Getting Back to Work with Goal Setting

Well, we had a few months of summer to have fun and play.  It’s over, the kids are back to school and now what?

I like to look at this time of year as a bit of a re-birth.  The last four months of the year seem to go so quickly with all of the holidays and fall fun. 

Why not take the time over the next week to set some goals for the rest of the year?  What are some things you’d like to do?  Create an exercise regimen.  Eat healthfully (as those holiday treats are around the corner).  Re-connect with friends and family that you haven’t seen in a while.  Get that scrapbook finished.  The ideas can go on and on.  What are yours?  They don’t need to be big or many–just a few. 

Create a way to have some measurable results for yourself.  Create an disciplined exercise regimen that you are consistent with and treat yourself to a new outfit.  Make it work for your situation, you get the idea.

Take it a step further and team up with a friend to keep you in check with these “mini” goals over the next few months. 

Until next time,

Deanna

Getting Back to Blogging…

It’s been a while!  I’ve been really busy over the summer working on so many exciting things that I can’t wait to share with you over the coming months.  When you have a chance check out my newly re-designed web site at www.thegratitudecircle.net.  Head on over and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop and as a special “thank you” you will receive my FREE 5-day “Practice of Gratitude” Ecourse full of great tips.

I’ll be back next week as we get ready to head into Fall!

In gratitude,

Deanna

Growing Pains

I have been in a pattern of growth for the past several years. I have embraced a new life philosophy and continue to learn each day. Some days it seems painful! I’m learning and dealing and dealing and learning.

I was listening to Harmonic Wealth today by James Arthur Ray. He says that your results are a reflection of you. You must grow to gain. When you have bigger gain, it presents bigger challenges. Success is messy, but so is life. It really struck me when he said that we grow the most when we are on the border of chaos and order. Wow! Did that speak to me!

I always joke with people that my life is organized (depending on the day) chaos. I have my business which I love! I help my husband with his business…both businesses–mine the baby, his 50+ years young–are in extreme growth patterns. Somedays it’s quite a challenge! I have my family, my home, and everything else I seem to get pulled into to manage. Somedays it seems too much, although I would be bored without it.

When I was in high school, I worked for my uncle who was an internal medicine doctor. We had a pharmaceutical rep whose name was Tony. He was the best and would always come in an pull up a chair to chat…those were the good old days…it’s not like that anymore! I will never forget what he told me one day when I was stressed and tired from school and work. He told me that I was someone who needed to constantly be busy and challenged because I thrived on it and could handle it. Without it you’ll be bored he said! He was right and I will never forget it!

Right now I’m growing and dealing and dealing and growing…but knowing that I am growing to gain makes it better!

Think about your life. Are you in a period of growth? Can you remember such a time? What did you learn? What was at the end of the tunnel?

Some thoughts to ponder.

In gratitude & growth!
Deanna

The Trials of Being a Mom

My sister gave me a beautiful Mother’s Day card. The artist is Mara Berendt Friedman. Her paintings honor the Feminine aspect of Spirit and draw inspiration from cultures around the world, from the cylce of the season and from universal symbols and form.

The card my sister gave me had a beautiful illustration on it. Here’s what it said:

Mabuddha of Compassion

woman of mercy blossoms within every heart
tender and strong, you heal what tears apart
you offer your children love nectar pure…
easing their pain with compassion’s kind cure

Ma–Mother Buddha–Awakened one, awakening

I really thought about this in light of some recent trials I’ve had as a mom. I often think how hard it is to be a mother today! We have so many more things to protect our children from today than even when I grew up…not to mention any physical ailments that we may have to contend with. Instinctively, though, we just do it–we do what we have to do without a thought…it’s just what we do. We are protectors.

So, to all my girls out there reading this who get it and do what they are called to do as mother’s–I honor you and I thank you…as this is the hardest, but most rewarding job ever.

In gratitude,
Deanna

Happy Mother’s Day!

I wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day! Whether you are a mom, aunt, godmother, or just a motherly friend–you should celebrate today!

The sun is shining and the air is warm. What a beautiful day it is!

