Anne Dennish

The Strength of Knowing “Who” You Are

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There’s a story in my book, “Waking Up” entitled “Beautiful Boy.” It’s about my son who chose to tell me on the night of his high school graduation that he was bisexual. I wasn’t upset, I wasn’t shocked, and I wasn’t judgmental…I was proud of him for knowing “who” is at such a young age. I know people that are in their 40’s and 50’s that still don’t know who they are…they only know “what” they are, and there’s a big difference between the two.

Yes, my son is bisexual, and I know many people who are gay, and you know what? I don’t noah graduationsee that as a “what,” like so many others do…I don’t see it as anything more than that’s “who” they are.

What happened in Orlando was a tragedy, and what almost happened in California is a tragedy as well. It breaks my heart that anyone could be that hateful to another human being…and it worries me for my son.

He’s a young man with the kindest soul, the biggest heart, and the intelligence to be concerned and proactive toward saving the environment and animals. Anyone that knows him tells me that they’ve never met such a sweet kid, and I’m blessed to call him my son.

So why a hatred so deep that the only answer is to hurt them? Well, my belief is that it’s someone’s fear of the unknown…the unknown of knowing this community, and perhaps the unknown of not knowing “who” they are. Perhaps the fear is of the strength of these men and women who know “who” they are, that stand proud of it, and that embrace their lives with passion.

My son once told me that being bisexual isn’t a choice; it’s “who” he is. The “choice” wasmothersday when to tell me, and the “choice” was who he would tell. No truer words were ever spoken.

It’s not our job to judge anyone for anything; we either accept people for “who” they are, or we walk away from them. That’s the gift of choice.

Pray for the lives that were lost due to ignorance; pray for the ignorant to become less judgmental and fearful, and remember:

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

And that time is now!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Just Believe”

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It’s been quite a week for my love and I! So many amazing things happening, and as I sit here this morning thinking about it, I’m filled with gratitude at what the Universe has brought into my life… into all our lives! I love those “waking up” moments!
 
And I wondered: “How did I get here?”
 
Then I remembered: “I believed, kept the faith, and let go of trying to control things.” And then amazing things began happening!
 
My life has been one grand adventure after another, whether it be meeting new people, or finding myself being gifted with opportunities I would never have imagined. I believe that everything happens for a reason: “it happens when it should, how it should, and as it should,” and that belief hasn’t let me down yet!
 
Stress, worry and fear are the biggest obstacles in our life, and only you can change that. Once those words are out of your vocabulary, you will be amazed at what the Universe will bring to you! Those words keep the door shut to good things coming into your life, and who wants that?
 
Open the door to the life you deserve with words such as “belief, faith, and love” and you will soon be sitting in gratitude at what comes through it!
Wishing you love and light,
~Anne Dennish~
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“Life Is Always Changing…”

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“Life is always changing, time to turn the page,
The story continues, it’s mine to create.
So what do I do now? Where do I go?
Do I let my mind lead me backwards in time
Or move ahead slow?”

lyrics from “What Now” by Anne Dennish & Sutton Thomas

It’s true, life is always changing, and while change can sometimes be difficult, it’s certainly proof that we’re still breathing! Life is an adventure, and lessons for our Highest Good are everywhere, just waiting for us to see them and learn from them.

We’re always having “waking up” moments; that moment when you suddenly become aware of something you never saw before; never realized before; or never knew before.

Yet again, maybe those “somethings” were there all along; it was YOU that changed! You cleared your mind; you listened to your intuition; or perhaps you learned something new about yourself that allowed you the clear sight to see something in a different light.

It’s called “change.” And while life is always changing, so are we. We’re changing for our Highest Good; changing to live the life we always wanted and so deserve; changing to pursue our dreams.

So why are some so scared of change? It’s because we don’t always know where the change will take us…so we will “let our mind lead us backwards in time.” Yet when you embrace the change of the lessons you learned, it’s time to “move ahead slow.”

During our time here on earth, we move into many different lives. We grow, we mature, and we learn as we go, so why go back in time? Go, if only to remember for a moment while you left it in the first place, but jump back quickly into the present; it’s the present that will help build your future.

Let life change you; embrace the lessons your are gifted; release the past with love and light, because what once served you has done its’ time, and something “new” is waiting for you…it always is.

Wishing you love and light and a grand adventure,

~Anne Dennish~

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“The Truth Seeker”

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“Reasons and Excuses”

There’s a distinct difference between the two, or so I believe.

