Politics and the Law of Attraction

Welcome back!

I tend to keep politics and such close to the vest.  I have my own opinions, but also respect the opinions, choices, and views of others.  I’m not one to get into heated debates on this topic as I choose to not bring my energy to such an often negative banter.  We’ve all seen the political ads from both camps…I tend to turn a deaf ear.  Who wants to hear that?  I want to know what will you do for the positive!

At any rate, that’s the most you’ll get me to say about it, but I wanted to share with you a great blog post from my twitter friend, Jeannette-the Good Vibe Coach.  Jeannette writes about the upcoming election and the effects of the Laws of Attraction.  Click here to to check it out.  Enjoy!

Do You Worry?

I am so excited! I am honored to present you with my featured guest blogger today, my friend Dorothy. She writes for us today on the topic of worry-who can’t relate to that? I assure you that you will be moved by her thoughtful, honest, and heartfelt blog post today. Feel free to leave a comment and you will be entered to win a Gratitude Signature Leather Necklace.

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Worry is lousy, isn’t it? I spent a great deal of time in my late 20’s and early 30’s with that horrid emotion and it wouldn’t make me feel very good right now to know exactly how much time I wasted in this life that God has given to me on WORRY. My husband and I dealt with infertility for many years and practically every waking moment during those years was plagued with worry. I used to read books to find reasons “why?” I prayed. I cried. I ate too much. I joined an online support group to worry with others who were in the same boat. I felt really horrible about myself. I felt so out of control. In the midst of it all I used to wish for it (the pain, the suffering, the worry) to be over. I prayed for a pregnancy – for a baby. I prayed for God to give me what I wanted. I wanted God to give me answers and tell me why I had to suffer so much.

None of the reasons why I was suffering became apparent until later. God had bigger plans for us. We have two beautiful children that we adopted from Russia and we can imagine our lives NO OTHER WAY. It all makes sense now…but then…I just didn’t get it and I was angry and upset and CONSUMED WITH WORRY.

All those precious moments I spent worrying….I can never get them back. Ever. I didn’t really find ways to cope properly back then with worry. For me – this came with more life experience and time spent with myself – in deep thought.

We all worry. It might not always be about HUGE things – like I am talking about above. It might be about a ton of little junk too, right?

When is the last time you worried? Was it a few moments ago? A few hours ago? Yesterday? Are you still worrying? How did/does that worry make you feel? Not so great, right? How much time did you spend worrying? Time wasted….but you know that, right?

We are all busy people. Many of us comment, perhaps daily, that there are “just not enough hours in the day.” So – why would we spend any of our very precious time with worry? It doesn’t get us very far, does it? It makes us feel uneasy, maybe even ill, it might give us stress headaches (migraines come from it, I know first hand). It makes us cranky and short tempered. It makes us cry. It makes us EAT. It makes us feel kind of out of control, doesn’t it? It keeps our mind off of other things going on around us – it keeps us from LIVING IN THE MOMENT. It keeps us preoccupied. That thing – worry – it’s just no good for us.

But we’re human. Human. Worry has a way of worming itself right on into our minds….a lot. Depending on your personality – this might happen to you quite often throughout your day with things as little as “Am I going to get the kids to school on time?!” or things as big as “I hope this spot on my face is not cancerous”.

What is important is for us to realize that worry is doing us no good. We can’t stop it from coming into our thoughts but we can use strategies to fight it and stop it from affecting us physiologically and mentally. We can use strategies to fight it and keep every precious moment of our lives focused on better things instead of on WORRY.

Here are some strategies I have success with when I am worrying and want to gain control over how the precious moments in my life are used:

• I pray about it. I give it up to God. He is there no matter what. He is there anytime I need Him. I find great comfort in this. He might not answer me right away – but the answer will come. I might just have to wait a little bit.
• I talk to good friends about it. A burden shared is a burden halved.
• I count my blessings. Just taking moments each day to count my blessings is enough to bring great happiness into my life and worry might not even be able to get in.
• I take action! This could mean educating myself about health matters, seeking professional assistance or it could be as simple as just readjusting a routine. This gives me a great feeling of being in control and does wonders for getting rid of that foul worry.

“There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever” – Mohandes K. Gandhi

“Sorrow looks back, worry looks forward, faith looks up.” – author unknown

Gaining control over worry takes work. If you have never really tried in earnest to do this, give yourself some time to get used to the fight. Worry is a strong, strong emotion and the fight is NOT easy. In time, you will find a strategy or strategies that work best for YOU and the fight will become easier and easier. Remember that this fight will ALWAYS take a very conscious effort on your part. If you do not consciously fight the worry – it will win. Sometimes I don’t make that conscious effort – and guess what? Worry wins. It wins. I’m still losing precious moments from my life….but these lost moments are much fewer and much farther between than they used to be……

Don’t let worry take anymore precious moments from your life. Life really is too short to waste anymore time on that emotion. Fight the good fight. Don’t let worry win.

Pray. Be grateful. And……..don’t worry.

Dorothy

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LEAVE US A COMMENT and you will be entered to win a Gratitude Signature Leather Necklace.

Practice Random Acts of Kindness

My thought for today is simple.  Practice random acts of kindness.

I decided today to bring my good friend a cup of coffee at work when I was by her office.  It felt so good to do something so simple. 

She’s a wonderful example, too, of someone who embodies random acts of kindness.  She always goes out of her way to compliment people and puts into practice random acts of kindness on a daily basis.  It feels so good to be around her!

My challenge to you is very simple-create your own practice of kindness.  You will be amazed at what comes back to you when you put this wonderful energy out into the universe!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Live with Gratitude!

