Five Simple Ways to Express Your Gratitude

Do you sometimes struggle with how to show your gratitude to someone who has helped you or went out of their way for you?

It is important to realize that expressing gratitude does not have to be complicated.

Gratitude simply expresses your appreciation and shows the respect you have for others so keep it simple.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant or cost money – just express it and you will reap the wave of benefits. It just feels good!

By focusing on an attitude of gratitude, you will truly feel the power of giving and receiving.

Here are Five Ways to Express Gratitude:

1.    Keep it simple. Instead of thinking about how best to express your thanks, just say it.  Tell the person “Thank you” or “I appreciate it” and let that be the end of it.  Gratitude is something that can be easily expressed just as long as it’s genuine.  Expressing gratitude is as important as anything else in your relationships because it builds trust and respect.

2.    Write a letter. Sometimes the best thing we can do is use the power of the written word to express our thanks.  Get a thank you card or a piece of stationary and write a letter. It’s one of the most personal ways of expressing gratitude nowadays, especially since few people take the time to write by hand.  Again, you can keep it simple by letting the person know that you appreciate them.  You can hand deliver the letter or drop it in the mail so it can be a nice surprise in between the stack of junk mail and bills.

3.    Give a gift. When someone does something nice for you, a nice way to express your appreciation is to give a small “thank you” present.  This doesn’t have to be anything costly or extravagant, just something that shows that you appreciate what they have done for you.  For instance, you might give a coffee lover a small gift certificate to their favorite coffee shop, or buy a chocolate lover a gourmet piece of chocolate. It’s a simple gesture that can go a long way.

4.    Return the favor. If someone has done something nice for you, a simple way to show your appreciation is to return the favor by giving your time.  For instance, if someone has helped you during a time of need, see how you can help them – Do they have a project around the house that they need some help on?  Do they have children? – Maybe you could babysit so they can have a night out?  Are they homebound?—Maybe you could run an errand for them?  This lets them know you appreciate them and what they have done for you.

5.    Tell others. In the presence of the person or people you wish to thank, share your gratitude with others.  Public forms of gratitude are important because it shows just how much you appreciate and care for others.

Gratitude is an important part of all relationships, so today, let go and simply say “Thank you!” to all those around you!

5 Tips to Give Your Attitude a Boost

Your attitude about life is one of the most important factors for success.  A bad attitude gets you nowhere, while a good one can provide you with enough motivation to succeed beyond your dreams.

You may think that you already have a success-mindset, and perhaps you do.  However, you can always benefit from strengthening that attitude and therefore increasing your chances for the success you deserve.

Follow these strategies for improving your attitude for success:

1. Find your inspiration.  Discover what inspires you the most and use it to jumpstart your motivation whenever you go.  Feeling inspired enables you to maintain the drive necessary to find success.  Do anything you can within your power to find inspiration.

* Make a list of your ultimate dreams, and then ask yourself if you’re on the right path.  If you are, you’ll know that everything you’re doing will be rewarded.

* If you don’t feel like you’re on the right path, perhaps it’s time for a change.  Maybe there’s a deeper reason why you’ve felt a lack of motivation. Reflect on what this reason might be, and then decide on how you can renew your drive.  When you’re on the right journey, you’ll feel inspired!

2. Surround yourself with positive people.  (One of my favorites!)  When you’re around positive and inspiring people, you’re more likely to adopt those traits into your own personality and go for your goals with enthusiasm.  Negative people, on the other hand, tend to make you negative also.  Energy is contagious whether it’s positive or negative.

* If you must be around people that continually bring you down, do your best to avoid absorbing their negative energy by listening, but not taking the negativity to heart.

3. Jump right in.  The best way to improve your attitude might be to just jump right into life. Don’t be afraid to take initiative and plunge forward towards your goals.  People who take action find success.  If you take action and start to see the results of your efforts, your attitude will only improve. The action doesn’t have to be big – it just has to be something!  Remember, small steps are great ways to get moving.

* The increased drive and motivation you get from your actions can be the difference between success and failure.

4. Strengthen your focus.  Your focus can also play a role in your attitude.  When you are driven toward success, it’s easier to have an optimistic attitude. If you have a lack of focus and don’t know where you’re going, it leads to being unmotivated and uncaring.  You just seem to go in circles.