“Excuses” are what we use when we don’t stand in our own truth. Rather than tell someone how we feel, and why we feel a particular way, we’re “sugar-coating” our truth, and in my opinion, I’d much rather stand in my truth.

Lies and truths may hurt, yet in the end, there’s a respect with the truth, and none with a lie. It’s not always easy to tell someone how you’re feeling, and it’s those times we trip over our words, tell them “our truth” in a roundabout way, or simply withhold it. And you know what I’ve learned? That way of thinking is not for your Highest Good, and will, in time, eat you alive and make you angry at yourself for not saying what you needed to say.dr seuss

“Reasons” are the truth of our feelings, of who we are, what we want, what we need, and what we don’t. They are our way of loving and respecting ourselves enough to know what is in our best interest and what’s not. No one can fault you with your truth, and if they do, you’ve learned a lesson and seen their true colors.

“Excuses” don’t give someone the full picture; “reasons” do. Lies don’t allow someone to make a decision for their Highest Good; truth does. “Insecurity” is born from lies; “trust” is born from truth.

And I would much rather be hurt with the truth than deceived by a lie; some lies will truly alter important decisions you need to make in your life. Yes, the truth can hurt, yet in the end, the truth does set you free; free to be who you are; free to stand in your own truth!

I want to surround myself with those who stand strong in their own truth, not those that hide behind “excuses” and a version of their truth. The”truth seekers” are the ones who are loyal, who have your back, who don’t judge YOUR truth, but embrace it!

Be a “truth seeker” and surround yourself with other “truth seekers;” it’s a circle of trust you build around yourself, and those you love. Don’t fear your truth or anyone else’s truth; embrace it!

Stop making “excuses;” stand in your own truth, and let your strength of “reason” shine through! Those that matter to you won’t mind a bit!

And that I can promise you!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Help… I Need Somebody!”

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In the midst of barbeques and time spent with friends this past weekend, my love and I were able to find some down time to watch movies from the comfort of our serenity cave. One movie in particular stuck with me: “28 Days” with Sandra Bullock, who plays a writer that had to go to rehab. The theme of the story wasn’t what intrigued me; it was the messages throughout the movie. One in particular stood out to me. Her character, Gwen, had broken the rules, to which her therapist made her wear a sign around her neck that said: “Confront me if I don’t ask for help.” As usual, it got me to thinking and wondering:

How often do WE ask others for help?28days

Most of us, including myself, will answer: not very often. The answer should be: not enough! I realized as I watched this movie that rehab isn’t just for addictions; it’s for changing a life that wasn’t working and learning how to speak your own truth, and be comfortable with it. And isn’t that how life should be for all of us?

I’m willing to help anyone and everyone, as are most of the people in my circle. I feel good helping someone else, no matter what help is needed. Yet when we need help with something, we don’t ask. We don’t want to burden another, or worse yet, we don’t want to believe we need the help. In society today we seem to be so programmed to believe that “we can do it all with no help from anyone!” It’s as if we’re trained to believe that this is what makes us strong and self-sufficient. That’s all well and good, yet when we don’t ask for help we become tired, run-down, emotionally spent, and worse yet, we get sick.

The flip side of this is that while we feel like a wonderful human being by helping someone else who asks for help, we don’t ask them and don’t allow them the rights to the same good feelings we get by helping out. It’s kind of ironic, isn’t it? Then again, maybe it’s selfish on our part. Why do we want to feel good yet not allow someone else the same right? A little “food for thought” here!

I’m guilty of this and it’s something I’m working on changing. I’ve spent a lifetime doing everything myself, rarely asking for help when I knew deep down inside I needed it. I didn’t like appearing weak, or needy. When someone asked me for a favor, I jumped at the chance, whether I had the time or not.It didn’t matter that I was exhausted, or had to change my schedule to help them, I just did it. I’m not saying that’s wrong, but I am saying that it’s okay to say “no” sometimes. We need to take care of ourselves first in order to truly help someone else.

Every day I work on saying “no” if  it’s not for my Highest Good, and am trying hard to ask for help when I need it. I’m willing to allow someone else the chance to feel needed, to help a friend out and know that they made a difference in my day and in my life. My mantra for my book, “Waking Up” is: “It’s time to make a difference, and we can make a difference together.” Well, that is yet another “waking up” moment in my life: to admit that I’m not weak if I need help, that in fact, asking for help shows a sign of strength; that my “making a difference” in life and the world also includes allowing other’s to be part of that journey with me; and more importantly, that I’m a work in progress, learning more about myself every day on this journey of life, and that’s okay.

