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

I remember the day I screamed down the hall of my high school…  “Doesn’t anyone care any more?”

I was 16 and my Mom had died a few months before.  I was sitting in typing class and it unexpectedly and suddenly hit me how everyone was carrying on with their lives, as if nothing had happened.  I abruptly left the room in the middle of class, so no one would see the tears streaming down my face.  Mrs. Newsome followed and asked where I was going.  And, that’s when I hollered down the hall.

I left the school grounds, without permission, and spent the rest of the day sitting at my Mom’s grave.  That’s when I realized life does go on, even after a tragedy.  It doesn’t matter if it’s the personal tragedy of a young girl or one that affects millions of people.  Before you know it, everyone is laughing, shopping, sleeping, and talking about the latest celebrity gossip, as if nothing ever happened.

My Dad died three years after my Mom.  On Christmas Eve.  Yep… life went on!

It’s been over 30 years since I was that confused girl.  I now know that life needs to go on.  We can’t live in constant grief lest we miss out on the beauty of being alive.  I also know how much it means to me when someone expresses their support at the loss of my parents, even after all these years.

People will cease talking and tweeting about the disaster in Japan long before it’s citizens even start to recover.  The knowledge of that makes me feel a bit like that sad and confused 16 year old again.  So, I’m making a promise to stop and remember those affected, for years to come.

And, today I’m praying for the children who became orphans that day.  I’m praying for them to realize they will laugh, shop, sleep, and talk about trivial things again one day.  I did!

Image: worradmu / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I’ll admit I jumped over to Charlie Sheen’s Twitter page when I heard he’d started tweeting.  And, I confess to eagerly running out to my mailbox every Friday to grab the latest issue of People Magazine. My Friday night ritual has changed from dancing in the clubs to reading in my pajamas!

When I looked at Charlie’s Twitter page, it struck me how he’d already obtained almost 400,000 followers in the span of a few hours.  And, how he’d received almost 1,000 comments within two hours of posting his first tweet.  As I’m writing this, he has over 2,000,000 followers!

There was a part of me that thought, “Hey, wait a minute! I work hard to tweet positive, helpful, and informative things & spend time connecting with great leaders. Yet it’s taken me over a year to acquire 5,000 followers. Charlie Sheen comes along, after a wild tirade, and breaks a record in twenty-four hours? What’s up with that?”

Then, I thought, “Well, at least he’s got his millions of followers calling themselves winners now. That’s always a good thing!”

Though I wish him all the best, I chose not to follow Charlie. Other than my Friday night indulgence with People (and my occasional visit with The Bachelor and The Bachelorette), I don’t spend time keeping up with the antics of Celebrities Gone Wild!

Of course, we need to include entertainment in our life’s routine. In fact, Two And A Half Men is one of my favorite shows. It cracks me up and laughter really is the best medicine! Having said that, I strongly believe we need to be cognizant of who we spend our time following. My Mom used to say “You are who you hang around.” You also are who you spend your time learning from and from whom you emulate.

Do you spend the majority of your time watching and/or reading bad news? Do you hang around negative people? Do you follow those who make headlines by getting into trouble or who disrespect others? Or, do you choose to follow positive leaders who inspire you to be your best self, pursue your passions, and teach you how to live in peace, love, prosperity, and gratitude?

To achieve greatness in your life, make sure you surround yourself with greatness.  Who knows… maybe Charlie will hear how uplifting you are and start following YOU!

(picture of tweetie by Chris Wallace at www.Chris-Wallace.com)

2010 was a challenging year
That was transformative at the same time.
I learned many lessons and made great connections
With folks who helped make each day sublime.

Jake is growing up so quickly
He turned four and started Pre-K.
He loves to tell stories, gather sticks, and race cars
I thank God for him every day.

Stephanie made three trips to Florida
I treasure our family time.
Hailey’s in Middle School now
The days sure are a-flyin’.

