What are YOU Grateful for TODAY? - #GratitudeTrain No. 39
In January this year I closed the doors to my 11 year old design and print business and copy shop/internet cafe and gave the business to my old shop manager. So whilst the copy shop and internet cafe aspects of it no longer exist - the back of house design and production continues. I have continued to check the primary email account on a regular basis and forward all job enquiries through to their new company email. I was the one who used to handle all of that so thought I would leave it operational for about a year after officially closing our doors, so that he didn't miss out on any potential business. When I opened it today and forwarded some queries through to him, I suddenly stopped and thought to myself - SH!T - we are now into the 8th month since we closed our "shop front doors" and we are STILL getting job enquiries. Our rating on Facebook was absolutely FLAWLESS with nothing but five star ratings in 11 years! In fact, this week, we received another 5 star rating and we aren't even trading anymore lol! (well not at that premises anyway, and not under the same name.) When we closed our doors there were literally hundreds of community responses as to the devastation and disappointment.... because we were SO MUCH MORE than just a business! Our customers were like our family. It was an amazing time!
It really got me thinking about what an amazing journey it was over those 11 years - despite the enormous amounts of stress of ALL kinds! I learnt SO much during that time - not only about being a business owner, but the industry, people and life itself. It was a MARVELLOUS teacher and even though I know I NEEDED to walk away from it because it was time for someone ELSE to make it shine... I will always be thankful for the experience.
Many people have asked me why I didn't sell the business but instead just gave it to my manager... well, he devoted 9 years of his life to that business and he was and still IS very passionate about it. He earned it. Simple as that! And you know, it makes my heart SING that he has completely come to the party and is keeping our little legend alive. Also... I played a role in the conceptualisation of their new name and branding, which is very special to me, because it is like a small part of me will always be with it.
Welcome to the #GratitudeTrain No. 39
Today I am grateful that the "little legacy" which I built continues today - even if I am no longer active in it!
What is the purpose of The Gratitude Train?
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I am of the firm belief that the habit of practicing gratitude on a daily basis is the key to shifting our lives in a positive direction. This is not only the expression of gratitude for the positive things in our lives, but also for the challenges which we are often faced with.
But sometimes, we can get wrapped up in our day to day existence and agenda, and it is not that we aren’t grateful, but rather that we simply forget to actually verbalise it or take the time to offer it a moment of dedication even in thought.
It is also true that surrounding yourself with the positive attitudes and mind-set of others, that it has a ripple effect on yours too…
So for ALL of us, including myself, I have decided to start this #gratitudetrain. We all spend a good portion of our lives here browsing through our Steemit feeds, so why not build a positive habit in the process. I think it will be great to share something every day that we are grateful for in our lives, no matter how big or small it may be.
Whether it is a new career path, a new hobby, an achievement of your child, a new relationship, a challenge overcome or simply a new pair of shoes… it doesn’t matter! There is without question… ALWAYS something we can take a moment to be grateful for!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
......
Step 1.
So starting today, in the comments section of #gratitudetrain post No. 1 – write something that you are grateful for in your life and start it with the number… as in if this is the first time you are sharing on the #gratitudetrain, then write the number “1.” And then state what you are grateful for.
Step 2.
Keep a record of your #gratitudetrain expressions shared in the comments somewhere in a word doc or such.
Step 3.
When you reach 30 – then publish a post on your own profile and be sure to use the #gratitudetrain tag or to tag me @jaynie in the post.
As simple as that!
The idea of this being, that not only will you develop a healthy and positive habit but at the end of 30 days when you share your own post, you will be able to reflect back and realise, just how MUCH GOODNESS there is in your life!
……
Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx
FOUNDER OF THE @STEEMITBLOGGERS
Oh, and if you wanna meet the
wannabe photographer in me...
Greetings, beautiful and charming Jayne
Your name reminds me of the protagonist in the Forrest Gump movie. In the case, it would be his eternal girlfriend in the movie that only marries well at the end hehehe.
I'm grateful for two things today. One that I thank every day is for having my pretty puppy Miya. Today was no different. The other is to be able to open the post and see your beautiful picture.
Thank you and Good morning!!!!
Sound like you are in a very happy space @julisavio! :) And what a lovely name for your puppy :) Lovely of you to stop by ;)
It says so much about you that you recognized your business partners investment of his time and his passion. I just love that about you. It never feels like you're doing this steemit thing to build yourself up, but rather to gain the strength and power to help bring others up with you. I loved reading this.
