Sandy Speaks…

It has been my life-long dream to be a writer and a speaker.  When I was a little girl, I would write stories and read them to my parents, who always gave me raving reviews!  In the summer of 2009, I made the decision to finally fulfill that dream.  

In March of this year, I entered a competition, along with 2800 other Authors, called “The Next Top Spiritual Author” with my first solo book, “Gratitude Habit”.  In May, I advanced to Round 2, along with 270 other Authors.  During a conference call yesterday, the 25 Authors who are advancing into Round 3 were announced.  I am grateful & honored to be one of them!

The night before the call, I could not sleep at all as I was filled with anticipation.  The morning of the call, I was invited to visit a page on Facebook where several participants were sharing their feelings.  Everyone was feeling nervous and excited about the announcement.  When they called my name, I instantly started crying and fell to my knees to give thanks to God.  Then, I started thinking “Did they really just call my name?”  I was almost scared to believe it!  It wasn’t until someone posted “congratulations” on my Facebook wall that it started to sink in that I actually had advanced!!

After the call, I told my three year old son, Jake, that it was time to do a happy dance, which we reserve for really big celebrations!  We danced and jumped and sang until I was out of breathe!  We then placed a few phone calls to share the news with our closest friends and Jake caught on that they were saying “congratulations”.  Later that day, he said “Congratunations, Mommy!”  It was so sweet and adorable!!!!

In the first two rounds, part of our score was based on obtaining votes from the public and I am so grateful to all of my supporters.  In this round, there will be no public voting.  Each of the 25 Authors will submit two more chapters of our book, which will be reviewed by a panel of publishing professionals.  The panel will choose the four finalists for round four of the competition.  Every Author who entered this contest deserves applause.  I am looking forward to reading each book that comes to fruition because of this spiritual movement.

As I continue forth on my mission to spread the power of gratitude, my biggest wish is that my parents were still alive to see me working on making my dream come true.  I know that they would be my biggest fans!!

Every once in a while, Opportunity knocks and you know that not only do you need to open the door wide…you need to grab her, give her a welcoming hug, invite her to dinner and use your best china!

I was sitting at my desk at the end of March and, at the exact moment that I thought to myself,  ”I must get my book written NOW”, I received an email from a friend that invited Authors and Aspiring Authors to take part in “The Next Top Spiritual Author” competition.  Wow…another serendipitous moment that sent chill bumps all over my body!

Ever since I created Gratitude Boot Camp last year and started sharing it as a coaching program, I have been led to put it into book form so that millions can benefit from learning how to make gratitude a daily habit.  During the first Gratitude Boot Camp session I watched, in awe, as people’s lives were transformed, personally and professionally.  After speaking at a Law of Attraction Meetup, I was approached by a woman who told me that I had given her the strength to continue after losing her son 8 months before.  My story had inspired her to be grateful for the time that she had him and to focus on her current blessings.  That is when I decided to include some of my personal story, in my book, along with the steps needed to create a life filled with happiness, love, peace, success, and abundance.

The Next Top Author Competition started on March 29th.  It is comprised of four rounds where Authors share their books with a panel of publishing experts and with the public.  In the final round, the Grand Prize Winner will receive a publishing contract with Hampton Roads Publishing.  I am excited to present my upcoming book, Gratitude Habit, as an entry.  Please visit http://sn.im/TopAuthor to watch the video pitch of my book; read the book proposal and read Chapter 1.  While you are there, be sure and vote!

There were 2800 Authors who competed in Round 1 and 271 advanced to Round 2.  I am so honored to be one of them and am grateful for everyone’s support.  I finished uploading my book proposal and Chapter 1 last night, just as the Season Finale’ of American Idol was ending.  I thought to myself “How exciting!  I feel like I am involved in ‘The American Idol for Authors’!!

Welcome Home, Opportunity!  I’ve been waiting for you my entire life!!

Every once in a while, Opportunity knocks and you know that not only do you need to open the door wide…you need to grab her, give her a welcoming hug, invite her to dinner and use your best china!

I was sitting at my desk a few nights ago and, at the exact moment that I thought to myself,  ”I must get my book written NOW”, I received an email from a friend that invited Authors and Aspiring Authors to take part in “The Next Top Spiritual Author” competition.  Wow…another serendipitous moment that sent chill bumps all over my body!

Ever since I created “Gratitude Boot Camp” last year and started sharing it as a coaching program, I have been led to put it into book form so that millions can benefit from learning how to make gratitude a daily habit.  During the first Gratitude Boot Camp session I watched, in awe, as people’s lives were transformed, personally and professionally.  And, after speaking at a Law of Attraction Meetup, I was approached by a woman who told me that I had given her the strength to continue after losing her son 8 months before.  My story had inspired her to be grateful for the time that she had him and to focus on her current blessings.  That is when I decided to include my personal story, in my book, along with the steps needed to create a life filled with happiness, love, peace, success, and abundance.

