Hi! My name is Kathy Gottberg. Welcome to my blog SMART Living 365. Nearly five years ago I decided to create a place where I could share some of the thoughts, ideas and the research I’ve compiled during my last 20 years. The majority of those concepts encompass how to live happily, peacefully and with meaning and purpose. And while I’m not an expert by any means, the topic intrigues me every day. In fact, I’m convinced that the more each of us dwells on something, the more likely we are to live it. Ever hear of Law of Attraction? SMART Living is like that—365 days of the year.
Like every author, I struggled with a title. How on earth do I include such an enormous topic under one name? That’s when I choose the acronym SMART. The “S” stands for sustainable. After all, if a lifestyle can’t sustain itself, what is the point? The “M” represents meaning. Without meaning most actions are impotent. The “A” signifies awareness. How can we possibly know where we’ve been, where we are, and where we hope to be without it? “R” is taking responsibility for ourselves—especially how we “respond” to the circumstances and situations we find ourselves confronted by on a daily basis. Last but not least is the “T,” which includes the heartfelt awareness of thanksgiving and gratitude.
In a parallel Universe, I am a sociologist deep into researching why people do what they do, and the trends that drive our lives toward happiness and wellbeing at the beginning of the 21st Century. I do love to find out what makes people tick. Instead, in this Universe I’ve picked up the pen (or at least attached myself to my computer keyboard) and create something similar, but in a different way. I write.
If you too enjoy the journey of self-discovery and self-awareness I invite you to join me on this new journey. Together we will co-create a SMART Life–365.
P.S. Be sure and check the menu on top of the photo above of my husband Thom and me to find more posts about each of the topics that make up SMART!
Hello Kathy, I found you on Twitter this morning. I am looking forward to reading more. Our blogs and our topics are very similar. Happy weekend, Michele
Hi Michele! Thanks for stopping by SMART Living. I’ll have to go and check out your blog too. I think the more positive and uplifting information we can read and share the better. ~Kathy
Love this, Kathy! You hit the nail on the head: “it is far better to just get started than obsess about whether it will be good enough, wise enough, cover enough, or even make sense.” Absolutely! We learn and get better by doing.
Thank you for this!
http://www.susanmarymalone.com/make-new-friends-but-keep-the-old/
Hi Mary! Thank you so much for visiting SMART Living 365 and sharing your thoughts. I really ought to write a new “welcome to SMART Living” but every time I reread it myself it does say so much of what I’ve hoped for this blog during the last four years. Nice to meet you and I’ll have to pop over and check out your blog too. ~Kathy
Hi, Kathy. I just found your blog via Nancy of ‘Spirit Lights The Way’ on WordPress. I just read your ‘Not my monkey, not my circus’ post, and really loved it. I know I’m going to enjoy following you. Sylvia 🙂
Hi Sylvia! Welcome to SMART Living! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed some of my other posts and look forward to reading some of your thoughts on my writings. Thanks for letting me know you’re out there! ~Kathy
Just found you via a post by Tom Sightings and have been reading your older posts. It is as though you have been writing just for me… “need to be right”, “over-thinker”, “perfectionist”. Thanks for giving me a better understanding of “why” I have developed these characteristics and some tools to change.
Hi Judy C! Welcome to SMART Living! I’m counting on the fact that there are probably lots of us that “need to be right,” are “over-thinkers” and “perfectionists” among other things. 🙂 Hopefully together we can become more and more aware of why we do these things and ways to improve. And besides that? I just think it’s FACINATING to find out how creative we people can be! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and please join in the conversation when you can. ~Kathy
Hi Cathy, I have always enjoyed your blog for years! It is always very positive and uplifting. We have connected a few times and I received one of your gifts that you mailed to me. It made me feel special. I had my own blog several years back and wrote the book “Over iT” but stopped due to a life challenge. My brand was MidleifestyleRNventor, and my name Mary Buchan. I am now Mary Ferreri
What is the best way to contact you with a few questions?
Thank you, Mary
Hi Kathy, Just found your site. Enjoyed reading your articles. I’m looking forward to reading daily from your post. Very Inspiring and Thank you .
Jean 🙂
Hi Jean! So glad to hear you found us and that you enjoy what you’ve seen so far. Please share your thoughts when something I write gets you thinking…I LOVE that! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
So happy to have found your blog (I have one, too, however it has yet to put to “paper”). I’m newly inspired to get the process going. Will be back for more words of wisdom.