5. Allow for mistakes.  You’re only human and you will make mistakes from time to time.  Be careful to avoid judging yourself harshly when this happens, as it negatively affects your self-confidence.  If you work on more of a “go with the flow” attitude, you’ll find that you’re able to pick yourself back up and continue moving forward when you do make a mistake.

The main things to keep in mind are that the combination of inspiration, positive thoughts, and proper motivation can lead you to a healthy and positive attitude.  Follow these strategies daily and you’ll boost your attitude for success.

The Girls of Gratitude…Introducing Karen

I’m so excited to introduce my next Gratitude Girl…or in this case “Girls.”

I’m really lucky because both gals have the same name, Karen.  The Karen(s) are really important people to me.   In my last post I talked about surrounding yourself with people who truly inspire and motivate you.   I’m very fortunate to have some wonderful people in my life; I feel, assembled through years of relationships and experience.

In honor of my next group of Gratitude Girls, I am excited to introduce you to another new piece in the Gratitude Artisan Collection called “Karen.”

It’s earthy and casual yet dressy just like my Karen’s.  Both Karen’s love brown, which is why I chose it for this piece.  It symbolizes devotion, friendship and love, gratitude and peace.

The beautiful center piece carved barrel bead, which is handmade and hand painted in Kenya (click here to read more about it) is hand wrapped in shiny sterling silver wire and encased with beautiful chocolate and khaki swarovski crystals.  The beautiful toggle clasp was hand selected to reflect the earth and nature – which is embodied in this piece.

Now that you’ve heard about this beautiful piece, I’d like to introduce you to the personalities behind it….

The first Karen is one of my bffs and an integral part of my group of Gratitude Girls. Yeah, we have a lot in common and have a lot of fun…Twilight, New Moon, anyone? LOL – but seriously we’re different, too. It’s fun to have a group of friends that are similar yet different. We all have our strengths and that makes it all the more fun.

If I had to pick one word to describe this Karen, I would have to say devoted. She’s a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.  She’s the go-to gal.

Here’s a little more about Karen…

1.  What is one thing that you can’t leave home without?

My cell phone of course. I have two teenage daughters that I need to have close contact with at all times.

2.    What is your dream vacation?

I guess I’m taking it in March with my husband, Tom. We haven’t been on a vacation alone in 10 years.  We will be going on a Southern Caribbean cruise (my first time on a cruise).  We are very excited!

3.   What is your favorite drink/beverage?

My favorite drink is a glass of red wine with my best friends.

4.   What is your favorite clothing item?

My favorite clothing item would be sweat pants!

5.  What is your favorite season?

I look forward to the change of seasons, I really enjoy the beginning of each.  If I had to pick it would be Fall!

6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?

Camping!  I grew up camping in Wells Maine every year until I was 14.  Why Maine?  The coast of Maine is beautiful! That’s where my Mom is from and we would spend time with my relatives.

7.  What is your favorite quote?

“If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours”   It easy and it makes people happy.

8.  What are you most grateful for?

I’m most grateful for waking up every morning healthy and I’m able to share my life with the ones I love!!

9.  What is your favorite piece from the Gratitude Collection?

My Gratitude Bracelet. It was my first purchase and I wear it everyday.  It reminds me of everything I have to be grateful for!!!

I’d now like to introduce you to my sister, Karen.  We’re similar yet vastly different.  She’s strong where I’m weak and vice versa.  We balance each other out.  She’s a second mother to my daughter Faith.  When times are tough, I know I can count on my sister to give me her, “Who loves ya baby?” and it makes me feel better everytime.

Read on to learn more about my sis…

1. What is your favorite way to relax?

Yoga and Walking outdoors

2. What is your favorite color?

Any shade of green and orange

3. What are your favorite hobbies?

Hiking, Bird Watching, Reading, and Knitting

4. What are your favorite stores to shop at?

Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap

5.  What is your favorite holiday dish?

a.    Thanksgiving—Stuffing and Turnips

b.    Christmas-Gram’s Pierogi’s, Rice Pudding

6.   What is your favorite childhood memory?

Spending our summers at the shoreline.

