Online Friends

To My Online Friends
From Annie Tornabene

From my computer to yours.

Sometimes this place gets to be a pretty lonely place. 'Tis the season to be jolly. But with all the hustle and bustle, people barely pass the time of day. If by change you run pass an offline friend they nod with a quick "I'll call you later!" and dash the other way. Seldom do you ever hear another word from them unless you pass them again before they could drop into the shadows without being seen. They say they know you well but they don't know you at all. When was the last time they took the time to say hello or ask your opinion? Or took the time to hold your hand knowing you were facing a major operation or crisis?

It's not the same with my online friends. My online friends share a part of me that my offline friends will never understand. My online friends know me best. After all they take the time to read what I have to say and answer back. Sometimes they send me a joke or two or leave a comment on myspace ... just enough to let me know they care about me.

People ask, "How can you be friends with someone you've never met?"

I tell them, "You've never been online I bet!" It's something people offline will never understand. You open up your heart to friendship with your typing hands. It's a world full friendship at your finger tips, there is so much online, it only takes a heart to reach people with your touch. Your heart found mine. Thank you for being an online friend.

First you start out online, surfing all around. Next thing you know a great friend will be found. You will chat a lot and surf cyber space. Soon it will be your second home, a comforting, special place. An online friend to share your dreams and your tears and to help each other wipe away life's fears and be with you until the day is brighter. You will share life together and help each other along the way.

You will make it thru bad days because friendship is so strong. When you cry, I cry. When you laugh, I laugh. No matter how far apart you go, your keyboards will keep you together, and in your heart you will know you don't need a face to be a true friend forever. :) Hearts talk to each other.

So, how do you explain this to people who've never been online? I guess it takes a gesture of friendship and a little bit of time. So let's start by sending this around and passing our special touch. A smile, an online hug, a website, a gesture starts it all; becoming friends doesn't take much...

RIDE SAFE N STAY WARM...


Hugs, in an attitude of gratitude,
I'll always be here for you.

Annie

Getting To Know You

Getting To Know You
by Annie Tornabene

Getting to know you is just what the doctor ordered. Blues, depression, loneliness may be helped with thoughts of happiness and friendship. Sometimes just getting to know someone makes us feel connected. After all we are all connected and impact each other's life whether we realize it or not. You may think happiness will come with material things or relationships. Usually, it doesn't.

All too often the problems we see in others are the problems we see in ourselves. If you think someone is looking at you in a strange way, it may be that you walked in with an attitude. Try a different perspective and see what happens. Getting to know you may be your cup of tea.

Happiness comes from peace and joy of your positive attitude being shared with others. The more you give out the more that comes your way. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and getting to know you in a positive light. Little things make the difference in loving your life.

Say Hello

Say Hello
by Annie Tornabene



Loneliness is just a crime that doesn't need to be in this world any more. Are you lonely? Take a walk...see a smiling face... say hello.

To say hello may be the most frightening thing you are facing in a world of loneliness. So you feel your skin start to tighten.. your heart beats fast and your start to hyperventilate... Would it be better to experience a little anxiety and find a friend or experience a lifetime of loneliness?

Maybe you are one of those lonely people who do not fully comprehend how much you mean to the world...your sufferin is shared with the world. Rejoice and the world will joyful chime in and feel the impact of they great mysteries of your life...the happiness...the sorrow...the tears...the cheers...the debt of despair and the loneliness of sorrow without relief.

Try saying hello with a positive thought in mind. See what happens to your grief and woe. Look for the good and you will find that happiness and love are sitting beside you.

Sometimes we have to see things through the eyes of a child to realize all we have to do is say hello and maybe we find a friend. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and learning to say hello.

My Prayer

My Prayer
by Annie Tornabene


Sometimes it feels like my prayers are not answered. Some people would like you to think that our prayers are to no avail. My unanswered prayers teach me that what I think I want is not what is best for me at the time. Good things come to those who wait. If you are like me, sometimes I feel like saying in anger but I need patience, I want it now!

Some people these days would like you to think that religion is out of style. They say things like I.E., "they cling to their religions..." That is because they have never gotten to know their Creator. Getting to know our Creator is not being religious, it is finding our spirituality which is a part of all of us...mind, body and soul. All three need to be working together in order for us to live our best life now and love our life. The Creator is not found in some book or building. The problem with this kind of thinking is that there is no foundation ... no hope ... no walking the truth. It is like an artist painting a masterpiece in the rain. It doesn't last. However, if you take that same painting into a place of safety to paint, it becomes a priceless masterpiece. Getting to know the Creator is strickly personal...just between you and your Creator. No one can judge you, just the Creator. The Power that created you has the Power to heal you.

During my prayer and meditation, I find that our Creator gives me everything I need. There is more than enough. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and learning to talk to our Creator through our prayer and meditation. We can live our best life now.

Dark Clouds

Dark Clouds
by Annie Tornabene


Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and dark clouds didn't spoil your day. I realize that being grateful is something we have to work at especially at times of family gatherings when there is sure to be someone present that will be a thorn in our side.

You are not alone. You probably had a hectic day of preparing for a feast or preparing your heart to be in an attitude of gratitude. Either way, your nerves have been spent ... they were on the edge. If you were traveling, you know how crowded the airports, the highways, etc were. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Dark clouds come our way whether we want them or not.

This is something that happens throughout the year not just at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yes we have more dark clouds coming at Christmas. When we know these events and people are going to be near us, we must make sure to focus on our attitude of gratitude. Dark clouds always approach when we least expect them, so we better prepare for them.

Preparing for dark clouds is not something we can just throw together at the last minute. It is something we need to work on for a long time...to get in the habit of having an attitude of gratitude. I know we've talked all month about having an attitude of gratitude. It is a key to understanding depression, turning those dark clouds and helping us live our best life now.

Remember time is on our side. So, take time to regularly meditate ... to be still .... to be quiet ... to be one with the Creator. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our minds and bodies need time to be still and quiet. It is a time for rest in the hands of the Creator. It is a time to feel the peace, the love and joy flowing around you and through you.

It is a time to realize the many blessings we have. It is a time to focus on what we do have. The media, the stores, the news will tell us all the things we don't have. It is important to realize what we do have. It is important that we, anyone reading this; even the poorest one reading this; realize that we are more blessed than 99% of the world. Take time every day to think of three things to be grateful for. How many things do we take for grant it?

At this time of the year, it is easy to focus on those who may be wealthier than ourselves. The stores, the news, the media focuses on all the we do not have. Take time to give to those less fortunate than ourselves. What can we do? Something can be done about it. Donate time at a rehab center, an orphanage, an abuse women or children's center or food bank. When I have worked at these centers or any kind of victim's center, it helped me take the focus off my problems and on to gratitude. Doing things for others less fortunate will remind you of how blessed you really are. Ask them what they are thankful for. You will be amazed and it will open your eyes and hearts to new possibilities and gratitude of what you already have.

When was the last time you told those you love, that you love them. One day you will awake and realize that all to soon that opportunity is gone forever. Write a note to them. While they are in your present, acknowledge your love and appreciation for them in your life. Give them a smile. Hold them close while you can. You will create the possibility of a better life with them now.

If we practice this attitude of gratitude, we keep the dark clouds at bay. Dark clouds will come into our life from time to time and may even keep us from having an attitude of gratitude. Remember the dark clouds will pass shortly. Look beyond the dark clouds and keep your focus for soon the dark clouds pass and a brighter day has begun. Together we make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now. We are thankful for the thorns in our lives because they help us realize how many blessings we already have and live in abundance.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving
by Annie Tornabene



You, my friend, have helped me through good times and bad. You are my happiness, my sorrow; standing beside me, listening, talking and walking with smiles and tears through the years. I am so grateful for your friendship.