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for stopping by SMART Living! So glad you found us and I’m HAPPY to help you get inspired to get your blog going. While there is certainly effort involved, there are also dozens of benefits. Let me know if I can help in any way. ~Kathy
I’m a subscriber… excellent. I’m looking forward to every word.
Hi Bill! Nice to meet you! Please join in with comments on anything that catches your eye. I’ll be sure and pop over and look at your blog too! ~Kathy
Looking forward to reading many more of your posts.
Thanks Pam! Welcome to SMART Living! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy – Looking forward to reading your posts! 🙂
Hi Corinne! Thank you for coming by Smart Living! I hope you enjoy some of my writing as much as I enjoy yours! ~Kathy
Thank you Kathy – I look forward to the positive words.
Hey Melinda! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog. You can be sure I will do my best to share positive ideas and words with you. And I happen to know that you are always very positive too so be sure and jump in with your ideas whenever possible. ~Kathy
Inspirational and lovely. Food for thought, better yet, food for the soul. thank you!!
Katie
Hi Katie! So very glad you found us and that you find some of my words and ideas inspirational…if I can get people to think and remember their true nature…then hey, I’m happy too!~Kathy
Hi Kathy!
Aha~ Looks like it is time to go write that first blog post I have been putting off. 😉
Hi again Kim! Please let me know when you write it and send us a link! It’s so much fun making new friends who are attempting to make positive changes in their lives. ~Kathy
You both are from the reading group. I support your efforts and Good Luck! Leslie
Thanks Deb….and I’m sure you agreed with me on how great it was to go…and how lovely it is to return. I don’t even have to ask if you and Kenn had a wonderful time….sometime we’ll have to get together and swap stories!
Hi Leslie…thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! It’s nice to hear from you even though the reading group seems to be dissolving???? Stop by any time and let us know if you hear of another group that might be starting up that we could check out…. ~Kathy
Thank you Kathy! I saw your reply to Wendy at Searching for the Happiness and found your blog. Thank you so much for writing and providing your thoughts here. Consider me uplifted from your words!
~ Stephy
Hi Stephanie and Welcome to SMART Living! Thanks for making a comment and for your encouragement. I hope you check back often and please feel free to share YOUR thoughts about how we can all live a more happy and more fulfilled life! ~ Kathy
sent here by simpleliving – liked what I saw and subscribed
Hi. I found my way here by way of a link in a comment you made on Raptitude….and I’m very glad to be here! Lots of good, encouraging and realistic ideas. I will definitely be a regular visitor.
Hi Kathy D! Nice to meet you! And thanks for stopping by SMART Living 365…I look forward to chatting with you more in the future…
Food for the soul! Thanks so much for your inspirational articles.
I’m delighted to read something SMART because it encourages me to get better in the 5 areas …especially AT …Artful and Thankful! I’m tired of the “Idiots Guide to …” and love the positive spin you have, especially on “failure”. Thanks for taking the time to encourage me! I appreciate your well thought-out words.
Hi Kristine. Glad you like the encouragement–that is certainly the plan. Please come back often and share your thoughts….Kathy
Great SMART name for every day of the year! I love it and keep up the great postings!
Hi Kathy – this is awesome. What a delight to read your words (& I hear your voice when I read them!!) So glad you’re doing it! Blessings, Deb
Kathy – I’m “in!” Girl, you always speak the truth – and in such an engaging down to earth manner. Today’s first entry – bingo! Such a reminder that I need. Thank you thank you. So on a rudimentary level – of “just doing it” as you encourage in your blog – I have my iPhone – been a week. Talk about pointing and grunting and somehow finding my way!! But dang… I jumped in and now I’m more or less swimming. Thanks for your encouragement about that move awhile back. Anyhow – the practical applications (dare I say “apps?!”) of the message in today’s blog – are multitudinous… 🙂
Hi Karen…thanks for checking in with a comment. Not quite sure where this will lead but decided I couldn’t help myself 🙂 And YES! don’t you just love your iphone? I can’t imagine what we did without it! I’m sure there will be a blog about that at some point! How’s things with you and “church?’ Great news about the merger right? HOpe all is well with you and you’re loving your life too!…luv, kg
Will look forward to your blogs– and happily share them.
Thanks Dona! You are my first official commenter.