It was another year to welcome babies
Grayden, Lily, and Joshua were born.
I’m thrilled to have reconnected with a special friend
And am thankful to have David (my “Manny”) on the third floor.

I became a published Author in Visionaries With Guts
My children’s book will be published next year.
The illustrator for my book is awesome
I’m writing stories for his book’s premier.

I entered The Next Top Author Competition
With Gratitude Habit, my upcoming book.
And made it to the Top 25
Of the 3000 entries they took.

I’m happy to be back at Century 21
To assist people with their real estate needs.
I’m grateful for the Gratitude Boot Camp family
And how they’re helping my work to succeed.

I’m giddy with excitement as the new year approaches
It’s delivering us lots of abundance, laughter, and love.
My heart is filled with deep gratitude for each of my friends
May 2011 bring you bountiful blessings from above.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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?

In November of 2007, I got into a discussion with my dear friend, Dana, about how hard it is to have a sick child and how it must be even more difficult during the holidays.  We quickly decided to create a charity event to benefit the local Ronald McDonald House^® (RMH) program, since both of our families had been helped by them.

When he was 10 months old my nephew, Beau, was rushed by helicopter to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida where he under-went emergency brain surgery and endured months of recovery.  During those months, my brother & sister-in-law stayed at the Ronald McDonald House instead of having to drive hours each day to see their baby.

Dana’s niece, Tara, who was diagnosed with a rare disease, had to undergo a bone marrow transplant at All Children’s Hospital, when she was a toddler. Tara’s parents were able to reside at the Ronald McDonald House for months while waiting for Tara to recover.  The RMH allowed them to stay in the house at no charge without the worrying of driving back and forth to their home, which was hours away.

That year, we founded The Vino Ball of Central Florida.  Over the past three years, we’ve raised thousands of dollars and gift cards for the Ronald McDonald House in Orlando, Florida.  This year’s event is going to be extra-special as we honor the memory of Dana’s niece, Tara.  She passed away on October 28th and was laid to rest, close to her Grandpa Matthews, on October 30, 2010.

After being diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome as a toddler, Tara underwent a bone marrow transplant in 1988.  She was three years old and the donor was her Mother, Rhonda.  She flourished for a few years – dancing, singing, and laughing her way into the hearts of everyone who met her.  In typical Southern Girl fashion, she took a liking to hunting, fishing, and most especially, horseback riding on her pony, Red.

One day, at the ripe old age of two, she saddled up to take Red for a ride.  When she didn’t return within a few minutes, her Mama went off in search of her – only to find that she’d ridden him into the house and positioned him in front of the TV to watch cartoons with her!

In 1992, the rare blood disorder returned to her little body and she became mentally and physically disabled.

Because of the deep abiding love of her family and the support of the teachers and staff at Doris A. Sanders Learning Center, Tara lived much longer than was expected.  Her family had been told that the average life-span of those afflicted with Sanfilippo is 8 to 12 years.  Tara turned 25 on October 3rd.  She had graduated from Doris A. Sanders two years before, where she was even able to attend the prom!

The Matthews family remembers, with gratitude, the special care they received at The Ronald McDonald House they lived in during Tara’s bone marrow operation.  Please join us as we raise money for this worthy cause.  This year’s event will be dedicated to the memory of a very special girl – Tara Matthews.

I invite you to join us on January 28, 2011 at The Celebration Town Tavern in Celebration, Florida for the 4th Annual Vino Ball of Central Florida.  For more information, please visit http://VinoBallofCentralFlorida.com.

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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!!

As I watched the miraculous rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners unfold, I was struck with how calm, positive, and strong they appeared upon surfacing.  Before they were even located, they spent 17 days together in a damp, dusty, and desolate place.  I can only imagine how long those days felt to them.

Among other things (like the power of prayer, the meaning of deep faith, and the blessing of the world united in gratitude), this event taught a big lesson on how important it is to be surrounded by a team of individuals who can carry you through even the darkest nights and uncertain days of life.  These brave men called upon the strength of the human spirit and the invaluable power of camaraderie to survive what could have been a devastating, and even deadly, ordeal.

