blessings

“My New Year’s Revelations”

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The definition of a revelation is “a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way.”

I write about the “New Year’s Revelations” every year and as 2020 is about to end I’m thinking of all that I’ve been through and all that I’ve learned. I’d like to share that with you.

My year began with the launch of my book, “Each Breath Along The Journey,” which brought some amazing opportunities for me: a chance to teach a writer’s workshop in Italy, to write for a local magazine and conduct a weekly workshop. The pandemic hit and every chance I had was suddenly gone. 

The pandemic kept me confined to the house and my daily routine was disrupted with everyone else home. I began cooking AND eating three meals a day, and not all the healthiest of choices. 

I found myself going back to a job I had left six years ago to work full-time. Suddenly I was out and everyone else was home. 

My five year relationship was falling apart and by July it had all changed.

I moved from the house I had been in for 10 years to a 9 month winter rental near the beach.

We’ve all gone through some tough times this year but as I always say “change is a chance to grow.” Some of those changes may be difficult but I always believe everything happens for a reason.

My revelations of 2020 are:

“Resilience.”Disappointment happens and things don’t always go as planned but those disappointments are a chance to do something else with what you’ve got. Sometimes those disappointments turn into your greatest comeback!

 “Gratitude.” I learned to embrace the time that the pandemic had forced me to have home with those closest to me. It slowed me down and gave me a greater appreciation for my life and all the things I had taken for granted. 

“Health.” Three meals a day equals weight gain so I decided to change all that by joining a program that not only helped me to lose the weight and inches, it’s helped me to sleep better and have more energy. My  mind is clear and more focused than ever. 

“Blessing.” The job proved to be a good thing for me both mentally and financially.

“Forgiveness.” We were both feeling hurt from all that had happened in our relationship and it forced us to take a good look at ourselves and each other.  It’s one day at a time and we continue to work at it.

“Healing.” The move to the beach house proved to be the best place I could have landed at that time in my life. I needed to heal and find my balance again.

And that’s how I’m letting go and saying good-bye to 2020, with my revelations of “resilience, gratitude, blessings, forgiveness and healing.” It’s a good start for 2021 and I’ll be taking those revelations and more into the new year with me.

Happy New Year, my loves.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“What If Christmas, Perhaps, Means A Little Bit More?”

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The holidays are different this year with no large gatherings of family and friends, but that doesn’t mean the “different” can’t be good. It may not be the same but we certainly have a choice to make it special. 

After all, doesn’t Christmas mean a little bit more?

Life is what you make it and your holidays are what you make it as well. You may not be cooking a large traditional dinner or having to set a table for 12, yet you can choose to make it special. Cook a smaller “non-traditional” dinner and eat it off your best china. Settle in on the couch for  a day of binge watching all your favorite Christmas shows. Pour a cup of hot chocolate and FaceTime or Zoom your loved ones that can’t be with you. 

It’s different but let’s call it a “different kind of special!” It’s a different kind of holiday and one I’m sure we’ll have some stories to share next year when we’re cooking the big, traditional dinner and setting a table for 12 or more.

“Maybe Christmas,” the Grinch thought, “doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” Dr. Seuss

Surely if the Grinch can change his perspective so can you!

It may be different this year, but you can still make it special.

You got this.

And you’re doing just fine!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“You Got This”

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Yesterday I was blessed to see both the sunrise and sunset. Both were absolutely breathtaking. 

And it made me think to myself, “This truly is a wonderful life.”

Each day I wake up I say “thank you” because I have been gifted another day, another chance to live it better than the day before, and another opportunity to stop and smell the roses.

And I realized this: “I got this.”

And so do you.

You’re amazing and I’m grateful for all of you.

Live each day to its’ fullest and know that “you got this!”

And you’re doing just fine.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“These Three Things”

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I think life is better when you have a smile on your face and gratitude in your heart. Life can hand us some difficult situations to have to get through and it can also hand us some of the most beautiful and amazing experiences. I’ve gone through my share of difficult times and if there’s a few things I’ve learned, it’s this: you need to smile through it, find a sense of humor during it, and have an attitude of gratitude through, during and after it. 

A smile has an impact, a sense of humor lifts the spirit, and an attitude of gratitude is powerful. 

The world is a bit crazy right now yet despite that we can choose to wake up every morning with gratitude and spend our days counting our blessings. 

Don’t allow all the craziness in the world right now make you lose sight of this beautiful life that you have. There is nothing worth anything that can take that away, unless you allow it to. Please don’t do that.

Life is a gift and each day you wake up is a reason to smile and be grateful. And no matter what the day brings, if you can smile through it, laugh during it and be grateful for it all then you’ve found the key to living your best life. 

