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“Feeling Stuck?”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

In the last few days, I have had some close friends of mine telling me that they’re feeling “stuck.” I understand the feeling, because I’ve been feeling it a bit, too. One person feels that they aren’t moving up fast enough in their job; another tells me they feel like their life is “as good as it gets.” As for me, I’m feeling as if life with “Waking Up” got too quiet after a fast and furious launch. Yet, there’s reasons we feel that way, and it isn’t the job, or the life, or the book… it’s “us.”

It’s that balance thing again and my most important belief: “that everything happens WHEN it’s supposed to and HOW it’s supposed to.” So, why does that make it about “us?” Because we’ve forgotten some important messages: Find your balance and learn the patience to TRUST and have FAITH that everything is coming together for us, and it absolutely will… when the time is right.

We feel stuck because we’re not doing, or having, or getting what we want at that moment. Yet, we have the ability to change that around, and it’s not always easy. If you can accept that maybe, just maybe, the Universe and your Higher Power have a different plan; that maybe this isn’t the time for a change in the job, or getting something you want. If you can change your perspective and thinking on feeling “stuck” to one of: I have faith in myself, and believe that all I want and deserve will come to me at the exact time it’s supposed to.

Sounds simple, but it takes some effort. And the effort is worth it.

None of us are truly stuck; we possess the greatest gift life has given us: “choice.” We have a choice to what we feel and how we handle things. I understand that “stuck” feeling, but I don’t stay in it long. The longer you feel that way, the more that feeling will “stick” to you. Don’t do it…please don’t do it.

So today I ask you to check your “balance,” and listen to your intuition. Why are you really feeling this way? It’s usually more than some outside force that makes you feel that we. Remember, you are in control of your feelings… no one else is. If you believe that someone made you feel sad or upset, the truth is that you let them.

Choose love, choose faith, choose patience, and watch how different your day will be. You’re not stuck, not ever…you’re simply waiting for the next adventure!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

choices

“It’s A Guy/Girl Thing”

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As my love and I were having our morning coffee together, we began to discuss our “miscommunication” from the night before. It’s funny how two people can be in the same situation, yet both can see it so differently. I guess that’s the difference between men and women: men see it one way, and women see it another.

That’s not to say it happens all the time, because I truly believe that when you’re in balance and in the right relationship, it happens very little. Yet I do believe that when it happens it does so to teach us something about ourselves and each other.

It also teaches us about our relationship.

I tossed and turned all night, thinking about what had transpired. It was such a small and inconsequential thing, yet couple that with being tired, working long hours and too much on your mind, well, you’ve got a recipe for disaster… or at least a minor miscommunication.

Women and men think differently, process things differently and react differently. Yet what I’ve learned over the years is this: If women can learn to accept the differences of a man, and a man can learn compassion for a woman’s differences, then all is right with the relationship. Truth be told, we should all have respect for each others’ differences, whether you’re a man or a woman.

How many times have you said: “It’s a guy thing, or it’s a girl thing?” I’m sure you’ve found yourself thinking it or saying it on several occasions. And you would be right because men and women are different, and that’s a fact.

So what do you do with these differences? You embrace them with love, try and understand them if you can, and be grateful for the lessons you learn from them. It’s these very lessons that teach you more about yourself, and about your relationship.

My love and I don’t always agree on everything, yet the love we share and the life we’re building together are much stronger than the little things that come up every so often. Our similarities far outweigh our differences and once we talk about our differences, there’s always laughter to follow… and our love for one another grows stronger.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

robnanci

“Fallen Angel”

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I have some exciting news that I’ve been waiting to share with all of you…and today is the day!

I’ve joined creative forces with one of the most amazing, creative and talented singers and musicians that I was blessed to meet through my love and his cousin, Thomas. It’s time to introduce you to Sutton Thomas, owner of Heart2Song.com!

Let me tell you how this new adventure of Anne Dennish and Sutton Thomas began. A few weeks ago I wrote lyrics as a theme song for my new book, “Waking Up,” and sent them to him. He sent back an amazing song and the general feedback from most who heard it said that we should do a compilation of songs together that coincide with the book! I am most honored and thrilled that Sutton Thomas has agreed to work with me on this new adventure!

Here’s your first listen at a song I wrote that goes hand in hand with the story in the book called “Fallen Angel.” I wrote this song for someone who holds a special place in my heart. It’s about his struggles with addiction. I’ve watched him fall, and I’m blessed to be part of watching his journey through recovery.

None of us choose to fall, we are chosen to fall. We are chosen to fall for many reasons, find a strength we never knew we had, and fight our way back up to greatness! I truly believe that it’s the “fallen angels” in this world that rise back up ready to change the world and make a difference.

 

And we don’t just fall from addiction; we fall for many reasons…and the lessons learned from the fall will bring us back to a better life, one that we always wanted and deserved. I’m a big believer that when our lives aren’t going the way they should, the Universe will step in and smack us with a 2×4! It’s that smack, that “fall from grace” that brings us to our knees and makes us take a cold, hard look at ourselves and our truth.

