We spent month at weekend practices and kitchen table readings. I was even more amazed than usual with this little girl! She not only was nailing her lines at practice, she was feeding lines to older kids AND adults. When performance rolled around Em was, OF COURSE, magnificent. She didn't blow one line, and in fact covered like a seasoned pro for an adult who had forgotten his line. I've never seen such utter relief on one man's face!

With a very sharp mind (she gets that from her dad), hard-headed determination (also from him) boldness (ditto) and a flair for dramatic (what I brought to gene party), child was, and is, loaded with assetts.

But what left an impression on me was her can-do attitude. Not once did she complain or give voice to any doubts. She knew she had a lot of work in front of her and knew it wouldn't be easy. But she knew something more important. She knew she could do it.

And she did.

When I'm confronted with difficult situations and am tempted to throw in proverbial hat, I think back to look on her face and determination in her voice. I remember a very thick script covered in yellow highlighter, marking countless lines. I remember a tiny girl turning off cartoons and lying on floor with a huge pile of work. I remember looking closely into her big blue eyes and not seeing a trace of doubt or nervousness.

Then again, why would she worry? As she said, "Oh, I can do that."

First, you have to stop and smell roses. You can't be thankful for something you don't notice or enjoy. Roses really do smell great, by way.

Then, you need to make this appreciative approach to roses and life a habit. There's no need to ignore ugliness in world, but you have to habitually see beautiful things.

Start writing down every positive thing that happens to you, and all things you like. Do this until you start automatically seeing good things in life. If you've ever bought a white car, and started seeing white cars all over, you know how awareness can alter your perception of reality. To see wonderful things all over, train yourself to look for them.

Wnen you are in habit of "counting your blessings," gratitude, and a much richer experience of life is natural result.