The Universe throws so many “signs” at us, and we’ll see them if we just pay attention. Watching an old movie brought to light many signs I had been missing, and asking for help was just one of them. Owning “our truth” isn’t always easy, especially if it involves a quality in ourselves that we don’t care for, yet when you own your “truth,” you own your right to change it. It’s your lesson to learn, and your choice on how to handle it.

Today I work on asking for help if I need it, whether it’s simply a much needed phone call with a friend, or a strong arm to hold me at the end of the day. Today I incorporate the “Serenity Prayer” in my lifeand know that I been gifted ” the courage to change the things I can,” and asking for help, finding my balance in this crazy world, and loving myself are all things I can change for my Highest Good.serenity

“Confront me if I don’t ask for help.”

Remember that as you go throughout your day and each day to come; let someone else feel the peace and joy you feel by helping them, because in the end:

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

And today I’m remembering that!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“What’s Your Agenda?”

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Good morning! What a weekend it was! My mind is still trying to process a dream coming true at Barnes and Noble this past Saturday… yet, there’s no rest for the weary and it’s time to keep moving forward. With that said… I have a question for all of you:

Do you have an agenda in life?

I’ve had this discussion with several people this week, so I’m assuming that the Universe is asking me to write about it! So, here goes:

Throughout the years I’ve heard men say that women all have an “agenda,” and I believe women feel the same about men. In fact, someone made that statement to me years ago, and as he lumped me in with all women in the world, I thought about it. Within seconds I answered him: “Yes, you’re right. All women do have an agenda, and mine is to be happy.” That stopped him right in his tracks, yet it didn’t stop me.

I’m curious about people and their stories, and about their “agenda” in life. I’ve come to realize that a positive agenda which is based solely on your purpose in life and your Highest Good is the agenda to have; this agenda involves you and you alone. Other’s will help it along, but the agenda you have is up to you.

Then there is the other type of agenda: the one that is self-serving and involves a manipulative or controlling behavior that involves someone else. I find that the people with this type of agenda are not living the life they want; they’re not as happy as they’d like to be, and they tend to want what others have. They tend to be martyrs; people that know they have a choice to change their life and their thinking, yet are too fearful to do so. They tend to control other’s lives because they can’t control their own.

And they’re not all bad people; they’re sad people who sometimes get so lost in their own tearsdespair that they have an agenda with those that are NOT lost, those that ARE happy, and those that ARE in control. Most times they don’t even realize what they’re doing, and that’s where we need to pay attention to our Highest Good to know what they’re doing and not allow it. It’s never selfish to do what’s best for you!

We can’t fix another human being; we can only fix ourselves. We can love them and stand by them, yet if they are unable to change, it’s okay to wish them love and light and walk away. Keep them in your thoughts, remember them in your prayers, but if their “agenda” is hurting you, then it’s time to love yourself more… and that is an “agenda” worth having: “to be happy.”

One more time: what is your agenda in life?

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Four Like-Minded People”

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“The Universe is watching, that’s what brought me here.”

It’s amazing how one dream can multiply into many more, yet that’s what happened. The dream of writing a book to make a difference in someone’s life turned into much more; it turned into a collaboration of music as well.bn new poster

That’s why I believe that when you leave fear behind, believe in yourself and have faith, the Universe will bless you with more gifts than you could imagine…and unexpected ones at that!

This morning I sit thinking about last night. I met with Sutton Thomas, his wife, Lisa, and my love to discuss our upcoming Barnes & Noble event for this Saturday. We talked about fourthe line-up of songs that Sutton would sing, and what excerpts I would be reading from my book.

Yet as the evening of planning progressed, it became much more than the agenda for the event. I became aware of this amazing gift I was given, that we all were given last night: we were given the gift of four “like-minded” people sitting together around a table, and our thoughts were all the same: How do we reach people on Saturday? How do we get our message of hope and belief across to them? How do we let them know that we care, that we’ve been through similar experiences that they have, and more importantly, how to we let them know that they’re not alone, that we’re all in this journey of life together?

It was a powerful evening for me, and one which I woke up thinking about. And I’m grateful for “four like-minded” people who understand one another. It’s that gift that we all believe will make a difference to someone else, and ultimately, that is our goal: to soothe a soul, heal a heart, and let someone know that we understand.

As the lyrics in our song, “What Now” say: “I know where I’ve been, not where I’m going, but I’m dancing along.”