Each year we would rent a cottage near the Connecticut shoreline.  I enjoyed hanging out at the beach with my sisters and my family.  I also liked riding my bike along the beach and riding it especially to our favorite pastry shop, Emily’s.

7.  What is your favorite quote(s)?

(Any quote by Emerson or Thoreau…I’m a transcendentalist)

“The only way to be a friend is to be one.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.”  ~Joseph Campbell
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. What are you most grateful for?

My health, family, and friends

9. What is your favorite piece of jewelry in Gratitude Collection:

**I LOVE THEM ALL!!!! I have many pieces from all the collections.  I have purchased many earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in chocolate and caramel that compliment the earth tones I gravitate towards.  I also have a number of pieces that are classic black.

In addition, I have a black and brown Eclectic Toggle Necklace.  I love being able to switch the charms for effortless accessorizing.  I have also found this helpful to expanding the colors in my wardrobe beyond just brown and black.  I have the blue bulls eye charm that I wear with so many outfits, the red metallic, the black spiral metallic, the chocolate with the polka dots…love them all!

Introducing the Girls of Gratitude and Dorothy…

Introducing the Girls of Gratitude…

I’ve had an idea for a while to profile some of my customers who have really become raving fans of the Gratitude Collection.  They love Gratitude:  it’s beauty, it’s message, and it’s versatility.  They live and embody a life lived with Gratitude, a positive attitude and abundance.

I am really excited to introduce my first Gratitude Girl.

Her name is Dorothy and she is one of my bff’s and an integral part of my group of Gratitude Girls.  I often talk about surrounding yourself with people who really inspire and motivate you.  These people know how to lift you when you’re down and always find the silver lining – the gratitude, the lesson in everything to create a positive experience from a negative.  They are right there to cheer you on when things are good, too – Dorothy is one of these girls for me!

In honor of my bff and being a Gratitude Girl, I am also SO excited to introduce the first of several new pieces.  The newest bracelet in the Gratitude Artisan Collection is the “Dorothy.”

It is classy, sophisticated and stylish just like Dorothy.  You can probably guess from the color what Dorothy’s favorite color is, which is why I chose it for this beautiful piece.  It symbolizes class and style, gratitude and thankfulness, friendship and hope, love and understanding.

The beautiful center piece carved barrel bead, which is handmade and handpainted in Kenya (click here to read more about it) is handwrapped in shiny sterling silver wire and encased with beautiful swarovski crystals.  I also hand selected the clasp to reflect Dorothy’s heart and love that she embodies.

I hope you check out the Dorothy and please read on to learn more about the personality behind this beautiful piece…

1.  What is your favorite place to shop?

The Gap for clothing and Pottery Barn for my home – clean and simple.
2.  Do you have any style or beauty tips?

Wear sunscreen every day!  Even if it’s raining.  Buy and wear only clothing you love and feel fantastic in.   Toss it or give it away if it makes you feel otherwise.  Do it now.

3.  What is your dream vacation?

Canyon Ranch or Miraval Resort.  Please don’t make me choose.  They are both in Tucson.  Perhaps I can do both on the same vacation.

4.  What is your favorite quote?

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears however measured and far away.” – Henry David Thoreau

5.  What is your favorite food?

Eggs. No. Cheese.  Oh eggs *and* cheese.

6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?

Summer weekends at my Nana and Papa Ken’s house on Lake Hopatcong.

7.  What is your favorite holiday tradition?

A quiet celebration of Russian Christmas at home.  Just the 4 of us.

8.  What are you most grateful for?

The gift of my two children and their birth mothers.  Evidence to me every day that God did indeed have a wonderful plan for me.

9.  What is your favorite piece from the Gratitude Collection?

Eclectic necklace – black base with pewter bead charm.  And.  The Dorothy.  Of course.

Gratitude and Your Thanksgiving Tablescape

I had Rachael Ray on in the background yesterday when I was working.  She had on Libby Langdon who was talking about simple decorating tips for your Thanksgiving tablescape.

I host Thanksgiving.  My husband and I love to have this wonderful holiday.  We truly enjoy preparing the meal together and eating and relaxing with my family.  Of course, it’s a great day to watch football, too – one of my favorite things to do.

