A Letter of Gratitude + Good Mood Update

A year ago today, I was lying in a hospital bed, scared for my baby’s future, and struggling with a lot of pain that my mind had convinced me to be true. The following 6 months proceeded to be the darkest emotional period of my life.

Looking back, it all seems so far away. A blurry memory from the past.

I am a believer that things happen to us for a reason, and that reason is a gift –often disguised as challenges- that helps us grow and to fully experience the beautiful subtleties of Life. If nothing else, at least to remind us to appreciate the good in our lives, which we often take for granted.

Today, our 4lb preemie baby is a healthy, happy, active, and very curious little boy. Ryan now has 8 teeth, is in the 90^th percentile for height, can stand on his own, and can crawl faster than I can catch him.

My friend Derek thinks we should stop calling him a “preemie”, and instead call him “advanced”. He was so eager to learn about the world, that he came out of the “oven” 8 weeks early.

And myself? Today, I feel like I’ve reached another peak of personal fulfillment and Joy. I am happier, more centered, and more grateful to the little gifts of everyday life. I have learned so much through this past year.

Things aren’t always smooth (as with everyone’s life), but today, I am better able to re-adjust the sail of my emotional boat than ever before. I feel that I am much more fluid at accepting and adapting to the fluctuations of daily life, which we all encounter.

I wanted to take a moment to thank YOU, from the depth of my Being, for being so supportive of me over the past years, and months, and weeks, and days.

Thank you for being patient with me, when I was too disturbed with my own struggles to write. For being the most outrageous cheerleaders, when the good mood blogging contest was going down.

Thank you for pointing out my typos and spelling booboos. For encouraging me with words of comfort when I needed it. For participating and sharing openly about your life on our facebook page.

Thank you for being uniquely you, and for reminding me to be uniquely me.

You guys, truly rock my world.

I can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store for us. And I have a hunch it’s going to be something extraordinary! Something that will bring us even closer together – a community of happiness soldiers, spreading messages of joy and conscious living in a massive way. I can’t wait!

I’ve converted the Happiness Team email list (originally created to remind people to vote) to a Think Simple Now thought of the day mailing list – where I share, casually, some thought that inspired me each day. I do my best to send something daily. The messages are immediate, unpolished, and frequent. If you’ve enjoyed our regular Think Simple Now articles here, come by and have a look at the Thought Of The Day mailing list. See you on the inside!

From my family to yours, wishing you abundance, happiness, and laughter. I love you.

Good Mood Gig2 Blogger Contest Results

In other news, I just got a call from the SAM-e Good Mood Blogger contest people, and the verdict is: we won!

*happy dance*

When I took the call, I was standing in the middle of the grocery store, holding several packages of frozen goods. My heart was beating so loud –as if it was bouncing 5 meters out of my chest- I could barely hear the representative’s voice.

I was so nervous, I don’t actually remember what she said. The only thing I remember now is that I had won, and the sound of my heart beating loudly. And now, I can finally release the breath I’ve been holding for the past 2 months, and begin to breathe and function like a normal human again. *smiles*

During the contest period, I was deeply moved by all the support from you, all the emails with words of encouragement and wisdom, and for everyone going out of your way to get your family and friends to vote. I am sincerely grateful.

I’ve written about this in the Daily Emails. To summarize: I’ve received so many gifts as a result of this contest, that even if we didn’t win, I would have walked away feeling like a winner – after all, winning is a psychological state in our own minds.

Through this time, I got to connect closely with so many of you. I got to hear your stories. And through your transparency, and heart felt writing, often your stories would bring tears to my eyes.

I have so much to learn. And I’m glad we can do this together.

The other big gift I received as a result is reconnecting with my voice, which I thought that I had lost after diving into “mommy brain” mode for several months.

I’ve enjoyed writing the daily emails to many of you in the mailing list – for those who wanted daily vote reminders. I learned that good articles don’t have to take 20 hours to produce. The conditions don’t have to be perfect. I can write, or do anything, whenever I set my mind to it. It’s all a matter of intention.

I’ve also become unexpected friends with a finalist from last year, Suzanne McMinn – who was so generous, and shared so much wisdom with me; not just about the contest, but also some much needed advice on how to become a better pro-blogger.