I am so blessed to have you in my life this thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving! May you always be blessed with an abundance of good friends, good food, peace, joy, happiness, love and prosperity. May you live like a penquin...just be happy!

In an attitude of gratitude, Happy Thanksgiving! Together we can make a difference in understanding depression, living an abundant life of gratitude and happy thanksgiving.

The Joy Of Gratitude

The Joy Of Gratitude
By Annie Tornabene


Every day is a good day...it can be depending on the way you look at it. With the joy of gratitude, I experience good days with what use to be "bad days"... days full of frustration, despair, disappointments and discouragement. I call those days an "unbelievable" day. This habit keeps me from being overwhelmed with stinking thinking and emotions. Why does this work?

Repetitious thoughts and words create feelings ... positive or negative behavioral patterns and increased thinking of those feelings. If I dwell on stinking thing, I feel the gloom and doom; thus increasing my level of depression and I end up moping around. If I tell myself it's an "unbelievable" day this keeps my mind open to possibilities, gratitude, hope, solutions, resilience, and even laughter. The buoyancy creates joy within me.

So if you are having an unbelievable day like the kids are screaming, you are ready to kiss your boss goodbye, the financial crisis just won't go away or you are crawling in traffic at a snails pace; just take a deep breath and reorganize your thoughts. If you are in the car don't take time to mediate, wait until you are in a safe spot to take a 2 minute meditation. If you are at a safe place, then take a few minutes to mediate and get back on track. If you can't find a place where you can be alone with your thoughts, slip away into the bathroom with the doors locked. A few minutes spent in quiet mediation refreshes you and allow you time to create a more positive feeling within yourself and that you can display to the world. Believe me it helps. You feel stronger and more confident. I think there were days that I could have killed someone without those quiet times. Breathe in peace, hope and tranquility. Allow the joy of gratitude to flow through you and around you.

I don't know all the answers...I do know that it is worth it. In an attitude of gratitude, count your blessings. Never give up. You can make it. Miracles happen every day...we just have to focus on them...look for them. Focus on health, wealth, good friends and family, and anything that you feel make life worth living for. While these blessings are temporary, they do get you in the habit of thinking in an attitude of gratitude.

Having tested this for myself extensively, I found there was an effective way to practice gratitude and an ineffective way. There is a deeper understanding of gratitude and a more effective way to practice it, one that yielded much greater the joy of gratitude.

Genuine gratitude isn’t my feeling because let's face it; my circumstances may not be that exciting. More often than not, it's complicated and it leaves me feeling empty or complacent. This gratitude may be the catalyst for a major attitude change or temporary relief that I need. You can enjoy this state of gratitude temporarily, but overall you’ll remain stuck in your old habits of stinking thinking.

Genuine gratitude is independent of situations and circumstances. The joy of gratitude is a feeling of gratitude for life itself, for our existence, for anything and everything we experience. It is more of an underlying attitude... it becomes part of who we are. It is a sense of charisma or enchantment with the journey of life no matter what the outcome. It is looking at life through the eyes of a child. It is no fear of loss and an enjoyment of the journey of our life, the universe, time and space, our obstacles, trials, and tribulations, our imperfections and bloopers, our realizations, our psyche, our inner child, the difficult people in our lives, our thoughts and angers and happiness, our rights, responsibilities, ideas and concepts, and even the fog.

Gratitude becomes the canvas upon which we paint our life. It doesn’t matter how it looks because we enjoy the experience of painting. We say wow to life.

If we can remain in that state of wonder of a child, we’re likely to find the joy of gratitude...the enjoyment of life. Together we can make a difference in living beyond anger, fear and depression and living our best life now. We will feel the joy of gratitude that resonates with who we are.

Thankful For The Lighthouse

Thankful For The Lighthouse
by Annie Tornabene



This month of gratitude, I remember that I am thankful for the lighthouse that has been a beacon of hope during the storms of life.

Through the endless years, a light of hope slowly emerges from it's tall tower in the darken fog... no matter how dark the night may be...or how howling the winds may rage. Hope begins to fill my heart when I see the light. I am thankful for the lighthouse for where would I be if it wasn't for the lighthouse. I would be tossed on the stormy sea.

It's a beacon of hope for all to see. I am thankful for the lighthouse. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression. In an attitude of gratitude, thank you.

One Day At a Time

One Day At A Time
by Annie Tornabene



Do you find it difficult to be in an attitude of gratitude? Do you take one day at a time and focus on the positiveness around you? Do you find it difficult to change the habits of the past?

If you've spent a large portion of your life in stinking thinking, you can't expect to change overnight to suddenly thinking positively. You can change little by little...one step at a time ... one day at a time.

One day at a time you can commit to having an attitude of gratitude no matter what happens during the course. You can focus that much, can't you? You'd be amazed how easy it is to focus one day at a time. Just take moment by moment.

Here's how:

You get up in the morning and find something to be thankful for that day. It may be a good idea to make yourself a note the night before. It can be a note by your bedside, on the bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator, the coffee pot or something like a rubber band or string (or anything to trigger your mind) to remind you to be grateful for something.

After awaking, spend a few moments in silent mediation in an attitude of gratitude for one thing in your life. Feel the feeling of gratitude in your heart...total immersed in an attitude of gratitude. Then affirm your intention with saying something like:

"In an attitude of gratitude, I feel grateful from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet, from the tips of my fingers to the other side of me, from the back to the front. Today I feel a positive force flowing through me and around me for every person I meet, for every obstacle I face, for every moment of the day. I will make a commitment to stay grounded in the present moment and be glad. I will bring my thoughts and emotions back on track for today. I choose to be in an attitude of gratitude for today. I can do it one day at a time."

Just because you have made a little ceremony doesn't mean that it is smooth sailing. You will probably find yourself being tried and tested. But that's OK, because the more times you practice, the stronger your attitude of gratitude becomes. Just refocus yourself and keep on keeping on. You can do it one day at a time.

You may not make 100% but you should be feeling pretty good about yourself. Look at how well you did. You did better than yesterday! Wow... just think you can do it one day at a time.

Each day that you repeat this, you get better and better and won't have to work on it so hard. After you have mastered finding one thing to be grateful for, add another one. Keep adding another one and mastering it until you find yourself living in an attitude of gratitude.

Want to know how you spend your life? Think about how you spend your day. Each day attaches to the next to make a better tomorrow.

Everything can change one day at a time. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and in living one day at a time.

Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude of Gratitude
By Annie Tornabene


Good Morning Friends,

I got to reflecting during the night how friendship is something to be extremely grateful for. Friendship is the light of the world. This month is Gratitude Month and we all need to take time to reflect on things in our life that we are grateful.

Learning to be thankful for what we have today, and the turmoil of our past, empowers us with courage, hope, optimism and joy that help us reach toward our goals.

Sometimes it has been difficult to accept our turmoil, disappointments and defeats with an attitude of gratitude. There have been times in my life that I wondered how in the world this could be good for me. How could my Creator have allowed this to happen? How could I live another day like this? How could I have allowed that person into my life? How am I going to survive? How am I going to overcome this? What good could possibility come from this?

One day my Grandmaster made me sit down during my meditation time and make a list of all my enemies, those people who have hurt me in the past and anyone with whom I had tension. I had to find something about each person I could be thankful for. The results were amazingly profound. Even when I was only a few names down the list, I started realizing how much resentment I still harbored toward the people I named. I thought I had released that anger against them. It took real effort to hold on to that anger subconsciously, and it was putting physical strain on my body. Oh, I could hide it consciously, but inwardly it was ripping my insides out. As I found something to be grateful for about each person, I felt the pressure releasing bit by bit. I found relief.

