Did you all enjoy the holidays? I’m now back home after spending a week at my brother’s on the East Coast, having returned yesterday after a safe, thankfully uneventful six-hour drive. (Photo: Shelly)
With the end of the year only 2 days away, I thought it would be appropriate to include in this week’s gratitude post a couple of highlights in 2007 for which I am very grateful.
- Called Stephen Hopson Interviews, I’ve created a new program at Adversity University, the purpose of which is to not only to continue expanding my brand name but also attract a potpourri of people of different economic, political, social, professional and personal backgrounds. It is part of my overall plan to make this blog the premier place where you can be inspired to overcome adversity and achieve virtually impossible dreams by learning from others from around the blogosphere.
- I’m grateful that the move from the old blogging platform to this location (WordPress) went smoothly in October 2007. Despite my initial fears of losing subscribers and traffic, the move somehow tripled the number of subscribers and more than doubled daily traffic. Not only that, but it also managed to attract a community of people who are fully engaged in the conversations now taking place via comments. I’ve made many new friends as a result of this risky move and am very grateful for it.
- Thanks to the world of instant publishing via blogging, I’ve been able to create a brand name, establish myself as an expert in overcoming adversity and claim a higher perceived value as a motivational speaker. The fact that Buzzoodle recently listed me among those who have successfully managed to brand themselves is testimony to the power of blogging and for that I am very grateful.
As a way to thank new and existing readers, for the next several end-of-the-week gratitude posts, I will be pulling out stories from the archives, in essence giving you a “sneak preview” of my first book, ”That’s Right, Stephen!” Eventually I plan to create a downloadable e-book but until that’s done, this will do for now.
So, go ahead, grab yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy some of the older posts that will eventually turn into a book!
The Jordan Factor
Food for thought: What are you grateful for this week?
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1:55 pm on December 29th, 2007 1
I am grateful for all of the things and people that presented challenges to my peace of mind during this Christmas season. I am grateful that I found your blog recently.
3:39 pm on December 29th, 2007 2
I am officially out of the Holiday Spirit! Glad that it is over.
It is always fun to see family and friends but it takes over your entire life. All these cheery people can get old – immediately the day after Christmas.
The New Year can be daunting. Everyone is making all these resolutions and it scares me because I am still working on last years!
So, I have decided not to make any at all. I will handle what comes as it arrives. That’s the way we have to do it anyway.
4:47 pm on December 29th, 2007 3
@Patricia: And I’m grateful you continue to be an active part of AU. I know how you mean when you talk about challenges to your peace of mind during the holidays. The key is to stay peaceful inside no matter what happens. It sends a signal to others that your feathers cannot be ruffled.
@Corinne: For one whole week I enjoyed myself at my brother’s house. My parents were there too and it was great seeing them but my brother surely put me to work around the house! I actually enjoyed it, believe it or not. Yes, the New Year can be daunting but you know what? I no longer write up “resolutions.” It’s old and tried. I rather have goals, not resolutions. Big difference.
10:52 pm on December 30th, 2007 4
2007 was an awesome year! Not just because of the things that happened this year, but moreso because of my own personal growth and life view. I made a decision to see the good in everything and to expect the best (whereas before I was the type of person who operated from the worse case scenario).
I am grateful for my life, my experiences and all of the lessons that I’ve gained. I’m grateful for the divine opportunity to now share them with others to inspire them and empower them on their journey.
I’m grateful that I’ve finally aligned myself with my God given purpose and I am making steps daily, marching to my inner drummer.
I’m grateful that my own unique blueprint is coming to life and I am creating a life that I love and living it on my own terms.
I am grateful from what I gained from making amends in my life.
I’m grateful for the courage to own my life and face my life and live it to the fullest.
I’m grateful for my precious granddaughter.
I’m grateful that God is guiding my life and my heart and I can be at peace inwardly and outwardly.
I’m grateful to have connected with you and the Adversity University Community.
I’m grateful for words and how they allow us to express ourselves and touch the hearts of others.
I am grateful for being alive and for living and not merely existing.
I am so very grateful for everything!
Sharmaine
11:24 pm on December 30th, 2007 5
Stephen I just saw you on Buzzoodle – very awesome! Stephen we have very exciting times ahead…I am so grateful for my family and friends:)
Happy New Year!
Shelley
8:15 am on December 31st, 2007 6
@Shelley: Thanks for the compliment about appearing on the list of emerging brand name blogs at Buzzoodle. It should be interesting to see what happens in 2008!
@Sharmaine: There’s nothing more powerful than listing the things you are grateful for and I’m glad I provided a place for the AU community to publicly air their gratitude. The internet is like one giant energy thing and when it’s used to express gratitude, the power is enlarged many times over. Thanks for sharing!
9:09 am on December 31st, 2007 7
Hi Stephen,
I’ve held you in my prayers as you made the return trip from your holiday visit. Good to know it was uneventful.
I’m grateful that 2007 has brought me a bumper crop of new friends, I’m happy to count you among them.
I’m attempting to hold gratitude close in my thoughts throughout the day. My husband and children.
Turning on the water, the new pop off lids on cans of soup, turning on a light.
Ohhhhhh geszzzz as I was sitting here typing this message an Air Force Mom friend from another state
phoned me. When her name popped up on my caller ID,
I was thrilled… and answered the phone….
HEY BRENDA !!!! In a tearful voice she said….
“Deb”…. I said Ohhhhhhh no Brenda. I knew in that
instant her Dad had passed as he was not well and only recently had she moved him from Indiana to her home in Arkansas. Her Mom passed this summer. Before we could even talk, she had a beep and told me it was her sister calling and that she would call me back.
At first I looked at the screen here and thought …
“HOW can I just go on and write about all that I am grateful for”. Well… I can’t just keep going about everything but I can tell you…..I am grateful that someone views me as the sort of
go to friend they can phone when in distress.
Just remember there are no givens,
take NOTHING for granted.
8:20 am on January 1st, 2008 8
Deb:
I see you were reflecting on the eve of the new year and I’m thrilled you decided to share your timely thoughts of gratitude in such a public way via Adversity University.
I share your sentiments, especially the making of new friends made through the Internet and taking nothing for granted.
P.S. Thanks so much for holding me in your prayers as I made my way to and from the East Coast for the holidays. There were no traffic or weather challenges so the drive both ways were relatively “uneventful.” I appreciate the power of prayer and am thankful you held me in your thoughts while you prayed. Thank you!
That’s another thing – never underestimate the power of prayer.