Giving Thanks

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Giving Thanks

Once again, I use my New Year issue as a chance to offer up thanks for all I have received in the past twelve months.

I was tested in my commitment to say "Thanks" this year because in May my wife and I split up after a twenty year relationship. Although I understood intellectually that breaking up had become the best alternative, I still felt horrible for quite a while. After being in a caring relationship for so long, I did not feel complete without having my wife's energy around. I have learned a lot in the last six months or so, and I look forward to learning a good deal more! Would I have loved to have had a loving relationship with my wife that lasted "forever"? Absolutely! When that was no longer possible I learned how to let go and move on. A crucial lesson that I am sure will serve me well as I get older. Divorce is a difficult gift to fully receive, but a gift nonetheless once you embrace it.

This year, as always, there have been many people who have offered me their kindness along the way. In no particular order, I would like to thank...:

"You," the readers of the Seishindo newsletter. By referring others to our newsletter you help keep the Seishindo community active and strong. By writing to me and telling me how much you appreciate specific stories, you help keep me active and strong! Keep the emails coming! They add fuel to the fire.

I also want to thank my clients. I learn so much from each of you, and I am in awe of how we discover so many moments of truth and magic together. Your strength, courage, and wisdom enrich my life on a daily basis!

Tsutomu Shimoozaki has continued to translate some of my articles into Japanese. This is not an easy task, as the nuances in my stories do not always easily translate. I am particularly pleased with his efforts because it makes my work more accessible to my Japanese friends. This year Tsutomu also designed my Japanese business card and other documents. "Arigato gozaimashita!"

For several years now, Drew Lebby and Wendy Schwartz have taken me in from the cold, and have supported me in many other ways as well. Particularly this year, their wise counsel and friendship have been very important for my intellectual and emotional stability. Big hugs to the both of you! Drew, you are my role model for guys sixty and older!

This year I reconnected with my long time friend Charlotte Bretto. (At my age you need to be careful to NOT use the phrase "old friend"!) It was a pleasure to share a few days with Charlotte and her daughter Keyara. Especially great was getting the chance to exercise my math brain with some of Keyara's fun homework!

Thanks to Peter Kerschenbaum for taking me in for a few days in San Francisco!

Tony Padgett continues to support me in many different ways here in Japan. Arigato!

Once again, Gordon Jolley has shown up at almost every class I've taught in Japan this year. We had some great conversations along the way, and a couple of beers as well.

As always, thanks to Cindy Franklin for continuing to offer me a compass to steer by.

Judith Delozier is my long time friend, mentor, and colleague. Judy and I taught together again this year for the first time in a long time. To coin a phrase that Judy likes to use "It was a real hoot!" Thanks Judy. I am looking forward to our continuing collaboration in the coming year and beyond.

Lisa Kimball is my sponsor in Wash. DC, and a wise advisor and friend. Thanks Lisa, your support and belief in me really matter!

Marleen Adriaensen has once again offered me a great deal of support and friendship. She has also begun to take an active role in helping me develop and teach the Seishindo Pain Management Program. Her input on many levels has proven invaluable. Thanks also to her mate Patrick Henckes for helping out with a lot of different things along the way.

"Kiska", AKA Inessa Rebeyko. does all the work, planning, strategy, etc. for our online presence and our newsletter. She is a gifted woman, and a long time loyal friend and supporter. It is Inessa who makes all that we share with you possible. If you're looking for help in any dimension of a web presence, Inessa is as good as it gets!

As she has for a long time, Dorothy Pietracatella has once again been my rock this year. She is a trusted friend, a wise and talented colleague who assists me in most of my workshops, a personal confidante, and always, a very loyal supporter of "Charlie." I love her dearly and hope we spend many more years working and playing together. Thanks Dorothy, you really make a difference in my life!

I am thankful for my ongoing connection to Spirit. As I continue to learn that indeed I am not alone, my life takes on richer meaning, and greater happiness.

I am wishing all of you, the best for the coming year, and beyond. Keep the faith. It really is warranted!

Please take some time to look around in your life and give thanks. Particularly if this has been a trying year for you. The more difficult our journey, the more we have to be thankful for.

2007 is the best year of your life. Please work, play, and pray, to make this a reality!