The Next Top Author Competition started on March 29th.  It is comprised of four rounds where Authors will pitch their book idea; prepare a book proposal; and submit chapters.  In the final round, the Grand Prize Winner will receive a publishing contract with Hampton Roads Publishing.  I am honored to present my upcoming book, Gratitude Habit, as an entry.  You can read more about Gratitude Habit at http://www.SandySpeaks.com/books and can hear the audio pitch on my Next Top Author profile page.

There are over 2500 Authors competing in Round 1.  Only 250 will advance to Round 2 and 75% of the vote is based on the number of votes that an Author obtains.  Please help me spread the Power of Gratitude to millions by voting for me on my Next Top Author profile page at http://www.sn.im/TopAuthor.  

After you vote, send me an e-mail message at Sandy@GratitudeBootCamp.com and I will send you the article that I wrote entitled “6 Simple Ways to Create The Gratitude Habit”.  Additonally, everyone who votes will be placed in a drawing to receive free tuition to a 12-week Gratitude Boot Camp TeleClass and an autographed copy of Gratitude Habit.

Welcome Home, Opportunity!  I’ve been waiting for you my entire life!!!

I am well aware that, once you start blogging, the best thing you can do is to post on a regular basis.  Well…it has been over a month since I posted a blog article and so I wrote this little song (to the tune of “A Hunting We Will Go”) to express my feelings and get back into the groove…

A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go, 
Heigh ho, I’m behind – Oh No…a blogging I must go!
A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
I’ll write a note and include a cool quote
And then watch me go!

A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
Heigh ho, I’m behind – Oh No…a blogging I must go!
A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
I’ll think of thoughts that will repel the Spambots,
And then watch me go!

A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
Heigh ho, I’m behind – Oh No…a blogging I must go!
A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
I’ll throw in a bribe, so people will subscribe,
And then watch me go!

A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
Heigh ho, I’m behind – Oh No…a blogging I must go!
A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
I’ll get on a plan and become a Wordpress fan,
And then watch me go!

A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
Heigh ho, I’m behind – Oh No…a blogging I must go!
A blogging I must go, a blogging I must go,
I’ll have fun when The BOBs I have won,
And then watch me go!

I had to write my annual poem
   As 2009 comes to an end
I am full of love and gratitude
   That to all of you I had to send.

Jake is now three years old
   He is friendly and such a little man
He is very tall with a head full of curls
   He speaks Spanish, sings songs, and is Mommy’s biggest fan.

Stephanie is a full-time student now
   And I can’t believe that Hailey has turned ten
I lost both Shakespeare and Spencer
   I sure miss my sweet, furry friends.

My family is happy and healthy
   A great-nephew named Luke Ryan arrived
I’m available to consult about real estate
   I still eat Mila each day to feel healthy and alive.

I created Gratitude Boot Camp
   Where I coach about counting your blessings
There is a Gratitude Boot Camp fan page on Facebook
   I can’t wait to see what miracles GBC brings.

I’m the Leader in Orlando and Celebration
   For a wonderful organization
Women’s Prosperity Network
   Is expanding throughout the Nation.

I’ve created a mantra for the New Year
   Let’s all say it together
Stand tall, Smile, and Shout Out Loud
   “2010 is my best year EVER”!

           HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Lately, I have really been working on my own personal self-development.  I have been blessed with the responsibility of raising a child and I am on a new journey of coaching others, so I have to hold myself to a higher standard.

One very important attribute that I’ve been concentrating on is the act of forgiveness.  One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who has caused you pain.  However, as I’ve recently discovered, it is extremely liberating to “get over it”.  When you do, the hurt no longer dominates your mind.  When someone hurts me, I generally become consumed with thinking about the incident or action over and over and over.  Or, I decide to retreat completely from the situation where the hurt took place.  It’s exhausting!

Recently, I was feeling very hurt by someone who I am close to in my life.  As the incident started playing over and over again in my head, I realized that I had to stop and forgive…truly forgive.  Which made me stop and look at things from their perspective.  It was amazing how I could physically feel the hurt going out of me and how I was crystal clear on the fact that I did not want to lose or mess up this valuable friendship.  I shudder to think of what might have happened if I were not in this period of working on myself!  Things are back to normal and when we discussed the topic again, it was in a really casual & relaxing way.  This forgiveness stuff really works!!

Of course, there are instances where someone hurts you to the point that you know that the relationship must end.  But, you still must practice forgiveness of that person…otherwise the incident/action continues to cause you pain and discomfort…even after the person is gone.  Even if you do not contact that person because you do not want to invite them back into your life, it is still very important to forgive them so you can move on from the negative thoughts.  And, it actually makes you feel at peace whenever you ask God to bless the person who was hurtful.  It helps to realize that some people are put into your life for a reason but were not meant to stay in it forever.  As you reflect back on your relationship with that person, in a relaxed state, you will find that there were lessons to be learned and you can be Grateful to that person for giving you those lessons.