It’s when we finally “choose” to see our truth that the climb back up from the fall will bring us a new life, another chance to do it better, and will have finally taught us what “love of self” is… and how many miraculous, beautiful and wonderful things come into our life when we find that love of self.

I’m thrilled and honored to share “Fallen Angel” with all you! Both Sutton Thomas and I would appreciate any and all comments you have, and please feel free to share it out. Be sure to check out his website and “like” his Facebook page “Heart2Song!”

Once again, “it’s time to make a difference, and we can make a difference together.”

And today, the lyrics of Anne Dennish met the music of Sutton Thomas… and together, he and I want to make a difference through music.

I hope you enjoy the first public release of “Fallen Angel.”

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Scenes From An Italian Deli”

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“It’s time to make a difference, and we can make a difference together.”

~Anne Dennish~

I had a book signing today at my local Italian deli, Valente’s. It was a cold, rainy day, yet the owner and staff were wonderful to my love and I.

However, it wasn’t the amount of books sold that stuck with me today…it’s what happened as I was leaving, and I want to share this beautiful story with all of you.

There was a table of gentleman sitting across from me, and they were there for quite some time. They kept looking over and were probably wondering what this book was all about, yet they didn’t stop by to see me… until I was leaving.

This sweet gentleman came up to me and asked what the book was about. I told him it was about the lessons I’ve learned through my life and breast cancer. He smiled and told me he has a rare cancer, but was fortunate to be in an experimental trial which is keeping him alive. Others with this same cancer had passed long before him. Soon, his friend joined in the conversation, and we exchanged our stories of chemo, treatments, hospitals, side effects and survival!

I reached my hand out to formally introduce myself to him, and with that, he outstretched his arms and consumed me in a beautiful bear hug. He told me to keep writing, stay healthy, and survive. I told him the same. I couldn’t help but feel such a connection with another person battling cancer. He smiled as he said goodbye, and wished me well.

That stands out more in my mind than the books I signed today. My story made a difference, and his story made a difference to me.

Please remember to be kind, to take a moment to listen to someone who needs to talk, and share your “waking up” moments with others.

After all: “It’s time to make a difference, and we can make a difference together.”

And today, at an Italian deli, a difference was made.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

Author of “Waking Up: Lessons Learned Through My Adventures With Life and Breast Cancer”

Available at Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon.com

your move

“You Had A Bad Day”

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A tone in the voice, a look of the eyes, and a distinct difference in the body language… yes, you’ve just been part of someone’s bad day.

It happens all too often, but the trick is to understand the behavior and realize that it has nothing to do with you.

We get frustrated, angry, or annoyed, and when we feel those negative emotions, it’s the people around us, which are usually the one’s we love the most, who feel it as well. Your unhappy mood can affect someone else’s good mood…but only if they let you.

You see, negative emotions bring negative reactions and responses, and if I’m wrong on this, please let me know. Positive brings positive; negative brings negative. Pretty simply concept, isn’t it? Yet, life get’s to us all now and again, and we feel some negative things, but don’t feel them too long. Take a breath, and think about why you feel that way…and if you’re the recipient of the bad mood, understand that it’s nothing you’ve said or done; it’s their fear, insecurity or unhappiness with themselves, not you.

If I find myself on the other end of someone’s “bad mood,” I’ll only allow myself about 30 seconds to hang my head and feel badly about it…yes, it does make me feel bad, but as soon as those 30 seconds pass, I say to myself: “It’s their bad day, not mine. If I can help them, I will. If they just need to vent, I’ll listen. But no, I’m not taking the blame for their feelings.”

I know, sounds easy, and it’s not always that easy. But this is where your “love of self” is so important! We can’t control another person’s behavior, but we can control what we allow: our feelings, our responses, and our tolerance.

Life isn’t perfect and neither are we. We all have a bad day once in awhile, but the important thing is this: don’t take it out on someone else. That “someone else” just may be the one to help and love you out of that bad mood.

So, on with the day, my friends. Stay strong, stay positive,and know that you are in complete control of your own actions and emotions. In the end, bad moods don’t last forever, and as the saying goes: “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”

Wishing you love, light and a happy mood,

~Anne Dennish~

life is too short

“Dancing in the Light!”

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I was raised to grow up, get married, and live happily ever after…yet that theory was proven wrong twice to me when the divorces were final. Yet today, I find myself doing something very foreign to me: I’m living with the love of my life. No wedding, no ring, just our commitment to one another.

Here’s an excerpt from my story, “The Ultimate Test of Trust:”

“Cancer didn’t scare me nearly as much as falling in love for the first and last time in my life. It didn’t happen easily for us, as we both began this relationship as deeply wounded souls. Our hearts had been broken to the point that neither of us thought we’d love again, that perhaps all these wonderful things we hear about love are simply written in books. Yet we learned to trust one another because we knew if we didn’t, we’d be nothing.”

And you know what the ultimate test of trust is? It’s “love.”

Love for your spouse, your significant other, your family and friends, even your children. Love teaches us to trust. Yes, we’ll fall every so often into an insecure or fearful place; most times it’s nothing to worry about, but simply a piece of us that’s out of balance, allowing a negative force to take hold.

