Andrea's Blog

Be grateful for life's little annoyances...

2012-01-09T23:05:00.004-05:00

It started when I overslept, next was my burned breakfast, followed by the dog sticking her head in a mound of dirt, losing my keys...all topped off with frustration because I wasn't able to reach the person who was providing material I needed to meet a deadline.

And so when a friend called to say hello and asked about my day I started to complain about having "one of those days" - and then it dawned on it me: wow, am I lucky! Here I am complaining about such silly little things, which means that I am truly blessed to not have any major problems to focus on. Because if I did, burnt toast and lost keys would probably not be at the forefront of my thoughts.

When you are dealing with a deep loss, a great upset, a serious health problem, the little things in life lose their importance. I am so grateful for today's reminder as to how fortunate I am to have nothing to worry about other than some burnt toast and lost keys. Thank you God for the lesson, and for all the blessings that fill my life! ~ Andrea Chervenak

Nothing to Say? Then Say Nothing!

2011-07-16T06:57:00.010-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted to my blog and if you're wondering why...it's simply that I've just not had anything worthwhile to say. My blog entries, really this entire website, have always come from a strong desire to share a message or some knowledge that I felt would benefit others. But the last few months I find myself in a period of transition and growth, both mentally and physically. Years ago I would have forged ahead anyway...I would have forced myself to continue writing and updating the website. But I have learned to honor my instincts and intuition, and they are telling me that this is a time for self-growth and reflection. I know when I have moved through this period, I will have much to share.

I feel a strong sense of obligation to honor the gifts God has blessed me, and all of us, with...physical bodies, powerful minds, and divine spirits. We must cherish and care for these gifts...and it is in doing so that we can fulfill our destiny and accomplish all that we were created to do.

So until we meet again I am sending wishes that your life is filled with love, peace, and good health... ~ Andrea :-)

Make Every Day Earth Day!

2011-04-22T22:09:00.009-04:00

It is still etched in my mind...the commanding presence of a Native American man standing at the water's edge, a tear running down his face after viewing the polluted water before him. That television commercial raised the consciousness of a generation. It was a wake-up call that the time had come to take responsibility for preserving our natural resources - because the health of our planet was at stake.

We have since learned not only does pollution threaten our planet, but that exposure to the toxins that create this pollution can have a devastating impact on our health and well-being. Last night World News (ABC) reported on three research studies done by prominent medical organizations that found pregnant women exposed to pesticides and other chemicals gave birth to children who are more likely to have lower IQ's than childen who were not exposed. I believe this is the tip of the iceberg...we are going to continue to uncover stronger and stronger links between toxic exposure in our water, food, and environment, to many illness and disease. Because not only do toxins harm the environment, but our continued exposure overwhelms the body's natural defenses, leading to weakened immune systems, and ultimately disease and illness.

Fortunately today there are a variety of options that enable us to reduce and eliminate toxins. Organic clothing, food, and bedding. Natural cleaners for our homes & offices, natural treatments for our lawns and for pest elimination. It may cost a little more for these products and services, but I'd rather pay a little more upfront than pay a greater price later.

So on this Earth Day make a pledge to educate yourself, commit to living a cleaner & greener life which will result in a healthier planet...and healthier YOU!

~ Andrea :-)

Change is on the way....

2011-02-15T16:55:00.006-05:00

When I created Heal With Hope several years ago little did I know that God had even bigger things in store for me. I now find more and more of my time being directed to my line of inspirational products (Wear Your Intention) which has morphed from one t-shirt two years ago, to more than 30 t-shirts designs, jewelry, cards and totes, today. What started as a way to help people stay focused on the positive during tough times, seems to grow and evolve each day. And I struggle to find the time I had been devoting to HWH the last few years. Because I want to practice what I preach, and honor my physical and emotional limitations, I am no longer going to be updating HWH on a monthly basis. Rather I will continue to post articles, update my blog, and share information when I have something I believe would be of interest to HWH visitors...it just won't be on such a regular basis.

If I have learned anything during my long and sometimes challenging life journey, is that there is no dishonor in not being able to do it all. I know that my need to be all things to all people contributed to the long and debilitating illness I struggled with for so long. Old habits are hard to break, and for too long I tried to "do it all" again...but I have learned to listen to my inner guide, and the message I am hearing is that it is time to let go of some of the responsibilities I have undertaken, no matter much I want to continue.

One thing will never change - and that is my commitment to do what I can to share a message of hope to those who are feeling lost, alone, or helpless. I will never forget what it was like to feel abandoned by my doctors, my friends, and at times God. I know life is filled with challenge...but I also know that if you carry hope in your heart, and choose to believe that all things are possible...you will always find your way. ~ Andrea :-) andrea@healwithhope.com

Can one person really change the world?