Until the new year -when I start to post daily snippets of happiness on the good mood blog- you can join our daily conversation on facebook (I’d love to see you there), or sign up to receive the Thought Of The Day email.

I thank you again, from the wholeness of my heart.

Have a beautiful week!

Enjoy the Holidays.

Tina

Please help me spread word about this site. If this or any other articles have helped you in any way, please tell one (or many) people about us. Please share this on Facebook, tweet it on twitter, and email the site to friends. I really appreciate your help. You make this site possible.

And make sure to check out our facebook page, click on the Like button to gain daily inspiration and join our daily conversations about happiness. See you there!

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74 Responses (74 Comments, 0 Trackbacks ):

Comments

1. Dayna L Gilmore

   Dec 20 10, 4:45 pm PDT

   1

   Congratulations! Whew! Finally! LOL

2. Andrea A

   Dec 20 10, 4:46 pm PDT

   2

   Like there was any doubt! Congratulations, Tina! You deserve it!

3. Christina Wofford

   Dec 20 10, 4:46 pm PDT

   3

   Congrats! I figured you’d win! Looking forward to your articles! :D

4. Devan Sabaratnam

   Dec 20 10, 4:48 pm PDT

   4

   Many, many congratulations Tina. We all believed you would do it! Well done!

5. Frances Park

   Dec 20 10, 4:49 pm PDT

   5

   congrats!

6. Anita Jarchow

   Dec 20 10, 4:50 pm PDT

   6

   Congratulations!!!

7. Jennifer Riley Halasi

   Dec 20 10, 4:53 pm PDT

   7

   yay!!!!

8. Nina Tu

   Dec 20 10, 4:53 pm PDT

   8

   Amazing!!! You’ll do great!

9. Jasmine Lau

   Dec 20 10, 4:58 pm PDT

   9

   Congrats Tina! :)

10. Evelina Solís

    Dec 20 10, 4:59 pm PDT

    10

    It is well deserved, Tina! CONGRATS!!!

11. Tom Lanigan

    Dec 20 10, 5:02 pm PDT

    11

    Congratulations Tina !
    Well done and I hope you have a lovely Christmas !

12. Angela Yan

    Dec 20 10, 5:09 pm PDT

    12

    congratulations~Merry Christmas!

13. Matt Davis

    Dec 20 10, 5:10 pm PDT

    13

    This is the ONE thing I seriously NEVER worried about.. seriously… ;) lol

14. Michele Lu Kumar

    Dec 20 10, 5:10 pm PDT

    14

    Congrats, Tina!! That’s super exciting. Can’t wait to follow your new blogging adventures.

15. Jose Alonso

    Dec 20 10, 5:11 pm PDT

    15

    Congratulations Tina :)

16. Roger Knight

    Dec 20 10, 5:11 pm PDT

    16

    Fantastic news, Tina. Congratulations ! Looking forward to reading more from you.

17. Yusra Sawi

    Dec 20 10, 5:11 pm PDT

    17

    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy! congrats girl! u deserve it! :))) Merry Christmas

18. Sebastian Leon

    Dec 20 10, 5:12 pm PDT

    18

    Congrats Tina!! I’m happy that I voted for you and it actually made a difference. woop woop. :) Happy Christmas to you and your family.

19. Louie Orbeta

    Dec 20 10, 5:14 pm PDT

    19

    Congrats!!!!!

20. Linda Ghobrial

    Dec 20 10, 5:15 pm PDT

    20

    Congratulations! I knew that you would win

21. Lynda Nguyen

    Dec 20 10, 5:19 pm PDT

    21

    Congrats Tina!!! Very well deserved.

22. Satyavelan

    Dec 20 10, 5:20 pm PDT

    22

    Indeed, Tina. This job was created for specifically for you. Super congratulations!!!

23. Sarah Cosentino

    Dec 20 10, 5:21 pm PDT

    23

    Well deserved! A big congrats to you!!!

24. Giovanni B

    Dec 20 10, 5:22 pm PDT

    24

    Congratulations!!

25. Sandra Tseng

    Dec 20 10, 5:23 pm PDT

    25

    yay, congratulations, Tina!!

26. Ali Cat

    Dec 20 10, 5:28 pm PDT

    26

    OMG! Well done! You deserve it!!! :)?

27. Craig S. Kaplan

    Dec 20 10, 5:30 pm PDT

    27

    Holy frak, way to go!

