The Journey

The Journey
by Annie Tornabene


Life is the journey. Every day we chart our way into unknown territory. Every day is a new day. Make the most of the journey. Explore new territory. Maybe you have never taken that path, maybe you have never done that activity. Try it. You may enjoy it. Have fun and explore.

No one has ever travelled the same journey that you are traveling. This is an adventure. So have fun with the journey. Enjoy your life. You can do anything you want to do. Tale hope, love, peace and joy with you. Explore all possibilities. Laugh as much as you can.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and traveling the journey of life. Live your best life now.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Dodge Ball

Dodge Ball
by Annie Tornabene

Click to Pass On

Have you ever played dodge ball? Of course, you have or probably did as a child at least. Life is a little like playing dodge ball. Right now, I feel like we are playing dodge ball with the approaching hurricane Ike. Or at least I hope we dodge it. Oh, well, I know we can't dodge it, we just have to make the best of it. I am grateful for the opportunity to face another storm.

The only difference is that you can't play the strings of life dodging the struggles and troubles of life. Struggles and rough times are as sure as breathing or the air we breathe.

People who try to live their life hiding behind a rock or shelter themselves from every storm in life, miss the joy of living and playing dodge ball. Remember how much fun it was to play in the rain? Remember the spontaneous joy and laughter you felt during the storm?

So why not play dodge ball in the strings of life now? When the storms come, remember you can experience joy, laughter, peace and tranquility in the mist of the storm. Feel the love and gratitude for each step you take, for each struggle you make. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and playing dodge ball in the strings of life.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as we face the storm and dodge whatever is thrown our way.

Listen To Your Heart

Listen To Your Heart
by Annie Tornabene




Love can change everything in your life. With love, all things are possible. Live, love and laugh in the presence of joy and peace. Listen to your heart. What is it saying about your hopes and dreams? Don't let what happened in your past, hold you back. Empower yourself today. We will remember and learn to do something about it. No matter what has happened in your life, you can change your future. You can empower your life.

With peace and tranquility in an attitude of gratitude, listen to your heart. All your dreams and hopes can come true. Remember nothing is impossible. If you believe it and love in an attitude of gratitude, your hopes and dreams can reach beyond the human realm of possibilities.

Live, love and laugh your troubles away. Listen to your heart. What is troubling you? What is a struggle? What battles are you fighting? Your Creator created you to live your best life now. So love your life. Listen to you heart and prosper. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and live in love and gratitude. What is holding you back?

Are You Weary?

Are You Weary?
by Annie Tornabene



Have you ever been in a situation where you felt no matter what you did everything was falling apart? Or maybe you found every time you open your mouth, something negative was coming out? Without even thinking you hear yourself tearing a co-worker or family member down or criticizing their work. You feel the anxiety, the anger, the fear. Then you realize what you are doing. Wow, an eye opener!

You were created by your Creator for the utmost good. You were created to give out goodness. That is why when you do something good for someone else without concern for yourself you feel good. You feel the peace and tranquility. Wow what empowerment.

When you go against giving goodness you feel weary...you feel depressed. Are you weary?

When you give out goodness you will find peace and tranquility flowing through you. Life doesn't have to be exhausting. There is a better way! Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and weariness. Live, love and laugh. Get refreshed and live your best life now.

Toxic Emotions

Toxic Emotions
by Annie Tornabene

SEXY & HOT COMMENTS



Have you ever felt the venom of anger? The bitterness of fear? Or the sting of hatred? All of these emotions are toxic to our bodies just like poison. It's like going pass a chemical plant that is releasing toxin gases into the air. It makes it hard to breathe. Have you passed a chemical plant like that? It takes your breath away.

Then why to we rob ourselves of precious moments of life with these toxic emotions? It's not the emotions that are bad for us, it is how we deal with them. These toxic emotions let us know that we are human, we all have them. These emotions are toxic subtle energy. If you hold it in, they fester in your system, eating you alive, or else exploded. I'm sure you have heard of at least one or two who have made the headlines. They were seemingly quiet people who suddenly snapped and took revenge. I remember having days like that. Maybe you have too.

I remember one day being so frustrated with insurance companies and pharmacies after my accident. I yelled and screamed at the pharmacy because my pain medicine wasn't ready. Finally I snapped and screamed, "What do I have to do to make someone notice that I have a problem? Kill someone? Or kill myself?"

Everyone in the store heard me. Everything got quiet. The pharmacist was trying to keep me calm. That was a wake-up call for me. I realized I had to start monitoring my emotions. It was not healthy to allow my emotions to get so far out of control. I had to learn to diffuse my emotions before they got to that point.

