Gratitude

“Where You Belong”

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

~Anne Dennish~

I wrote this quote at what seems like a lifetime ago, but I’m glad I was reminded of it because it’s true and so fitting of my life right now.

I can honestly say that I’m not where I dreamed I’d be, but rest assured, I’m in the place that I belong.

I’m in the place I need to be to take care of my parents, the place to learn patience in adapting to a new area to live in, a place to learn more about myself and the many changes I’m going through, and a place to write my books in.

I’m where I belong and I’m making the best of it. 

I believe that our lives are a series of “unexpected turns,” and it’s up to us to step up and be equal to the challenge.

I do believe that we’ll all end up where we dream to be, we just need to learn the lessons that life is teaching us and change our perspective on where we are at this moment.

We all end up where we belong…

And I believe that in time we’ll all end up where we dreamed.

Be grateful to be in the place that you belong.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“The Mind of a Heart” Is Traveling!

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“The Mind of a Heart” has certainly been traveling and I’m so happy to those of you who have sent me pictures of you reading the book! It warms my heart to see my novel in the hands of so many different people and I can’t thank you all enough for your beautiful reviews. I loved writing this novel and it makes me so happy to see that so many of you loved it.

If you have a copy of “The Mind of a Heart,” snap a picture and send it to me. I’d love to share it with those that follow me.

I’m grateful to each and everyone of you who took the time to buy my book, who sent me your pictures and who have given me your feedback.

You are amazing!

These pictures were taken on the East Coast of Florida, the West Coast of Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware and New York State! Let’s see how far it travels! Let’s keep those pictures coming!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish

Dealing With “The Stuff!”

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Let’s talk about “the stuff.” You know what I mean, the stuff that haunts your dreams and keeps you up at night. The “stuff” that makes you think “I shouldn’t have done that, I should have done things differently and I wish I could go back in time.”

That’s the stuff I’m talking about. It’s the stuff that we have to let go of because we can’t fix it, we can’t change it and we can’t take it back. It’s that kind of “stuff.”

We’re human. We make mistakes even when we’re trying to do it right. We make the wrong choices even though we thought that they were right. And we make decisions that we think are right for everyone concerned that turn out not to be.

I go to bed some nights with “the stuff.” And I don’t like it, not one bit. But I know it’s the “stuff” that got me here, that taught me to do things differently and taught me to forgive myself.

Tonight when you go to sleep, let go of the “stuff.” The “stuff” is old, it’s in the past and it can’t be changed or undone.

Go to sleep tonight with gratitude that you’re still here to deal with the “stuff,” gratitude to forgive it, and gratitude for life giving you the ability to learn from it and not make the same mistake twice.

We all have “stuff.” 

Tonight let’s put that “stuff” to rest and love ourselves for all that we’ve lived through, all that we’ve learned and all the good “stuff” we can put out into the world because of it.

We got this…

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

Love for “The Mind of a Heart!”

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I’m so pleased and grateful to those of you who have read and loved my new novel, “The Mind of a Heart.” The reviews on Amazon and Barnes and Noble are beautiful and I had to share this one that I received today.

Writing is truly my passion and knowing that so many of you have enjoyed this labor of love of mine is confirmation that I’m on the right path.

I’m working diligently on the sequel of this book and looking forward to releasing “One Last Look” in early 2024.

Thank you to those of you who read the book and left a review. Feedback is important to me and I am so happy at what I’m hearing and reading.

Thank you!

Wishing you love and light, 

~Anne Dennish~

“The Magic Carpet Ride!”

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I was speaking to a good friend of mine yesterday and she said that she thought that my life was “a magic carpet ride.” And how right she is! So many amazing things have happened since my novel came out but it’s so much more…

Life is a “magic carpet ride” if we want it to be. So often we think that our lives are just living one day to the next but that’s not true. YOU have a life that is so much more! Each and every one of us has a life worthy of a “magic carpet ride.” Change your perspective on the mundane and look at the amazing. Look at how awesome your life truly is. Find at least one thing each day that is worthy of “a magic carpet ride!”

I don’t believe that any life is mundane or boring, that’s what we tell ourselves. Look deeper, look harder and truly see the magic that every day has to bring to you. Open your heart, open your eyes and open your minds! Look past the daily grind.

See your life as “an amazing carpet ride!” 

Because it is.

And it is because you’re here to live it, see it, and feel it.

Try it! It’s worth the effort and it feels amazing!

Enjoy the ride on “your magic carpet!”

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Your Life Matters”

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It’s a quiet Monday here in Southwest Florida. I’m sitting on my lanai enjoying a balmy, but cool breeze along with a glass of wine. As I sit here I can’t help but think of the last few days and where I am today.

Last week I was doing the final edits on my new novel, “The Mind of a Heart,” then  approving the manuscript and cover. In less than 3 days the process was done and now I wait until it’s ready to be released to the public for purchase.

My heart is full. It’s full of love, gratitude and belief that with hard work a dream can turn into a reality. This novel is truly my baby and today I’m excited that she’s been born and is getting ready to meet the world.

I wrote this novel many years ago and it wasn’t until over a year ago that I decided to rewrite it and bring it to life. Some things take time in life and this book was one of them. It wasn’t meant to be published years ago, it was meant to be published now.