28. Tom Weiland

    Dec 20 10, 5:30 pm PDT

    28

    Congrats, Tina!

29. Natasha Dias Sequeira

    Dec 20 10, 5:32 pm PDT

    29

    Yipee!!!!! hurray…feels like we all have won..Congratulations…

30. Cecilia

    Dec 20 10, 5:44 pm PDT

    30

    Yaaaaiii *happy dance*

    Great things are coming, congratulations once again!! :)

31. Tina Su

    Dec 20 10, 5:50 pm PDT

    31

    THANK YOU!!!

32. Trisha P.

    Dec 20 10, 6:03 pm PDT

    32

    Congratulations on winning the Sam-e Happy Blogger contest. I hope you spread the happiness more and more :)

33. Kathleen

    Dec 20 10, 6:16 pm PDT

    33

    Awesome story and thank you for sharing and Love the photos what a good looking family, omg

34. Renee

    Dec 20 10, 6:47 pm PDT

    34

    Hey Tina!
    You are a beautiful person, an extremely (extremely) blessed – and hard-working lady, and you deserve every bit of this. I’m so happy you won. I think you will be the best for the job, and I trust you’ll do an excellent job as the sam-e good mood blogger!
    Look forward to reading more! Thanks for always writing so honestly, and for sharing the details of your life in a way that helps us all.
    Lots of Love and merry Christmas to you and your family!
    - Renee.

35. Yan Susanto

    Dec 20 10, 7:08 pm PDT

    35

    You deserve the win, Tina. I (really) knew you would. Happy holidays and may the years ahead be blessed with more joys, happiness and memorable moments.

    Yan

    PS: Love the family picture.

36. Michelle T

    Dec 20 10, 7:16 pm PDT

    36

    I’m so happy for you that you won! :))

37. Matt Davis

    Dec 20 10, 7:29 pm PDT

    37

    YAY! Congrats guys! and Happy Bday Ryan! :D What a wonderful way to end 2010. Can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store for us all!

    Love and light!

    Matt

38. Jorge Wong

    Dec 20 10, 8:15 pm PDT

    38

    You have done extremely well, and come out on top of the world. As this quote from Jimmy Dean sums it up so well:
    “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”

39. Sylvia

    Dec 20 10, 9:20 pm PDT

    39

    Happy for you! Have a beautiful night! :)

40. Melinda Adolph

    Dec 20 10, 9:20 pm PDT

    40

    Aww Happy Birthday to Ryan (he was born on the same day as me!) and Merry Holidays to you and you’re beautiful family! There is alot to celebrate this week ;)

41. Tony

    Dec 20 10, 9:58 pm PDT

    41

    That’s awesome…congratulations and keep up the great work!!!

42. Karyn Plonsky

    Dec 20 10, 10:21 pm PDT

    42

    Happy Birthday to Ryan! I hope Ryan and all your guests liked the gifts I brought them. So glad I could provide a little something special, made me feel like Santa!

43. Leahna Rencio

    Dec 20 10, 10:21 pm PDT

    43

    Happy birthday to Ryan! and happy to know that you won the good-mood blogger. You really deserve it Tina! Just by reading your article brings to good-mood :-)

44. Therese Miu

    Dec 20 10, 11:19 pm PDT

    44

    Tina, what a heartfelt message. It almost got me teary eyed for sure because I know all the struggles with motherhood, giving birth, etc..

    Anyway so HAPPY about the good mood. It made my day, my week, my month. I had no doubt for a second.

    Thank You also for being YOU. Everyone support is a true reflection of your kindness, warmth, and love. I am so excited for 2011. It will be the BEST YEAR yet! Congrats again my friend. May the Universe continue to bless you always in complete totality. xoxoxo virtual *hugs*

45. Tess The Bold Life

    Dec 20 10, 11:31 pm PDT

    45

    Wow what an awesome photo! Thanks for sharing your family photo with us. Congratulations on your win!

46. Uzma

    Dec 21 10, 2:58 am PDT

    46

    Dearest Tina. Thank YOU for this wonderful message, for your warm words and incredible. We’ve always been praying and learning with you and now we join in the victory dance with you as well. God bless you and everyone else in the world, with abundance, joy and good health. Always. Here’s to a fantastic new year full of shining growth and much much ecstatic happiness.

