Gratituesday 1.3.23 - It’s All About Service

Happy New Year, friends. For me 2023 is all about SERVICE. Yes, I chose a word for the year. I know there are varying opinions about resolutions and goals. I get it, and they are certainly not for everyone. But I find them helpful for me.

I did Year Compass a few weeks ago and on the last page of the workbook, they prompted us to select a word to symbolize the year ahead. Last year was all about connection. But for this year, I started with SUPPORT, but thought more about it and decided to go with ‘service.’

The word SERVICE encompasses a lot of ideas.

• It touches on my wedding ceremonies, as guests tend to compliment the service afterwards.

• I tend to end many client correspondence with “if I can be of service to you in any way…”

• with my history in hospitality this just makes a lot of sense

Sure, sure some of these things I already do, but I’d love to be an even greater support for my couples, as well as the community around me. When I talk FINANCES in my premarital counseling sessions, we talk about giving back. I hear how couples offer their time or their money to assist the things or the people they value. Many times after a session, I consider where I stand. I’ve realized that I often discuss it, but never take it to heart.

So in 2023, I’ve decided to:

• volunteer with organizations in the NYC area (I’m still researching here) and

• donate 10% of my business income to organizations selected my couples (more on this later)

Needless to say, there has been lots of reflection (and a good bit of action) over the last few weeks. So, here are my Weekly Lists. The comment section is always open to join along. Let’s do this!

Gratitudes

1. Lots of support from friends and family

2. A washing machine and dryer in my apartment

3. Having mostly first world problems

4. Coffee and ice cream

5. My yoga practice, and the students who continue to practice with me

Celebrations

1. The book for tomorrow’s book club meeting became available TODAY on the library app

2. Translating one of my elopement ceremonies into Spanish

3. Whipping up my ‘luck and abundance’ Southern feast for the New Year on little sleep

4. Prepping my business expenses to create projections for taxes and the year ahead

5. Some great wedding and counseling inquiries this last week

Desire

1. To find my Moon Deck cards so I can offer readings in the new year

2. To have a clean and organized home

3. For the powers that be to better regulate the heat in my apartment and building

4. A clean kitchen sink before I go to bed each night

5. To create a monthly and weekly plan to make sure I get closer to the goals I set for the year