Don’t wait to give thanks this November. (Don’t make my mistake.)

Lynn O'DowdGoGaGa News

“I want to thank you, show my gratitude, my love and my respect for you, I want to thank you.”  – Natalie Merchant, Kind & Generous

This is the month of Thanks-Giving – so, who have you thanked lately?

Giving thanks to others benefits the recipient of the good wishes, of course, but it also benefits the giver by manifesting more reasons to be thankful. The obvious benefit is that saying “thank you” leads to better relationships and promotes personal bonding. But there’s more to it: Research shows that gratitude has many health benefits as well: less stress, more energy, lower blood pressure, and a stronger immune system, to name a few. It can even slow down aging. Now that’s something to be grateful for!

In my previous life in the corporate world, I had a boss I really admired. I always felt extremely fortunate to work with him. Not only did he take the time to mentor me professionally, but he always went out of his way to thank me for my help when we worked on projects together. He didn’t have to do that; it was my job, after all, but he made me feel like a valuable member of the company.

When he passed away a few years ago, his wife asked me to say a few words at his memorial service. I also performed the song below at that service, taking the opportunity to thank him through my tears. I wish I’d thanked him sooner. I told his family afterward that I had never expressed my gratitude to him personally. I never told him how much I appreciated working with him, or thanked him in the heartfelt way I wanted to. That’s a regret I will always have.

It’s important to be grateful for the big and small blessings in your life, but also remember to look for ways to show family, friends, colleagues, and clients that they are important to you. Don’t make my mistake. Thank people for being there for you, in the moment – for their sake and for yours.

And of course, thank YOU for all your support, friendship and love. All of you have been such an important part of my life journey, and I don’t want to wait another moment to express my gratitude for that. Take a Listen:

Book Lynn

Are you booking speakers for your group or meeting? After not singing for 35 years, – in a moment of madness – I answered an ad to be a singer in a Rock’n’Roll band… and got the gig. I share my story about how stepping out of my comfort zone and getting a little outrageous has changed my life.

I want everyone I reach to experience the same transformation through the “GoGaGaTM” process I’ve developed to help attendees Unleash THEIR “Inner Superstar” and realize that it’s never too late to bust through their fears to perform at levels they never thought possible. My talk takes people from “I can’t” to “I can” in 45 to 60 minutes – with my special brand of entertainment with a message. Click here to download my speaker one-sheet, and book me for your next event.