She had an idea that I just LOVED! I wanted to share it with you.  Her idea was to have a bowl of river rocks that you can get at the craft store (big enough to write on)….or you could even have the kids hunt for rocks in the yard and clean them up.

As a great conversation starter, she suggested having each guest take a rock and write what they are grateful for on it (family, friends, health, etc…) with a sharpie marker.  These gratitude rocks can then be sprinkled across the table as beautiful reminders of all the gratitude being shared at the table.  Also, these cute little rocks can be used a place card holders for guests.

Libby had several other great ideas for the perfect Thanksgiving tablescape.  Click here to head on over to watch the segment for more great holiday table tips!

Monday Morning Gratitude

It’s Monday, a day I always look forward to because I get to work from home on my business which I love!

It’s a big month as we start the official holiday season next week.  It seems that everyone tends to feel extra grateful this time of year, which is fabulous!

You may have seen this cross your social media path lately:

“Let’s see how many people can do this. Everyday this month, until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. “Today I am thankful for….” The longer you do it, the harder it gets! Now if you think you can do it then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what YOU are thankful for today.”

This is a really fun exercise and I think it’s really cool when I log on and see so much gratitude being shared.  Even finding one simple thing daily to be grateful for, can make such a difference.  It doesn’t have to be big – start small with one thing daily.  Write it in a journal, put it on a post it note, post it on Twitter, Facebook or your social media of choice.  It becomes a virtual ripple of gratitude – which is very powerful!

Today I am grateful for another beautiful walk to start my Monday morning and am energized with the opportunities that lie ahead this week!

How about you?  Post a comment with your gratitude declaration and help be the ripple!

Monday Morning Gratitude

I had a crazy start to the day which is why my Monday morning post is being published in the evening!

I was running out to the bus stop this morning with my daughter and as I realized that I forgot to unlock the door – she closed it. Oooops I was now locked out.  After trying to contact everyone with a spare key – I had no success.  I decided to enjoy my intention of my Monday morning walk on the beautiful Fall morning that it was.  Luckily I had a loaded ipod (and my blackberry) so off I went!

I gave it up to God and the Universe that somehow I would find a way into my house. I came home and it soon became apparent that it wasn’t happening very soon.  I went into my happy little beetle bug in my garage and sat with my blackberry and my ipod.  I listened to a course (that I haven’t had the time to get to) and tweeted and chatted with Facebook friends while I waited.

I gave a shout out to my #mamo friends, which stands for Manifesting Monday on twitter http://www.affirmingspirit.com/blog/2009/03/mamo-on-twitter/ to help me manifest a set of keys somewhere!   Of course, I began to get tweets from friends who were intending for me a way into my house.  One of my regular #mamo friends is Joel, @truthscompany, who sent me three tweets – here they are:

Tweet #1 @truthscompany

Part 1: deep breath – “I AM AT ONE WITH MY SPARE KEY NOW” :0) #mamo <—of course, this one made me laugh…and bring needed humor to my situation. 

Tweet#2 @truthscompany

Part 2: Lesson – How have I been ‘locking myself out of my own house’ lately? #mamo <—-this one got me thinking…and not yet sure I have that answer yet figuratively speaking.

Tweet #3 @truthscompany

Part 3: It’s happening for you not to you (via @ByronKatie) Now enjoy the fresh air and perhaps wonder how this is the most loving experience for you now #mamo <—now this got me REALLY thinking…I’m a mover and shaker – always things on the to-do list.  I have a really hard time slowing down sometimes.  To be locked out of my house knowing my planned to-do list for the day was really frustrating, but I tried to focus on the fact that I had my blackberry so I could send e-mails and make phone calls as needed and I had my ipod.  I had just synched my ipod prior to running out the door with an audio portion of a course I really needed to get moving on.  I just haven’t been able to make the time to work on it.  Well, I figured this was my time to listen up!

After finally deciding to give in (2 hours later) and have my husband come and get me – the phone rang and we located a spare key…10 minutes later I was back inside.  Phew!