I realized that by holding on to that subconscious anger, it was causing my mind to relive endlessly that turmoil and thus the mind was focusing on negativity rather than the positive that would bring me health, happiness and joy. I realized that because of that person, I learned to change for the better. Finding an attitude of gratitude about our enemies and those people that we have difficulty with, we learn to end the mental war and make peace with our past. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a present.

Acknowledging some measure of gratitude for each person allows us to live in the present with an inner peace and hope. It teaches us to set healthy boundaries with people in our present. It reminds us how far we've come. It helps us feel good about ourselves when we realize that we have overcome obstacles. It helps us make life affecting decisions. It helps us appreciate the good in our lives. It helps us realize that the thorn in our side has been removed and we have grown to flourish. In spite of the tears, the smears and turmoil, we thrive.

In an attitude of gratitude, you, my friend, are the light of the world in a world of darkness. Thank you for being my friend.

Are You Crazy?

Are You Crazy?
by Annie Tornabene


"Are you crazy?" There have been times when I thought I must be crazy to think like this... And there were times when I heard someone say that to me, 'Are you crazy?' There were times when I would have thought it was an insult, but today, I think it is a compliment. Why, you ask?

To be crazy means I'm a little out of the ordinary. Well with all the things I want to accomplish, I have to be out of the ordinary. Think of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison or Albert Einstein. They all had to be out of the ordinary. I'm sure they heard 'Are you crazy?' many times. Even Elvis Presley must have heard, 'Are you crazy?' a few times. This craziness is a good thing.

You see our conscious mind is like our Mother constantly nagging us. It's there for our protection...to keep us safe. It goes on and on like a stuck record, oops, I dated myself before CDs. with the same stinking thinking over and over again. But even a lie that is told repeatedly can become true. "Who do you think you are? You can't do that! You're not good enough. You're bad. Something awful is going to happen. You're stupid to think that." These are just a few of the more popular tracks the mind likes to repeat constantly. No wonder we get depressed. So you need to be a little crazy ... out of the ordinary... to go BEYOND the fear that is holding you back. Your mind has heard the words, 'NO" and "Don't Do That" ever since you were born. The stinking thinking has been played more often than the positive input. So why wouldn't you get depressed? It's time to stop the stinking thinking and be a little crazy.

So to create a little craziness with positive changes in your life, you really need to be out of your ordinary mind. All you have to fear is fear itself and for that you are crazy. To be crazy is going beyond the ordinary...it is stepping out of fear...it is pushing the barriers beyond the wall...it is thinking for yourself outside the box.


Anything that resonates as "not safe", your mind will automatically dismiss as impossible and sabotage you every time. The problem is that it is operating from programming the ordinary mind. The ordinary is safe. The ordinary just follows and does not think for itself. So it's time to break the pattern. Don't just follow the leader. Think for yourself. It is going against mainstream that is your only hope of salvation of creating your best life now.

If you feel depressed, anxiety, worry or in any way out of place with peace, love, joy and abundance, stop and think of what is going on in your head. Listen to the chaos and start to pluck out what really matters. Some of that nagging chaos is absolutely false - although your mind believes it 100%. So ask yourself these questions and write down the answers which is a critical part of this exercise.

• 
  What am I most worried about?


• 
  What is the worst thing that could happen to me?


• 
  What is my biggest fear?


• 
  What would happen to me if my biggest fear came true?
  

Are any of these reasons serious enough for you to be depressed, not sleeping at night or completely stressed out? Problems present themselves and then amazingly enough solutions seem to manifest as well. Problem, solution, problem, solution, problem, solution. That pretty much is the pattern of life from what I can see. It's when we buy into our mind's fear spurred along by the ordinary addiction to fear, that we can start to believe that THIS TIME the problems are bigger than ever. So what if they are, then the solutions THIS TIME will be bigger than ever. How excitingly crazy is that! Seriously, I am discovering in my life right now that big problems require big solutions and they manifest just like little solutions occur for little problems. Why worry? I am fascinated to see how all this chaos in the world is going to play.

The United States will have a first for their President next week - a first oldest man, a first semi-black man, a first female Vice President... you see they are all first no matter which way you vote or who wins. A generation that has grown up in an unrealistic economy may realize some core values in life that have been buried way too long. We may discover that our Creator goes a long way to keeping us together in tough times.

We are in for some big shifts like we have never seen in our lifetime. Together we have an amazing opportunity to be pillars in a potentially very different world. This is a wonderful opportunity to be the leader you were born to be. This is your time to really shine your light for others to see. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living a crazy best life now.

Here's what you can do starting today. Encourage others. Laugh daily. Give lots of hugs. Send positive thoughts out to the world. Focus on love, joy, peace and abundance. Stop watching and listening to stinking thinking. Get your mind into crazy positive thinking and into your heart. Step out of fear and into a place of love, hope and peace. When you do that, you will be delighted how amazing you can live your best life now. Are you crazy in an attitude of gratitude?

Poverty: Mind, Body and Soul

Poverty: Mind, Body and Soul
By Annie Tornabene

When you hear the word poverty, what comes to your mind? Do you envision the economic crisis? Your empty bank account? A poor hopeless and homeless person sleeping on the park benches? Maybe you think of a third world county where they are hungry or areas of America where they are starving, cold and desolate? Poverty: Mind, Body and Soul.

Sure any of these can strike a cord of poverty. But there is a poverty that reaches far beyond these simple needs and pierces the heart and mind. There is a poverty that is within our very touch. There is a poverty that we pass every day. This is the epidemic filling our world that needs our touch… You may pass this poverty every day. You may be a victim or hostage of this poverty. Poverty: Mind, Body and Soul. What do you do? Do you do something about it or do you simply walk on by?

There is a world of poverty that is oppressed with the isolation of love, loneliness, confusion, rejection, despair and desperation. You can have all the wealth in the world and live in poverty. It lives within us all. No man is an island. No one can live with the isolation of love, loneliness, confusion, rejection, despair and desperation. I’m sure you have felt it a time or two. Poverty: Mind, Body and Soul … Tears of a child when they didn’t understand why their Mother was suddenly taken away. Or the pain of an unfulfilled dream. Maybe you have felt the pain of isolation and the void of love. Have you ever wanted someone to talk to, someone just to listen to your cries, someone to give you a hug, a smile or a warm touch? Then you have felt the pain of poverty. How deep did you feel that poverty? The poverty of the mind and soul reaches further than the poverty of the pocketbook. What matters most in life? What really counts? In the words of the John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!!”

If you have riches of the mind and soul, you have a treasure that is worth far more than gold. You have a peace that passes all understanding… a light from within…a warmth of unconditional love fills your life … a glow of tranquility in the mist of chaos and a dream that keeps you alive in a world filled will confusion. This wealth gives us what we need to sustain life. Sure money helps but not as much as these… friendships, time, love and listening. Greater wealth has no one.

Take a step … reach out a hand.. To your fellow man … co-worker or child. Lend an ear and take time to listen and you will find that it is returned maybe not from the same person but there is someone else willing to lend you their ear. I am always here for you. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and fighting the war on poverty: mind, body and soul. Love our life and live our best life now.

Smiles

Smiles
by Annie Tornabene







Smiles. Ever notice them? Sure you have, without thinking you probably returned the smiles. Smiles are contagious. You can't help but put on a smile when you see smiles.

Trying smiling. What happens? You notice your mood changes. Even my daughter has learned when I'm feeling blue, all she has to do is smile and it's better than magic. It's better than taking a pill. It flows from within. It turns the frown upside down.

When you smile, you notice that life is too short, we have to break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, truly love ourselves and each other, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance... and smile.