I'm grateful that I've found steemitbloggers so early on in my own steemitjourney. It has really solidified my commitment to this platform. Without the group (and the freewriters group) I just can't imagine having been so doggedly determined to make this work so that I could stay here. You are a wonderful source of support and inspiration.
It must have been a gut wrenching decision to close shop after that many years! I can not imagine!
Thank you so much for that love. Yes, it was GUT WRENCHING to say the least, the day that I announced the DRAMATIC change that lay ahead. It took a lot of convincing on my part to make him see what he already knew in his heart.... and that was that he was MORE than capable to take the reigns and run it himself. But he got there and once he did, he was as happy as a pig in sh1t! He is absolutely in his element now, although I do get regular messages of him expressing how much he misses the shop and our whole team and environment.... which I think we all do.
The day I told him, he burst into tears on the spot. I think he was completely petrified... but I have always had an enormous amount of faith in him. He is an incredibly capable young man, with good morals and ethics and he will go far with it.... and that makes me so happy, because I gave nothing short of blood, sweat and tears to make that business the success that it was and handing it over to some stranger just went against EVERYTHING in my being!
Referring to your statement about me on this platform, well yes - I have ALWAYS had that sentiment... there is nothing wrong with YOU growing, but what matters is that you take those around you that sacrifice of themselves along WITH you! If only more people GRASPED just how powerful and empowering that approach to life is... not only for yourself, but for those you team up with too.
I am so happy that you TRULY feel like a part of the GEARS in our little family @byn - because that is PRECISELY what I intended to "build" when I started the @steemitbloggers and I am SO SO SO in love with what a BEAUTIFULLY supportive bunch of people we have in that space!
Life is about the experiences you create around you and how you positively impact those that mean something to you. It is a domino effect always - and along the way, such special bonds are built. When people learn that they can truly trust and rely on you, EVERYTHING changes!
MWAH!!!!!
#2. Today i met a man who was making a purchase for a new bed. A cheap bed but he's been making payments for about a month. I joked with him and said i can see you giving away money, you don't look happy about it. He then proceeded to tell me his story. His currently sleeping on the floor as his small shack had burnt down. He has a job as a security guard and get pays very little. But says it's better than being home and just watching the sun. He wasn't looking for a hand out at all. Just telling his story.
Sometimes we are quick to judge others but if we just listen to their story we can learn a lot . I'm humbled by meeting this guy and grateful for all the blessings in my life. Big and small.
It is wonderful that you gained some perspective from that experience. If we ALL took a little more heed in that respect - the world would be a much nicer place. Thank you for sharing that!
You very welcome. I'm a firm believer that lessons are being taught all around us, we just have to be open to learning from them.
That is so very true!
#3
I'm grateful for all my kitties I have in my life. They help keep me sane and happy. I don't know where I would be without my furry little friends :-).
Our furry friends.... the GREATEST givers of TRULY unconditional love! :)
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STOPTo support your work, I also upvoted your post!
I am grateful I reconnect with an old friend name James, lost contact 10years ago with him.
That is ALWAYS wonderful to do!
Es bueno mostrar agradecimiento por quien nos ha ayudado y servido fielmente durante un tiempo que mejor forma que esa @jaynie y sabes que él va a tratar y a querer como si fuera su propio negocio.
Sí, estoy completamente de acuerdo Creo que cada vez más personas necesitan aprender cómo mostrar tal apreciación a aquellos que hacen una diferencia positiva en nuestras vidas.
I'm not sure if I've said it before, but even so, it bears repeating - I LOVE the way you handling the closing of your business! Talk about ending on the highest possible note!
#39- Today, I am grateful for the birthday dinner that keeps on giving! As per usual, hubby grilled up a ton of stuff for my natal day, and we're still enjoying the leftovers three days later! And if I'm not mistaken, I had the same gratitude moment a few days after Mother's Day. 😊
Love you hon!!! And if you did tell me before... I forgot, hahahaha!!!
I really do hope you were spoilt rotten! Nobody deserves it more than you love!
Wow, so kind of you to GIVE your business away! Good karma definitly coming your way. I am so glad it was left of the hands of someone who obviosuly cherishes it like you do!
Thanks hon! Yeah it was a VERY emotional time, but it would have been a LOT more emotional selling to someone who I had no faith in with regard to continuing the reputation we had all worked SO hard to build. And yes, Robbie is LOVING it! He gave his ALL, every single day for ALL those years and nobody deserved it more than him!
I am grateful for setting goals to further myself as a person and my life. Gratitude is always amazing when it leads to something positive or making you smile and happy.
...and it ALWAYS does ;)