“The Good Old Days…”

I love when the “memories” pop up on my social media. Some are sweet, some bittersweet, yet when I see them I take a moment to remember them and then I move back into the present. I’ll be honest, it bugs me to see other people post their memories with “those were the good ‘ol days.”

Okay, I get that line but there are people that believe their past was truly “the good old days,” and I wonder why they don’t see that the life they have “now” as the good days as well.  

I have a past and I have memories just like everyone else, but I wouldn’t trade them for the life I have now and the memories I’m making in my life today.

Let me ask you this: “If the “good old days” were so good then why aren’t you still living in them?”

There are so many people that live in the past and I feel a sadness for them because they’re missing everything good in their present, and that hurts the people that ARE in their present life. 

We tend to remember our past as this amazing time of our lives, but I would tell you that if you’re really going to think that that was the best time of your life, you should also try to remember what wasn’t so good about them. 

And if you really believe that your past was “the good old days,” then you should go back to them or at least ask yourself why you aren’t living them anymore.

Life begins with your first breath and ends with your last, but it’s all those “breaths” in between that really count. Embrace “each breath along the journey” with each new day that you are gifted to live in. 

Don’t live so far in your past that you lose sight of all the good in your present. 

Make each day count.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Oh, The Places Being A Writer Can Take You!”

Do you know what I’m looking forward to the most in the women’s workshop I’ll be teaching in Italy this summer? It’s sharing my experience as a published author with other writers. I’m looking forward to sharing all that I’ve learned throughout my years of writing and publishing books: “the ups and downs, the ins and outs, and the do’s and don’ts. 

Yet being a writer is so much more. A writer takes a dream and makes it come true, and sometimes the dream of being a “writer” turns into so much more. It can take you places that you had never dreamed of  and present you with opportunities that you never knew had existed.

I’ve been writing all of my life but my first real “writing” job was as a journalist for our local racetrack, Wall Stadium Speedway. I had my own column and interviewed drivers, pit crews, safety teams and fans. It was a dream to be at the track that I grew up attending, yet here’s where the “dream I never thought of” happened. I was asked to race a factory stock car in the woman’s “powder puff” race the week before I began chemo for breast cancer. Driving on that track was a place I had never dreamed of being, yet it all came from my writing.

When I published, “Waking Up,” I had written song lyrics for the title and found a local musician to record it. You would think one song was enough, yet before I knew it I had written lyrics to 14 of the stories in the book, recorded them with the musician, and together we produced a CD. It was another place that my dream of writing took me to and it didn’t stop there: I was filmed in a music video for the song “Waking Up.” Yet, the dream kept growing. I’d find myself on the front page of our local newspaper, being interviewed on a well known radio station, doing photo shoots and performing in public as the musician and writer team called “Collaboration of Hope.” The dream continued when I sang back-up in the song I wrote about myself called “The Dreamer.” 

But wait, the perks of being a writer continued with my own internet radio talk show called “Living Your Best Life With Anne Dennish.” I’ve always loved radio but this was yet another dream that came about because of my being a writer. 

And during the book launch of my newest book, “Each Breath Along The Journey” another dream I hadn’t even imagined happened again: I was asked to conduct a women’s writers workshop in Italy.

And so the dreams that are founded on being a writer continue. 

Now you know why the women’s writers workshop this summer is so important to me. I want to be able to share my experiences of being a published author with other writers but even more importantly, I want to share my experiences of one dream turning into another, and another, and another.

Meet me in Italy this August and join my workshop. You will leave with inspiration and motivation to keep writing and to keep your eyes open to all the endless possibilities that being a writer has to offer. 

Writers turn into published authors and dreams turn into reality.

Let’s explore all of it in Italy this summer.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

 

Here’s To The “Underdogs!”

I heard the song “Underdog” by Alicia Keys today and it made me think about all the “Underdogs” in this world. They’re the ones that stop to talk to someone in need, that make the time to listen to their story, to help them without wanting anything in return.

