life

“This Bug Has Left The Building!”

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The nasty little bug I’ve had for over a week has finally left the building and for that, I am truly grateful. I am left with the fatigue but that’s just fine by me. 

I found myself getting frustrated while I was sick because I had no energy to do anything except sleep or sit on the couch watching movies. I was home for over a week and kept thinking to myself: “You should be writing, reading or catching up by phone with old friends. You should…you should…you should.” It was driving me crazy until I changed my perspective on this time at home.

My body needed to rest. It needed to BE at rest. My mind wasn’t in any shape to write anything because all my mind kept thinking was “I don’t feel good.” I’m a believer in that the Universe whacks us with a 2×4 when we’re not taking care of ourselves the way that we should, and that’s just what it did to me.

So, I let go of feeling frustrated and began to feel grateful that I could be home to take care of myself, to rest and relax, and to just “be.” My body needed that, especially after the holidays, and my mind needed that as well.

Life is a mindset of perspectives and if we can take an unpleasant situation and find something positive in it, I believe the situation won’t be as unpleasant as we had believed. Your thoughts are powerful and you are in control of them. It can be difficult to stay positive when we’re in the midst of something negative, but it’s worth the effort.

And you can do it.

And so can I.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

#mindset #perspective #covid #life #gratitude #theuniverse #feelingsick #rest #relax #positivethoughts #youcandoit #onthemend

“Another New Year’s Eve”

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How is the second day of the New Year treating everyone? I hope it finds you well. As for me, that nasty little virus found its’ way to my door and I’ve been dealing with it for the last few days. I’m missing all the energy I usually have but this bug decided to make me extremely tired and give me a little fever to fight off every day. No worries, I’m resting, taking it easy and letting it run its course. As all things in life, this too shall pass.

I forgot all about this poem that I wrote that’s published in my book, “Each Breath Along The Journey.” I hope you enjoy it and my wish for you is that this year of 2022 is being kind to you.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“New Year’s Revelations in 2022!”

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“Resolutions are promises you don’t often keep. Revelations are lessons you learn that can change your life.”I learned that the only way for my life to change in the New Year was to think about the lessons that the year had taught me. Those lessons became my “New Year Revelations.”

Every year I notice that as the New Year approaches, people start talking about their “resolutions.” There’s 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, learning from my mistakes, and 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 am I surrounding myself? 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. When you do that, the New Year will open the door to endless possibilities. 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!

Here’s to an awesome 2022! Happy New Year, my loves!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Don’t You Forget About Me”

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And just like that, my staycation is over and I’m back at work. And life seems to be back to where it was before the staycation as well. As for me? I’m pushing myself to remember the girl that I had forgotten about until that time alone. I’m being diligent about not letting that girl go so far away again. And I don’t want to forget that amazing time of writing like I used to, of feeling sure of myself, of truly letting the “real me” shine through.

Life is a funny, wonderful, crazy thing. We live it in our day to day routines, not noticing much until we’re given the time to notice, to remember, to be who we are. And I won’t give that up.

We spend so much time doing the same things every day that we forget to take the time and “make” the time to notice the people in our lives, the beauty that surrounds us, and more importantly, we forget about ourselves. We forget why we’re here. We forget who we are. We forget to love ourselves.

Yes, my staycation is over. Yes, I’m back at work. Yes, my old life seems to be creeping into the life that I found during that short period of time.

But I’m not going to forget how I felt, what I learned, and what I want to do from here on in.

My staycation changed me yet it brought out the best in me.

I found myself.

And I’m not going to let that girl go again.

Pay attention, my loves, to the world and the life that surrounds you.

More importantly, pay attention to “you,” because you are amazing and “you” have the ability to change the world.

We got this!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Christmas Plans Have Changed”

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And just like that, my Christmas plans have changed. None of my children will be home as we had all planned, thanks to a tricky virus that seems to be running rampant lately. I’m disappointed but have to be honest in telling you that I was beginning to worry about two of them flying right now and one is getting over having this little bug.

I’m sad that they won’t be home. It’s the first Christmas I’ve ever spent without even two of them home. 

This was supposed to be my “Christmas Miracle,” having them all together with me again but the Universe had other plans and I understand that. Still, it would have been the greatest gift for me to be together with all of them.

And I truly believe that Christmas lives within our hearts, remembering the memories of Christmas past and making memories of Christmas “present.” Whether we’re together or apart, my children will always be the Christmas that lives in my heart. 

This “staycation” has certainly been good for me because if I hadn’t had this time to myself I probably would have been more upset and sad about it all week. And I haven’t been. I’m glad they made decisions in their best interest and in my parents and in mine.

