The Gift of Life

The Gift of Life
by Annie Tornabene





The gift of life is amazing. I am very thankful today for the gift of life. We should all be thankful for the gift of life. If you woke up this morning, be thankful for the gift of life and live it to the fullest.

The doctors tell me that 95% of my recovery is mental mind healing. That is what I have been saying about depression. Sure we all have aches and pains, disease or troubles but it is how we react to them that makes the difference.

You remember that children's song, the Hokey Pokey? That is how life is. You put your left leg in and shake it all about.That is what we have to do with life. Put each part of our body in and shake it until we have our whole body in. Shake your booty. Children put everything they have into life. We should be like them.

Do you remember Ray Charles singing America? Why was that so amazing? It is because Ray Charles put his whole self into singing that song. Sure he was blind and could have given up but instead he poured himself into singing.

My stepfather told me about his baby brother who had heart surgery. He refused to move after surgery and died a few years later. My stepfather after his heart surgery took an extra step each day and today walks 4 miles a day.

Those suffering from depression and more likely to have heart problems. So we need to be proactive and shake our booty. Embrace life to the fullest.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now and enjoying the gift of life.

I'm Home

I'm Home
by Annie Tornabene


Well after being in the hospital for the past month, I am finally home. Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, light and reki. It feels good to be home.

I am glad to be home...just a little weak. The doctor says it may take me until the end of May to be back to full strength. I am doing well but I have no voice because of the tube they had in my throat during the operation and will I was in ICU. The doctors says my voice could come back at anytime or take 3 months.

I just wanted to let you know that I'm back and will be talking to you daily now. I'm home. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now.

Hugs 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.

Suffering In The Mind

Suffering In The Mind
by Annie Tornabene



Whether you are suffering in the mind or the body, there is a better way. Helen Keller was blind from birth. To many that was suffering in the mind. To others they saw her as suffering in the body.

Helen Keller learned that you could make the most of your life. No matter what hand you are dealt or whatever circumstances you are facing, you can change your mind to make a difference in your life. If you believe "life sucks" or if your believe "life is glorious," you are right. Your mind will take you to the place you want to go.

Helen Keller said, "Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and you will never see the shadows." People thought it was strange for her to say that since she was blind. Even being blind, she could tell the difference between the light and the darkness. Suffering in the darkness doesn't have to leave you in the darkness. "When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." by Helen Keller. Helen knew she couldn't do every thing but it didn't keep her from doing some things. Begin you mind healing today. Look to the light.

So why not end the suffering in the mind and begin the mind healing. Love your life in an attitude of gratitude. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and suffering in the mind.

Building Your Muscles

Building Your Muscles
by Annie Tornabene

I was going through some old pictures. One of the pictures I came across was that of an old flame of mine that was into body building. His whole identity revolved around building your muscles.

He never understood my world and I never understood his obsession with building your muscles.

To me it was more important in building your muscles in your mind. In building your muscles of the mind, you are building your Spirit. Tough times build your muscles of your mind...it builds your character...it builds your strength for all the future struggles.

Be in an attitude of gratitude for your trials and tribulations. No pain, no gain. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and build your muscles of the mind.

Truth Will Set You Free

Truth Will Set You Free
by Annie Tornabene


White Lies? There is no such thing as a white lie. It's like being a little bit pregnant. Either you are or are not. Knowing the truth will set you free.

Telling a white lie is still being dishonest. Would you say that you are a little bit pregnant? No, just a drop of urine can tell if you are or are not pregnant. And no amount of urine will make a difference.

In an attitude of gratitude, give thanks for the truth. A drop of truth sets you free. Your truth will ripple through the course of your actions, thoughts and conversations to affect your life and the world around you.

Stand for truth, freedom, and happiness. The joy of knowing the truth will set you free. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and freedom of the lies that hold you back. The truth will set you free.

Grain Of Sand

Grain Of Sand
by Annie Tornabene

Have you ever seen a pearl? Probably you have. You admire its color, its glimmer, and its smoothness. It all started with a tiny grain of sand. A little grain of sand logged in the clam. It irritated the clam but he turned it little by little (one baby step at a time) into something beautiful.

That little grain of sand became a beautiful, radiating pearl - a priceless gem. So can you. Those troublesome, irritating things that get under your skin. Those rough edges of anger, anxiety, fear and other issues can be smoothed and polished.

Don't worry if you feel that you are not finished. Just take one baby step at a time. It's the process that you are working on turning that grain of sand into something beautiful not the completed product that is important.

Be patient. Enjoy peace, tranquility and laughter. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression with a grain of sand.

Put Up Your Banners

Put Up Your Banners
by Annie Tornabene

Do you feel some time that you need to put up your banners just to make it through the day? Come on you can make it! Yeah! Some times each step you take seems to be a struggles. Don't let the strings of life get you down. You are in the battle for your best life. What banners are you flying?

