Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities - It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present -- love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure -- the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth.
Sarah Ban Breathnach, Author of Simple Abundance www.simpleabundance.com

We are currently facing a global economic crisis and there is little in the news that offers short term relief.  Even the drop in oil prices and gasoline costs is somewhat offset by other economic indicators.  We know that the hospitality industry is resilient, overall in strong operating posture and that we will return to success but these remain trying times.

We are all often barraged with emails that are parts of a chain of frequently confusing messages.  I do not ever forward them along, but like CBS television's Andy Rooney, I do find some of them amusing.  I also find others reflective and I am sharing this in a holiday week that is celebrated in the US.   I do not know the author as the message was passed along to me in an anonymous chain email, but there is some sound advice in the words.   Implement those that you can.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a DVD tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.  When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ _ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did this year.
7. Make time to pray, practice meditation, yoga, and Tai chi. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11.  Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.  Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.  Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.  Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.  Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23.  Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24.  No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27.  What other people think of you is none of your business.
28.  GOD CAN heal everything - it's up to Her or Him though, if S/He will.  Whatever or whoever you believe God is.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31.  Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32.  Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35.  Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often.
37.  Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I am thankful for __________.' Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.
We only have one ride through life so we need to make the most of it and enjoy the ride.   Give these thoughts consideration and share those that make sense with your family and friends.

May your troubles be less,
May your blessings be more,
May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Giving thanks – and not just one day each year!

We all celebrate a sense of thanks-giving in different ways at different times around the world.   I wish you and yours a special season on the occasion of the US Thanksgiving later this week.

Please contact me if I can be of service.

Feel free to share an idea at johnjhogan@yahoo.com anytime or contact me regarding consulting, customized workshops or speaking engagements.  Autographed copies of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD – a COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES can be obtained from www.smartbizzonline.com, THE ROOMS CHRONICLE  www.roomschronicle.com , and other industry sources.

All rights reserved by John Hogan and this column may be included in an upcoming book on hotel management.   The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication

John Hogan is  frequently invited to speak at Franchise Meetings, Management Company and hospitality association industry events.   He writes for a number of global online services and is actively involved in sharing industry 'best practices' .  He conducts mystery shopping reviews of quality in operations and marketing, including repositioning of hotels.

John's background includes teaching university level courses as an adjunct professor at three different institutions over a 20 year period, while managing with Sheraton, Hilton, Omni and independent hotels.  He served as the principal in an independent training & consulting group for more than 12 years serving associations, management groups, convention & visitors' bureaus, academic institutions and as an expert witness.  He joined Best Western International in spring of 2000, where over the next 8 years he created and developed a blended learning system as the Director of Education & Cultural Diversity for the world's largest hotel chain.