Christmas will be quiet, as was Thanksgiving, but I’m grateful to have another one. I’m grateful that I had this “staycation.” I’m grateful for the peace I’ve found this week.

And I’m grateful for all of you. 

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“A Simple Act of Kindness”

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I helped an older gentleman at my job today. He gave me three bottles of perfume. I told him that it wasn’t necessary but he insisted. I thanked him and he said to me, “I wanted to give you something because you have been so kind to me. And I thank you for that.”

My heart melted.

And I thought, “How often do we tell someone that they’re kind?” We may thank someone for doing something kind for us, but do we actually thank them for being kind? I’ll tell you, that man made my day. I didn’t need the perfume. But I guess I needed to hear that I was kind.

Thank you, sir. You gave this writer something to think about.And write about.Such a simple act of kindness with a very big impact.

Let’s keep spreading kindness and start acknowledging that kindness in others.

Thank you to all of you who support me in such a beautiful way.

You are kind.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Onward To Change”

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It’s only Monday and I’m feeling incredibly happy and peaceful. There’s something wonderful about a “staycation.” I believe that the Universe is trying to tell me something and showing me a different side to my life, one that I haven’t lived in over a year and a half.

And I’m remembering it.

I remember how wonderful it felt to be home, to be writing at all hours of the day and night, to chat on the phone, to cook and clean. I remember how wonderful it felt to be home and not tired, to be home with time to talk to my friends and get together for lunch, to be home with my family.

I’m using this time to think about my life. I guess you could say I’m writing a list of my New Year’s Revelations…all that I’ve learned throughout 2021 and all that I don’t want to repeat in 2022.

And I’m grateful that I have this time to think about it all.

I’m sure there will be changes, some difficult and some easy, but I’m making decisions that are for my highest good. Decisions that will enhance my life and make it a life that I want.

Onward to changes. Onward to writing a list of New Year’s Revelations. Onward to doing what it takes to live your best life.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“And On Those Down Days…”

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It took me over 30 minutes to get the ice and snow off my car this morning but after that I was on my way to work, driving my favorite route: the beach. It was quite a beauty this morning. It’s almost an anomaly to see snow on the sand but one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. It’s haunting yet picturesque. It’s a look that you don’t see often so when you’re lucky enough to see it then you know you’re blessed to have seen something so amazing.

Sometimes our days begin in an awesome way until something trips us up and puts us in a funk, a down mood, so to speak. I had just that type of morning. In the midst of accounting and invoices I found myself feeling sad. I know what caused it but more importantly, I had to figure out why. I wasn’t going to talk about it until I figured out why a certain incident caused me to feel so badly. And that’s where I am tonight. I don’t want to talk about it with anyone until I’ve figured out why I let it bother me.

The key is not to react to whomever may have invoked these feelings within us, but rather look inwards to ourselves to understand and figure out WHY we had those feelings. And that is what my Friday night is tonight, taking a good look inward at my heart and soul to see what I’m really upset about. Was it what was said? Or was it about how I felt about what was said?

And that’s up to each of us. We need to understand that our feelings, no matter how they were invoked, are OUR feelings and only WE know why we feel that way. This is why it’s important not to react but rather to take it in and think about it. My feelings tonight are MINE and mine alone. I know what upset wasn’t meant to intentionally upset me but sadly, it did. I don’t blame the person who said it but would rather spend my time tonight alone thinking about WHY it upset me. And once I can do that, I’ll be able to say that I learned something else about myself, and isn’t that what life is all about? Learning about ourselves, the why’s and the how’s, and figuring out what to do with all of that. 

I’m learning not to blame the messenger but to understand the message and deal with it.

Life is always changing and we are always learning more and more about ourselves, if we’re open to learning, not blaming. And isn’t that what our down days are all about? Learning, not blaming. Understanding, not judging. Accepting, not allowing.

I love life more than I can tell you, the good days and the bad. I know that they all came to teach me, help me, and move me forward. And my hope is that you see your life as a gift, not a burden, no matter what it hands you.

As for me? My Friday night is filled with a hot bath, a cup of lavender tea, and a martini glass filled with tears and understanding.

Good night, my loves. May life be good to you and may you take those “down days” as your life lesson on how to turn them into your “up days!”

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“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~

“If You’re Reading This…”

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If you’re reading this, you woke up this morning to a brand new day.

If you’re reading this you have the internet.

If you’re reading this you have a few minutes of time all to yourself to do so.

And if you’re reading this you had a choice to read it or not.

You woke up. You have a connection. You have some time to yourself. You have a choice as to how you use your time.

You’re here.

You’re alive.

And you’re amazing.

Think about that. All blessings and all reasons to be grateful.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~