Harmonic Wealth

April 30, 2008

Welcome back!


Judy and I, along with some friends, had the pleasure of hearing James Arthur Ray, author of Harmonic Wealth and featured contributor to the Secret speak last night.

James’ new book Harmonic Wealth is a the top of the best seller list. We haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but are looking forward to getting our copy.

Last night James spoke about the components of Harmonic Wealth. He introduced harmonic wealth as not just financial wealth, but wealth in harmony of various parts of your life.

James writes that there are five pillars of Harmonic Wealth.

1. Financial Wealth–It’s the money in your bank account…the wad of bills in your pocket…your stock portfolio..real estate holdings…or maybe even just the paycheck you’ll pick up next Friday.

2. Relational Wealth–This is the state of your personal relationships (including that with yourself).

3. Intellectual Wealth–This is your wealth of knowledge. It’s the combination of facts, skills, talents, and life experiences you built up and developed over the years. It’s your understanding of how the physical world works.

4. Physical Wealth–This is the health and fitness of your body. What good is financial welath if you can’t get around to enjoy it?

5. Spiritual Wealth–This is that hard-to-define, yet unmistakable-when-you-have-it kind of wealth. It’s that (usually) untapped, yet incredibly powerful, almost magical kind of wealth. It’s your connection to the rest of the universe and the way you tap into its power.

We found it a really interesting way at looking at your life. It really is all encompassing. Try sitting down and writing some goals or things you want in these categories. James had us do that last night and it was a great exercise.

Have a great day!

Deanna

Updates from the Gratitude Circle

April 29, 2008

Judy and I were thrilled to have the opportunity to be featured on Good Morning Connecticut Weekend on WTNH Channel 8 this past weekend.
A big thank you to everyone who watched it live or saw the feed on their website. If you missed it check out this link: WTNH We appreciate all of the support and well wishes!

We had quite a busy week last week! We had a photo shoot for our brand new apparel collection. We debuted the first design in our line, “be grateful.”

We really appreciate the help we got from our friends as they were our beautiful models. A big thank you to, Karen, Jennifer, Taylor, and Meghan. Here’s one of my favorite pictures from the shoot.

We are thrilled to be sponsors for the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in August.

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Inc., a little sister to the Miss America Organization that promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America’s teens, has named TV fashion commentator and entrepreneur Kim Parrish as president.

We were introduced to Kim earlier this year through a mutual friend. If you are a QVC junkie like me, you may remember Kim from her many years as a QVC Host. She now has her own apparel line on HSN. We are so thrilled to be working with Kim to support this organization! Check out her blog, Kim Parrish. Take a look at her website, too at Kim Parrish Collection.

We’ll keep you posted as more things come up. Keep writing us, we love hearing from you.

Have a fabulous day!
Deanna

What Does Gratitude Mean to You?

April 25, 2008

When Deanna asked me to be the guest blogger today, writing about “What Does Gratitude Mean To Me?”–I was touched by it and it has certainly made me think for the last few days.

I discovered JDDesigns, Deanna and Judy through an article in the Litchfield County Times Magazine last year. I loved what they were doing and had to say.

I have discovered so much on my journey, new people and places, foods, sounds and so much more. I have also had to let go of some things, to move on from them and give myself room to grow even with it being very hard to do. We sometimes hold on to things from our past that no longer serve us, are no longer useful because they are a known, a comfort to us and they may have outlived what they add to our life. Whether it is a job, a friendship, an acquaintance, old mail or articles, magazines we “may” need one day or even an article of clothing, it is not an easy thing to give up. Yet sometimes the things that seem hardest to do makes such a big impact on what and how we feel. The little act of giving up something that no longer serves a purpose may free us in so many other ways in our existence. I have learned much, grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, come out of the dark if you will, in to a light that I had no idea existed. It is there for all of us, if we just open our hearts and minds to it.

Hay House, its authors and http://www.hayhouseradio.com/ have had a huge impact on me. Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret” has taught me much and I continue to grow each day with wonderful teachers, new friends, new tools to work with and so much more.

So to me, gratitude is a blessing, it is a gift that never ends–a circle if you will, it is small sign of Grace when we are down. It is becoming aware and getting to know people like Deanna and Judy, their company and the kind of people they are. It is a new appreciation for friends and for life itself. Gratitude is an attitude that makes all things better and as James Arthur Ray mentioned in “The Secret”, I begin and end each day with a few minutes of silent thank you prayers, being grateful for my day, each and every day.

I am most grateful for the opportunity to be the guest blogger today, may you all find and feel gratitude in all that you do each day. I do.

Walt Shepardson

As You Travel on Life’s Way

April 24, 2008


Today is a special day for which I found this beautiful birthday poem below.

Happy Birthday, gentle friend
have a blessed day
May your heart be filled with wonders
as you travel on life’s way

I pray your day is filled with love
and joy of every kind
May the world rise to greet you
I hope these things you find

Joy, peace and happiness
contentment in your heart

May u find all these spirit fruits
the ones that you impart”

Happy Birthday, Judy…

With love and gratitude,
Deanna

Creating the World We Live In

April 24, 2008


I have a fun card deck that my sister gave me a few years ago. They are cards written by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer and they are called “Inner Peace Cards.”

