I’m sharing it with you because it’s everything I miss, everything that brings both a smile and tears to my heart and everything I am grateful for… the music, togetherness, the joy, and even the nostalgia that comes through the beautiful melody.

It was our next to the last concert before all our gigs got canceled due to COVID.

Just listen toward the end when the audience joins us in singing!

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

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