What are you grateful for? I know that I am grateful for this community of BraveHeart women. Recently, I was asked that same question by an editor and author who challenged me to dig down deep and tell the world what I was grateful for. Of course, the obvious things came to mind...a husband, a home, a dog, good friends...all beings or things that are visible and tangible to me.
Ellie Drake and producer Paul Ryan taught me not to be afraid to seek out my deeper feelings that may have hidden some essence of who I am. Sometimes, what we have resented in life may be what has developed our character and should actually be what we are grateful for in life.
If you are looking for a gift that keeps on giving, buy this book for not only yourself but someone that would like to develop an attitude of gratitude.
Get back to me and let me know how this question "What are you grateful for?" or how the book impacted your life.
As a gift, I will be happy to give you 15 minutes of my time to talk in person. We are on this journey of life together. Let the story of your life be a Best Seller!
BraveHeart Women are truly empowered women. I know because I have become one. A friend introduced me to Ellie Drake's "Easier Done Than Said" training. It was certainly what I needed at the time and that started my journey with BraveHeart Women.
Some of the women I met early on will always be my "soul to soul" sisters. Dr. Sugar Singleton helped me "Release" the subconscious inhibitors that have held me back from following my purpose.
Producer Paul Ryan taught me to dig deep into my being to express my emotions so even through my tears, I could say how happy I was to be a part of this community of BraveHeart Women.
Charlie Drake is an amazing man whose words, "It's all good" have carried us through the valleys along our journey.
The people behind the scenes are passionate as individuals and as the "worker bees" that make this community hum with harmony.
Everyone in BraveHeart Women is open to learning and sharing what's working now with others. I have learned to put myself out there and to ask for what I would like to receive as I pay my dues.
As a BraveHeart Woman, I have put myself in a position to receive some of the best training in internet marketing by entering a video in a contest. However, I need the votes of other BraveHeart Women to put my video on top. Voting ends September 22nd.
Assist me by clicking on "Live the Dream" and voting so that I can come back here and assist all of you with what is working now on the internet.
Can you be fully restored after you have experienced a trauma?Although it was my dog that was attacked by two dogs while I deflected their bites the best that I could, I was traumatized also. While the attack was happening, I used my life time of experience with dogs to control the situation and felt cool, calm and collected....then.
My dog's wounds have healed. Her psyche with other dogs seems fine. A mini-seizure that she had after the stitches were removed was troubling to me. She is under the care of a holistic vet. The owners of the dogs have offered a partial payment of the vet bills for the immediate emergency care. They do not feel they should cover the expenses that I feel were necessary to make my dog as "whole" as possible. My feeling is that they can earn more money to replace what they have had to pay out but will my dog be able to "earn" her way back to the health that she enjoyed before the attacks?
I tried not to dwell on the emotional pain but found it revealing itself in my voice whenever I would answer someone's inquiry about my precious pet.
I have been led to do the Healing Code for forgiveness and to pass that healing to my dog. Perhaps to be fully restored, we must forgive those that have abused us. I have been able to let it go and get back to living in the moment. The peace that comes with forgiveness is healing.
How do you fully restore as life events challenge you?
This brave-hearted woman saved to give...but she also gave to save. Say what? After hearing the story of Grace Groner, I officially recognize her as a BraveHeart Woman in spirit.
Grace was orphaned at the age of 12. Family friends took both her and her sister in and not only gave them the love they needed but also college educations at Lake Forest College north of Chicago.
Like others who lived through the Great Depression, Grace was content to live frugally in a sparsely furnished one-bedroom home. Reportedly, she bought her clothes at rummage sales. Grace loved people and they loved her for who she was, not for what she had or didn't have.
Grace worked as a secretary for 43 years. She had the foresight in 1931 to make a $180 stock purchase and let it grow. She set up a small scholarship program at Lake Forest College so that students could have a brighter future. I wonder if any of them actually got to know and thank her for her generosity.
Here's the stunner...Grace died recently and the news broke that she was a multimillionaire. Her attorney had the pleasure of telling the president of Lake Forest College that Grace wanted her 7 million dollars to go into a foundation that will enable many of the college's 1300 students to pursue internships and study-abroad programs.
Why did Grace wait to give her greatest gift of wealthuntil after she died? Was her priority in life to be able to give her greatest gift of love to people that she felt were her true friends because they had no clue that she was wealthy?
