As I turned the page on the calendar to November, I stopped as usual, looking at the month ahead. This time, however, I took a moment longer as I looked at the anniversary of my father’s death, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving. And in one moment, I had a feeling of gratefulness waft over me like the smell of fresh banana bread just out of the oven.
I realized that as painful as my father’s passing was, I was so thankful for him inspiring me to live my life with integrity, accountability, and compassion — and an “attitude of gratitude.” 
Growing up, as my dad would tell us stories of his service in the Navy, he would always focus on the good; the relationships he developed with his comrades, the things he got to see while serving, and the blessing of coming back “whole.” 
So, I’m thinking this year, as that anniversary date arrives, I should honor his optimism and live that day fully with an attitude of gratitude for the years I had with him.  And then I realized that is truly how I live every day — continually looking for the good in people and things around me. 
Yes, I may get sad “reality checks” occasionally in what I do. But overall, even in those times, I’m looking for that one spark of humanity, honor or integrity when I can confirm that we are a people looking for the common good for all.
So, as I saw Veterans Day and Thanksgiving on the calendar, I wondered, “What if we all spent the whole month in the theme of thankfulness?” Would it make a difference in our relationships at home, workplace, or community? 
What if, just for one month, we looked at our spouse every day and noticed something about him/her for which to be grateful.  Or we looked at our home, no matter how humble it might be, and took a moment to be grateful we’re not on the street.  Or we looked at our job or paycheck, and felt thankful for having one.  Would it make a difference?
Yes, even with conflict or pain all around us at times (and especially now), I am still an optimist. Why? Because I have seen over and over again that true solutions cannot come from a mind full of fear or negativity.  The smartest ideas have come through optimistic perseverance and openness to possibilities. I have seen the results of keeping an open mind to finding a solution as a bill moves through the legislative process, or a student tries to solve a homework problem, or a salesperson tries to find a way to get the sale. 
That’s what my dad taught me. And this month, we remember that’s what the veterans have taught us — to never give up.  In looking inwardly, although doing what I do is often a difficult job, I have had many a day full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve and create the results my constituents want. And in looking at the stakeholder work on my bills for next session, some might think the problems are too big or too cumbersome to solve, but not me. I have experienced that positive collaboration and patient brainstorming brought us to resolve in all my 64 bills but one.
So, what does all this mean to you as a constituent?  Maybe that with all the appearances today of a recession, citizen unrest, and unstable markets, if we all took a month to live with an attitude of gratitude, it might not change those outer realities, but it might just bring some peace in our own life. And it might bring more solutions too. At least find time to thank one veteran, one firefighter, or one person in your life that has selflessly served.
With an attitude of gratitude for my dad, the veterans, and my constituents, Happy Thanksgiving!

State Sen. Linda Newell serves District 26, which includes Littleton, Englewood, Sheridan, Cherry Hills Village, west Centennial, BowMar and Columbine Valley. She can be reached at Linda.Newell.senate@gmail.com

Click here to see the article from Westword Magazine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 3 2011

CONTACT:
Eddie Stern, Communications Director, (303) 866-4882, edward.stern@state.co.us
Jack Wylie, Deputy Communications Director, (303) 866-3005, jack.wylie@state.co.us

Senator Newell hosts Summit to encourage collaboration between state leaders

“I know we can overcome these challenges if we work together and put the well-being of our constituents first.”

Senator Newell was joined by Senate President Brandon Shaffer, Governor John Hickenlooper, fellow legislators and conflict resolution professionals during today’s summit

DENVER— Today, State Senator Linda Newell (D-Littleton) hosted the “2011 Conflict to Collaboration Legislative Leadership Summit.” The purpose of the summit was to bring together legislators to identify opportunities for collaboration in the state Capitol and to help reduce conflict among lawmakers. Governor John Hickenlooper also took part in the summit. Senator Newell enlisted the help of Stewart Levine, a conflict resolution expert, to lead the discussion and offer strategies for working in a more collaborative way.

The Colorado General Assembly has demonstrated its support for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practices due to the cost and time-savings that ADR brings to the handling of disputes by the state court system.

Senator Newell offered the following comment on today’s summit:

“Colorado’s citizens deserve to have leaders who work together for the common good of our state.  To have the Governor and members of his cabinet attend the Summit highlights the significance of our work. Colorado faces many challenges, and I know we can overcome these challenges if we work together and put the well-being of our constituents first.”

The partisan environment in Washington and the recent standoff over the federal budget demonstrate the negative impact conflict can have. State leaders in Colorado have an opportunity to set an example for leaders in Washington and across the nation by showing that collaboration is possible, and indeed necessary, for continued good governance.

Senator Newell has been a strong advocate for the use of conflict resolution practices in all parts of our society. Proactive communication and mediation practices are both key components of resolving conflict, and the Summit provided an opportunity for discussion on the most effective ways to achieve the levels of cooperation that are needed to carry the state forward through these hard times with civility and efficacy.

Today’s summit follows many events in the month of October, which is recognized as Conflict Resolution Month.