Flying the banners of love, peace and tranquility will help you find your best life now. When you find your best life, you will discover that you are helping others find their best life.

Love your life and put up your banners. Don't' be afraid. In putting up your banners, you will feel more confidence! Each time you put up your banners, you will find you stand a little taller and feel a little stronger. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and making a better life for ourselves and the world around us.

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.

The Journey

The Journey
by Annie Tornabene



Everyday you are on the journey to explore your best life now. No one has ever traveled you same path. You are not alone on the strings of life. Thousands of people just like you travel along the strings of life everyday, but each one has a slightly different path. Each one of us has our own path to travel, sometimes together sometimes apart. No two people will ever share the exact same path on the journey of life. Each step you take is your life and only your life. Take time to make sure you are living your life to the fullest. Get the most of the journey and enjoy it!

In the old days when explorers went out in search of new territory, they took a compass with them to plot their course. You need your compass too. No, not a metal compass to point the direction, your compass is an internal mechanism. That's what makes the difference. You must be still to see the directions.

Take time each day to meditate. Get your bearings. Chart your course and full steam ahead on the journey to your best life now.

There will be guides along the strings of life to help point the way. Only you can make the journey for your best life now. Together we can make a difference in the journey to living your best life now.

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day
by Annie Tornabene



Labor Day, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers in other words, we the people. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers (the average American) have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

In 1882 it began being celebrated and became a national holiday in 1884. The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. We the people are a vital force of labor adding to the highest standard of living and the greatest production that is realized in our economic and political lives. We are a light to the rest of the world.

So today we celebrate you! Happy Labor Day! Have you made plans for having fun today? Are you on course to live your best life now? Celebrate today as your day for the achievements that you have accomplished. Celebrate today for the freedom from depression. You have struggled... you have labored day after day in your struggle to break from depression.

Seek the light from within you to guide you. Enjoy the celebration of your best life now. You can do it one step at a time! Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and celebrating our best life now!

The World Needs Love

The World Needs Love
by Annie Tornabene



What the world needs now is love, sweet love. Remember that tune. Here it is 30 or 4o years later and we are still crying out for love. Not the mushy kind of love, true unconditional love for each other. There is so little of it. We look for love in all the wrong places. Do you realize how much can be done with love?

The Power that created you has the power to heal you. How you ask? With love. The world needs love. A powerful reaction can be implemented one person at a time with love. There is no more powerful medicine or antidote than love. I've seen love revive a person on their death bed. I've seen marriages rekindled because of love. I've seen diseased ridden people healed because someone loved them enough in spite of their disease. I've seen doctors wash their hands and say they have done all they could do, then love stepped in and took over. I've seen harden people change their mind because of love. This kind of love isn't easy but it is definitely worth it.

Do you realize the power of your love? Love begins with you loving yourself. You need to love others as yourself. So if you don't love yourself, how can you say you love others? You are an important part of the secret to healing the world. It all begins with you. Together we can make a difference with the world needs love. What you do today makes a difference! What are you doing about love?

Begin with an open heart. In an attitude of gratitude, pure and simple, look into the mirror and say "I love you!" Say it again. Say it louder. Really mean it. Say it often. Fake it until you make it. Then start saying it to others. If you can't say it, think it. Look at them or a picture of them and think "I love you!" Say it to your enemies. First it will shock them. The element of surprise is good. I had a friend, that taught me to meditate, that during his daily meditation in the morning and evening, he would meditate and send love to his enemies. Keep on keeping on and have faith that you have put love in motion. Then let love take over. Together we can make a difference, one person at a time. Are you with me in the war of love?

Keep Your Chin Up

Keep Your Chin Up
by Annie Tornabene

When is a boxer at his greatest risk? It may not be when you think. As a child I had to watch all the boxing matches. The only one I remember in real life was George Foreman. My Dad was a golden glove boxer in his early years and was disappointed when I went into martial arts. After seeing me perform, he said it was like boxing without the gloves. You never knew you could learn lessons about the strings of life from a boxer, did you? It's not in the fight that the boxer is at his greatest risk. That is usually when he is using extra precaution. It's in the morning when he wakes up and looks in the mirror. He or she is more prone to losing the battle when they look in the mirror...when they see themselves eye to eye. It's that space between the ears that catches them off guard. It's the place where he is less dangerous physically and more often throws caution to the wind. Wow, that's the same with you and me.

It's in the mind that he wins or loses the fight. Nine times out of ten, the fight is won when he looks in the mirror with his chin up and feels he can win. He has to remind himself, "Keep your chin up!" His manager has to remind him, "Keep your chin up." Looking down, he is at risk of being hit. Looking eye to eye with your chin up, he's prepared and ready to fight. He can see every movement...every flinch of his opponent.