It is also important to forgive yourself.  That is something that has been a bit of a struggle for me lately.  My whole life I have lived with the motto that “regret is a wasted emotion”.  But, this year, I have been kicking myself for some of the mistakes that I have made.  I finally have realized that the time & energy that I am spending on beating myself up could be spent on taking positive steps toward a bright, new future. 

So…if something hurtful happens now, I start working on the forgiveness aspect of it pretty quickly after it happens.  That way, I can move on toward my bright future.  And…I stop to count my blessings…that always helps me to truly forgive so I can finally forget!

Gratitude Peace Marble

I am always amazed whenever The Universe brings people together at the precise moment when they are on the same exact path!  I recently had this wonderful phenomenon happen to me and I not only acquired an amazing new friend; it solidified that my new business/mission is meant to be!

While attending Mega Book ’09, I was very fortunate to meet some remarkable people, including a gorgeous lady with a beautiful soul named Elizabeth Zachariah.  Elizabeth, along with her friends Cherie Duncan, Kim Roman Corle, and Jan Avant, made me feel completely welcome and I knew that they were women that I wanted to get to know better.  After the event, we all connected on and have stayed in touch through Facebook.

During the week that I decided to create Gratitude Boot Camp, I received a message from Elizabeth, the founder of Blue Marble 4 Life, Inc, stating that she wanted to ask me a question.  At that point, I had not shared my thoughts about Gratitude Boot Camp with anyone.  When I called her, she said that she was putting together a project that would send four Gratitude Marbles (to represent the four corners of the earth), along with a Peace Marble (inscribed with the word Peace in 37 languages), on a world-wide mission for peace.  Her plan was to appoint Blue Angel Ambassadors, throughout the world, which would host The Marbles and help to spread a message of Gratitude, Peace, and Love.  She said that she immediately thought of me (even though she had no idea that I had just decided to devote my life to promoting the power of Gratitude) when she was thinking of Ambassadors.  It was serendipitous and I felt very honored!

As a Blue Angel Ambassador, it is my duty to host a Gratitude Gathering; which brings people together to count their blessings and to take part in this special Global Celebration of Peace; as we send The Marbles to the next destination on their incredible journey.

So…it is with great pleasure that I am hosting an event named “Walk in Gratitude…Live in Peace” in my hometown – Celebration, Florida.  At 4:00 p.m. on 9/26/09, we will gather on the front lawn of Celebration’s Heritage Hall at Spring Park…wearing blue and carrying or wearing the peace sign…to view The Marbles (which are arriving in Celebration after their trip to Hale Barns, Cheshire in The United Kingdom); to sign the Gratitude Journal (which is accompanying The Marbles), and to record their visit to our great community.  Then, we will bid The Marbles a fond farewell as they leave Celebration and travel to Australia….while we continue on to Celebration’s Mona Lisa for a special “Happiness Hour”. If you are traveling to attend this special event, The Mona Lisa Suite Hotels is offering a special “Gratitude Rate” for the weekend.

You can visit www.BlueMarble4Life.com to watch the inspirational kick-off video; to track The Marbles’ travels; and to register/join The Blue Marble Tribe, if you choose.  If you join, you will receive your very own Gratitude Blue Marble and The Gratitude Pledge. 

If you cannot attend the Gratitude Gathering in Celebration, visit http://BlueMarble4Life.com to see if The Marbles are coming to your area!

You can also follow this exciting Global Celebration of Peace at www.YouTube.com/BlueMarble4Life; at www.Twitter.com/BlueMarble4Life; and at The Blue Marble 4 Life Fan Page on Facebook (http://bit.ly/pLPf3).

I believe that living a Gratitude-filled life can change the world and promote peace amongst all of God’s children.

This blog is a part of my new beginning.  I have reached the point in my life where I am ready to make a change…not only in my life, but in the life of everyone that I meet, know, and love.  I have always felt (and have been told by others) that I was supposed to take a leadership role and help others to overcome obstacles and hardships and to live a life filled with happiness, peace, and success…no matter what circumstances come along.  I learned first-hand, at a very young age, about staying positive in the midst of crisis.  Yet…somehow, a half-century has gone by (almost) and I have not stepped up to the plate. 

Well…now I am being driven by a powerful force to finally become what I am destined to be and to live the life of purpose that I know we can all achieve.  I have a responsibility to my precious child, and to everyone around me, to finally reach for the stars and to leave a lasting legacy.

Life is too short to hold grudges; to struggle; and to feel guilty about the mistakes that we inevitably make during our lifetime.  So…I am committed to going forth with confidence, faith, and courage to fulfill my life-long dreams and to guide others to a life of purpose, growth, and prosperity.

I am exceedingly Grateful for those who have been by my side through some very challenging times; for those who have encouraged me to “go for it”;  for those who will love me and support me as I take this leap of faith on my new journey; and for those who will not laugh at my dreams but will applaud my successes.  May God shine on you and bring you peace, joy, and abundance.

Please visit my blog often.  It is a work-in-progress and I welcome your comments and suggestions!