I had to learn to identify the source of my emotions. What was the trigger? On a scale of one to ten, what was the level of anxiety that I was feeling? Impulsive and unconscious emotions were ten and mildly agitated was a one or two. I had to learn to slow down my reaction.

You can 't run or hide from your toxic emotions, but you can slow down your reactions. In the heat of the emotions is not the best time to try and correct the problem. Otherwise, you're like a snake coiled to strike at it's victim. No one wins but damage is left behind from the toxic emotions. If you can avoid confrontation and allow the emotions to cool, you can calmly talk out your problems and come to a peaceful resolution.

I learned when I was feeling these emotions, I had to take a deep breath and remove myself from the situation at least by the time it got to a four. Sometimes I didn't notice I had the emotions until it got to a three. Then had to quickly rate it and realize that I had to have the courage to get out while it was on the rise. Taking a deep breath helped me slow down my toxic emotions. It gave me time to think what was the source of my feeling and what was the rate of it. Most of the time, 24 hours made a big difference. After 24 hours I could look at the situation a little different and was more realistic about the outcome. I could write about it in my journal which didn't hurt anyone or I could do a painting which again didn't hurt anyone.

Some of my paintings have become known as the suicidal paintings. My family learned when I was painting one of those to get out of my way while I was painting. After I got the emotions out, I was calm and could talk to them. If they interfered while I was in that mood, they were liable to get blasted.

Sometimes after I wrote about it in my journal or did a painting of it, I could see the humor in it. I learned to laugh about the problem and about how quick I was to coil over the problem. Does any of this sound familiar?

I learned to meditate to help me stay focused; to allow peace to enter into my life. Those two minute meditations became calming for me. They became my lifesavers. The longer meditations helped me start and end the day in peace.

I learned to drop my fears and human emotions into our Creator's hands and watch them sink from sight just like a drop of water into a pool. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and toxic emotions. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

The Makeover

The Makeover
by Annie Tornabene

I was reading in Glamour Magazine and realized how much depression is like having a makeover. People who knew me a few years ago would agree. The beauty makeovers that transform a lady who thought she had no beauty transformed into a really beautiful person decked out with flattering clothes and makeup highlighted just in the right spots. That's what I'm talking about.

I was looking at some pictures of me then. I would fly off the handle at the slightest problem. I was always expecting the worst. I was always growling. My pictures show a person that was bitter and heavily overweight. I can't believe I was ever that large. lol The depression was the darkest and they said I was suicidal. I guess it's true, the darkest hour is just before the dawn.

A makeover in depression transforms the character, strengthens the integrity and purifies the motives. In understanding depression, you have to learn to trust in our Creator. Let our Creator empower our makeover. Meditation allows the mind healing. It relieves anxiety and worry. It allows tranquility and peace to enter into every fiber of your being to give you the freedom to live the life you dream and allow possibilities to appear in your subconscious mind that you can react to. Joy and laughter enter into our being. One day you wake up and find that happiness has taken over.

For me, meditation was the biggest key. Oh I had prayed before, but prayer is me asking or telling my Creator my problems. In meditation, it is our Creator communicating with us. If we focus on the light, the Light gives us strength and brings solutions along with peace and tranquility to accept what things cannot be change, the courage to change the things that we can and the wisdom to know the difference.

I start the day with a 20 minute meditation and end the day with a 20 minute meditation. During the day I may have several 2 minute meditations to help keep me focused or reclaim myself when thing seem to becoming unraveled. I was telling someone yesterday how much the 2 minute meditations have helped me. I've learn how to trust in my Creator's inner wisdom and honor my worthiness to receive this gift. I have become empowered with unconditional love, an empowering force of the law of attraction and joy and happiness have become my friends. I find every day a reason to live and laugh. Remember, I'm just like you. When I remind you, I am reminding me.

Our Creator designed the earth to be self supporting - everything is interconnected and all things were created to be of service to each other. Generosity to the poor and reverence for our Creator's wisdom is not separate from any part of our lives. It becomes us as we live in an attitude of gratitude. The makeover transforms us to see the beauty within ourselves. Enjoy your makeover. The beauty and light from within shines bright on the outer person.

Click here to hear Dr. Wayne Dyer on meditation.

Life Is A Choice

My passion is to help equip you to walk your best life. Sometimes we need encouragement on the journey! There is no better time than now. We live in a world that reminds us of everything we don’t have. We are continually reminded of our hurts and pains, our failures, but seldom are we reminded of our victories.

Happiness is a choice you make every step of the way. We can choose to be happy from the moment we wake up and then keep choosing happiness moment all our day. We chose to live in the moment because this is where happiness is found. It is not in the past and it is not in the future. It is in the now.