They are the  “Underdogs” who continually pursue their dreams, no matter what anyone says. They’re the ones who believe in themselves and know that in time their dreams will manifest into their reality. They’re the ones that never give up.

They are the “Underdogs” who are determined to survive each and every difficult situation that they are handed in life. They’re the ones who strive to keep a positive outlook through the dark times and keep an open heart and mind to be grateful for the days of light.

“This goes out to the Underdog

Keep on keeping at what you love

You’ll find that someday soon enough

You will rise up, rise up,…”  Alicia Keys

Here’s to you, here’s to me, here’s to all of us “Underdogs.”

Keep on doing what you love.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“My Strength Is Their Weakness”

“My strength is their weakness, my weakness their strength.”

I wrote that quote many, many years ago and it still rings true today. I learned the hard way that when I was vulnerable to the wrong person they took it as a sign of weakness and used it against me to inflate their ego even more.

Once I realized that being vulnerable with the wrong person would not serve me well, I made a decision to stay strong and save my vulnerability for the right person. When I stood my ground they lost theirs. My strength became their weakness.

Remember that when you’re feeling broken from being vulnerable to someone. It’s not a sign of weakness to be vulnerable, it’s actually a sign of strength. Unfortunately, there are certain people that will take advantage of that and use it against you.

You know what?

They’re not your people.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Women’s Writers Retreat & Workshop” in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, August 7th – 15th

Are you a writer that wants to become a published author?

Do you want to know the ups and downs of using a publisher vs. self-publishing?

Do you need help in finishing your manuscript?

Do you lack the confidence to get your work published?

Well, look no further. I’ll be teaching a writer’s workshop in Italy this August and want to personally invite you to sign up and attend. I’ll be answering all these questions and much more during the week you spend with me in beautiful Emilia Romagna, Italy.

It’s a writer’s workshop and retreat, and as a writer you know just how important it is to write in a space that gets your creative juices flowing and this is just that place. Join fellow writers and me this August for a week of writing, relaxation and one of having all your questions answered as to how to get from writer to published author.

Join me in Italy this August and let’s get you from “writer to published author!”

Space is limited so sign up today!

All the information you need is in the link below. 

Ciao!

~Anne Dennish~

Summer Writers Workshop in Italy

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Choose “Love!”

Sometimes I have a day where I look out into the world and am saddened by what I see and hear. I know there’s so much good out there in this big world of ours, yet there are days that it seems to be overshadowed by the negative stuff. Today, as I count my blessings and am grateful for them all, I’m feeling a hurt in my heart at some of the things I’m seeing and of how it’s all making me feel.

I’m saddened by fathers or mothers that don’t pay their child support to help these babies that they brought into this world. Our children deserve the best that we can give them.

I’m saddened by a world divided by politics.

I’m saddened by children who don’t talk to their parents, who forget that their parents did the best that they could do for them, yet choose to focus only on what didn’t work out their way.

I’m saddened by people that abuse the ones they say that they love, whether it’s their children, friends, parents or significant others. Abuse of any kind breaks a heart and has a profound effect on the life of the one abused.

I’m saddened by a world that has forgotten the simplest of things: kindness, compassion, love and understanding.

I’m saddened by a world that is selfish and has forgotten the beauty of helping someone in need.

So many sad things surround us and I’ll admit that today is a day I’m feeling the effects of all those negative things, yet…

Love is simple.

Love is just love. It’s unconditional, non-judgemental and forgiving.

Love can change the life of another.

Love can change your perspective.

Love, my friends, can change the world.

Choose love.

And hopefully, one day, if we all choose love there will be no more sadness in the world.

And wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Think about it.

It’s a good thing. 

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Thank Goodness For Party Crashers!”

Yesterday was a day to fill a martini glass with tears, and I did. The day began as badly asmartini glass 1 it ended, and it turned into a day filled with nothing but “one thing after another” in between. And do you know what kind of day that becomes? A “pity party.” 