I found this poem below that resonated with me about the cycle of mothers and daughters and daughters and mothers. Enjoy and be blessed today.

Mothers and daughters
Were daughters and mothers
Not so long ago.
We give and take
And take and give
Along time’s endless row.
Love is passed
And love received
To be passed on again:
A precious heirloom
Twice, twice blessed,
A spiritual cardigan.

I’ll put it on
And treasure it,
The me I have received,
And when the roles
Reverse again,
I’ll have what I most need.

So may our love
Go on and on,
A hundred thousand years;
Mothers and daughters,
Daughters and mothers,
Through joys and other tears.

Deanna

The Power of Your Words

Most of us feel that when we’re complaining we’re just speaking our minds–except something else is going on here, too. When we complain we are focusing on what is wrong with our lives instead of what’s right.

Here’s an amusing story I found on the internet to put you in the right frame of mind:

A young monk joined an order that required total silence. At his discretion, the abbot could allow any monk to speak. It was nearly five years before the abbot approached the novice monk and said, “You may speak two words.” Choosing his words carefully, the monk said, “Hard bed.” With genuine concern, the abbot said, “I’m sorry your bed isn’t comfortable. We’ll see if we can get you another one.”

Around his tenth year in the monastery, the abbot came to the young monk and said, “You may say two more words.” “Cold food,” the monk said. “We’ll see what we can do,” the abbot said.

On the monk’s fifteenth anniversary, the abbot said again, “You may now speak two words.” “I quit,” the monk said. “It’s probably for the best,” replied the abbot. “You’ve done nothing but gripe since you got here.”

Realize that you create your life with the words you choose.

Judy

What a Lovely Way to Start the Morning!

This week’s guest blogger is Sandi…

Good Morning.

This morning while lying in bed looking out the bedroom windows to the backyard and watching the birds feed at the feeders, and listening to the spring bird songs I saw something so sweet

First, I will share that John and I have been watching a male cardinal in our little tree behind our back fence for a few weeks…he is all alone… comes and sits in the branches and stays there for long periods of time… 10 or 15 minutes at a time… not singing.. just being quiet.. and looking all around… as if he lost his mate.. or is looking for her… especially near the end of the day just before dark… He is incredibly deep, bright red…one of the prettiest birds ever…

Today I watched a female cardinal come to the feeder…then, a few seconds later, the bright red male cardinal flew into the little tree beside the feeder. The female turned, looked at him, and immediately flew into the same little tree. Then the male flew to the feeder, while she waited on the tree branch. The male picked up a seed or two and flew immediately back to her on the branch, went over to her and placed the seed into her beak. Then he went back and got more food and brought it back to her and fed her…It was so wonderful to see! This went on for a minute or so.. and then they both flew off together…..

Ahhhh… don’t you just LOVE spring??…..

Happy thoughts for a gentle spring day…

Sandi

MANIFEST Your Intentions

Treat Yourself As If You Already Are What You’d Like to Be

As you place more of your energy on what you intend to manifest, you’ll start seeing those intentions materializing. This is an example of the synchronicity of the universe working with you and your highly energized thoughts.
-Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

We’re Excited…

We were thrilled to learn today that our proposal for a program entitled, “Today’s Entrepreneurial Woman” was selected by the 2008 WOW! Forum Committee.

The WOW! (Women of the World) Forum is presented by the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. Past speakers of note have been Gayle King, Susan St. James, and last year author Jennifer Lauck.

The WOW! Forum is excited to announce that the keynote speaker will be Emmy Award winning TV Journalist, Diane Smith. Humorist, Joyce Saltman will address the audience in the morning along with the leadership panel consisting of The Honorable Anne Dranginis, American Mural Project artist Ellen Greisedeick and Patricia Mayfield, Commissioner, Department of Labor. Janet Peckinpaugh, Award Winning News Anchor and Talk Show Host will serve as our master of ceremonies for the day.

We are so happy to have this opportunity to share our experiences with others. We are manifesting our intentions!

In gratitude,
Deanna & Judy

Harmonic Wealth

Updates from the Gratitude Circle

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