From Tears To Hope

From Tears To Hope
by Annie Tornabene

Inevitably, we all experience highs and lows in our lives. One moment of yesterday is filled with tears turn to hope for tomorrow. As the Grandmaster stated in Kung Fu Panda, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a present - that's why they call it a gift."

Some days are filled with bewilderment, despair and anxiety. Some days are filled with laughter, peace and joy. I'm sure you have had days like that. Everyone has them. It's how we deal with them that makes the difference in going from tears to hope or going from hope to tears.

Sometimes when I am facing the stormy strings of life, my spirit cries out,“ Why? Why!?!” Why am I stuck in this mess? Why am I deserted? Why have I been for gotten? Why have I been left behind? Sometimes we think our way of doing things are best only to find out that the mess has been multiplied. Our Creator wants no one to be left behind. Our Creator wants us to go from tears to hope...to pick up the pieces and find a new tomorrow.

Sometimes, it takes a little meditation ... to be still and listen to the voice from within... not the anxiety-ridden voice, but the calm, still voice of our Creator... the One that guides us safely. Not a prayer ... for prayer is where I do all the talking ... begging ... crying. Meditation is where I do the listening and giving gratitude for all the little things in my life. Sometimes it's a big step to learning to be still and quiet.

If it wasn't for the lighthouse, I wouldn't be here today. I can speak with the voice of experience. I've been there. I've been on the stormy sea of life... with tears flowing down my cheeks ... with a heart heavy from defeat, loneliness and hurts. In the midst of chaos and turmoil, the stillness and quietness of meditation turns me from tears to hope. The stillness and quietness turns every fiber in my body ... every single cell into alignment to receive the message from my Creator. I turn from trembling and fear to one of peace, tranquility and joy. I may not have the answer, but I feel the peace that my Creator wants me to live my best life now...that my Creators wants me to turn from tears to hope. My Creator wants no one to be left behind. My fears and worries are all dissipated. I have been empowered. I am ready to take a new step forward. I am back on track. I have gone from tears to hope.

The same applies to you. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and turning our lives from tears to hope.

What Then?

What Then?
by Annie Tornabene



When the storms in life hit us, we often ask ourselves, "What then?" Do you remember the last time you said, "What then?" or maybe you said, "Now what?"

We are in between circumstances. We've been hit by an obstacle on our course in the strings of life. We've been knocked off course. We often find ourselves just sitting there ... waiting ... looking perplexed and asking, "What then?" If we keep sitting there, nothing is going to happen. What then? We will continue to let our flame from within die.

Or maybe we get hit by another storm along the strings of life. That storm blows us further off course. What then? Pretty soon we've been thrown off course so many times that the spark from within is almost dead. If we keep sitting there waiting for someone to rescue us, our flame will go out! If we ask, "What then? It's time to get up and do something about it.

There are three (3) kinds of people in the world:
Those that MAKE Things Happen...They know what they want and take life by the horns to do whatever it takes to make things happen.
Those that WATCH Things Happen...Those who sit on the side lines wanting a better life, whose lives are just in need of a little help or adjustment because they've hit a bump or two that has knocked them off course temporarily; and
Those that SAY "What Happened?... Those who don't have a clue as what is going on. They allow circumstances to shape their lives.

Which type are you? Which type do you want to be? You can do it. You can do something about it. What then?

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and learning what to do when the storms of life knock us off course and "What then?" is asked.

Meditation

Meditation
by Annie Tornabene





Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the strife of everyday life keeps us busy with so many distractions and other things. We tend too not have time for meditation. Now days we have so many distractions and creature comforts that we don't realize how distracted we have become. We say we are too tired, that we will do it tomorrow. Let's just chill out and watch TV. Have you heard yourself say that?

The next thing you know, two maybe three hours have gone by and our mind is filled with a bunch of stuff ... a bunch of garbage ... useless mind wandering stuff. I've even had those days where I did that and was more depressed because I didn't feel anything. I went to sleep and my dreams were a mixture of what I had watched on TV and distortions of my life. Crazy dreams! Haven't you ever wondered where some of those crazy dreams came ... what brought them on?

The most important thing for meditation, at least for me, is silence. Just to be still and know... to get my mind to settled down, to be at peace with myself .... to get my mind to focus. Every fiber in my body comes to rest. It is a way to reorganize my hectic and chaotic thoughts... to feel love and gratitude ... to unwind. The hardest part is getting into the routine ... of integrating it in our lives. When I first started meditation, my wind wanted to wander because I was in so much chaos. Now, it's like a little baby when it's fussy. I remember when our oldest son had his first baby, when he would get fussy, my husband would rock him and walk with him and he would just cry more. Then I would come home and pick him up and within two minutes he would fall fast asleep. It was as if he said, "Mom or Grandma has got me, so I am safe." He felt comfort in my arms. Our minds are like fussy babies. When we learn meditation, our mind learns, "Oh, safety is here, I can rest." When my mind becomes unruffled, my body starts to soothe.

After meditation, it is a perfect time for me to do a little yoga and bodyflow ... to stretch those muscles so I don't have all those little aches and pains from the nerves being bottled up and stuck in one place. You know what I'm talking about. Oh yeah, it hurts to move them, but it hurts worst not to move them. It is as if our bodies were made to flow ... not too fast ... just easy movement. I do this twice a day ... first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. Sometimes, when things get too hectic, I will do it during the day also. And of course, sometimes I need a two minute meditation just to get me back on track.

All week we have been talking about keys to understanding depression. Meditation is one key that helped me. The effects of meditation doesn't happen overnight, but I found in the long run, I was feeling better along with the other things that I have talked about. No one said it would be easy, just that it would be worth it. Together we can make a difference in living with peace, tranquility and joy. Empower your live today with love and gratitude.

Perseverance

Perseverance
by Annie Tornabene





I will do whatever it takes to live my life to the max. I will keep on keeping on to overcome the storms of life. Perseverance is my way of life because I focus on positive results no matter how long it takes.

Denis Waitley said it, "Toughness gives you the resilience to keep pressing on, even if your determination and optimism are lagging." Jim Rohn said, "It takes time to build a corporate work of art. It takes time to build a life. And it takes time to develop and grow. So give yourself, your enterprise, and your family the time they deserve and the time they require." You can live every single day in love, peace and joy! How do you do that? Perseverance.

One way is to embrace your future by perseverance and determination to live your best life now. When everything around you is crumbling, when you’re facing the storms along the strings of life and your attitude on life will be determined by your "hook-up." (What you do when the storms in life come your way.) If your hook-up is grounded in an attitude of gratitude and you are determined to persevere whatever it takes to live your best life now; joy, peace and love flow through you to empower your life. That empowerment enables you to have perseverance in the face of adversity. That empowerment helps you understand depression and overcome the obstacles in life. It's another key to understanding depression. Together we can make a difference with perseverance.

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A Forgiving Spirit

A Forgiving Spirit
by Annie Tornabene




I will greet each day with a Forgiving Spirit.

I'm often asked "How can I move on?" You can't move on without a forgiving spirit. Forgiveness is the mental, and/or spiritual process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger against another person or persons for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. Love is an act of endless forgiveness that becomes a habit.

Moving on, new year celebrations and other similar events are a chance to start over. Starting over often involves forgiveness; both giving it and getting it. Neither one of those is easy, but both are doable.

Forgiving someone means that we find the courage to go beyond ourselves to a place that helps us see those who have hurt us in a new way. It means that we must confront the past and commit to a new way of thinking and behaving. That's a hard cup to swallow.

There are steps that will help make it a little easier. Remember nothing is impossible. The only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Fear will try to talk you out of forgiveness because unforgiveness feeds on fear. Fear has been it's teacher... it knows no other way to survive than living a life in fear and unforgiveness.