It's the same with us. We have to prepare ourselves every day. We have to keep your chin up. We have to smile at adversity. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression. It's not how far you've come; it's just that you get back up! Hold your head up high, keep your chin up. You can do it!

When things are going pretty good, it's easy to get distracted from keeping your chin up. You forget that you need to keep your chin up and are vulnerable to getting hit. You know what I'm talking about. Keep your guard up. It's easy to slide right down into the depth of depression when you least expect the darkness to set in...when you have a sudden blow. When you've had a bad day, keep your chin up. Who knows with another blow you just may have a knock out and you win!

As my Grandmaster says, do it in an attitude of gratitude. OK, he said to say "Beat you to a bloody pulp cheerfully." It says the same thing. Keep your chin up. Together we can make a difference in learning to keep our chin up and healing our mind.

Glamour Shots

Glamour Shots
by Annie Tornabene

Put your best face forward is what my Mother always said. Your Mother may have told you similar statements. Whatever trouble gets you down, whatever circumstances you face, hold your chin up high and smile. It makes your enemies wonder what is going on in your life that makes you smile in the face of adversary. Your friends will admire you for your courage.

It is like a stain glass window. You can rave about its beauty in the daylight. However, you never know its true beauty until darkness sets in and the light from within shines through.

Glamour shots are being taken every moment along the strings of life. What does your latest glamour shot say about you?

As you look through the glamour shots along the strings of life, what are you portraying? Are you angry and scowling? Are you peaceful and tranquil? Are your eyes full of compassion? Do you have an attitude of gratitude and a thankful heart? Shine your light for all to see your beautiful glamour shot. Love your life. Together we can make a difference.

Celebrate Life

Celebrate Life

by Annie Tornabene

Yesterday I was at a funeral of an elderly lady that I didn't know. I did know her children. As I sat there, I was reminded of my own Father's Celebration of Life ceremony over two and a half years ago. (We didn't call it a funeral - it was a celebration of his life.) We looked at a picture slide show of his life and told warm heart-felt and funny stories about his life. In the end, we felt a light-hearted peace in our life and felt blessed to have had him in our life.

When was the last time you celebrated life? When did you experience joy and laughter in your life? When did you celebrate love? Love your life by celebrating your life. Celebrate all the goodness in your life. Be in an attitude of gratitude in all things. Celebrate peace and tranquility in your life. Celebrate the abundance that is flowing in your life. Celebrate life and more peace and hope will be with you. Together we can make a difference. The celebration of life makes a difference in our lives.

Hope

Hope
by Annie Tornabene















In each one's life a little pain and grief must fall. It's part of being alive. Sometimes pain and grief feel like the rainforest's rains. We wonder if it will ever end. Crushing poverty, rampant drug and alcohol use, increasing economic conditions, diseases, and chronic racial and relationship tensions have largely caused a problem for many. No matter what circumstances you are facing as long as you have hope, you are going to make it. According to Martin Luther, "Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."

Hope is that glimmer of light in a room full of darkness. Hope is that victorious song of the sparrow that sings through the silence of defeat. Hope is that spark that ignites the flame in a pile of burning ashes. True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings, said William Shakespeare. Hope is that blade of grass piercing through the snow to let you know that new life is there. Hope dispels all negative thoughts.

When I was suffering from the fog of depression, I did a painting of a dark night with the moon shining through. Because I knew as long as I could see the light, I could face tomorrow. You can too. I have enough hope for both of us until you have courage to realize you have hope.

If you are going through a tough time, know that hope is there with you. It may be a little spark, all it needs is a little fanning and it will rise up to help you seize the moment. It will help you make it. Together we can make a difference. Hope makes a difference.

Out Of The Ashes

Out Of The Ashes
by Annie Tornabene

As I watch the burning embers from the pile of burning dead tree limbs that had fallen in my yard from a recent storm that went through here, it brings me to the realization that our lives are like ashes. Ashes are the dead residue of what had been on fire...a flame of passion gone dead...the hurts and pains that is left in our lives from past troubles and storms in the strings of life. Everyone has them. The disappointments...the grief...the sorrow...the pain and agony...the dark cloud of depression are all ashes. The past is nothing more than a bucket of ashes.

Ashes are what keep the fire from burning. . . Ashes slowly kill the flame. They smother the fire. They keep oxygen from breathing new life into the fire. Just like when we hold on to our old hurts or hold a grudge, it keeps us from fully living in our present.

In the movie, Kung Fu Panda, the Grandmaster stated, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why they call it the present." And so it is.

We can't do anything about the past. It is a bucket of ashes. Dump it out! Sweep off the ashes that are holding you back. Let a new fire rise out of the ashes. Out of the ashes of burning rubble comes new hope, a resurrection of life. Just like the donkey did.

