Donna Kozik - The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude

The Gratitude Book Project

Celebrating

Days of

Gratitude

2013 Edition

2012 Kozik Rocha, Inc.

ISBN: 978-0-9740019-7-5

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher.

All product names are copyrights and trademarks of their respective owners. The contributing authors retain the copyright to their entry or entries.

The Gratitude Book Project

San Diego, Calif.

www.TheGratitudeBookProject.com

Support@TheGratitudeBookProject.com

Cover design by Becky Cohen

This book is designed for entertainment and motivational purposes. It is distributed with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the dispensation of legal, psychological, or any other professional advice. The content of each entry is the expression and opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the beliefs, practices, or viewpoints of the publisher, its parent company, or its affiliates. The publishers choice to include any material within is not intended to express or imply any warranties or guarantees of any kind. Neither the publisher nor the authors shall be held liable to any person or entity for any incidental or consequential damages caused directly or indirectly.

What Is The Gratitude Book Project

and Why Should You Care?

The Gratitude Book Project started out as a seedling of an idea that quickly grew into a blossom that has become a whole blooming garden! A company mission to guide would-be writers to published authors turned out to be an ideal partnership with the subject of gratitude. Its a great way to get started in writing while celebrating the art of appreciation.

The first edition, Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude , brought more than 300 people together to share their thoughts and experiences about the power of gratitude in their lives. In keeping with the spirit of expressing appreciation and giving back, net proceeds from national sales wereand continue to bedonated to charitable organizations.

From initial concept to Amazon #1 Best Seller in only three short months, The Gratitude Book Project took on a life of its own. Before the first copy ever rolled off the presses, co-authors and those who missed out on the project were already asking for additional publications dedicated to the people and events in their lives deserving of special recognitionleading to Celebrating Moms & Motherhood, The Best of Pets, A Celebration of Personal Heroes, and My Favorite Christmas Memory. For The Gratitude Book Project team, there was no turning back.

Silent or unexpressed gratitude wont hurtbut gratitude out loud and in motion can be a life-changing event. An entire network of like-minded individuals from around the world have come together as part of this project and made it clear that gratitude is alive and well and here to stay!

Readers and co-authors everywhere have made a commitment to themselves and each other to ask and answer a simple yet profound question every day: What am I thankful for?

To find out more about The Gratitude Book Project and how you can join in the movement as a supporter or a co-author visit TheGratitudeBookProject.com.

The Gratitude Book Project

is proud to donate its net proceeds from retail sales to the following organizations:

Women for Women International

who supports women in war-torn regions with financial and emotional aid, job-skills training, rights education, and small business assistance so they can rebuild their lives

Feeding America

whose mission is to feed Americas hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.)

providing effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals

The Gratitude Book Project team thanks you for being a part of supporting these worthwhile charities.

For more information please contact

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January

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.

Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.

Thankfulness may consist merely of words.

Gratitude is shown in acts.

~Henri Frederic Amiel

January 1

The Boonton Friends

Boonton, New Jersey, is my husbands hometown. Twenty years after high school, Dave and his high school friends remain closer than close, like nothing Ive ever experienced. Since we met, Ive always called them the Boonton friends because they are like a collective singular. Theyve remained a tight-knit group the way others can only hope to. To each other, they are family. (To a newcomer 15 years ago, they were a bit overwhelming!)

This year Dave needed heart surgery. We were told the procedure would be robotic and recovery would be very short and easy. There were complications, though, and he required open-heart surgery. Needless to say, recovery was anything but short and easy! The Boonton friends rallied. Every day they checked in, one by one, on Daveand on me. Most live at least a couple hours away, but there were get-well cards, meals delivered, gift baskets sent, visitors, and most importantly messages and calls that gave me both Dave and me comfort and strengthfor the weeks and months that followed, not just right after surgery.

When Dave came home from the hospital, especially, their calls and visits lifted his spirits like no one elses. These peoplethe Boonton friendsreally are family.

~ Jodi Brandon Cheung

Jodi Brandon Cheung is a writer/editor in southern New Jersey. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

January 2

Gratitude Days

I think most of us ponder the good and bad times without always being grateful. This past years events have made me more grateful to be alive.

My son turned 45. He is a great husband and wonderful father. I am so proud of him and my two granddaughters. They look at everything with great delight and joy. They fill me with awe.

Yes, I am so grateful for them. I am filled with happiness when they run to me, shouting Grandma, Grandma. I am grateful to be able to travel to see them.

I am so grateful to wake up each morning to see what the day brings: sunshine, rain, or snow.

Then there are my friends, whom I cherish. They give their support so freely when I need support. I am so grateful and really not sure what I would do without them.