I wound up having another HIGHLY productive day even after the crazy start I had.  My attitude and mood, which initially was not good, shifted and opened me up to some wonderful energy throughout my entire day.  Even though the whole thing was honestly a real pain in the butt, I think Joel was right and maybe, just maybe it was the best thing for me to start off my day…but hopefully now with all the spare keys we made this won’t happen again!  At least I can laugh about it now!

Is Negativity Holding You Back? The Commentary

I hope that you have had a chance to read the post yesterday, “Is Negativity Holding You Back?” I hope you enjoyed it and from the feedback that I am getting on it, I know you did!

It’s given me a lot to think about as I am sure it’s done the same for you.  Even as a positive thinker, I struggle at times with negativity.  It’s an awful feeling that creeps in sometimes when you are the most vulnerable.  Over worked?  Tired? Not Feeling Well?  Stressed? These are all things that allow that little bug of negativity to pop in and cause havoc in your life.  Well, life is life (or as I say a lot – “It is what it is…”) and certainly these things mentioned above aren’t going to go away and are bound to crop up in your life from time-to-time.

The real nugget here is how you manage them.  I’ve said time and time again in various places that it’s all about attitude and mindset. With the right attitude and the right mindset we can do just about anything.

I have been challenged a lot in the past few years and 2009 ranks up there.  Honestly, I will be happy to finish out 2009 and look forward to the promise of 2010 (not that I’m rushing the time, believe me!)  I know what gets me through each day is my positive attitude and my determined mindset.  Sure, I can be derailed from time-to-time because things happen (that’s life) and sometimes things don’t pan out the way that I see them.  I always try to challenge myself to look for even the smallest shred of positive that I can take away from a negative experience to turn it around.

We’ve all heard that “things happen for a reason.” It’s so very true!

When Judy and I first started the Gratitude Collection back in early 2007, we were thrilled to participate in a product search with QVC in conjunction with Oprah Winfrey.  We were thrilled – the Universe put this tremendous opportunity right in our laps!  We were very proud of our “pitch” and knew we did the best job that we could.  We knew that if it was meant to be at that moment in time that it would happen and if not we were okay with that.

Well, if you haven’t heard the story, we didn’t get picked.  For the first time in my life, though – I wasn’t disappointed! I couldn’t believe it – it was such an incredible feeling!  We knew some way and somehow our little brand would get to where it needs to be and at that point in time, this avenue wasn’t it.  I still believe that from the bottom of my toes and continue on its path today.

We all have a choice and today, if you have not done so already, I challenge you to “choose positive.” If you have chosen positive – keep it up, you are doing a great job! Know that life happens and you have all the tools you need to manage that pesky little critter of negativity.

In gratitude,

Is Negativity Holding You Back?

I’ve gotten some really great feedback from an article that was included in my last newsletter.  I think it really rings true.  I wanted to share it with my blog readers just in case your are not on our list because I know you’ll love it.  Not on our list yet?  Join here – it’s FREE!

I hope you enjoy reading it.  I will be back later in to make some comments on it.

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Negativity always finds a way to creep up in your life from time to time even for those of us who are already positive thinkers. It’s when negativity builds up too much or shows up too often that you have an obstacle to overcome.

A negative attitude can hold you back from truly living your life. However, you don’t need to feel stuck because you can bring positive thoughts back into your life!

How Negativity Can Hold You Back

Negativity can hold you back in a number of ways. Have you heard the saying: “If you think you can’t, you’re right.” It’s true!  Negative thoughts like this really do sabotage your efforts.

The good news is that you can gain control over how you think.  When you’re expressing complaints and negativity all the time, it not only affects you, but it also affects the people around you.  Negativity, itself, can be the reason why you create roadblocks that don’t really exist! So it’s time to choose the positive (and, yes, it is a choice!)

Manifesting A Positive Attitude

When you adopt a positive attitude, you open yourself up to the wonderful world of possibilities. When positive energy is in the air, you’ll be able to transform your negative feelings and maybe even bring others out of their negativity clouds.

Believe it or not, positive thinking is very powerful. It’s the driving force that steers your life into the direction of your dreams. Remember, your thoughts affect how you feel, and how you feel affects what you do, so if you can change your thoughts, you can change your outcome.

