I am one week into a 21 Day Meditation program. The theme is gratitude. It is truly amazing how just 20 minutes of sitting quietly and thinking about gratitude can really change your life and your outlook. It certainly helped me.
How many things have you agonized over, yet they never happened? A lot, I bet.
I’m caring for my elderly mother and doing consulting work for non-profits. I am happy, fulfilled and busy. Yet, in spite of all that, I sometimes feel embarrassed and a failure because I don’t have a full-time paying job.
I am slowly getting over that feeling. I treasure my time with my Mom. She is 92 years old and won’t be around forever. I am the healthiest I have ever been since I have lots of time to devote to exercise and healthy eating. I can spend a lot of time in prayer and meditation.
Because of my consulting work with the Harvard Business School Community Action Partners, I have been invited to join their Board. I am honored to be a more integral part of the organization. I will be working with other Harvard alumni and working more closely with non-profit clients. This is meaningful work and it is work that I believe in. I also really enjoy the people I work with. When it comes time for me to go back to work full-time, I will have a nice circle of contacts that can help me.
So, it doesn’t matter right now that I’m not working full-time. I playing an important role in my Mom’s life and I am enjoying the consulting work I am doing. I am truly grateful for all the blessings in my life.
What is in your life that you worry about, but doesn’t matter? Try enjoying the present moment and all the good that is in your life right now.
Pretty flower photograph is from Public Domain Pictures.
Nancy Loderick's Blog 
Ralph
July 22, 2015
Your mum is so lucky to have such a loving daughter Nancy 😀 ❤
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Nancy Loderick
July 22, 2015
Dear friend Ralph,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I also consider myself lucky to still have her around. I treasure every day with her. 🙂
Nancy
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Bea dM
July 23, 2015
pleasure reading this post: gratitude is key to everything, you’ll have good memories and no regrets when your mother won’t be around any more. Now you have quality time for yourself and time for others. And HBS is a very impressive connection for your future endeavors down the line. You’re in a good place all-round Nancy!
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2015
Hi Bea,
Thanks for your comment. I also think that I am in a good place (most of the time that is, but then again I’m only human and it’s normal to have doubts.)
Nancy
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socialbridge
July 23, 2015
Yes, enjoy every moment with your precious mother.
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2015
Hi Jean,
Thanks for your comment. I do try to enjoy every moment with her.
Nancy
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Ken Loderick
July 24, 2015
You forgot to mention caring for at least three active and hungry chipmunks! They keep you busy!
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2015
Dear Mr. Ken,
Yes, those three little rascals sure do keep us busy, don’t they? I have the added task of designing their daily boot camp workouts too! 🙂
Nancy
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walter bright
July 24, 2015
Congratulations on the Harvard connection or opportunity… and bless you for giving back to you mom. All these things are working together for good.
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2015
Hi Walt,
Yes, somehow I do believe that these two things are all part of God’s plan.
Nancy
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http://theenglishprofessoratlarge.com
July 26, 2015
Play the moment, not the results and all will be well. You have the pleasure of being with your mother right now and will never regret the time spent together. The Harvard connection sounds promising. Congratulations on being invited.
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2015
Hi,
Thanks so much for your comment.
Nancy
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tonyasmithauthor
July 27, 2015
I respect you for taking good care of your Mom in her later years. Your mom is fortunate to have a loving and kind daughter like you. You are pouring back the love she poured into you, and now you are serving others in the non-profit world with your time. What a blessing you are to others Nancy. GOD has you where he wants you in your life right now and it is all very worthwhile in his master plan for your life and those you serve.
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Nancy Loderick
July 27, 2015
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your kind words. I am so grateful that I have the chance to repay my Mom for all that she did and sacrificed for me. Although, I will never be able to completely repay all that she did for me.
I agree that God is working in his mysterious ways. I love the idea that we are all put on this earth to serve others.
Nancy
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storiesofourboys
July 27, 2015
Just like working with children, working with your mom is a whole other kind of rewarding. If there were more people doing things like what you’re doing with your mom and with non-profits, the world would be a better place.
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Nancy Loderick
July 27, 2015
Hi there,
Thanks for your kind words. I agree if more people spent time looking after their parents and taking care of the less fortunate in this world, we all would be better off.
Nancy
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