47. Katja

    Dec 21 10, 4:31 am PDT

    47

    CONGRATS! This is wonderful, and just what I, and all of us, was hoping for! I also want to thank you for this blog, and for coming back and sharing with us what you could. Can’t wait for the new things you’ve got in store! Happy Holidays!

48. Debbie A

    Dec 21 10, 5:02 am PDT

    48

    I am so very happy for your success most deserved. It is with the anticipation of a new enquiry and ultimately joy that I look forward to your wordy confections landing in my inbox.
    Thank you and love and holiday wishes to you and Jeremy and Ryan.
    Happy Ho Ho Ho
    Debbie xxx

49. bob

    Dec 21 10, 6:09 am PDT

    49

    CONGRATULATIONS TINA!!!

    I was wondering yesterday if there was any news yet.

    I am glad to hear your son is doing well. Often, preemies are a bit behind since they have to catch up with all the others. Their milestones are often genetically set to happen at a certain time from when they were supposed to be born, but your son seems to be moving right along.

50. Chrissy (The New Me)

    Dec 21 10, 6:15 am PDT

    50

    Congratulations Tina! I was also a finalist this year and while I was disappointed about not winning, I was glad to see that you were chosen! I can’t think of a better applicant to “lose” to. I look forward to seeing what you do with the blog and following along. :)

51. Tina Su

    Dec 21 10, 6:18 am PDT

    51

    @Chrissy

    Hi Chrissy! Wow, thank you for this comment. I really appreciate the friendly contact. I wish that we could of had multiple bloggers, it would have made things much nicer for everyone. :)

    Warmly,
    Tina

52. Carrie O'Connor

    Dec 21 10, 6:25 am PDT

    52

    Tina:

    I am soooo happy for you!! Congratulations . . . you will do amazing at this!

    Blessings!

    Carrie

53. Filis

    Dec 21 10, 6:28 am PDT

    53

    Great news! congrats

54. The Vizier

    Dec 21 10, 7:06 am PDT

    54

    Hi Tina,

    Like you I also believe that things happen for a reason. It may be hard to see the bigger picture when bad things are happening to us. But during these dark days it is important to persevere and not to give up. Only then would all our efforts be worth it and repaid twice over.

    I am glad to see that you have successfully weathered all the challenges that the year has had in store for you. Your story and example is a reminder to us all that things turn out for the best in the end if we keep on persevering.

    Thank you for sharing your life with us. It has been inspirational. :)

    Irving aka the Vizier

55. Monique

    Dec 21 10, 7:49 am PDT

    55

    I’m so very very happy for you! There couldn’t be a more deserving person!

56. Nathalie Lussier

    Dec 21 10, 7:54 am PDT

    56

    Yay Tina! I’m sooo happy for you, on all counts. It’s always amazing to see what’s possible and how to take things in stride. I love the idea of an advanced baby, it’s definitely true in your little one’s case. :)

    Cheers & all the best in the new year! :D

57. Varsha

    Dec 21 10, 9:11 am PDT

    57

    Congratulations!! Keep the good work going and spreading the smiles!!

58. SVL

    Dec 21 10, 9:27 am PDT

    58

    Congrats Tina .. !! :)

59. Anhtuan

    Dec 21 10, 9:35 am PDT

    59

    Hi Tina,

    Just wanted to shoot you a quick note and congratulate you on winning the next good mood gig.

    Once phase II started, my wife and I sat down and watched all 20 videos. When we got to yours, I figured you would end getting picked. Nice work and congratulations!

    Congrats! I’ll be reading!
    - Anhtuan

60. Positive Present

    Dec 21 10, 10:13 am PDT

    60

    Tina,

    Just wanted to send you a note and say congratulations on your Good Mood win! I voted for you every day and I was so happy to see that you’d won. Awesome!

    I hope you have a very happy holiday season.

    Dani

61. nrhatch

    Dec 21 10, 11:38 am PDT

    61

    Wonderful post and news!

    Enjoy that Happy Dance . . . you deserve it!

    BTW: Did you ever find your missing puppy?

62. Tina Su

    Dec 21 10, 12:40 pm PDT

    62

    Thank you!! :)

    No, Blackie is still missing.