Forgiveness only applies to the first person. What I mean by that is that you can only forgive what you have done or someone has done to you. You can't forgive what someone did to someone else or they did to someone else. It is strictly personal. If you are not involved, then stay out of it. You can not force another person to forgive. Each person has to make that decision for themselves.

Don't waddle in your forgiveness. When you have decided to forgive someone (that includes yourself), make the statement and let it go. Hanging on to it or to keep nagging about it only means that you haven't been willing to forgive. Don't start listing all the problems at once. Take one at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself or the other person with all the mistakes. I've seen couples try to ask for forgiveness for a thousand mistakes - listing them one by one until the other person is overwhelmed. It's not the time or place to explore the problems. It is simply the time to ask for forgiveness in a forgiving spirit. Some mistakes can be bundled together and sometimes you can just say "Forgive me for all my mistakes." Love is the endless forgiveness that becomes a habit. Love your life. Love the other person. Every time fear pops its ugly head to remind you of the past wrongs, bring love in... think or say "I love you." The same goes for when someone apologies for their mistakes, accept it and let it go reminding yourself to send them love. Each time you do this, it will strengthen you in a forgiving spirit.

Remember none of us are perfect. We have all made mistakes and in a forgiving spirit, we move on. We do not want to be held hostage to our past. A forgiving spirit brings us to a better tomorrow ... a new relationship with the other person and our self. When I learned to forgive myself for past mistakes, it was like a different person. Because I became a different person. The key to forgiveness is to be able to look beyond all the problems, all the faults, all the mistakes and love them and/or yourself anyway!

If you are not ready to forgive, tell the other person that you will need some time but you want to begin a new level of relationship. Remember forgiveness is not the end but the beginning.

Forgiving yourself with a forgiving spirit is the act of beginning to move on ... to live again.

In starting a new beginning and moving on, celebrate that moment with a hug, a smile, a toast or even a dinner. You have made the first step, however small it may be, you have made the first step to moving on in a forgiving spirit.

Remember to forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness and most importantly, forgive yourself. Do whatever it takes to forgive in a forgiving spirit with an attitude of gratitude. No one said it would be easy, just that it is worth it. Together we can make a difference in learning to live with a forgiving spirit in an attitude of gratitude.

Choose To Be Happy

Choose To Be Happy
by Annie Tornabene




Today I Will Choose to be Happy

How many of you are stuck in a dark fog of depression because you did not choose to be happy? Wow, that was like a shot between the eyes. Or it was for me when I first realized it.

It's time to wake up and smell the roses. If you're not smelling the sweetness of life, it's your stinking thinking that you are smelling. After my accident, I blamed the car, the driver, etc. It was if this hadn't happened or if that hadn't happened... none of it was me. I just sat there day after day getting darker and darker and more depressed. Then one day one of my friends told me about the days which turned into years, she had been in depression and how she decided one day that she was tired of being depressed. She told herself that she was not going to be discouraged, she was not going to be depressed. From that day forward she was going to be happy. She talked to me like I'm talking to you.

What do you mean, I have a choice? You don't understand, I can't move...I have a horrible disease...I've been ... Oh yeah, I know all the excuses. I tried them too. It's not what has happened to us, it's our reaction to what happened to us that makes the difference. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be depressed. Which do you want?

After my accident, my Mother would tell me to smile. I couldn't smile. She would tell me to stop frowning. I couldn't change the look on my face. True the accident had altered some things in my life but it was my reaction to them that made the difference. When I decided to quit sitting there, my life changed from within.

It wasn't easy. I took each step with great effort ... each tiny little baby step and sometimes just a little wiggle is all I could muster. Sometimes I had to fake it in order to make it. Looking back, I see how far I've come. There were days that I felt like I took two steps backwards but I was still farther ahead than I was. Sure there are bad moments, but they don't keep me held hostage to the heavy mist of dark fogs of depression. I choose to be happy. No I may not be manic happy but I choose a happiness from within that brings me joy, peace, tranquility, contentment and a little laughter. The setbacks in my life are never as bad as my bad days in depression. I look back with pride at how far I've managed to come. It almost seems like a dream now. What am I talking about ... it was a nightmare.

Oh sure, when the doctors tell me things that I must go through, I stop for a moment and think "how can I handle this?" Fear sits in for a moment and then I think, I've been through far worst. We sometimes have to push fear aside and choose to be happy about the situation. Being depressed about it certainly doesn't help! I know because I've tried it. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. It is certainly better to be in control over the choices I make. Each choice I make makes me stronger. It's a great feeling not be on an emotional roller coaster ride.

Every day you can choose to be happy... wait a minute... you can choose to be happy every moment of every day! The choice is yours. Choose to be happy that you are alive. There are no guarantee in life so live your best life now. No one else can make me happy. It is simply a choice - my choice and my choice alone. That goes the same for you too. Live for today! Everything you do for yourself today makes for a better tomorrow. No matter what! Your choice will make a difference. Together we can make a difference because we choose to be happy!

Remember to say to yourself as many times as it takes, "I will greet each day with laughter, I will smile at every person I meet and I will do everything in an attitude of gratitude. I will choose to be happy." You may not make it everytime, but you'll still land among the stars.

A Decided Heart

A Decided Heart
by Annie Tornabene


I Have a Decided Heart

A key to understanding depression is to have a decided heart ... a heart full of passion... a reason to live ... a reason to endure the struggles along the strings of life. Buddha said it so simply that I had to repeat it here. "Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it." And so it is, our reason to live is to discover what makes us happy ... what are we passionate about and then dedicate our life to it.

If we are passionate about our life, then we jump out of bed in the morning and are eager to begin the day. In other words, we look forward with great anticipation to do what we do... our free time as well as our job. The happiest and most successful people in the world are those with a purpose for living. They are driven by their passion. Can you name some of those who you feel have or had a decided heart? I'm sure you can name a few... such as Mother Teresa, Princess Diana, Max Lucado (after all he wrote, A Purpose Driven Life), Joel Osteen, Oprah and I'm sure there are sprinkles of CEOs as well as others.

Not always what we are passionate about makes us the most money. Money doesn't buy happiness. Follow your heart and the money will follow is what I heard as a child. I think that really means that if you follow your heart, you realize money is not as important as other things in life. The only power money has is the power we give it. When you are passionate about something, you give it the power to drive your life. It's that passion that sparks life from within when you are exhausted and have worked your fingers to the bone. It's that passion that enables us to endure hardships and struggles in the strings of life. A decided heart brings peace, joy and contentment to our lives.

Maybe you are sitting there thinking, "What am I passionate about?" "What drives me?" "What gets my mojo going in the morning?" "What keeps me going and going and going?" No, it's not the Energizer Bunny.

You can find your passion by meditating. The best way to get to know yourself is to get quiet and listen to your heart's desire. As Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true." This may take a little time.

Take a week or so to reflect on your reactions to the things around you such as television shows, newspapers, conversations, books you read, and any other stimuli that causes you to react in a passionate way. If you come across something that has been of interest to you for a long time, make a note of it. If something grabs your attention, make a note of it.

What are you really good at? What specific quality do you possess? Whom do you admire? Why? Who do you know that is doing something you would love to do? What's stopping you? What would you do if you were given the choice to do anything in life you wanted? How could you make this world a better place? The choice is yours.

Look around you, what do you collect in your home? Do you collect old photographs? Do you have a green thumb? We tend to hold on to things we love, so, what's in your closet? What are your hobbies?

Once you get involved in something, you'll either want to stick with it and grow your knowledge, or you'll lose interest and move on to something else. Keep in mind that our passions change throughout life. We are constantly growing, expanding, and wanting more. Some passions remain the same for a long time, and some come and go on a fairly predictable basis. Don't worry if your passion changes. Some passions are there for a season and others are there for a reason. Have a decided heart and go for it as long as your passion is there. Sometimes all you need is a season break and the passion stirs again.