Oh, I forgot to tell you about the donkey. A donkey fell in a deep hole that the farmer was digging for a well. The farmer said the hole was too deep and the donkey too heavy to try to pull the donkey out of the hole. So he prepared to bury the donkey in the hole. He shovelled dirt into the hole. As the dirt fell, it fell on the donkey's back. The donkey didn't know what was going on so he brushed the dirt off his back and stepped on it. The donkey kept doing this over and over again never giving up. He had hope that his master would get him out. To the farmer's surprise, the donkey was getting closer to the top with each pile of dirt that was going into the hole. The donkey was brushing it off and stepping on it. So he used the ashes of what was to be his burial to be his stepping stones. Soon the donkey was able to walk out of the hole. You will too. Doesn't some of this sound like our lives? Everyone will be amazed at the ease that you walked through the storm in the strings of life.

Out of the ashes will rise your tomorrows. In the present you may not know if you are building a sandcastle or if a dust storm is on the way. Have hope! You are building your dream castle out of the ashes of your life. Love your life. Together we can make a difference.

Walking A Tightrope

Walking A Tightrope

by Annie Tornabene

Does just daily living leave you feeling a little stressed out? Headlines loom of world hunger. International conflict. Political unrest. Drugs. Violence. Everywhere you turn you see poverty on the rise. Maybe you look at your cashflow and wonder how you are going to pay all the bills. Maybe you have other issues that are causing you to feel like you are walking a tightrope. Sometimes it feels like you are walking a tightrope and you are afraid the net is not under you. Do you ever feel like that? If you feel like that, you are not alone.

Whatever situation you are in the world, you can feel confident that your Creator has a net of protection for you. Our paths have crossed for a reason. I can throw out a lifeline to assist you but it is up to you to grab hold. Remember the anchor holds the lifeline to safety. Only by considering and practicing the true law can we escape from this sorrow-piled mountain in the world in which we live. We are all one tribe on this planet we call Earth. We are all brothers and sisters and interconnect with each other. No one is alone walking a tightrope on the strings of life. Focus on the good around you. Take a deep breath and be still. Slow down and you will see that all is under control.

What you focus on is what you are attracting. If you focus on negativity, negativity finds you. If you focus on poverty, poverty finds you. If you focus on abuse, more abuse finds you. You got the picture? Therefore, change your focus and you will find that the new focus finds you. Together we can make a difference to living an abundant life. The abundant life is better than walking a tightrope. For more help contact us. Let's work together to live a more empowered life...an abundant life. Love the life you are living. Please take our survey.
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Amazing Gratitude

Amazing Gratitude

by Annie Tornabene

In an attitude of amazing gratitude today I want you to listen to Mike Dooley talk about how thoughts become things. You've often heard me say that our thoughts become our actions, actions bring about results. Together we can make a difference.

This is how you have a week of empowerment. Begin and end each day in an attitude of amazing gratitude. Begin on Sunday, do something for yourself. Monday Do something for your family. Tuesday Do something for your local group. Wednesday Do something for your community. Thursday Do something for this organization. Friday Do something for your Nation. Saturday Do something for mankind. When I say do something, I mean give of your thoughts, your time and assets. Take action, postulate positive thoughts, tell somebody, show your sign of support, give of your thoughts, time and things of value such items you no longer need, a click of the button, whatever you can. Always with a gratiful heart. Every positive thought turns into an action; action brings results. Thinking your way to an abundant life is the first step. Together we can all make a difference. !!!! Amazing gratitude make a difference.

Abundant Living

Abundant Living
by Annie Tornabene

I'm Rich...... This morning I searched my wallet. It was empty. Then, I checked my pockets . I found a few coins . I then searched my heart and found you. Then, I realized how rich I really am... Thanks for being my friend and e-mail buddy! May you be as rich as I am!

Have you ever realized how rich you truly are to have at least one friend? My daughter told me today that we were rich. I thought of friends that had mansions. I was thinking of material wealth and said no we're not. Then she smiled at me and said, "We're rich in love." My heart melted. She was right. It doesn't matter how much money a person has. It doesn't matter how fancy the car. It doesn't matter what clothes we wear. Who really cares about those designer labels? It doesn't matter how big the house is. What matters is that we love one another. We have abundant living.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you have more health than illness, you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day. If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 700 million people in the world. If you can attend a church or religious ceremony without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world. If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in depression and downtrodden. If you are reading this on your computer, you are among the 1% who has that opportunity and more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

You have a friend that was thinking of you. You have abundant living. In an attitude of gratitude, be thankful for the abundant living you possess. Allow abundant living to flow more readily in your life. Be thankful for the abundance that you are enjoying and living. Be thankful for the little things and the big things will take care of themselves. As they follow the little things.