But remember, those “dark” moments come as sporadic lessons to teach us something about ourselves, and they are moments we shouldn’t stay in for too long. Grab the lesson and move out of the darkness and into the light!

“There is no dancing in the dark, only in the light.”

Embrace all the love that surrounds your life each and every day. Let yourself pass the ultimate test of trust!

“After all, there’s no love to be found in the dark, only in the light…”

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

Fits Like a Glove 1 

 

 

“The Voice of the Ocean”

/ Anne Dennish / 2 Comments
In my book, “Waking Up,” I wrote a story called “The Voice of the Ocean.” And I can remember how it came to fruition…
 
I was sitting in a dear friends house in Malibu, right on the beach. It was the most beautiful, peaceful, serene space I could have possibly in. She let me stay at her house so that I could finish the book, yet that week there proved to be so much more to me. It was actually another “waking up” moment, because, while I did finish the book, it turned into a major soul searching time there.
 
It’s funny how much time you have to think when you’re alone, and even though I was writing throughout the days and nights, I was alone with my thoughts… and the sounds of the ocean. And the sounds of the ocean turned into the “voice of the ocean,” filled with messages and waking up moments.
 
The greatest thing I learned out there was this:
 
“That I loved more than I allowed myself to be loved; that because I’ve not given someone else a chance to prove that they can love me as well as I can love them, I couldn’t feel it. I feel it now.”
 
Wow, what a moment that was… to realize that I was still carrying a fear of having my heart broken and my soul hurt. I realized in that one moment that while I can love well, I never allowed someone else the chance to love me the same. Everything changed in that awakening moment. All the walls around my heart that I thought were gone, suddenly crumbled. And life has been amazing ever since.
I’ll be forever grateful for that time in Malibu, because it changed my life, and I love when my life changes for the better. We are all works in progress and constantly learning more about ourselves every day… that is, if we allow it.
 
Listen to your intuition, follow your heart, and get that “fear” out of your world. I’m telling you this: life and love is a leap of faith, in yourself and others. Take the leap and land in love!
Wishing you love and light,
~Anne Dennish~
my malibu

Another “waking up” moment for me in Malibu!

“Ride The Wave!”

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Life is like an ocean, and we’re continually riding the waves of it. Sometimes it’s calm, and sometimes it’s rough, yet we have a choice to ride it the best we can. And with that ride, all things are possible, and we all have the ability to “rock the world!”

What wave are you riding today? Are you on calm seas or 16 foot waves? No matter what it is, I have faith in you…you can do it! Life isn’t always easy, or “smooth sailing,” yet you’ll be all the stronger and smarter once you get through it all.

Embrace the waves you’re riding, because they’ve been gifted to you with the ability to ride them in the best possible way! It’s your choice! Now go out there today and “rock the world!”

ride the wave

Wishing you love and light, and calm seas ahead!

~Anne Dennish~

Author of “Waking Up: Lessons Learned Through My Adventures With Life and Breast Cancer”

copyright 2016

“Peace”

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“Imagine all the people…living life in peace.” ~John Lennon~

Smart man. “Peace” is such a simple concept, yet there are those that would rather live outside of peace, and inside of drama. I’m not one of them and never will be. I prefer “peace” and even though life throws me a curve ball once in awhile, I don’t view it as stress or drama…it’s simply “life.”

Some have asked me how I found peace in such a crazy world. My answer is simple: you find it within yourself. You walk away from people and situations that no longer serve your highest good; you wish them love and light, not anger and contempt. And then you drop it. Yes, you drop it and move forward. All negative emotions bring negative reactions, no matter what the situation is. And who wants that? Well, some do, and they are the ones that are battling themselves and their lives, not you.

Don’t engage in another person’s struggle or discontent; they have their own choice to change the life they’re living, and it’s not up to us to do it for them. We all have lessons to learn in this lifetime, and we are gifted the “free will” to do so.

Today I wish you peace, and I wish peace to those struggling within themselves. Embrace your life…and wish love and light to those who can’t.

Wishing you love, light, and peace!

~Anne Dennish~

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“The Loneliness of Cancer”

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The most difficult part of writing and putting together my new book, “Waking Up,” was reading my breast cancer journal. As a survivor, we try and move forward, yet as I read each entry I remembered…and it was ironic how much I had forgotten. I had forgotten all those feelings and emotions; forgotten the details of every treatment and procedure; and I had forgotten that I even had it at all.

“I will say one thing about cancer, and I do know that every day you live with it, your thoughts can change. For today, I know it can be a very lonely place. Seems the people closest to you don’t know quite how to deal with it, so they get angry or they stay away from you. What they don’t understand is that by walking away, or treating you differently, is hurtful.”

“Their reaction to my cancer changes me because their anger and avoidance put me in the category of “the girl with the cancer.” I’m just “the girl who cancer has paid a visit to” and if all goes well, it will be a short visit.”

We don’t always know the right thing to say or do to someone with cancer, and even as a survivor, I don’t really know either. Yet I will say that the best you can do is be there for someone on the cancer journey; support and love them. The most important thing to do is to treat them as the same person you loved before the cancer, because cancer is not “who” they are, cancer is simply “what” they have.

~Anne Dennish~

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