My transformation from caterpillar to a small change butterfly began 28 years ago. Sparked by the pain of heartbreak and loss that settled around me like a dense fog, I set out to find some semblance of light, hope, and a return to inner joy.
My search led me to a pocket-sized guide on cultivating Gratitude through the creation of a daily gratitude list. Each day, I began listing the people, places, and things for which I was grateful. Over time, I experienced a profound internal awakening, akin to a caterpillar sensing its delicate wings unfurling as it morphs into a butterfly.
One day, and one small change at a time, like storm clouds slowly breaking apart, the fog of depression began to disappear. What started as a simple gratitude list evolved into a journaling practice, a kind of spiritual awakening that ignited my childhood dream to write.
In 2005, I proudly put wings on my dreams: I co-authored my first book, small change: a 28-day guide to eating, thinking and feeling healthier, with my son, Cameron, a sports performance coach, motivator, and author. From that moment, I dubbed myself the small change Butterfly, and I have been soaring on the wings of Gratitude ever since.
Living gratefully took on an even deeper meaning in 2017 when my daughter Mia suffered a massive stroke that left her permanently disabled and me a caregiver and her healing companion. After guiding her through the process of relearning to read and write, Mia created her first gratitude list three months after the stroke. What began as a simple list slowly morphed into a gratitude journaling practice. She is now a small change Butterfly, putting wings on her dreams to regain her independence!
In 2019, Mia and I co-published The Stroke That Touched My Heart: How Gratitude Transformed a 37-Year-Old Massive Stroke Survivor. The book chronicles our year-long aftermath of the stroke, detailing the physical and emotional hurdles we had to overcome and highlighting the powerful gifts of gratitude journaling. With thought-provoking prompts, we invite readers not only to reflect but to embark on their journey of Gratitude,
discovering the profound impact it can have on their lives.
Our gratitude stories of triumph over tragedy resonated deeply with readers, inspiring us to launch face-to-face Gratitude Journaling Workshops in November 2019. However, the unforeseen challenges of the 2020 pandemic temporarily halted our momentum.
In 2022, determined to continue fulfilling my purpose, I created the small change Toolkit, a set of innovative tools designed to give rise to more small change Butterflies by reshaping perceptions of what it means to “Be Well."
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