And isn’t that what we all want?

I’m grateful for many things in my life and I’m grateful for all of you who love and support my page and take the time out of your busy lives to share your thoughts with me. You all have made a positive impact on my life.

Thank you. You are all truly amazing human beings.

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“A Different Thanksgiving”

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Last year at this time I was getting ready to cook yet another Thanksgiving dinner, thinking of which chairs would be empty that year. 

And again this year, I miss my children that are scattered around the country who aren’t able to fly home for dinner because of their jobs or college classes, except this year they can’t because of a virus, of loss of jobs, or crazy college class schedules. I’m missing them yet again for the holiday, but realizing that even if they could come home right now, they can’t. 

My parents have come to my house for every holiday dinner. This year my mom was recently in the hospital and while she can still drive a few minutes up the street with my dad to have dinner, they can’t. She can’t put herself at risk of getting the virus.

It seems that we’re all spending a lot of our time complaining about this virus and how it’s affecting our holidays, but why? It’s such a negative mindset. I’m missing my family as much as you’re missing yours and I don’t want to put anyone at risk. 

Enough of what I don’t want to do. 

I’m going to focus my energy on what I can and will do. 

I will be missing my children being home, but I can video chat with them.

I will be missing the tradition of going around the table as each of us told our most embarrassing moments of the year, but we can share those stories by phone.

I will be cooking a turkey and all the trimmings, just as I do each year. My parents can’t be at the table with me, but I’m going to bring the table to them by delivering them a Thanksgiving dinner.

The tradition has changed a bit, but all that I’m grateful for hasn’t. It’s still Thanksgiving to me no matter what. The memories of past holiday dinners will always be in your heart and new memories of a “2020 crazy corona Thanksgiving” will be made. Life is a mindset and you have a choice to make the best of each and every situation you find yourselves in.

Find yourselves in gratitude. Find yourselves covered in blessings. Find yourselves together even though you’re apart this Thanksgiving.

Happy Almost Thanksgiving.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“When Tensions Run High”

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When one person lives alone during a quarantine, they can get lonely.

When one person lives with a few other people during a quarantine, they can get frustrated.

We’re living in uncertain times right now and I know that social distancing and staying at home can get to some people because I know it gets to me every now and again, especially living with three other people.

Patience is definitely a virtue and one that is tested, sometimes on a daily basis, when you’re living with other people, but that doesn’t mean that it will turn into a battle…unless you let it.

I’m used to being alone most of the day so having three other people in the house with me 24/7 has definitely disrupted my routine and there are moments I want the television turned off and the computers turned down. My patience is tested when one has a problem with another, or one stays up all night when the rest are trying to sleep, or when one always has the volume on high while others are reading or resting.

So, what do I do?

I remind myself that this is a gift. It’s a gift of “time” to spend with the ones I love, time to relax with them, laugh with them, and talk with them. I remind myself that I’m blessed to be here with them and am reminded to reach out to friends and family that are home alone.

I remind myself that “flaws are flavorful” and that none of us are perfect. 

I remind myself that lack of sleep will test even the most patient person and that having a roof over my head, food on the table and a bed to sleep in each night will definitely put things into perspective.

And I remind myself that when tensions are running high and patience wears thin, I can go outside alone to sit under the stars or in the warmth of the sun. I can find a quiet spot in my home to sit by myself and find my balance again or I can put on my headphones and listen to music.

I remind myself that what is going on outside of my front door and in this world right now is far more important than the tensions that my flare up now and again or the patience that wears thin. We can change those things.

And the only way we’re going to change the outcome of this virus is by staying home.

I know it’s hard sometimes but it’s important to remind yourself that “you’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home.”

And if you’re lucky, you’re safe at home with the people you love.

Stay calm. Stay safe. Stay home.

Love the ones you’re with and reach out to the ones that are alone.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Find The Time To Make The Time”

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Isn’t funny how we can “find the time” to “make the time” for a hair appointment or visit to the spa, a trip to the store or a night of mindless television, yet we can’t seem to find the time for the most important things in life that truly matter: the moments we share with the people we love and the moments we need just for us, the kind that soothes our souls.

We say that we have to “find the time,” yet the reality is that we have to “find the time” to “make the time.”

Make the time to take care of yourself.

Make the time to stop what you’re doing and listen to someone who needs to be heard.

Make the time to stop and see the beauty around you.

Make the time to tell someone you love them and how important they are to you.

Make the time to enjoy the holidays, not just prepare for them.

Make the time to still your mind and listen to your intuition.

Make the time to make memories, not just money.

Make the time to let your heart take a picture of those “be still my heart” moments.

