There is a growing body of research that suggests that that people who are grateful have higher levels of well-being. Grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships. Well, I must be doing very well because as I reach this turning point in my life I am filled with gratitude.
There are so many people I want to thank for supporting me over the past five years. In many ways I was like an "old dog learning new tricks" in the world of academia. To all of my classmates who so generously welcomed me into the fold, thank you. To my professors who embraced my enthusiasm for learning and fed my insatiable appetite for new knowledge (and who forgave my clumsiness with APA), thank you. And, Kim. You are a gift to the world. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with me - and challenging me to apply my new learning in the real world. It's been a wild ride! And it's not over yet.
But there are two people towards whom I am especially grateful . I call them my two "life partners" - my husband Larry, and my business partner of 20 years Sharon
There are so many people I want to thank for supporting me over the past five years. In many ways I was like an "old dog learning new tricks" in the world of academia. To all of my classmates who so generously welcomed me into the fold, thank you. To my professors who embraced my enthusiasm for learning and fed my insatiable appetite for new knowledge (and who forgave my clumsiness with APA), thank you. And, Kim. You are a gift to the world. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with me - and challenging me to apply my new learning in the real world. It's been a wild ride! And it's not over yet.
But there are two people towards whom I am especially grateful . I call them my two "life partners" - my husband Larry, and my business partner of 20 years Sharon
Larry and Maria
Larry is my mentor. All the years that I was working in my career as a television host and video producer, Larry was working with children, parents, teachers, administrators within the school system , trying to create caring, safe environments for children and the adults who surround them. At the same time he was working with families as a Family Systems Therapist. He understands the social and emotional complexities of our lives, and he has always shared his learning and reflections. That kindled a flame inside of me that eventually led me back to school. For the past 5 years Larry has been there to reassure me when I was filled with self-doubt, and he was always enthusiastic to talk about what I was learning. He has been a touchstone as he continues to fill in the gaps between research and practice. Mostly, Larry is a great guy. As I complete my studies we approach our 30th wedding anniversary. And we have a lot to celebrate.
Sharon and Maria in Rome
When I went back to grad school I didn't carve out more time in my schedule to do all of the work that was required. I simply squeezed it into an already full calendar. That meant that there were often times when I dropped the ball at work, and Sharon was always there to pick it up. There is nobody more generous than Sharon. Nobody. Generous with her time, and generous with her heart. And she is one of the smartest people I know. I often joke with her that she should be getting some kind of honorary degree. So many times I interrupted a conversation about work to tell her about an article I had read or an idea I was concocting. She always listened intently and often made a comment that made me think of things in a new way. I wish I could say that now things are going to slow down. But Sharon knows me too well to believe it!