#gratitude

“Writing Your Own Permission Slip”

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Sometimes you have to write yourself a “permission slip.” Remember those back in grade school? They were the ones your parents wrote for your teacher or school telling them that you had permission to leave early, or permission to attend a class trip. It seems so long ago yet as adults I think we need to write one to ourselves.

I’m home by myself this week. Eight days and seven nights of “alone” time and it’s been good for me. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel and my oldest and daughter-in-law came for a visit, so this time was much needed and well deserved.

And during this time, I realized something sacred: “I can.”

I can say no to what drains me.

I can say yes to what lights me up.

I can order takeout without guilt.

I can write when I feel called to.

I can nap if I need to.

I can breathe deeply.

I can be gentle with myself.

I can say: “This is my time.”

This is the freedom that we often forget that we’re allowed to take. Balance isn’t about doing it all, it’s about knowing when to shift, when to rest and when to rise.

Write yourself a permission slip. Remember that this is your time. Live a life of “I can!”

And enjoy every moment of it.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Finding Gratitude in the Mess”

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Gratitude isn’t just for the good days. It’s for the messy ones. It’s for the mornings when the coffee spills, the text you hoped for doesn’t come, or when your heart feels heavier than you had wanted it to.

It’s for the days when all you can say is, “At least I’m still here.”

Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is whisper “thank you” in the middle of the storm.

Find one thing today, one tiny thing, and hold onto it like a lifeline.

The light is still there – and you’re still here.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Today Marks 11 Years!”

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This morning I woke up a little differently than yesterday. Today I woke up as an 11 year breast cancer survivor. 

Today I woke up with more gratitude than usual, a gratitude filled with more happiness and smiles, love and laughter. Today I count another year of blessings as a survivor.

Today is a day I pray that I continue to celebrate every year.

Today I remember the journey of my breast cancer and the faith that I had to get through it. 

Today I remember the people who helped me through my journey. Their love and support is something I will be eternally grateful for and they know who they are! 

And today my thoughts and prayers are with those going through their own journey with breast cancer. 

Gratitude is definitely in the house more than usual today. 

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Getting My Groove Back”

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I’m happy to say that I’ve been back in full swing writing the sequel to my last book, “The Mind of a Heart.” My apologies to those of you who have been waiting to see what happens next to the main character of that book. I had hoped to have it done sooner but it’s been a bit more difficult getting back to writing while living in Florida. I’ve been trying to “get my groove back” and it feels as though I finally have. I’ve written over 60 pages and 10 chapters in the last few days. My deadline is my birthday, March 15th, to have the book finished, edited and sent to the publisher. 

It’s funny what motivates us to get back into doing the things that we love to do. So often we’re doing so much for everyone else and making them a priority that we forget to focus on ourselves. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last month or so is that no one is going to make me a priority if I don’t make myself one. 

Life can be strange sometimes but I’m beyond happy that I’m writing again and am finally finishing my next book because it means so much to me. 

Do something that makes you happy and make yourself a priority. 

Everything begins with YOU!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“When Doves Fly”

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I’m always amazed when life offers you a “you don’t see that too often” moment! I had such a moment this morning. The windows are all open and I decided to finish my book while having my morning coffee. I heard a car stop right in front of my porch and three men hopped out with a crate. One of the neighbors was walking by and I heard them say to her: “Do you want to watch us release our homing pigeons? We’re really excited!” Of course, she said “yes” and I immediately put my book down and went out onto my front porch.

They gently opened the crate door and two beautiful white pigeons, also known as “release doves,” flew out. I watched them fly far away and within minutes turned back. It seems that one was completely trained and is teaching the other one to return home. They lived a few miles from here and were going back home to where they would return.

This was truly one of those “you don’t see that too often” moments in my life because I have never seen that before. 

It was such a beautiful sight to see, and I read that two doves flying together represent peace, harmony, companionship, support, hope and love. What a beautiful meaning!

Happy Sunday and I hope you have a “you don’t see that too often” moment in your life.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“If You Can’t Be Kind, Please Be Quiet!”

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My desk is in front of two large windows in my house, giving me a wonderful view of the neighborhood. This morning as I sat here writing with my windows down enjoying the cooler weather, I saw a neighbor from down the street come walking towards another neighbor walking their dog. Their exchange was right in front of my windows. 

The neighbor down the street walks up to the woman walking her sweet Bichon and hands her something that she dropped in her yard. The woman, who recently moved in here, thanks her with a smile.

I thought that this was a nice encounter between two neighbors, but it wasn’t. The woman begins to lecture her in a very nasty tone, telling her never to walk through her yard again and that it’s against the rules. The woman apologizes yet the other one keeps going at her. 

This is a person that lives a few houses away that has a negative and nasty attitude towards her neighbors, including me, and for no apparent reason.

