I often joke that the reason I'm glad my eyesight has deteriorated as I've aged is that I don't have to see what I really look like when I look in the mirror!! Of course there is an element of truth to this, because the fact is, aging is a big adjustment, especially when you feel so young on the inside, and that isn't necessarily refected in your outward appearance.

A few weeks ago I was out shopping and came across a little plaque that now sits on my bathroom counter...it's message: Change how you see...not how you look. Each day, especially on those days when I notice another gray hair, or small line forming, I read this message that serves as a reminder that there isn't much I can do about this other than to make the choice to see that the true me, my spirit, only resides inside this "shell", and although the shell may be showing a few battle scars, my spirit is vibrant and young and enjoying life to the max. I make a conscious choice to love it all...every line, every wrinkle, every extra pound. I've earned them and worked hard for them...and although they may be a part of this slightly older version of me, they will never define who I truly am: a feisty, living-large person who embraces each and every part of me - warts and all!!!! ~ Andrea :-)

PS: If you are looking for organic, natural products for your skin, I just discovered a great new skincare line by Dr. Alkaitis - these holistic, organic products are made from living ingredients and have really given my skin new life and vibrancy...for information check out their website: http://www.alkaitis.com or www.saffronrouge.com. I share this with you because I am really enjoying the products and do not receive any compensation or fee to do so.

Last year at this time everyone was reading and listening to The Secret - Rhonda Byrne's book, CD and DVD about the Law of Attraction: that what you think about and focus your thoughts on is what you will attract into your life.

I have absolutely no doubt that this works...if you truly believe something will happen, it probably will ...just as if you don't believe something is possible, then it probably isn't, at least for you. But what I would love to know is how many people who attempted to incorporate this concept into their lives have been able to stick with it. And I wonder what kind of results those that have done it, have gotten.

My personal experience has been that there is one secret that I didn't read about, and that is how hard it is to keep your focus on the positive, and the things you want to attract into your life. I am a complete believer in staying positive, being grateful for the blessings, focusing on where you want to be. What I didn't count on was all the stuff that seems to get in the way...the distractions, the frustrations...just life itself. Why is it that some days everything is easy and seems to fit together, to flow...and other days no matter what you do, it's one thing after another...

Well I have a little secret of my own...when things aren't going as planned and I just can't seem to be able to capture the feeling and vision of where it is I really want to be, I let it all go. I know, that's not always easy either, but I have learned ways to release the emotion, the frustration and the disappointment. Oftentimes just making the conscious choice to stop fretting and just let it all go enables me to create a no-worry zone...a peaceful attitude that basically says, "things are not how I want them to be right now, but I am not going to worry about it...I am not going to put pressure on myself to feel like I have to work at creating what I want right now...I'm just going to let the outcome go and just be!" If I am really having a tough time of it I will try using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique: http://www.emofree.com/), or meditate and use relaxation techniques (you will find info on all of this in Learn About at http://www.healwithhope.com/).

I know that it will all pass. Life is a series of ups and downs, highs and lows...and it doesn't mean I have failed at attracting the things I want into my life. It means that stuff happens...and it can only take control of my life if I allow it to. So the secret is to not just focus on what you want, but to be able to let it all go once in a while...to say, "it is what is...and I'm just going with the flow". The less power you give to the distractions, the sooner you will find yourself back on track, headed toward your goals and dreams. ~ Andrea :-)

There are several subjects I considered writing about today...and as I sat in bed making mental notes on each, I just happened to glance down at my feet where my loyal and loving companion, Hailee, is sleeping.

She is a 5 year old pug/shitzu mix who came into my life 5 years ago. Talk about divine intervention, or meant-to-be...

I was in a very difficult place at the time, my healing was slow going and I was really struggling. At the same time my son, who had just moved out on his own, decided to get a dog. A short time later he realized he wasn't quite ready for the responsibility and expense, and asked us if we would take the dog. It was hard to say no to such an adorable puppy, especially one with such a sweet and loving personality. And so my husband and I became "grandparents" for the first time...and have been blessed with an amazingly wonderful companion.

There are many factors that have contributed to my healing, but having this wonderful dog is surely at the top of the list. She didn't know or care about my health woes - all she knew is that she needed to get out for a walk several times a day, and since I was the only one at home, I had to force myself to get up and out, no matter how low my energy. And to my amazement I was able to do so more often than I would have thought possible. My stamina gradually improved and it is now a very rare day that I have been unable to enjoy our outings.

I also credit Hailee with helping me to lose a pound or two...I call it the "dog diet". I just can't seem to resist those soulful brown eyes staring at me when I eat, and so our deal is I will save her some of my food and she lets me eat in peace (well, most of the time!)...

The entire process of researching and creating Heal With Hope, as well as the other projects I am currently working on, occur while my loyal friend lays at my feet...or sits next to me...or rests in her dog bed in my office - and so I never feel alone. And when I need a little break she is always there to provide a welcome distraction.

Wherever I am or whatever I am doing, she is there offering her silent support. Loving me no matter what. She has been at my side through thick and thin, happy and sad, the good and bad.

I give the greatest of thanks for this most special and magnificent gift...I pray that I am blessed to have many, many more years to share life with my best friend, Hailee. ~Andrea :-)

If you don't believe in miracles take a moment and think about the human body and all of the complicated and detailed functions that occur every moment so we are able to walk, talk, eat, run, think, feel...and heal...

How the cut on your finger will close up because your body is able to grow new skin. When you are exposed to infection, your immune system will create antibodies to overcome it. Events may occur that leave you feeling sad or anxious, and somehow you will be able to find a way to be calmed and uplifed. Think about the chain of events that must occur for you to sleep - the processes that enable you to fall asleep, and then awaken again 7-8 hours later...and if for some reason you weren't able to get much sleep, your body will still be able to function and provide you with enough energy to do whatever it is you need to do.

I have recently been reminded of our amazing resilience and abilities as I watch my mother struggle with illness. She is almost 80 and has been dealing with health issues the last few years, most especially in the last few months. Dementia has hampered her mind and a series of infections have taken a toll on her physical body, yet each morning she awakens...and though she may not be the same person she once was or do all the things she was once able to do, I can see her body and mind still trying to overcome the challenges. And there are times when it all works and she is present and her energy will rebound, and I can see her spirit and strength return, even if just for a short while. I am so very, very thankful for those moments and for the miracle that I know they represent...and grateful for the capacity to find joy in those times, and have the strength to cope with the other times. Most of all I marvel at what resilient, amazing beings that we all are, and live in great gratitude and thanks for all miracles - both great and small. ~ Andrea :-)

I have always made a list of resolutions at the start of each new year, envisioning this day and year as a chance to start again with a clean slate and make the changes that I had wanted to make, but didn't, the previous year. Then when things didn't go according to plan, as inevitably life always seems to take us in directions that we hadn't anticipated, I would get discouraged and allow those experiences to set the tone for the rest of the year. And as I now know, this is exactly what I would continue to draw into my life.

I have come to realize that each and every day is a "new day", a chance to start over, to begin anew, to try something different, to move in a new direction. What happened yesterday or the day before really doesn't matter - all that matters is what choices I am going to make right now, in this moment...what am I going to create in my life right now. Each and every day is a chance to begin again, because each new dawn presents us with a clean slate, the opportunity to create a brighter, better day...to find a new way.

So if things don't go as planned on January 1st, that's ok. Because a new day will dawn on January 2nd, and that will be another opportunity to begin anew. ~ Andrea :-)