You can only have one thought at a time. So choose your thoughts. If you catch yourself with stinking thinking, choose a happier thought. Change the direction that your thought is going. Therefore everyone you come in contact will leave with a happy thought instead of spreading stinking thinking. Follow your mind's eye in keeping focused on where you’re going in an attitude of gratitude.

The only thing you have to fear is fear itself, take action to keep moving yourself forward with great expectation and energy. Keep stinking thinking out and remember to tell yourself your positive affirmations, change your at every opportunity, and empower your life with joy and happiness. Choose to laugh by treating life as a journey not as a final resting place. T

If I can do it, you can do it. Together we can make a difference in our lives. Happiness is a state of being you can look for and find at every moment throughout your day ... throughout your life ... one step at a time!

Hugs in an attitude of gratitude,

Keep Positive Thoughts On Your Mind

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, sometimes the chaos of daily living boggles the mind and negative thoughts slip in. In the mist of it all, even the most important things can slip your mind. I know it has with me. Sometimes I forget my own kids names and I call them by one of the other kids name. Sound familiar?

When it gets like that I have a 2 minute time out for me. I take a deep breath and meditate for 2 minutes asking for peace and calmness and count my blessings. It gives my mind and subconscious time to reorganize and get back on track.

Commit to every day finding a few minuets of quiet time will revitalize your work. I even found the kids have learned to do this as I was watching the youngest tell her doll that she needed to spend two minutes in meditation time out. I had to laugh inwardly and smile as I watched her spend two minutes in meditation time out.

When you keep positive thoughts on your mind, you will experience a wellspring of joy bubbling inside and overflowing to your family, friends, co-workers and others that cross your path.

Remember you are worth it! Together we can make a difference!

Keep Your Mind On Good Thoughts

There are hundreds of books, magazines article and seminars designed to help you live your life in a positive state of mind. Although some of them are written or presented by someone claiming to be a good person. Be careful of what you do read.

You were created by your Creator and know the truth. The truth is free. Those that are wolves in sheep clothing are those that are trying to pull the wool over your eyes. You have two eyes and can read. You know in your heart if something is the truth. Listen to your heart. If you read or hear someone say something that you do not feel good about; question it. Seek the truth in all things. Seek the truth not just because you want it to be a certain way but because it is the truth. When you read and hear positive possibilities, your mind will begin to seek positive when negative is thrown in your way.

Don't attempt the latest fad or just because your friends are on the trend. Look for guidance through the maze of self-help literature that is out there. Your Creator will guide you when you ask for the Creator's help. Your subconscious knows the truth and will seek the truth. Seek affirmations that are good for you and you will find peace and tranquility. Empower yourself with things that are true and inspire.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Laughter is the best medicine. It is free...readily available to us whenever we remember a funny story or act in a silly way. Or maybe we see something in life, on TV or at the movies that is magnified in are own lives. Just watch our children or grandchildren. Like the time, my granddaughter hit the aquarium with her head and she said, "The fish bit me." If we are lucky, we continue to share our laughter with our family, friends and those we come in contact.

We talk about fun things or going somewhere that is fun for us. How many of us actual take the time to find humor in each day or laugh about anything? How many of us schedule into our today list a time for fun. It's important to work, but don't forget to play. We feel less stressed and feel more at eased when we laugh. Laughter is contagious. Don't think so? Try laughing and see what happens. It is like a drop of water that causes a ripple effect that courses through the depth and breath of water. Just as our words positive or negative can makes such an impact on the people around us. Our laughter can plow a course through the universal depression. It can inspire hope and reduce the number of suicides.

Of course, it is also important to allow ourselves to stay balanced. My motto is work hard, play hard.

Living a life of positive thinking and laughter is bound to have you feeling happier and more successful throughout your day-to-day routine. In fact, those that make positive thinking and laughter a key goal in their lives tend to experience more daily success and more happiness than anyone else. Visualizing goals and going after them are a key component to positive thinking. Keeping a light attitude towards life is a great way to keep laughter as the soundtrack to your life and have things looking a little bit brighter. When it comes to a healthy state of mind and body, positive thinking and laughter work hand in hand.

Having daily happiness and success are all about developing a habit. You'll need to start making a few changes in your life if you want to experience positive thinking and laughter on a regular basis, and you'll want to create an environment that encourages both those qualities, too. This may sound like work, but don't worry; it can actually be a lot of fun! One of the first things you'll want to do in developing your "happy habit" is to change the way you look at things in your life. Keep the focus on the bright side and think of the good side all the time. You may find that your mind will try to drag you down and look at the negative things in life more often than you'd like, but you have the power to change that focus and keep it on positive aspects. If you try to make your first thoughts about the bright side of the situation, you'll find yourself well on your way to developing your "happy habit". I'm checking on you and I'm gonna tell Santa!



Live, love and laugh!

Hugs in an attitude of gratitude