I feel loved today...

For the last four days, I have taught a motivational workshop for a group of people who are unemployed. It has been rough and really took a lot out of me energy-wise. The group was very large. Normally, I like to learn the names of everyone who attends and learn a bit about them. I was just not able to do so for this group and I felt badly about that.

The group this week was 35 very diverse people. Some were educated with college degrees. There were ex-business owners, counselors, loggers and welfare moms. Working with them, making them gel was a tough job. They really did click and everyone participated well.

Today, they brought me a present! They made a gift basket for me to say thanks for delivering the workshop to them. It was mostly little things that they could have found around the house. Candles. Lotions and bodysprays. A couple of homemade cookies. The monetary value does not matter. What does it that they thought enough of me and what I presented to them that they showed their appreciation.

I don't think I have been touched like that by a group of supposed strangers before. It means a lot when people see that you are just doing your job, but they like what you are doing and how you are doing it. This group of people probably won't ever know how unmotivated and uninspired I have been feeling about work and my job recently.

Something like this really helped remind me why I am doing what I am doing. Thank you to all of you. It means more than you will know.

When we start the workshop, I have them meet and introduce each other. I preface it by saying that they are about to make and get to know a new friend. This week, I made 35 new friends of my own...