63. Natalie C

    Dec 21 10, 12:45 pm PDT

    63

    In a way, I feel like I’ve won as well. Your mom asked me (and everyone she knows, I’m sure!) to vote for you. An offshoot of voting was that it led me to check out your blog. And I am so happy that I did. Until recently, there was only one blog that I followed…well, now there are two!

    You and I are in different places in our lives in terms of age and circumstances. However, the topics in your blog are timeless, universal, and yet speak to people on a very real, practical level. I am so impressed with the depth of your wisdom, your humour, and your willingness to share deep parts of yourself and connect with others.

    I have gone through (read: devoured) almost all of your posts, and have been touched and inspired by what you’ve written. I have been going through a major emotional shift, and don’t believe that it’s an accident that I made my way to your site. Like you, I believe that everything happens for a reason. Thank you for being willing to put your thoughts and feelings out there, in a big way, so that the rest of us can benefit.

    Wishing you and your family a joyful and love-filled 2011.

64. Tina Su

    Dec 21 10, 12:47 pm PDT

    64

    Dani,

    Thank you!! We did it!! I could not have done it on my own without your help. Awesome!

    Saw your guest post on Tiny Buddha. Cool!

65. Leah

    Dec 21 10, 1:25 pm PDT

    65

    Great post! :) Love the photos!

66. Tina Su

    Dec 22 10, 12:22 pm PDT

    66

    @Natalie C

    WOW! What a gift of a note Natalie. I’m here reading this with tears with my eyes. Thank you for providing that for me. I sometimes get lost in the mist of problems that we all encounter, and I forget who I am. But I will save this email, put a special tag on it, and read it when I’m feeling lost, because it helps me to reconnect, to regroup back to why I am writing in the first place. :)

67. Lynne G

    Dec 23 10, 3:36 pm PDT

    67

    Congratulations Tina!!! Happy Holidays to you and your family!

68. evan schulte

    Dec 28 10, 9:57 am PDT

    68

    Awesome Christmas Picture. I am glad to hear that things have been better. Life isn’t always easy and you are lucky to have such great readers who support you. Any update on Blacky? I am sad he didn’t make it into the picture.

69. Tina Su

    Dec 28 10, 10:10 am PDT

    69

    Hi Evan,

    No word on Blackie. But we are at peace with that now. We trust that he is happy and is with a family who loves him. :)

    Tina

70. Amai T

    Dec 28 10, 3:18 pm PDT

    70

    I am so happy for you Tina!!
    I knew you would make it :)
    Keep all the good work up, you deserve the best! and you know it ;)

    By the way… FELICES FIESTAS!!

71. AZmegs

    Dec 30 10, 2:33 pm PDT

    71

    Life…Oh, beautiful life…Tina, we are all so blessed to have you, amazing isn’t it, how we all come here to seek solace from and of one another, and how much hope, faith, and service we are to and for each other…in times of distraction from our higher good, in times of anger, pain, joy, desire…we commune here together…and are one in spirit and energy through your words. Thank you, sweet Tina, for being that portal and offering up such love to be sough, gathered and spread to others. Indeed…happy happy New Year and every moment. Your blog, your words, your voice is a soothing balm for our universe. x

72. et

    Jan 10 11, 6:59 am PDT

    72

    I wonder if you would be willing to meet a group of parents who have lost their child/children and say: “things happen to us for a reason”?

73. Matt Davis

    Jan 10 11, 11:30 am PDT

    73

    @ et:

    Unfortunately we have an ego, and aren’t all grounded enough to understand this concept. We are human after all…

    I think the take home message here is to stay positive. Mourn as you should, for as long as necessary… then try and find a message, or lesson in every situation life has to offer.

    I believe we are all here for a reason, and once that reason is fulfilled, we moved on to another state.

    Dying for me is a blessing, that can be celebrated. It’s a new ‘birthing’ of sorts. The first one being from womb, to this world… second from this world, to the next.

    Our body is a shell holding our spirit, and when it’s time to move on, we do.

    The 2 day old baby that dies in the hospital may have had a purpose to bring their parents joy for 48 hours. Once that goal has been fulfilled, the baby moves on.

    Thinking of ‘loss’ like this seems to make sense to me, and makes it more inviting, and easier to understand.

74. Javier

    Feb 23 11, 8:05 am PDT

    74

    It is possible that now you want to do money and you deserve it, but do not forget that we want you as you are.

    Think happy now !!!!

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