Twitter celebrated it’s 5th birthday last week.  Several articles were written that chronicled their growth.  A great one, by Brian Solis (@BrianSolis on Twitter), can be found at http://www.briansolis.com/2011/03/happy-5th-birthday-twitter-a-look-at-twitters-growth-by-the-numbers/.

These are my personal thoughts on Twitter and how it’s positively affected my life.

I remember the first time I looked at the Twitter site.  I thought to myself, “What in the world is that all about?  How annoying!”  There were all these symbols and abbreviations that made absolutely no sense.

I had just gotten the hang of Facebook , even though I had resisted it, and was starting to see the power of social media.  Plus, everyone was talking about Twitter.  So, I decided to get out of my comfort zone and take the time to learn this new language.

My very first tweet was sent on March 6, 2009.  It said, “Just joined Twitter so I’m not sure what I’m doing.”  A few days later, after tweeting a few more times, I wrote, “I still have not come close to figuring out Twitter but I’m hanging in there!”

Boy, am I glad I did.  Somehow, I started following this group of guys who had just completed something called “The Go-Giver Tour.”  I’d never heard of The Go-Giver but it sure sounded right up my alley.

Come to find out, The Go-Giver is a great book written by Bob Burg and John David Mann.  The go-giver guys kept talking about and retweeting Bob Burg (@BobBurg on Twitter) so I started following him.  He was such a cool guy.  So, I connected with him on Facebook.  Bob is now my mentor and great friend.  I give thanks for him every day!

Two years after taking the plunge, I’m a full-fledged Twitterholic!  It has connected me with some amazing tweeps, brought twerrific opportunities, and is my news source.  I have laughed & cried all in the same day while on Twitter.

Among the many great things that have happened to me since joining Twitter, is the inclusion of my story in the new eBook, SXSW Pokes.  This eBook has just been released in conjunction with Seth Godin’s new book, Poke The Box.  I’m thrilled and honored to have been chosen.  You can download a FREE copy of SXSW Pokes and order Seth’s new book at http://tinyurl.com/4npxlhz.

If you’ve been resisting Twitter, I encourage you to come on board.  Who knows what thwilling events are waiting for you there?

Happy Tweeting,

@SandyHarper

On this 25th day of November, 2010, the citizens of The United States of America are celebrating Thanksgiving.  We’re gathering with loved ones to remininise about holidays past and create new memories over food, football, and fun!

The main purpose of this special day is to give thanks for our many blessings.  A few things that top my list are those who had the courage to venture out and discover this fine land and those that serve to protect it, my family and friends, my health and home, and the opportunity to start anew, which I did last year by creating Gratitude Boot Camp.

In honor of this celebration, I’d like to share 25 of my favorite quotes about thankfulness and gratitude (with a few created by me)…

1.  “When you become truly aware of your current blessings and are filled with genuine gratitude, your life will change in profound ways” ~ Sandy Harper

2. ”If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.”  ~ Meister Eckhart

3.  “The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.” ~ John E. Southard

4. ‎”If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy.” ~ Unknown.

5.  “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” ~ Epictetus

6.  “If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness.  It will change your life mightily.” ~ Gerald Good

7.  “When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.” ~  Chinese Proverb

8.  “When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears.” ~ Tony Robbins

9.  “Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.”  ~ Kahlil Gibran

10. “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Unknown

11. “It’s important to make gratitude a habit because your habits create your life.” ~ Sandy Harper

12. “Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” ~ Brian Tracy

13. ”Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” ~ Eileen Caddy

14. “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ” ~ Thornton Wilder

15. “Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.” ~ Seneca

16. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Melody Beattie

17. “Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing.” ~ Zig Ziglar

18. “You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.”  ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

19. “Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally “count our blessings,” give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have.”  ~ Shakti Gawain

20. “If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” ~ Rabbi Harold Kushner

21. “Gratitude is a powerful force that opens the door to God’s blessing. Having constant gratitude proves your faith in God because not only do you thank Him for what He has done in the past, you thank Him for what He will do in the future.” ~ Joel Osteen

22. “Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what you want, but an all-the-time gratitude, the kind where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Start bringing gratitude to your experiences, instead of waiting for a positive experience in order to feel grateful.” ~ Marelisa Fábrega

23. “No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” ~ Alfred North Whitehead

24. “Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much.  For on the smiles, the thanks we give, out little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life.” ~ A. J. Cronin

25.  “Gratitude possesses magical power.  When you live in gratitude, you will walk in peace… no matter what circumstances arise.” ~ Sandy Harper

I’m grateful that you took the time to visit my blog.  What are you thankful for today?

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When was the last time you said thank you to… YOU?

I placed a deadline on myself where I would finish my book and write the stories for my children’s book over a 4-day period, while my son was visiting his Papi for the long weekend.  I drove Jake over on Thursday night and went to bed early so I would wake up Friday morning full of energy and ready to write.  The next morning, I awoke to a bad case of… writer’s block!!  It lasted all day.

When night-fall came, it hit me – I had been worrying all day about my self-imposed deadline and had focused on everything I still needed to get accomplished!  My books were unfinished, my Gratitude Boot Camp audio/workbook program still had to be produced, there were cards to be written and phone calls to be made, my professional business plan was not complete, etc etc etc.

“Oh my word, Sandy”, I said to myself.  “How about thinking about all of the things you have accomplished for a change?  What about the many tasks you complete every day as a business owner,  friend, writer, homeowner, single Mom, etc.?”

I immediately sat at my desk and wrote down everything I had achieved since starting Gratitude Boot Camp fifteen months ago.  After the concept came to me in the middle of the night, I created the complete curriculum to teach The 12 Gratitude Habits after researching the power of gratitude extensively.  I’ve given workshops, recorded hours of the system for the audio program, spoken to groups, built a gratitude community on Facebook and Twitter, wrote several chapters of a book that made it to the Top 25 in The Next Top Author Competition, and started a children’s book about gratitude.  I did all of this while working on my other businesses and raising a toddler/pre-schooler.  I do deserve a pat on the back, I realized!

When was the last time you made a list of your accomplishments and achievements?  Immediately after reading this article, grab a piece of paper.  At the top write the words “I thank myself for”.  Then, list everything you do on a daily basis and all of the goals you have reached this year, both big and small.

After you’ve finished this exercise, celebrate YOU!  Treat yourself to a bubble bath, go for a long walk, take yourself out for coffee or to the movies, read a book, or spend some time engaged in your favorite hobby!

Keep this list handy so you can read it the next time you’re starting to beat yourself up about everything you HAVE to do!  Hmmmm – maybe I should laminate mine!!

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 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!