Do we as wealthy, brave-hearted women have to choose to give love or wealth at different life stages as Grace did or can we do both while we enjoy both love and wealth?
I must share with you all that my father is so niftyat the age of 90. I had the honor of celebrating my parents' birthdays with them last month. Mom turned 87 and she is the reason for my father's long life. She basically told him that if he was not alive for their 50th anniversary, she would make life difficult for him...she was serious. He had already had one open-heart surgery and was not all that well. They have now celebrated over 60 years of marriage.
So back to the birthday party. My parents invited over 100 friends for a late lunch. Only one or two were their age. Everyone else, by default, was younger.They kept inviting and inviting right up until the day before the event. If people had not had to dig out of over a foot of fresh snow, I am sure we would not have had seats for all of them. The ones that did make it were more than ready for a delicious lunch and entertainment.
So why is my dad so nifty? His mother died from the flu just before he was born. His father already had two young children. My father was adopted out only to have to leave that family at the age of 11 because of violence and divorce.
Dad ended up back with his biological father, just dropped off there by his adoptive mother...the only mother he had ever known. By this time, his father had remarried so that his two children (Dad's siblings) could have a mother. The surprise came when this new mother revealed that she already had six daughters by a previous marriage and they all ended up living in a blended family. Of course, my father was just one more mouth to feed. Luckily, his older brother showed him love as the rest of his world tumbled down around him.
Fast forward. Dad is so nifty...he has had to be resilient over the years. He "died" at the age of 87, had an out -of-body experience, another open-heart surgery and a remarkable recovery. Again, my mother stepped in and told him that she did not want him to end up like all of those "old" people in the nursing home where he was sent to recover because there were no rooms at the cardiac rehab center. She expected him to come home and soon. He still had to remodel their home and the job was waiting for him.
Dad is so nifty. He just "buzzed" me on Instant Messenger. He is uploading pictures from the party to his computer. He is a gadget guy and loves to learn about new technology.
Dad is so nifty. He loves his God. He loves his wife, his one and only. He loves his children. He prays. He is active in his church. He volunteers for "Operation Lifeline" to support our troops. He plays cards and can still bowl over 200.
Dad is so nifty at 90 because he is grateful for every day he has to live. I am too. I would love to have him around for another 90, setting an example on how to age gracefully and gratefully.
Dad is so nifty. Thank you for allowing me to share with you how proud I am of my nifty dad.
How many people will show up at your funeral, especially if all of your connections are online? This is a question that is presented in Sara Blumenthal's new book Nurturing Networker: Business Networking That Matters.
The content presented by expert leaders in networking for business far exceeded my expectations. The Action Plans can be implemented immediately. Did you know that January 24th was National Compliment Day? I may be a day late, but I must compliment Sara on gathering so much expertise together in one very easy-to-read book.
It turns out that Sara and a number of the authors share the same business that I am in for following up with those that we meet.It's true that we attract like-minded people to our network of friends and business associates.
As a new fan of Sara's, I encourage you to buy this valuable resource now: Nurturing Networker.
Our BraveHeart sister Giovanna has just released a new book entitled "Why Chinese Women Are Not Broke."
Giovanna Pang Garcia is well-qualified to write this book. She herself came to the United States as a young girl, not knowing how to speak English, alone in the American culture. Although there were mistakes and obstacles along the way, her determination to forge ahead, however imperfectly, led her to financial success and personal fulfillment. She started her own corporation in a male-dominated industry, building it into a successful enterprise before selling it and retiring in her thirties. After finding the love of her life and beginning a family, Giovanna launched a new career, inspiring and motivating others as a speaker. Visit her Web site to find out more about the resources and services she offers.For more information, or to purchase the book, visit http:/ / www. whychinesewomenarenotbroke. com/.
Often, I get friendly messages that are forwarded to me. If I respect the sender, then I know that the message is one that I should take a moment to read.
Perhaps some of you have gotten this message but I am going to adapt it to the infinite value that I place on the BraveHeart Women.
If I could sit on the porch with God, the first thing I would thank him for is the BraveHeart Women community... I consider you all my friends, my companions, Through good times and bad, My friends, My buddies, Through happy and sad, Beside me you stand, Beside me you walk, You are all there to listen, You are all there to talk, With happiness, With smiles, With pain and tears, I know you will all be there, throughout the years! You are all good friends to me and I am grateful to you.
You are all friends... Remember, no man or woman is a failure who has a friend!