Sometimes we’re the ones who are responsible for the “pity party,” and oftentimes, it’s someone else who takes us to a party that we didn’t want to go to in the first place.

I don’t like days like that but I’ve learned that we all need to have them every so often. They teach us a truth about someone or something, they make us look inward at ourselves to see what part we played in the party, and they happen to remind us to be grateful for all the other days that are good. 

Sometimes all you need to get you out of the party is a couple of party crashers. They’re party crashersthe ones that will come in, make you laugh, and take you home. I’m thankful for my two youngest who crashed my party yesterday, made me laugh, and took me home.

My “pity party “ of yesterday is over and hopefully there’s not another invitation for one coming to me anytime soon.

And I hope that there aren’t any coming for you.

Just remember that if you do go, be sure to leave the door open for the “party crashers” to come in and take you home.

It’s a good thing. 

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“The Gratitude List”

Everyday is a day to be grateful and today I wanted to share my gratitude list with you.

  • I’m grateful that I woke up to another day to live my best life.sunday
  • I’m grateful for the beautiful early morning sky in Virginia.
  • I’m grateful that with each day my sister is healing more and more from her surgery.
  • I’m grateful for my first cup of coffee with a different view.
  • I’m grateful that the ice is gone and the temperature is much warmer.
  • I’m grateful that my sister and I hung out on the couches last night watching movies.
  • I’m grateful for doors that have opened up for me.
  • I’m grateful for my loved ones back home and for all of you who support me.

It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing. What matters is that there is always something to be grateful for. Life is what you make it, so make it amazing and be grateful for each day you have. 

What are you grateful for today? Let me know!

And be grateful for “each breath along the journey.”

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“New Year, New You” Event at Brielle Public Library

I’m so grateful to Brielle Public Library for hosting my “New Year, New You” event this past Saturday and to all the people who attended. The afternoon was one of family, friends, and strangers that became friends by the end of the event. I read excerpts from brielle library 14my new book, “Each Breath Along The Journey” and answered questions. It was an afternoon of motivation and inspiration for all of us.

I think I’m most grateful for this group of people that opened up and shared their own stories with everyone. The event was one I had hoped for: an interactive, up close and personal discussion to help inspire and motivate those that attended. I was most humbled by all the positive comments I received from all who attended and it was confirmation to me that this is what I’m meant to be doing on this journey of my life.

It was my goal to inspire this group of people, yet what they need to know is that they inspired and motivated me to keep writing and speaking to those who need someone to understand and listen, to make them feel less alone, and for those who just need a voice to spread positive vibes their way.brielle library 13

Thank you to all of those who attended “New Year, New You” this weekend. I am forever grateful that you took the time to spend the afternoon with me. It was a beautiful thing for me to watch as so many of you connected with one another.

I believe that this is the year of like-minded people coming together with kindness and support for each other. Imagine what we can do “together!”

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

 

“Chemo and Racing…The Game Changer”

I was a journalist for years at our local racetrack, Wall Stadium Speedway. I had my own column called “The Need For Speed,” in which I interviewed the drivers. It was an exciting time to be “behind the scenes” of the track that I grew up listening to and going to every Saturday night!

This picture came up on my memories and I wanted to share it with you. I was asked to drive a car in the women’s race called “The Powder Puff!” Of course I said yes, and once I had the driving experience I understood the passion behind the drivers I interviewed even more.

I was scheduled to start chemo a week after this picture was taken and on that night I remember telling my friends that I believed that racing scared me more! 

Yet I did it and the fear turned to excitement, and after that race I felt as though I could get through anything…and I got through cancer. 

Sometimes life hands us an adventure or opportunity that we never thought we’d have, and it’s those moments that can change our outlook on things forever.

I took that racing experience with me right through chemo and knew that in time I’d cross that finish line as a survivor.

And I did.

And it was a very good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

wall stadium