I went to pull one today to see what kind of inspiration I could find today, here’s what I pulled out:

“I create the world that I live in. No one can create negativity or stress within you. Only you can do that by virtue of how you process your world.”

Sounds so simple, yet makes incredible sense. It almost becomes unconditional with the way the world is today to have a negative response to a stressor in your life. It’s amazing when you make the shift to reacting differently to these situations how those feelings begin to shift and they aren’t as strong. It does take some training and conditioning but it can be done. I know I’ve done it in my life, have seen others do it and can say it works!

Deanna

Gratitude Booked on WTNH Channel 8!

April 22, 2008

Today is a great day!

I woke up in a great mood today, full of energy. I thought it felt really great and wondered how to make that happen everyday–when some mornings I’m so tired. Can I bottle it? :-)

I sent an inspirational text message to my buddies and then called Judy on my way to the gym to tell her that it was going to be a great day. I wanted to spread this amazing sunshine that I was feeling today.

I was so thrilled to get a call when I got into the office from our contact at Channel 8 where we appeared last May when we debuted our business. She wanted us to come in for a spot on Sunday morning, of course we were thrilled! (Talk about a great day!)

If you are in the local area, we will be on Channel 8 on Sunday morning at 7:23 am. If not, we’ll post the link when it’s up and you can watch the streaming video right from their site.

We were so excited and wanted to share it with our readers. We hope you get to watch!

Enjoy the evening,

Deanna

P.S. I thought you might enjoy a photo of Judy and I from last May behind our display from which we were interviewed by the charismatic Matt Scott.

Gratitude for the Beauty of Nature

April 21, 2008

I am so grateful today to have just returned home from a delightful Maine getaway. We were definitely in need of a battery recharge after many months of stress and working long days and hours.

My husband and I have found our beautiful place in the world that brings us to peace–the Southern Coast of Maine.

I was speaking with Judy on the phone this morning describing this awesome weekend of family reconnecting, resting, and enjoying life and I found it difficult to describe how we feel when we visit. As best I can describe it, when I stand on the unbelievablely rocky coast of Maine, whether it’s at the Portland Head Light House, beautiful Kennebunkport or the breathtaking marginal way in Ogunquit, I feel a revived sense of spirituality and a closer connection to God.

It’s truly amazing and literally takes my breath away. It’s the only place we have ever gone that my husband is instantly relaxed and at peace. The stress just washes away.

We are so grateful to be able to have this quality time as a family and appreciate the beauty of this incredible slice of nature.

I know many of my friends were traveling for the school break, so I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and recharged your batteries.

Happy Monday!
Deanna
P.S. I hope you enjoy these photos that I took at dusk from the Portland Head Light House. :–)

Monthly Family Time

April 19, 2008


I found an interesting article on spending family time that is broken down by each month.

I thought this was a neat idea and not too overwhelming, especially with a family that may be larger. By looking at each month and the time of the year (season) you can come up with some fun creative things to do together as a family.

Quite often we are bogged down each weekend with running to activities, attending parties for family or friends, and a multitude of other commitments. Sometimes it’s just too much! Lately, I’ve actually become selective with what I choose to do and have learned that it’s okay to say “no” especially if that means I can spend extra time with my family.

Take a look at the link: Twelve Steps to Spending Quality Time With Your Family. Let us know what you think.

Have a fabulous weekend,
Deanna

” SPIRITUALITY “

April 18, 2008

WHAT’S THE MOMENT THAT DEFINED SPIRITUALITY FOR YOU?

This question was asked in the May issue of O magazine. I had to really think about the question. I believe spirituality comes from being a loving, compassionate, and caring person. It means being open to someone else’s concerns, hopes, and dreams.

What moment defined spirituality for me?

The night my husband Wayne passed away; that moment defined or perhaps confirmed spirituality for me. As I stroked his hair, held his hand, and kissed his lips I knew at that moment he was going to be alright. Each day as I move through life I feel him by my side stroking my hair, holding my hand, kissing my lips and whispering in my ear “I’m here with you and everything is going to be alright”.

My question to you….What’s your defining moment?

Judy

You Can Heal Your Life

April 17, 2008


I’m reading a great book by Louise Hay called, “You Can Heal Your Life.”

Louise recently released a movie based on this book that I have heard is unbelievable. I haven’t seen it yet, but I know some of our readers have, so feel free to comment.

I am really enjoying this book. I’m filling it with yellow highlighter and sticky notes as I am continuing to find amazing nuggets of information.

In the fifth chapter Louise says, “Whatever you give out comes back to you.” I love this! It’s funny, I never understood this years ago and couldn’t understand why certain things were drawn to me. Now being enlightened I realize how true this is!

I often listen to people who get frustrated with people around them whether they are friends, family, co-workers or subordinates. They project a negative attitude and that’s what they get back. It becomes a cycle. Sometimes it’s hard to break–especially when they don’t understand or embrace this philosophy.

Think about your life. Do you have any of these relationships? Pay attention and keep your eyes open for this. See if you can change the way you interact with this type of person–put a positive spin on it–and see what happens.

In gratitude,
Deanna

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