I recently checked out a Santa Paws event at the local mall. Pets had a long wait to see Santa.
Here are nine tips for pet owners who take their pets to see Santa:
Have your pet well socialized.
Have your pet well groomed.
Bring water for your pet while it is waiting in line.
Bring paper towels and plastic bags to clean up any "oops."
Leave the costumes off until they are ready to pose with Santa.
Prevent your pet from escaping Santa by having your pet wear a harness or collar that Santa can hold onto if necessary.
Have Santa hold tiny pets closer to his face for the "Oh, how cute" look.
Stand by the photographer and ring a bell or squeeze a squeaker toy to get your pet's attention.
Praise your dog for being a good sport while posing with Santa!
Living in the moment,
Amelia
Animal Lovers Community
Do you remember how you felt when your childhood pet died? Did you have a pet that died unexpectedly?
As I read the article How to Fix the experience --then the "fish" in Psychotactics newsletter, I realized that my parents and grandparents followed the same action steps to help me get over the tragic loss of my pet.
My grandparents had moved in with us. Grandpap left the toilet seat up in the bathroom where I kept my Easter chick. Yes, I am dating myself...chicks are no longer allowed to be tinted and sold as pets at Easter.
Now back to the story. The chick flew into the toilet and drowned. Grandpap felt responsible for the early demise of my pet. He talked my father into allowing me to get another pet. They recognized that the problem was the lifeless chick. They apologized, gave me hugs, and wiped away my tears. It was too late to get me another chick because they were all sold out. This is where things fell apart.
What happened next was actually the best way to fix the experience. My family allowed me to get a pet of my choice...the kind of pet that I had been asking for but had never been allowed to have because my father absolutely detested cats.
I am smiling now as I remember that one of my classmates had a mother cat with a litter of kittens. The cutest one became mine.
My family fixed the experience in the best way possible for me. Instead of remembering the loss of the chick, I remember the joy of getting a new kitten that I could cuddle.
I have owned both purebred dogs and mongrels which are now referred to as "designer dogs." Every one has their own opinion, based on their experience, about which is healthier. The BBC released this documentary in 2008 but it appeared on our TV screens here in the United States just recently.
Watch the video and be sure to comment:
Documentary - BBC - Pedigree Dogs Exposed
If you are looking for a Holiday gift basket for your dog or special treats for your cat, then be sure to click on the following links and order gifts that will please your pets' health, taste buds and sniffer... and your wallet!
Hurry...they are priced half-off and are in limited supply! My American Eskimo loves to open the gift herself!
Holiday Dog GiftHoliday Cat Gift
With love, compassion and empowerment,
Amelia
Animal Lovers Community
Every morning I remind myself to live in the moment so that I am not feeling overwhelmed by all that I wanted to have done yesterday but may not even be able to accomplish tomorrow.
I tell myself that every action that I take matters. Just deciding to do something will make a difference. But then I wonder how much difference will I make? Will future lives be shifted and affected by what I do today?
I am one of a kind. No one else thinks or acts the way that I do. How valuable are my actions? When will I see the difference that my actions make? Depending on what it is I choose to do, I may see immediate results...or never live to see the results of my actions.
As a recovering perfectionist, I am aware that I can be paralyzed by too much analysis. A friend shared this video with me and that is what prompted all of this deep thinking. Take a moment and reflect on the significance of your life...
Over Thanksgiving, my sister informed me that our mother is exhibiting signs of Sundowners syndrome. As a health care professional, she has become quite familiar with the symptoms. I had never heard of the term before.
My parents still live on their own. Dad is approaching 90 and can still bowl a 204. Mom is almost 87 and bowls in the 180's. I am amazed at how well they are doing. However, none of us three children lives anywhere near them to really see what happens in their day-to-day life.
Dad is now seeking assistance in caring for Mom. After some quick research, I have found that some immediate steps that I can take are recommending that my mother gets medication for her urinary tract infections; that I can call in the early evening to reset her mind; and that brighter lights can uplift her mood as the sun goes down.
If you have experience with Sundowners Syndrome, please share your tips.
BraveHeart Woman Audie was telling me how she almost split her gut laughing over the amazing agility of one of her dogs...something about hang time in the air when the dog realized that she had to clear a very wide ditch.
Those of us with pets are entertained on a daily basis. Our pets seem to know when we need to "lighten up." Share with us how your pet has made you laugh.
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Thank you for allowing me to share with you how proud I am of my nifty dad. 