This afternoon I was  in awe of what I accomplished last week and sat staring at this beautiful book that I wrote. “She” waited a long time to come to life and there she is, a life of her own, one that I hope that you’ll love as much as I loved writing it. 

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in my life it’s this: You don’t need to write a novel, have a successful business or make a million dollars. 

Your life is a spectacular gift that you were given, no matter what it hands you or where it takes you.

Your life is important, your life matters and your life makes this world a better place.

And this I know to be true because your life is important to me.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

I Don’t Need Easy, Just “Not So Hard”

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I don’t need easy, I just need “not so hard.”

Have you ever felt that way? I know that I have. I get tired of the obstacles that I have to get around, the hurdles that I have to jump over and the situations that I have to deal with. Life hands us some crazy situations yet I’m not alone on this one. I know that you’ve felt the same way once or twice in your life as well.

Moving to Florida was a difficult transition for me, even though I made the move for the right reasons: to be closer to my parents. It’s been almost 7 months and I still feel as though I’m searching for that feeling of “home.” There are days that I miss my Jersey Shore, the surf, the sand and the ocean. I miss my friends back home and I miss Asbury Park.

But this is where I live now. 

And I’m trying to make it “home.”

Life has been a bit tougher than I thought it would be but I’m plugging away at it, trying to find my balance and trying to get my “groove” back. I’m trying to find my place and where I fit in. It’s a process and I’m willing to do what it takes to get to that “happy place.”

Today I had a day in which I thought to myself “I don’t need easy, I just need not so hard.” And I’m okay with that. It’s just for today, not forever, and for each day that I open my eyes to face another day in my life, I’m grateful

Life has never been easy for me, but that’s what makes me “me.” It’s what made me into the person that I am today, the one trying to make others feel better, to feel less alone, and to try and change this crazy world into a better place.

I can’t thank all of you enough for your support, for following me, and for your beautiful words of encouragement.

We’re all in this together and together we can make a difference.

You’ve got this and I have to believe that I do, too!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Random Moments”

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I love watching people. I love watching their interactions and their expressions. Today at work I saw some pretty awesome stuff.

I saw a couple holding hands over coffee. I saw a couple cracking jokes and laughing with each other. I saw a table of friends talking about their troubles and their good times over breakfast.

You know, it’s moments like these that I smile and think how lucky I am to have witnessed such random, beautiful moments.

The moments are simple, uncomplicated and honest, yet it’s moments like these that I think to myself: “This is what life is all about.”

It’s the day to day routine that can bring the most joy to those involved in it and to those witnessing it.

And today I was blessed to see joy, to see laughter and most of all, to see love.

Keep your eyes open, my loves. You never know what life has to show you.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Four Weeks In Florida”

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It’s been almost four weeks since I moved to Florida and what an adventure it’s been! On day 11 Hurricane Ian hit and as I picked up my parents to evacuate to my brother’s house on the East Coast I couldn’t help but think: “Why am I here?”

I had just moved down here and very little was unpacked. I spent 3 nights at my brother’s house and worried every single moment I was there. Was the house I just moved into going to be in one piece? How long would the power be out? What would this beautiful town look like?

I picked up my parents on Tuesday and I can’t even begin to describe the conditions I drove through for five hours to get us all to safety. I’ve lived through many Jersey Shore storms but this one was different. The tornado warning alert was going off on my phone, walls of water came up over the car and I swear that at one point I felt as though the front of my car had lifted off the road. It was one of the scariest ordeals I had ever been through but happy to say, we got to the East Coast of Florida in one piece.

My brother and sister in law made us feel welcome and it was good to spend time with them. We constantly watched the news and social media for any updates on the area. It looked like complete devastation for many while others suffered minimal damage.

We packed my car on Friday and drove back to see what, if anything, was left of our homes. My parents house suffered only minimal damage and next it was time to drive to the house that I called home for just 11 days.

I pulled onto my street and saw my house: a broken screen, some cosmetic bricks fallen to the ground, and a missing gutter. That was it. I remember walking into the house and literally falling to my knees in gratitude coupled with tears of sheer joy. My house was fine and I knew at that moment that I would be too. 

There are still moments I wonder why I’m here, but they are becoming far and few between. I know I’m here for a reason and with each day that passes, I find another reason why.

Trust, patience and faith.

It’s a winning combination.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~


“Time To Say Good-Bye”

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Tonight is my last night in Delaware and I’m filled with so many mixed emotions. We trekked up to Jersey yesterday to empty our storage unit and came back today to load it with the rest of my things. Tomorrow we leave for the West Coast of Florida. It’s a very bittersweet time for me. Life is about to change and it’s a big one! I’ve lived at the Jersey Shore my entire life and spent this past summer in Delaware. Tomorrow I leave both places behind to begin a new life, a new adventure, in Florida.

I’m exhausted and will certainly keep you posted on my next adventure but for tonight, I’m spending a quiet night silently saying good-bye to all that I’m leaving behind and saying a silent prayer of gratitude for the amazing life I’ve had for all these years at the Jersey Shore and in Delaware.

Tomorrow another chapter begins and tonight this chapter closes.

Here’s to change and all the wondrous things that life has to offer.

I’ll talk to you when I get to Florida.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~