Make the time to count your blessings.

And make the time to be grateful for all of them.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Put It Down And Shut It Off”

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put down the phone 1

In this day and age most everyone has a cell phone, a social media page, and a computer. Let’s face it, it’s the way the world is today. We search, we follow, we like, we comment…it’s all part of the technology we live in. In fact, most of us are lost without it.

And yes, I have a cell phone, social media pages and a laptop…my career revolves around them, yet I know the appropriate times to use them all and when it’s time to turn them off.

And the time to turn them off is when I’m having human interaction, when the ones I love are with me. I know my time with the people I love is precious and not promised. I guess you could say that the time of social media, the internet and cell phones ARE promised…as long as you pay the bill!

Yet our lives are not promised. We all know how precious a human life is and it frustrates me beyond belief that some people don’t get that. Well, they say they get that until they’re on the phone.

I feel unimportant when someone, be it my significant other, family, child or friend is in my presence and on the phone checking social media. It’s one thing if it’s work but it’s another when it’s pleasure. I feel hurt at thinking that I’m not as important to them as their social media, phone or computer. Let’s face it, we can check our social media anytime we want…posts and comments are there forever. I’m not. No one is.

Most people don’t even realize how long they’re looking at their social media because they go into this “hyper-focus” mode. They lose track of time and more importantly, they lose sight of the person sitting with them. They forget what’s important to them, then again, maybe the “likes, comments and views” of others on social media are more important to them than the “likes, comments or views” of the person that they’re with.

My belief is that if you can sit on your phone, internet or social media that long while I’m there, well, you’ve let me know what’s more important…and it’s not me.

And please remember this: that time you spend on social media, the phone or the computer while the ones you love are with you is time that you can’t get back. Would you rather spend 15 minutes on the internet or 15 minutes with someone important to you?

Life is short, the internet is long…you decide what and who is more important.

Think about that.

Put down the cell phone and turn off the electronics when you’re with the people you love.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Let Life Love You”

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love your life

This morning I woke up to blue skies and bright sunshine, which is a day far and few between here at the Jersey lately!

I grabbed my coffee and headed outside to take it all in. It’s in those quiet moments that I think to myself how much I love my life and how many blessings I truly have to count.

And I remembered that the more I love my life, the more it loves me back!

Love your life, my friends, and let it love you back.

It’s filled with endless possibilities, miracles and all the love you can imagine!

Try it.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“February – My Month of Love and Milestones”

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february my montFebruary has become one of the most important months for me; it’s one I look forward to more and more as each year passes. The reason for my excitement about February is because so many incredible things happened in my life. They were truly life changing events; moments of dreams coming true; and signs of hope, faith and love.

It was on February 15th of 2015 that I met my love, Rob. We were two people who had new hope24been broken by prior relationships and had given up on love and dating. Yet it was through one long phone call that we got to know each other and the first date happened a week later on February 15th. We were nervous and unsure of whether we wanted to risk the heartbreak of another failed relationship, yet by the third date we had fallen in love. In just two weeks we’ll be locked away in an “undisclosed location” to celebrate our three year anniversary. No phones, no computers, and no work!

4 year survivorIt was on February 21st of 2014 that I underwent surgery for a lumpectomy. It was the last piece of my journey with breast cancer. It was on that date that I become cancer free and a survivor! It’s a day you hate to remember yet one that you want to celebrate year after year. Breast cancer was quite the journey for me; one that taught me so much about my life and myself. It helped me find my voice, stand in my truth, and to surround myself with only positive people. This year I will be celebrating my 4 year anniversary date! Each year is such a gift; each day is another blessing.

It was on February 23rd of 2016 that my last book, “Waking Up: Lessons Learned Throughsend to dad 1 My Adventures With Life and Breast Cancer” was published. It was a dream come true; one that became more than a book when I teamed up with a musician who wrote the music, sang, and recorded my song lyrics to the book. We did several public appearances together and used them as an opportunity to help others by making them a fundraiser. It’s another anniversary to celebrate, and a wonderful 2 year one at that!

promo picsAnd here’s the new and exciting news for this beautiful month of February, and strangely enough, an amazing coincidence: my newest book, “My Collective Soul: Things I Know Without Knowing Why” will be publicly released on February 23rd of 2018…just two years to the day that the last book was published! Yet I don’t believe in coincidences; I believe that everything happens for a reason and the Universe must have planned it this way.

And I’m so glad it did.

I am so incredibly grateful for this beautiful month of love and milestones.

I’m waiting to see what other endless possibilities the Universe has planned for me this month.

I have faith that it will be something amazing.

And I can’t wait to see what it is.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

gratitude for my life