Set Your Mind On Good

Set Your Mind On Good
by Annie Tornabene



Set your mind on good when you are facing trouble all around. If your mind keeps finding negative thoughts, it is because more negative (stinking thinking) is surrounding you. So if you find more good to input your mind, more good will be created around you and in you.

If you live with perpetual hope, then you will notice peace, joy, love and tranquility are dwelling more with you. Set your mind on good.

Stinking thinking only creates more worry, fear, anxiety and depression. So set your mind on good; surrounding your life with peace, joy, love and tranquility. You will find more treasures than your mind can empower your life.

Together we can make a difference with understanding depression and healing the tears and hurts by setting your mind on good. We can live our best life now.

Memories Of The Heart

Memories Of The Heart
by Annie Tornabene


Locked in between the creases of our mind are memories of the heart since before we were born. Research shows us that we can remember things while we were still in the womb. Seldom do we acknowledge that memory and our early life that had a hand in shaping who we are today. Phobias, fears, anger, anxiety, self-limiting beliefs, creativity can manifest itself in your life without you knowing why.

One man that I knew had a fear that no one else in the family had. In therapy, he realized his Grandfather had the same fear. His Grandfather had been around most of the time while his Mother was carrying him. His Grandfather died just before he was born. Through therapy, it is believed that his Grandfather made audible statements that were heard by the unborn child and transferred those beliefs and fears. Discovering those can help you release those fears, phobias, anger, anxiety, etc. and begin to make your own life. Memories of the heart can be mended.

Envision your body being filled with a healing white light, love, joy, tranquility and peace. Remember that nothing you see or hear will harm you. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve through you discovery and connect with your inner vision. Observe what you see without judgment. When you are done, think about how what you experienced relates to your present life. There may be beliefs from your memories of the heart that you are still operating under but are now ready to let go of. The significance of your memories of the heart may not be immediately obvious until much later.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now by letting go of unnecessary memories of the heart.

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.

Keep Your Chin Up

Keep Your Chin Up
by Annie Tornabene



When mountain climbing it is important to keep keep your chin up. The everyday strings of life is like mountain climbing. Sure you may not be physically climbing a mountain, but emotionally you are climbing a mountain. The struggles of everyday life is emotionally like climbing a mountain. Some days may be more difficult than other days. Keep your chin up.

When things are going well, it is easy to let your guard down. Whether things are going good or if you are having a bad day, keep your chin up. In every situation, keep your chin up. Empower your life with love, peace and tranquility.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now by keeping your chin up.

Celebrate Life

Celebrate Life
by Annie Tornabene


Celebrate life. Be glad for a new day. Be in an attitude of gratitude for a new day.

How long has it been since you felt victory in your life? How long has it been since you loved your life? How long has it been since you felt gratitude for your life... your strength ... you thankful heart? The power that created you has he power to heal you. Acknowledge that power. Give victory to that power. Empower your life with possibilities. That power brings comfort, encouragement, and hope. Celebrate life to bring tranquility, peace and love into your life.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now with a the activity of celebrate life.

Power From Within

Power From Within
by Annie Tornabene



The power from within allows us to do amazing things. We have a power from within that allows us to conquer all obstacles.

We have a choice to be angry, blue, fearful, and depressed or we can be courageous, happy, joyful, and peaceful. It is not other people that make us this way. We can choose to rise above them and live our best life with the power from within. What do you choose?

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now with the power from within.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?