Anything you attempt will get you closer to discovering your long-term passion. And some people are great at starting projects and getting others passionate about completing the projects. My Grandfather was like that. He would go into an area and start building a church. After the church was built and going, it was his time to move on. It was time for someone with the passion to develop it from there. That's OK too.

Right now, just focus on getting centered on what you want to do at this point in time no matter what is going on around you. Just start moving those feet, one step at a time. Take a step of faith into the light. Your leap of faith may show others how bright life can be. Feel the fear but step out anyway. You will never know how wonderful life can be until you have a decided heart that empowers you with peace, tranquility and laughter. You can make a difference.

When we spend time doing what we love to do, it is no longer work but empowerment beyond our wildest dreams. The results are worth it because you are worth it.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now with a decided heart for our future. We will stay the course no matter what it takes because we have a decided heart. Do you have a decided heart?

Take Action

Take Action
by Annie Tornabene



Fumbling through some old books, I found a book called Adrift 76 days lost at sea by Steven Callahan. It caught my eye and I began to read it. Adrift and lost at sea is much like being in the mist of a dark fog of depression ... at least I saw the similarities.

In 1981, Steven was sailing by himself from Spain to Antigua. (Ok, so it wasn't a ship as big as this one ... it's the only picture I could find.) Somewhere west of the Canary Islands, he notices that termites have eaten into the mast. He takes action and lowers the sails. It was a good thing that he lowered the sails because a storm came through. If the sails had been up, the boat would have been toppled and most likely sank at that moment.

After the storm past, he noticed the boat was sinking. So he had to take action. He managed to grab the life raft, a knife, his emergency duffel bag, a piece of the mainsail, and a sleeping bag. Luckily he had read other books about people being lost at sea such as, Staying Alive, 1974; Survive the Savage Sea, 1973; and Sea Survival Manual, 1975. He took action and was prepared before he started his journey. He followed the advice of others that had gone before him in similar journeys. This was the first account of anyone surviving alone for so long of a time.

He endured hardships, depression, anxiety, loneliness, cramped living space, hunger, pain and thirst, yet he creatively had determination and perseverance to take action to survive. Sharks, barracudas, doradoes and storms faced him daily. If he hadn't gone through this hardship, this storm, he would have never discovered the treasure. How many of us could survive under these conditions in stormy waters?

Many of us are having difficulty doing the same thing on dry land much less stormy waters. It is no different. Not to say that he didn't bravely face and take action or discredit his experience. Depression is much like facing stormy waters on a lifeboat lost at sea. The only difference is that nobody knows you are lost at sea in the mist of a dark fog of depression. They think because they can see you that you are not battling for your life. They don't see the stormy waters.

They don't see that you are adrift in your mind and lost at sea. They don't see you struggling to find your way in the misty dark fog of depression. They just see you sitting there. I know, I've been there. The more we sit, the darker the fog becomes until all about us is darkness. I don't know how long I sat there before I noticed a tiny pinhole of light. I didn't know if it was a light at the end of a tunnel or a tankard coming to blow me away. A key to understanding depression is to take action. Get up. Take a walk. Turn yourself around. Do anything even if it means just wiggling your little finger. A little wiggle today means two little wiggles tomorrow. Each step of the way is a day of victory. One baby step at a time.

I know something compelled me from within to take action. Get on up. Go toward the light. It was a lighthouse that guided me safely in. The Lighthouse of Halo is here for you too. Do you have your SOD Emergency Kit? If you don't, contact me and I'll help you get one. For those who don't know what a SOD Emergency Kit is. . . it is Survival of Depression Emergency Kit. Together we can make a difference in battling the stormy sea of depression and take action.

Wisdom

Wisdom
by Annie Tornabene





Do you ever feel blue or down and don't know what to do? Do you wish you could find the magic code or wisdom secret to living a victorious life? Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of every day life, we get caught up in every day strife. There is a key to understanding depression. It is understanding that we need to seek wisdom. Wisdom is having gained the knowledge, understanding, experience, discretion, and intuitive understanding, along with a capacity to apply these qualities well to our lives and to those surrounding us. It is the judicious application of knowledge we have learned from our past as well as from others and their past.

Maybe that is why they say you learn wisdom with age. Some of us though go through life repeating the same problems year after year, day after day ... never learning from our past ... never picking up bits of wisdom from others and only experiencing a problematic life. Maybe that is because we never change anything. What is holding you back?

Erik Erickson stated wisdom was the last stage of his eight-stage theory of psychosocial development. Erickson's theory states each stage in the strings of life are in the form of internally-generated questions or tensions. Erickson claimed that in the last stage of human development, each of us must resolve a psychological conflict between integrity and despair. He proposed that attaining wisdom is a favorable resolution and product of this conflict. I don't know if I agree with Erickson about it being the last stage but I would say it is a key that we must learn.

Confucius stated that wisdom can be learned by three methods: by reflection of the past, by imitation of others that have had a similar problem and by experiencing the strings of life without the benefit of wise counsel. Some of us know the third one all too well. As I learned, sometimes you have to fake it before you make it ... imitation of others that have traveled the dark cloud of depression. This one you must be careful because some of those that have traveled that path have chosen the wrong path. Therefore we must choose our friends wisely. Hum? Friends of a feather flock together.

Wisdom, according to Christianity, Judaism and Islam beliefs, is represented by the sense of justice of the lawful and wise counsel. Wisdom consists in manifesting a clear character, loving the people, and abiding in the highest good. I believe all beliefs are consistent in knowing that wisdom is a mature integration of appropriate knowledge, a seasoned ability to filter the inessential from the essential.

Take control of your life by taking an active part in living and loving your life. If you play a passive role, you will be doomed to repeat the sorrows of yesterday. However if you take a stand, the robbers and naysayers will start to flee. You are learning wisdom. Let them know they no longer have control of your life. That you intend to live a life of victory. You can do it!

Take time to meditate for it lets you listen to your heart and spirit and reflect on the past and form your future. See your light from within burning brightly.

Love your life. For with love, all things are possible. Live, love and laugh for they invite peace, joy and tranquility to flow through and around you. Wisdom flourishes with love and laughter.

Don't be afraid of taking a step forward - even just one baby step at a time. The journey gets easier with each step you take. Have courage. Have no fear. As Helen Keller said, "I do not want the peace that passes all understanding, I want the understanding that passes peace." Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and passing on peace with wisdom that we have learned.

The Attitude

The Attitude
by Annie Tornabene



I wish I could say that my teaching in school was made like this man, Zig Zigglar. Unfortunately they were not. However, I did get a lot of positive forces from people like him outside of my schooling and Zig Ziglar was one of the most influential forces in my early development and career over thirty years ago. I didn't realize it at the time, but the things I heard him say and the things I heard my Dad say about him as he read his books helped change my life and my decisions in what to major in school.

His ability to strike a piercing chord in everyone who desires positive change in their life, has made him a master in the field of personal development. His perseverance and determination to living the natural laws, has made a remarkable difference in thousands of lives throughout the world. He doesn't just talk the attitude ... he walks the attitude ... he breathes the attitude ... he lives the attitude. That's what I'm talking about. You gotta walk the talk and talk the walk.

It doesn't matter how rich or how poor you are... depression hits us all. We are all subjects to emotions because we are human. It doesn't matter if you are just a little blue or if you've been down for years. It just matters that you get back up. So what if we've hit a bump in the road. So what if we've been hit by a storm... Things happen ... life changes. We will survive and do even better next time because we have the attitude.

