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July/August 2010 Conscious Media
I'm Thankful for Good Radio

by Vicky Thompson

Sue Lundquist

Just two years after her inspirational journal, I'm Thankful, was published, author Sue Lundquist went global with her mission. Lundquist’s Seattle-based radio show, I'm Thankful Network, is broadcast on Alternative Talk 1150 AM KKNW and CBS Radio, as well as on the web.

The show promotes positive growth and change through open and effective communication. On the air, Sue shares postcards from listeners about why they are thankful, interviews guests who have a motivational mission, and promotes charities and others who need help with projects.

Q. How do you maintain gratitude through stressful times?

A. You’ve got to be thankful for the little things. During my stressful times, I literally had to get off my pity pot and put my bootstraps on and be thankful I have two feet to stand on. I had to be thankful that I had a roof over my head and thankful for my health. It’s the simplest and smallest things and it just grows bigger, exploding with gratitude and love.

I have gone through abandonment and abuse issues. It all came to a head when I was giving birth to my own children. Part of the process in dealing with it is being OK in my own skin and being thankful for the things I did go through: good, bad and indifferent. That’s helped me to teach and learn for myself and others with a compassionate and caring ear and curiosity.

Q. Can you share a simple thankfulness exercise that you can do daily?

A. It’s so simple and yet so effective. Literally, say: I’m thankful I’m breathing this air. I’m thankful I can smell the fresh cut grass. I’m thankful I can hug my spouse. I’m thankful I can hug my children. I’m thankful I can pet my dog. It also goes into my philosophy of life as well. Your soul comes to this life with its own path and intention. There are lessons that you’re learning, that your soul’s learning and that you are teaching people. There is so much value in everything that you are doing. It’s just the perception of the hurdle. The perception being that, “This is really tough,” or, “I’m really curious about this.”

Q. What charity organizations are you working with currently?

A. Every year I help with ChildHaven.org. Based here in Seattle, they are internationally known for child advocacy and parent education. I also work with the Amy Roloff Charity Foundation, which is presenting a charity dinner and golf tournament on Aug. 22 to 23 at the Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, Ore.

I’m Thankful Network airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on 1150 AM KKNW in Seattle. Listen online at www.imthankful.com.