Open yourself up to the Universe, let your soul soar, leave the fear behind… take a leap of faith in yourself and what the Universe can bring to you… and dance along!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Dreams Come True…The Interview of Dennish & Thomas With The Coast Star”

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“Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn,sending us on the journey of a lifetime. We may not end up where we dreamed, but we will always end up where we belong.”

~Anne Dennish~

I wrote that quote years ago, and it’s still one of my favorite’s.

The funny thing is that we all have dreams, and while some may not come true, we do end up where we belong, and that’s in another dream we never thought possible or saw coming!

That’s my life now. I’m doing things I dreamed of, yet the Universe is handing me dreams I hadn’t imagined; but here I am, in this incredible journey! I sit in more gratitude than I can imagine, and have blessings beyond what my mind can even believe at times…but it’s all true, it’s all here, and it’s all happening!

Last night was incredible as Sutton Thomas and I were interviewed by The Coast Star! We had a blast doing our interviews, and the night brought another new chapter to our

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My interview with The Coast Star

 

lives…one of friendship, love, and incredible music! As we all sat talking together we realized how connected we all are, and that we were all brought together for a reason! The Universe definitely has a plan, and all of us are excited to see where this new adventure takes us all!

Here’s a few of the pictures that Sutton’s wife, Lisa, took of us during the interview last night! Much thanks to her for taking them!

Enjoy your journey, my friends, and have faith that everything is happening as it should, when it should, and how it should.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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Anne Dennish & Sutton Thomas interview with The Coast Star

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Dreams come true!

“Rock The World”

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“The world doesn’t owe you, you owe the world. If you put out all your best into the world, good things will come back to you. After all, the world doesn’t revolve around you, you revolve around the world.”

There are those that believe that that’s a simple way to think, that it’s not true. Yet it is true. I know it for fact.

I know a few people that walk around with a chip on their shoulder, always complaining that they never have enough or that they didn’t get what they want. They wonder why no one is helping them or giving them what they need. They are the martyrs of the world, the ones who, literally, have a boulder on their shoulder.

I almost feel badly for them, because they have no clue as to why life isn’t treating them the way they want; it’s because THEY are not treating their life the way they should. They expect others’ to fix it for them, yet they sit in ignorance and denial that they are the reason for their life not being what they want.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL of your life, your emotions, your boundaries, what you will allow, what you will accept and of what you want!

Repeat that until you believe it.

Sometimes it’s just easier to blame someone else. None of us want to admit that we caused our problems or emotions that are hurtful, but the truth is, we did.

Most of us don’t understand that we have 100% control of our life, of our mind, of our heart. It’s almost scary to think that we can change our life and our thinking to attain our goals, to fulfill our dreams, but we can! And we shouldn’t be scared. We should feel grateful for the gift of choice, the gift of free will, the give of control!

Take control today; don’t look at the world as the place that owes you what you think you deserve. You owe yourself what you believe you deserve, and you have the power to have it all…it’s all in your hands.

Every new day is a chance to make a choice which is for your Highest Good!

Every new day is a chance to do it better than the day before!

Every new day is a gift just for you.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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First Stop on the “Waking Up Tour 2016” at Barnes and Noble!

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I’m am so excited to announce that Sutton Thomas and I will be making our first public appearance together on Saturday, May 21, from 1-4 pm at the Barnes and Noble located in Monmouth Mall, in Eatontown, NJ!

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“My dream come true!”

I will be speaking about my new book, “Waking Up: Lessons Learned Through My Adventures with Life and Breast Cancer,” and Sutton Thomas will be performing the songs we’ve created together LIVE in the store! Our collaboration of songs that coincide with the book will be released in early summer of 2016.

Sutton Thomas and I believe that this is an incredible opportunity for us to go out in the world with stories and music to make a difference in someone’s life: to soothe a soul, heal a heart, bring new perspective to someone who may need it, and to let everyone know that they’re not alone on this journey of life.

It’s time to make a difference, and we can make that difference TOGETHER! Your support makes a difference and will help our success in getting our messages of hope, faith, love and inspiration out into the world!

Please share our event out and more importantly, stop by Barnes and Noble to meet Sutton Thomas and me! We can promise you it will be an afternoon to remember, one filled love, laughter and incredible music!

We will be forever grateful to you for your support! Let the “Waking Up Tour of 2016” begin! It’s time to make a difference!

“Let’s all make a difference together!”

With love and gratitude,

~Anne Dennish & Sutton Thomas~

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