Gratitude for Twitter!

Have you heard of twitter?  Well, it’s another fun social networking site.  I’ve made some really nice friends there!

I’m thrilled to share with you that we inspired a blog post this week of one of my twitter friends  that I follow.  Check out her blog and the post by clicking here. 

It’s an amazing feeling to inspire people to share (and feel) gratitude!  It’s spreading and it’s so exciting.

I absolutely love the sharing, inspiration, and connecting that happens with online social networking.  It’s a wonderful medium. 

Today I am grateful for crisp autumn air, sunshine, and german chocolate cake coffee!  How about you?

In gratitude!

Deanna

Follow us on twitter by clicking here.

Kim Parrish and the HSN Models Wear Gratitude!

Many of you may remember that my friend savvy designer, Kim Parrish, wore Gratitude on HSN in the late spring.  I didn’t realize at the time that HSN has a channel on You Tube.  I thought you might enjoy one of Kim’s segments by watching below (in case you didn’t get to see it).  Kim is wearing the Gratitude Signature Bracelet and one of the Artisan Collection necklaces.  Check out the models as one is wearing the Signature Collection leather necklace.

Enjoy!

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Featured item:

Monday Morning Gratitude

I hope you all had a great weekend!  I am so grateful for the glorious fall weather we had here in the Northeast this weekend.  We went apple picking and it was a lot of fun.  I made an apple crisp and homemade applesauce in the crockpot yesterday, yum!

I wanted to share something with you this morning.  We were headed to pick apples yesterday after we had a delicious breakfast.  We pulled out of the restaurant’s parking lot and tried to merge onto the road.  As we were ready to pull out a car stopped for us to let us go.  I looked at the car and their license plate said, “Imkind.”  Too cool I thought, a license plate that said I’m kind and the driver was practicing that by being courteous to let us out. 

I often find driving an interesting observation.  My husband and I always try to be kind and let people go ahead of us, but often people are in a hurry to get where they have to go–so you don’t see it being reciprocated.

Try to be mindul and practice being kind when you are driving about.

Have a grateful week!

Deanna

P.S.  My homemade applesauce was just too yummy…here’s the recipe:

3 lbs (6-8 good size apples)

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1 1/2 T of lemon juice

Cinnamon to taste

Mix brown sugar and lemon juice in crock pot.  Peel and slice apples and put them im the crockpot.  Let the mixture cook on high for 2-3 hours.  Mash mixture when done with potato masher and stir in cinnamon to your taste.  Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream (or vanilla ice cream!) or eat cold…so good!!!!

Gratitude and Conscious Appreciation

Sitting at my desk, I pulled out one of my Wayne Dyer Inner Peace Cards and here’s what it said:

“I appreciate all that I am and all that I have.  Stop focusing on what you do not have, and shift your consciousness to an appreciation for all that you are and all that you do have.”

I think this can be tough for a lot of people, especially in today’s tough economic times…however when you can make the shift that Wayne speaks of it can create a world of difference.  It takes the power away from what you don’t have and makes what you do have that much more special.

I have heard so many people say that they love their Gratitude Bracelet for this reason.  It’s a visual reminder for them to be grateful and thankful for all that they have no matter what the circumstances are.  You may have something special that symbolizes this for you–it’s a great way to have a tangible reminder when some days can be tough.

Today’s Inspiration

Some food for thought today:

“When we refuse to take time off until we get caught up with our work, we never take time off.  Life isn’t about being caught up.  Life is about participating.  That’s all.  Just participating.”

I know I often spend a lot of time feeling like I need to catch up especially in today’s fast paced chaotic world.  It’s a difficult pattern to break, but we will never be caught up.  It’s a matter of moving forward and doing what you can do and taking time to give yourself a break.

Be well!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Well, it’s October and it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  We are working really hard this month to raise money for the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center by donating a portion of our October web sales to them. 

Help spread the word and help us support this wonderful cause and organization…Go to our website at The Gratitude Collection and browse our inspirational products.

Head on over to their site to check out some valuable information:  Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center

Be Well!

The Gratitude Collection Offers Portion of October Sales to the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center

OXFORD, CT – OCTOBER 6, 2008 – The Gratitude Collection© is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month by offering a portion of their October web site sales to The Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center.

Founded in 2007, The Gratitude Collection© is a line of jewelry and apparel that reflects the benefits of positive thinking and the acts of gratitude and thankfulness.

“Gratitude is proud to be supporting the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center,” said Deanna Collins, co-founder of The Gratitude Collection. 

“The Center has been serving women here in Connecticut since 1999 with care, warmth, and comfort.  Supporting such organizations is really at the core of our business and we are proud to support them.”  Collins noted.

The Gratitude Collection offers the following suggestions on how you can honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month and show your support to breast cancer patients and survivors:

• Participate in a breast cancer walk; visit http://makingstrides.acsevents.org or http://www.komen.org to find one in your area.

 
• Donate to a local hospital or clinic that provides free and low-cost mammograms to women in need

 
• Spread the word about your favorite breast cancer charity by hosting a fundraising party or even posting about it on your blog

The Gratitude Circle aims to become the premiere online resource for inspiration and merchandise that cultivate a positive outlook on life and create opportunities for people to share personal stories of gratitude.

 “It’s so easy to get caught up in negative patterns of thinking.”  Collins said.  “We want The Gratitude Circle to be a place where people will log on and share their positive stories—their determination and perseverance—to get their energy out there and in turn, inspire others.”

For more information on The Gratitude Collection and to purchase your own jewelry and apparel from the line, visit http://www.thegratitudecircle.net/.

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