Why do people have to be mean and unkind? 

I feel incredible sadness when people are not kind, whether it’s to me or to someone else. I truly don’t understand why anyone would choose to be cruel to another human being but they do. 

I will never understand how someone can find pleasure in intentionally hurting another. I know that there are plenty of reasons WHY they’re like that, but they have a choice NOT to be like that. Life has handed me some painful and hurtful situations but I never let them turn me into a mean person. I don’t care what has happened to me in my life, I would never intentionally hurt someone else. I know how it feels and it’s extremely painful to be abused, be it emotionally, mentally or physically.

Be kind as often as you can. 

And to my neighbor down the street: “If you can’t be kind, please be quiet.”

And that goes for anyone else who is unkind to others.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“The Life List”

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Do you make a list of things you need to do? I do and I don’t have just one! I have the shopping list, the list of bills that need to be paid, a list of doctor appointments that need to be made and so on, and so forth. I must go through all the lists I’ve made at least once a month to check off what I’ve done and what still needs to be done. 

But what about this? What about making a list of things you need to do each day just for YOU? Why not make a list of “reminders” of important thoughts and actions you need to live your best life?

Here’s a “life list” I started making for myself for this new year of 2025:

The moment my eyes open in the morning, and before I get out of  bed, I stretch and say a prayer of gratitude for another day to do things better than the day before.

Each morning that I have my first cup of coffee (or tea) I sit and meditate for the day. I keep my thoughts positive and remind myself that I am worthy of all good things.

I want to devote time each day to reading a book with a cup of tea and relaxing.

When my thoughts start racing into a negative direction I will stop and take some deep breaths and refocus my attention on something positive. (This is an important one while dealing with PTSD)

And each day I want to embrace the gift of another day to laugh, to dance, to hug another and to count my blessings.

The list can go on and on but you understand what I mean. We tend to get so caught up in life that we forget to enjoy it and it’s time that we change that! 

Be grateful for the gift of a new day.

Make yourself a “life list” just for YOU! 

What’s on your list?

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“A New Year’s Eve Poem”

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I wrote this poem a few years ago and you can find it published in my book, “Each Breath Along the Journey.” My apologies for not posting it on New Year’s Eve but the message still holds true even after.

My wish is that 2025 holds magic and adventure for all of you, that the lessons your learned from last year hold true in this year and that all your wishes come to fruition.

Happy New Year! Happy 2025!

And thank you for your love, support, and for sharing your life with me. I am forever grateful!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“New Year’s Revelations 2025!”

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(Here’s an excerpt from my book, “Each Breath Along the Journey)
Every year I notice that as the New Year approaches, people start talking about their “resolutions.” There are things they want to do and things they want to change in their life, so they make a list of “resolutions.”
I threw that concept out years ago because to me, resolutions were nothing more than making promises to myself that I couldn’t keep. They were goals for sure, but seriously, how many of us actually stick to those resolutions? I always tried, failed at some, then beat myself up for not doing what I had wanted.
So, years ago I realized that the only way for my life to change was by learning the lessons that life had handed me, by learning from my mistakes, learning from my experiences, and so I decided to have my “New Year’s Revelations!”
I ask myself some important questions throughout the month of December: What opened my eyes this past year? What did I learn about myself? What type of people are in my tribe? Am I taking care of myself and loving myself enough or giving too much of myself away? And what do I need to let go of that has no place in the New Year coming up and in my life?
These are the questions to ask yourself and answer honestly. You see, when you have those “revelations” about yourself and the year that’s about to come to an end, you take those lessons and truths with you. You begin the New Year with a better understanding of yourself, your life, your situations and the people in it. When you do that, the New Year will bring all that you want it to: love, happiness, joy, adventure, new beginnings, and new opportunities. The possibilities are endless.
Don’t put added stress on yourself by making “resolutions.”
Take the time to think about your “revelations” and begin the New Year in a positive light. All things are possible if you just believe in yourself!
It’s a good thing.
Wishing you love and light,
~Anne Dennish~


“Happy Faces”

/ Anne Dennish / 2 Comments

Do you know what that picture below represents? It’s the face of a happy person. It’s the face of someone who received or was treated with kindness from another, maybe even a stranger. Can you imagine what the world would look like if we lived in a sea of smiles? I think that it would be absolutely beautiful.

Who wants to join me in making a commitment to spread kindness wherever we go? Who wants to join me in trying to share an act of kindness with someone every day?Who wants to join me in putting in the effort to make this world a better place?

If you’re in, type “yes” below or share a comment.  

All of you that follow me are amazing and I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without your love and support and I am so grateful for each and every one of you.

And today I offer my kindness to all of you by telling you just that, because it’s the truth.

Here’s to happy faces and happy people made possible by all of us that want to make this world a better place. 

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~