Someone told me the other day, how much I had changed in the last ten years... how far I had come ... I wasn't waddling in pain... I didn't seem depressed.... I wasn't Taz (Tasmanian Devil)! I stepped back and smiled. Yeah, I was in pain but I've learned how not to let it affect me. The day I chose not be depressed anymore, was the day my life turned around. Sure, I have bad days but I don't stay down. I'm not gonna let anger rule me. I'm not gonna be discouraged. I'm not gonna be depressed. They can take everything from me. I will always have what someone else wants. I have me. I have my life and I'm in control of my life. I have the attitude. No one can take it away from me. I have the power! Do you know what I'm talking about?

Maybe you're not depressed but not living your full potential. You can learn this too. It is stuff we need to hear to empower ourselves with the attitude that our life matters. We do make a difference and together we make a difference in learning to live with the right attitude - The attitude of gratitude and abundance

The Buck Stops Here

The Buck Stops Here
by Annie Tornabene




















If you have ever been in a recovery program, you've probably heard this statement before. You may have heard too that the sins of the father pass on to generation to generation. It used to sound like old cliches to me. Then one day, it dawned on me what it was talking about. One generation teaches the next generation and therefore everyone down the line passes on the same old hurts, the same old crutches, the same old excuses, you know what I mean.

Sure things have happened. Sure we've all made mistakes. But there comes a time when you have to say "The buck stops here ... with me." "I am responsible for my future and it is time to stop blaming my parents, my grandparents, my boss, my co-workers, my education, etc. etc. for my present circumstances." If I allow it, I will get caught up in the ebb and flow of every day life filled with negative thoughts.

No matter what distorted view you have of the past, the past is history. There are no do overs. History does not control my destiny. I have control of my thoughts, my actions, my life. If I allow myself to be pulled down, I will be caught in a tangled web of distorted history. It is time for me to press forward. The buck stops here and I am responsible for my life from this day forward. I move forward by allowing my thoughts to change for the good. I think. I am. I will be.

My thoughts will bring positive forces in my life. I look for positive solutions to the storms that I may face. I will not allow my mind to dwell on the storms along the strings of life but to reach for positive possibilities so that I may live my best life now.

My family and friends that I chose to be with from this day forward will be positive influences in my life and I will impact their lives positively and with a life of abundance. Today is a new day not encumbered with the past.


My life and mind will not rise and fall with my emotional tide. I will do whatever it takes to stay the course - to do all that I want to do. I will make a difference.

I will look forward to the storms on the strings of life as gifts, as they are opportunities to learn! The storms in my life I will use as stepping stones to my future. The Buck Stops Here! Together we can make a difference in learning the buck stops here.

The Power Of Love

The Power Of Love
by Annie Tornabene

Heart Shaking Pictures Of Love (Cmp)

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When I saw this slide show of these two birds, I couldn't help but feel the power of love. Here two little birds show powerfully love and compassion for the other. Just think if they can show it, how much more can we as humans feel it. Love and compassion are some of our basic needs for survival. With this picture, I felt what my Mom felt when my Dad died. They had been together for about 60 years. Love is so very important. The Power of love continues even after death.

I know several reading this have lost a loved one. Though you can not see, their love is ever present as if we are looking through a dark glass. Do not be discouraged. Their love is there.

Begin today to acknowledge the power of love in your life. Say to yourself. "I love you!" Feel the power of love. Keep saying it! Day after day, look in the mirror and say "I love you!" You must love yourself as you love others. You can not love others unless you love yourself. Therefore do the right thing and love your life. You are here for a reason. Love yourself back to life. Empower yourself with love so that the Power of love can be felt by others. The more love you give, the more love that comes back to you. The more powerful your love, the more abundant your life will be. Find at least four reasons that are compelling you to thrive - to reach for another inch... to wake up every day... to laugh ... to sing. Let love flow through you.

Check your motives. Do all things in love and with an attitude of gratitude. Have a pure intent in heart with all that you do and the Power of love will come through.

The power of your words will activate the power of love within you. Miracles happen. In order to work, your love from within must be activated. Keep saying "I love you!" Never give up!

A couple who had survived Hurricane Katrina, moved to Houston and I met them while I was helping the Katrina victims. They were having financial problems, relationship problems, etc. They started doing the above activity separately. Today they are happily married and their life has turned around. They are living in abundance today.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and empowering the power of love. Possibilities are all about you waiting to be activated. Who do you love?

Fast Track

Fast Track
by Annie Tornabene













So we were hit my a storm, it blew us off track. We don't have to live like that forever. It's time to pick ourselves up and move on. Our Creator has a plan for us and all we have to do is get back on track. Fast track to get back on track. Hum? That sounds like a song forming up in my head.

The fast track to getting back on track is very simple because it is 1-2-3 steps. It doesn't matter how long it takes you ... just that you get back on track. So what if it has been 25 years. Today is a new day so fast track to get back on track today.

First of all, don't think about everything. If you think about everything, it will overwhelm you. There is more than enough to supply your every need and want. Enjoy each moment as it comes to you. One baby step at a time. Enjoy each opportunity to live life to the max. Our Creator has an abundant supply of possibilities for you. Enjoy each one. Get ready for the next. This is your training ground. Take one step at a time and before very long. Opportunities and possibilities are going to be flooding your life. You will be living the abundant life. What you see in front of you right now is magnificent, and more than enough to fill this moment. Don't worry about the past. Don't worry about the future. Just live in the present.

As you move through life, love your life and enjoy your best life now. As you do this you will grow even better. Happiness is a choice that you make over and over again. Prosperity in life cannot be denied to you. Just learn to accept it. Don't shun it away. Accept it in an attitude of gratitude. Love the life you live at each moment. Don't make any more excuses. Don't count on someone else to do it or to love you. You love yourself. You do things yourself. Remember if it is to be, it is up to me. Be loving and honest in all that you do. Keep stinking thinking out and stay positive. Love your life. Love the life that you were meant to live. Accept it and be happy. Remember you have the right to choose each thought, each word, each action. So choose carefully as you move forward to your best life now moment by moment.

Everything you do matters. Remember that everyone you come in contact with, you are influencing their life. Make a difference in your life as well as theirs. Every thought matters. Thoughts become action. Actions bring results. Each thought, word or action brings possibilities and opportunities. Each positive thought you choose not to accept just moves on to someone else. You don't think nothing counts? By doing nothing, you allow some of your greatest possibilities to pass by to someone else without ever being fulfilled by you. Is that what you really want?

What you are doing this very moment matters. Positive imput brings positive output. It will make a difference in the way your life is lived from this moment on, a difference for yourself and for all those around you. Make a difference...make it count for it will not come again.

Live every moment as though it's the most important thing you can do. And soon enough you'll discover that you are living your best life now on the fast track. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and getting back on tract on the fast tract.

What A Difference!

What A Difference!
by Annie Tornabene


















What a difference a day makes! Last night I was in such pain that I wanted to die. Have you ever felt like that? It seems like everything you do just isn't enough.

I didn't say anything to anyone because I knew they wouldn't understand. Depression hurts. When I looked at my family and thoughts of you, I knew I had reasons to keep fighting...to keep struggling to live another day. When I went to the dentist office today, my heart sank when he told me it would be another four months of agony before everything would be complete. I came home and cried. No one was around. I felt like I couldn't handle another four months of this. I could not take another day. It was just too much! My anxiety kicked in...I started sweating...my heart started racing...suddenly I couldn't breathe...you know the feeling...you know the reaction. It was a bad day. I'm sure you've had those days. If not, be very thankful.

Today ... what a difference! Today is not a day of defeat but a day of victory. In the strings of life, storms are part of life; it's part of being alive. It's not the storm that affects us, it's how we react to the storm that makes a difference. Obstacles can become opportunities for stepping stones for a new day. What a difference my attitude ... my way of thinking is.

