Sandy Speaks…

I am, first and foremost, a Mommy to Jake Ryan… a beautiful, bright, and big-hearted 5 year old who is my “Miracle Baby!”  As I create blog postings on the home page of this site, I’ll include stories about how he was suddenly and unexpectedly brought into my life in my 40′s and how he has given me untold joy and absolute happiness.  I’m filled with gratitude to be given the gift to fully experience Motherhood, something I was told was not possible.  I’ve been a single Mom since Jake was born.  Jake’s father is a good friend to me and a great father to Jake.  He’s from Cuba and I’m thrilled that Jake gets to embrace that part of his heritage!

I was born and raised, out in the country, in Lakeland, Florida (in the middle of the state)…. the 8th child out of 9!  Now, Jake and I reside in Celebration, Florida, the town that Disney developed.  It’s a charming, friendly, fun, and interesting place to live.

My childhood was unusual, challenging, and yet happy.  I lost my parents when I was a teenager and learned how a positive attitude makes all the difference in life.

I married too young and was blessed with a wonderful step-daughter named Stephanie.  She lived with me from the age of 5 (even after my divorce, when she was 12) until she graduated high school and moved to another state.  She has blossomed into a gorgeous woman with a generous spirit, great sense of humor, and a good head on her shoulders.  She’s happily married and has given me a stunning and sweet granddaughter named Hailey.  Stephanie and Hailey are “my girls” and I thank God for them every day.  It’s been an extreme joy, pleasure, and blessing to be Stephanie’s 2nd Mom.  Her Mom, Carolyn, is my very dear friend!

I’m blessed with a loving and supportive circle of friends.  For them, I am deeply grateful.

Professionally, I’ve been a successful Realtor for over 20 years, representing top firms such as Re/Max, Prudential, and Century 21.  For 6 years, I owned and operated a brokerage firm called Sandy’s Signature Homes. In 2008, I merged my company with Century 21, where I now work with luxury home buyers.  I specialize in Celebration, Windermere, Reunion, Lake Nona (near Medical City), and Golden Oak —Disney’s new, upscale community.

In 2009, I made the decision to fulfill my life-long dream of being an Author and Speaker.  For five weeks, I prayed every night, asking for my direction and destiny to be revealed.  At 2:00 a.m. one morning, I awoke with the words “Gratitude Boot Camp” on my mind and in my heart.  That night, the curriculum for the Gratitude Boot Camp coaching program poured out of me and onto my keyboard.  I’ve conducted live boot camps and created a Gratitude Boot Camp page on Facebook.  An audio/workbook program is coming soon!

The positive feedback I’ve received from the Gratitude Boot Camp attendees, and from the followers on Facebook, has been heart-warming.  It’s such a pleasure to help people experience growth in their personal and professional lives.

As a Gratitude Coach, I speak to groups about the power of gratitude.  My purpose is to help everyone learn to count their blessings, no matter what happens in life.  I teach how to incorporate The 12 Gratitude Habits into a daily routine to create a joy, peace, and prosperity.  After one speaking engagement, I was approached by a woman who told me I had given her a reason to go on, even though she’d just lost her son.  It’s an amazing feeling to know you’re living your purpose!

Writing is my passion!  I’m a contributing Author in the book Visionaries With Guts, a freelance writer (specializing in PR articles for professionals), the Author of the upcoming book Gratitude Habit, and am writing a children’s book about gratitude.  I’m also writing the stories for Artsy Ant’s Alphabet Book and am the ghostwriter for Dana Hall-Bradley’s upcoming book, Works Hard – Plays Harder.

I was recently in ‘The Top 25′ in The Next Top Spiritual Author Competition (out of approx 3000 entries) with Gratitude Habit.  And, I’m featured in Seth Godin’s eBook SXSW Pokes.

The power of social media is bringing like-minded people together and re-uniting friends and family.  I’d love to connect with you… my links are listed below.

There’s always something to be grateful for and someone we can reach out to in a loving way.  It sure is an exciting time to be alive, isn’t it?

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for visiting my website.  Please come back and visit often.  This site is a work in progress.

May all your dreams come true as you continue on your life’s journey.  Remember… it’s never too late to pursue your passion and purpose – I’m proof of that!

“The things that bring you the greatest joy are in alignment with your purpose” ~ Jack Canfield

Please connect with me…

My Cell #:  407.592.4663

My E-mail:  Sandy@SandyHarper.net

My Other Sites/Pages:

http://www.SandySellsFlorida.net

http://www.Facebook.com/SandyHarper

http://www.Facebook.com/GratitudeBootCamp

http://www.Facebook.com/SandySellsFlorida

http://www.Facebook.com/SandySpeaks

http://www.Twitter.com/SandyHarper

http://www.Twitter.com/SandySellsHomes

http://www.LinkedIn.com/profile/SandyHarper

http://www.YouTube.com/TheSandyHarper

http://www.Twitter.com/BecomeHealthier

http://gplus.to/SandyHarper

http://Google.com/profiles/TheSandyHarper