I have received a few thank you notes in the mail lately and they feel more prized than any award I could have won or gift I could have been given.

One was from a woman who attended a session I presented in early September.

The second was from a young woman who I have been lucky enough to mentor.

And the third was from a friend with whom I visited for the first time in four years.

I've decided what makes these thank you notes so special is that, inadvertently, they remind me of what I am good at and affirm that I am on the right path - using my life the way it was intended.

A really good thank you note will do that. It might open with an obvious statement of appreciation for a favor you did or a thoughtful gesture you provided, but really what it is doing is drawing attention to the essence of what is at your core.

The way you motivate someone or show empathy toward people.

The way you willingly pitch in or use your life to inspire others.

Your dependability, creativity, generosity, or strong character.

Thank you notes, written thoughtfully, serve as spotlights on the attributes that makes each of us unique.

Coincidentally, this Thanksgiving is also Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day. Since the House of Shine thrives on helping people discover their inner Shine, maybe you will join me this week in writing someone a thank you note and, by extension, affirming their uniqueness.

I've already got a few deserving people in mind.

And, one more thing. Consider sending it in a yellow envelope, not on behalf of the Yellow Envelope Project, but in simple recognition that we are still every bit as committed to powering the planet with Shine.

Shining off until...