Your team members must portray the following attributes…

1.  Uplifting ~ Do the people you associate with lift you up?  Do they have the ability to turn your frown into a smile and cause you to feel happiness and joy?

2.  Positive ~ Does your team view the glass as half-empty or half-full?  Do they point out what’s impossible or do they explore what’s possible?  Do they smile a lot and bring laughter & fun into your life?

3.  Encouraging ~ Do you come away, after hanging out with your “peeps”, feeling motivated and inspired?  Do they tell you to go for your dreams and applaud your successes?  Do their words cause your doubts and fears to subside?

4.  Trustworthy ~ Can you trust that your biggest secrets and insecurities are safe in the hands of your comrades?  Do they “have your back?”  Are they there for you when you need them?

5.  Faithful ~ Are you surrounded by people who BELIEVE?  Who believe that dreams come true?  Who believe in the miracles of life?  Who believe in a higher power?  Who believe in creating a life of joy, peace, and abundance?  Who believe in YOU?

6.  Grateful ~ Do the people in your life give thanks for their current blessings?  Do they show their appreciation for others?  Do they have a sense of gratitude for all of life’s wonders?  Are they thankful for the good things that are yet to come?

As you reflect upon who makes up your team in life, you may discover changes that need to be made.  It’s not always easy to stop associating with people who aren’t uplifting, positive, encouraging, trustworthy, faithful, and grateful.  As the dramatic rescue of the miners revealed, it’s imperative to surround yourself with people who possess these characteristics.  Then, you’ll know that you can face even the darkest nights and uncertain days of your life!

Well… it’s been exactly one month since my last blog posting.  So much for my goal of writing something on here at least once per week!

My first reaction when I realized it had been so long was to feel guilty.  Just like my first thought when I woke up after sleeping in last Saturday was “How dare I stay in bed until 9:00 whenever I have SO much to do?”

Why do we allow guilt to consume us?  I chatted with a friend who didn’t fully enjoy her (much-deserved) vacation recently because she felt guilty about leaving work and her child.

I’m always saying that life is too short and too precious to feel sorry for ourselves or to hold grudges or to not give gratitude for our blessings.  Yet, I somehow have kept guilt around as a regular house guest.

That stops NOW!  Today – September 17, 2010… I am declaring my home (and my brain) as a “Guilt Free Zone!”  Won’t you join me?  The next time that a guilty thought starts to form in your head or come out of your mouth, stop it with a power word!  A power word is one that you use to stop immediately so you can refocus your thoughts and/or words.  As soon as the guilt starts, shout “Love” (even if it’s only in your head) and then say – “I feel great.  I am grateful for this very moment and embrace it fully.”

(Photo by Michal Marcol – http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=371)

Do you ever feel that just as you take one step forward, you’re pushed two steps back?  When that happens, you often want to get out of the game, don’t you?

DON’T!!!

In 1993, the score was 35 -3 at the beginning of the third quarter of the Buffo Bills vs Houston Oilers game.  Instead of giving up, Quarterback Frank Reich rallied his team and beat the Oilers 41-38… one of the biggest comeback victories ever in NFL history!  I’m sure that even the fans sitting in the seats for the opposing team couldn’t help but feel the excitement in such a miraculous recovery.

I have found that when I take a deep breathe and call upon my faith when I’m pushed two steps back, things still work out… often in a way that is miraculous and memorable.

The next time you’re feeling defeated, take a look around.  Who are the fans sitting on your side? Gather them around you and allow their cheers of encouragement to propel you forward.  Rally your team and strategize on how you can gain back those steps and more.  And, dig deep within yourself to muster the strength to keep moving!

Harriet Beecher Stowe said:

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”

To this day, there are football fans reminiscing about the great comeback of ’93.  Never give up… you could be the next “Frank Reich Story”, with people talking about your amazing achievement for years to come!
(Photo by Michal Marcol http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=371)