How To Develop A Positive Attitude

How can you change your attitude? It’s easier than you think.

Follow these tips to develop a positive attitude:

1. Visualize. When the negative thoughts come crawling into your mind, transform them with positive images. Visualize something that you find pleasing, peaceful, or exciting. Remember what your ultimate goals are and imagine what it feels like to achieve them.

2. Write it down. Keeping a journal has many positive effects. It helps you vent your frustrations, organize your life, and reflect on your innermost thoughts and feelings. Instead of focusing on the bad, use your journal to chronicle the things that have gone well in your life lately.

3. Relax. Negative feelings are bound to arise when you’re in a stressful state. It’s important to take time out of each day for yourself. This means that you need to adopt a relaxation method that works for you. Perhaps you can take a bath, go to church, attend a yoga class, or meditate. When you’re relaxed, a peaceful and positive mindset will likely overtake you.

4. Read and write affirmations. Grab a book with positive affirmations in it, or better yet, write your own. Affirmations are a powerful way to bring positive thoughts into your present state of well being. Affirmations are short statements in the present tense that remind you of positive attributes and goals in your life. Here’s an example: “I am strong and competent.”

5. Live for the moment. Live your life for the moment and let go of everything else going on in your life. Negative feelings can easily overwhelm you if you’re consumed by past failures or the fear of the future. When you concentrate on the present, your life becomes more peaceful and positive.

In the end, go easy on yourself. You don’t need to be your own worst critic, instead, try being your biggest advocate!  Just concentrate on your well being and you will develop a more positive attitude.

5 Benefits of a Practice of Gratitude

Showing your gratitude can be a great way to spread positive feelings in the world around you. When you think about it, reaching your goals starts with a single positive thought, right?

How do you feel when someone sincerely expresses his or her gratitude to you for something you did?  Doesn’t it make you feel good about yourself?  These positive feelings can lift you up, boost your enthusiasm, and motivate you to achieve even more.

Feeling grateful for what you have can produce the same good feelings and sustain your drive toward your goals.

This shows how gratitude can have some seriously positive snowball effects.

Here are some of the benefits of gratitude:

1. Reaching your goals. When you feel grateful, it tends to be a lasting and selfless feeling.  It’s much more than just a momentary burst of positive energy; it has staying power that will provide a great boost for you to reach your goals.

* When you express your gratitude to others, ensure that you’re open and expressive. People don’t know what you’re thinking; hearing it can make all the difference.

2. Strengthened relationships. There are many ways you can express your gratitude to your loved ones, including saying, “Thank you,” writing a letter, or giving them a thoughtful gift.  When you learn to avoid taking your loved ones for granted, you’ll have a long lasting and loving relationship.

* Showing gratitude is a two way street.  Learn how to effectively express your gratitude and, just as importantly, to receive it as well.

3. Improved communication. Gratitude can mean better communication all around.  By expressing your gratitude to strangers, they’ll be more likely to show an interest in helping you, too.

* Gratitude is such a powerful entity that it can even help you communicate with your pets!  They should be appreciated too.

4. More effective constructive criticism. No matter how we express constructive criticism, it often makes the recipient defensive or even angry.  No one likes a blow to the ego.  In this situation, a grateful attitude can take you a long way.  You can express criticism quite effectively when you also emphasize what you appreciate about them.

5. Preserving memories. You can preserve memories in a positive way when you keep a gratitude journal.  You’ll be able to enjoy your memories again and again when you read about these happy times in the future.

Show Your Gratitude Every Day

Showing gratitude to others may seem like a selfless act, but it’s something that you also benefit from.  When you show your gratitude every day, you change the way you think.

You’ll appreciate your good life when the majority of your thoughts remain positive.  Negative thoughts can sometimes be overwhelming, and just because you have them doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.  They happen to everyone, but you can strive to keep them to a minimum with the help of a grateful attitude.

One way to show your gratitude every day is to remind yourself of the big picture when a negative thought arises.  If a petty argument with your spouse makes you feel angry and heated, take a deep breath and think for a moment.  Remember that the argument is not permanent and, instead, feel grateful for the gift of this relationship.

We need to value our time here on earth and make the best of each and every day.

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