It doesn't matter what kind of storm you are facing... failed relationships...failed financial crisis... physical ailments... decisions made that turned sour and affect others. It can change and be better. The only thing that can't change is ending it all. (Those of you with thoughts of suicide, know what I'm talking about. You can't fool me, I've had them too.) Just because we have had storms in our lives or because we have made mistakes in our lives, it doesn't have to be like that forever. Our Creator isn't finished with us yet! Our Creator still has a plan or a blueprint waiting for us to get back on line - what a difference!

If you think you are having a bad day, think or look at this picture ... he was rescued by a helicopter that took this picture.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression. What a difference a day brings.

A New Day

A New Day
by Annie Tornabene


Good Morning, Sunshine! It's the start of a new day.

Whenever oceans rise, thunder storms and howling winds are all about me, I will put my trust in my Creator and know that my Creator is protecting me and keeping me safe. I know that with the help of my Creator, I will rise above the storms.

I will be still and know that all is under control with the Great Creator. I will not fear for the Creator is within me. The Power that is within me is more powerful than any storm that I may face. Peace and tranquility are mine for a new day!

I will remember our Creator. For our Creator gives us the Power to obtain abundance so that our Creator may have glory and honor. Our Creator has promised us abundance for a new day. So in an attitude of gratitude, I will give the honor and glory to our Creator.

Our job, should we decide to accept it, is to be thankful that our Creator creates amazing success stories through us. Therefore, in an attitude of gratitude, we are to be the best success stories. Together we can make a difference in living a new day to the max and understanding depression. What successes do you have?

Recovery

Recovery
by Annie Tornabene


In the heat of the night the power came on. The cool breeze from the air conditioning felt good for a change. I had forgotten how nice the luxuries of life are. . .temporarily.

Even during turbulent times, the body adapts to its environment. When we first lost power it was an adjustment as we were having heat waves of 90 to 110 degrees. The storm brought in cool relief. (That's one reason to be thankful for the storm.) At least, it pulls the hot weather out and brings cool weather (60 - 84 degrees) Amazing what a drop in a few degrees makes. Sure during the day we still used our old fashion hand held fans for a little breeze gust.

The sweltering nights brought people leaving their windows open for any gust of wind. The days and nights brought the realization that we were not able to take hot baths. It was starting to get...well let's just say not a pretty picture. I'll spare you the gory details and suffice it to say that we got a taste of what it was like back in the 1800s. The only difference was our horses have wheels. Well some people were riding their horses instead of their cars because the price of gas was so high and many stations didn't have gave and didn't know when they would get gas because of not having power.

Our pets were affected too. I notice my cat wasn't keeping his food down because of the stress and heat. Animals during times of crisis's are often ignored. People don't realize that during a storm or crisis in your life, they are experiencing a crisis of their own. They suffer stress too.

Two hours after the power came on, I was screaming that it was too cold! Imagine that! My body has to adjust to air conditioning again. So now we have it on a warmer temperature and will gradually adjust the temperature. Just a reminder that we are stronger than we think we are. Inch by inch anything is a cinch. We can make it by taking one baby step at a time. Together we can make a difference in facing the storms or the strings of life and understanding depression.

Hugs in an attitude of gratitude!
More pictures of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike
We had six trees like this toppled by the storm.
Trees blocking the roads

Weathering The Storm

Weathering The Storm
by Annie Tornabene

Well, it looks like we made it! We have survived and will revive. You haven't heard from me because we lost power during Hurricane Ike at 3:15 am on Saturday morning. They tell me that we will probably be without power for a month. We are on water well but it requires electricity so we lost water too. So much for living out in the country, sort of. Yes I live on the water. The water rose 13 feet but didn't harm the house. As of right now, the water has subsided about 8 feet. So that's the good news.

The bad news is that we lost six big, beautiful oak trees. I would post pictures of them but the computer, I'm using won't let me post pictures. So I'll show you later when I get my computer back up. Some damage to the patio. The homes around look like a war zone with trees falling on them. The paved streets look like dirt roads with all the debris on them. All in all, we are thankful to be alive.

During the storm, I had you on my mind. My thoughts and prayers were that you, where ever you are, were safe and protected. I'm thankful to be back in communication with you. I have a computer that I can use for a limited time so I think I will be able to continue posting messages even with the power outage.

Sometimes when we are facing our storms in life, we don't realize all that we have to be thankful.
So many little things we take for grant it. We are truly blessed even in crisis conditions. I've learned to appreciate sitting in line for food, or for anything. I've enjoyed getting to know people while sitting in line. In times of crisis, it levels the class - whether you are rich or poor, we're all in this together. It brings us to a point of finding common interest and helping our fellow man. Sitting in line reminded me that in the old days of our ancestors they use to pass on news to others whenever their paths crossed. That's what we have done thus far. Everyone passes on a little bit of news from where they are and together we get the word around. Together we make a difference in living an abundant life in the mist of a crisis.

I trust all is well with you. Until we meet again, Have a good day!

CyberFriends

CyberFriends

You accepted me without Question,

I could feel your welcoming Smile,

Coming through my monitor,

Fingers
typing messages of friendship offered.


Miles separate us,

we may never meet,

but we have bonded.



May Our Cyber Friendship Last..

Till the END of the account..

Hugs in an attitude of gratitude,Annie This message was created before Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coastal shores. If you are receiving this message, know that Hurricane Ike hit and I may be down for a few days.You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be back as soon as my computer is able to get a connection. In the meantime, keep on keeping on one baby step at a time. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and empowering our lives.Let's live an abundant life victoriously!

Be Patient

Be Patient
by Annie Tornabene

Click to Pass On

Looks like we made it! We just had to be patient and wait out the storm. So it is with life. We need to be patient, our Creator isn't finished with us yet. Be still, have patience. Know that all things are possible but it takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day. Any great masterpiece has taken time. The great artist, Leonardo da Vinci painted three Mona Lisa's before he finally painted the Mona Lisa that we know today.

Each stroke of the brush was done with patience and care. He was reminded to be patient and not rush. Taking time with a Master's touch makes a difference.

When we take our time, we complete our task. Remember its not how fast we do it, it's just that we complete it. If we rush through it, it may only get half done or we have to do it over. So be patient.

When you are tempted to call it quits, be patient. All things work together for the better. Time is on your side. You see things in a different viewpoint tomorrow. Some of the things that you worry and fret over never come. So be patient.

Give love a chance to grow. Build on your successes. Take one step at a time. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and learning to be patient. Love your life and be patient.

Victor Or Victim?

Victor or Victim?
by Annie Tornabene


Do you feel like a victor or victim? Do you wish you could find the magic code or the secret to living a victorious life now? Some times in the hustle and bustle of every day life, we get caught up in every day strife. Then it is easy to take on the role of the victim instead of the victor. Don't do it!

You were created to live a victorious life. Don't let anyone rob you of it. Take control of your life by taking an active part in living and loving your life. If you play a passive role, there are those who would take advantage of you and pretty soon you'll be the victim. However if you take a stand, the robbers and naysayers will start to flee because they don't like people living victorious lives. It makes them feel uncomfortable. They notice the difference between living a life out of control and living a life in control. Let them know they no longer have control of your life. That you intend to live a life of victory. You can do it!

Take time to meditate for it lets you listen to your heart and spirit. See your light from within burning brightly. Do these things and it will burn brighter.

Love your life. For with love, all things are possible. Live, love and laugh for they invite peace, joy and tranquility to flow through and around you.

Don't be afraid of taking a step forward - even just one baby step at a time. The journey gets easier with each step you take. Have courage. Have no fear. Victory is yours.

Between being a victor or victim, a victor is better. You deserve to live your best life now. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living a victorious life. Let each step we take cry out in victory.