2011-01-01T23:47:00.005-05:00

I've heard from many people who not only feel helpless about affecting change in their own lives, but also feel powerless to do anything about the hate and negativity that seems to be so pervasive in the world today.

After 10 years of struggling to cope with a debilitating illness I was blessed to be introduced to the teachings of Dr. Wayne Dyer and Eckhart Tolle, whose philosphies about the power of thought, energy, and ego, transformed my life (read My Story). I now understand that not only can I impact my present and future by living with positive intention, but I also can impact the collective energy of the world by choosing to treat others with respect, love, and caring. I know when someone extends kindness and compassion to me, it can shift my entire attitude and positively impact my entire day...encouraging and enabling me to share that same positive energy with others I interact with.

Well, I got to thinking, what if everyone exercised their personal power and made a commitment to be kind and compassionate to one another...what kind of impact would that have on the world? And so I hope you will join me and make the choice to be a source of positiviy by "sharing a smile, lending a hand, sharing kindness...and hopefully in some small way - change the world in a positive way. Learn more about The Power of 1 campaign...and I hope you will join me in resolving to make the world a more positive place... ~ Andrea :-)

A Wish For You...

2010-12-05T10:09:00.005-05:00

It is hard to believe the holiday season is underway! I know that for those who are coping with illness, it can be a particularly trying time. I remember many a Christmas when the simplest tasks became overwhelming projects. As a "shop til you drop" shopper, I was grateful to feel well enough to browse through a catalog and be able to pick up the phone to order gifts. There were times when I didn't know if I would have the energy to sit up long enough to watch our kids open their presents. And many a day when I would lay in bed wonder if I was ever going to enjoy the holiday season again. To those of you who may be wondering this very thing, I say: yes you can, and yes you will!

I never stopped searching for answers...and never gave up hope I would be well. And I am so thankful today that even though my journey was longer and more difficult than I ever could have imagined, God blessed me with the ability to go on, to keep believing I would find my way...and today I am not only able to enjoy the season, but I am living a richer, fuller, and better life than I ever imagined possible! Who is to say why life is oft filled with struggle and challenge...I don't have the answer to that question. I only know that "it is what it is" and if you have faith, and make the personal committment to do and be your best each day - no matter what the circumstances, you too will find your way!

My wish for you today, and every day, is that small things bring you big pleasure...that your joys outnumber your sorrows (10 to1!)...that your challenges become inspired lessons...that all of your dreams become reality...that wherever you go your Guardian Angel follows watching over and protecting you...that you are able to live your best life despite the obstacles you may be facing...I hope you awaken each day knowing that miracles are possible, and above all I pray that one is on its way to you right now!

Happy, Healthy, Wonderful Holiday! ~ Andrea Chervenak :-)

2010-11-02T13:43:00.010-04:00

Words have such immense power...they can lift us up, brighten a dark day, and inspire us to move from despair to a mindset of hope and peace. I began to recognize their true power during a very long and debilitating illness. Somehow all those little plaques, statues, and bookmarks I surrounded my living space with - with their hopeful and encouraging messages - helped me to maintain a sense of hope during a very trying time.

When I eventually found healing, and decided to share all that had helped me, I had no idea what a big part words of inspiration would play. After creating the Heal With Hope website, I would hear from people who were trying to maintain a positive focus, but were struggling to do so given all the challenges they were facing. I recognized there was such great need in this world for inspiration...and decided that I would create products to inspire, empower, and motivate!

First came Wear Your Intention organic cotton t-shirts, and now I've just added organic tote bags, recycled note cards, and inspiration pendants. My plan then, and now, is to offer inspiration to those in need...and to use the profits from this effort to expand the ways in which I can share the benefits of the alternative and natural treatments, techniques, and philosophies that I know can help people live healthier and happier lives.

All of the products are on a website called The Inspiration Boutique. I hope you will take a look, and let me know what you think. I am always open to your ideas and suggestions for what would inspire you! ~ Andrea :-) andrea@healwithhope.com

"It all begins with a thought."
~ Wear Your Intention

Good advice

2010-10-02T23:19:00.003-04:00

"We are all doing the best we can with the understanding,
knowledge, and awareness we have."
~ Louise Hay

I love my Louise Hay Inspiration calendar...each day there's an affirmation or quote that inspires me, and today's quote really hit home. The last few weeks have been challenging to say the least...there have been days when I feel as though I am starring in the Muryphy's Law Show! It's been one thing after another, and I've been doing my best to go with the flow, but it hasn't been easy.

How appropriate on a day when I was feeling a bit down on myself, and some of the decisions I've made lately, to be reminded that all I can ever do is the best I can. Fact is this is not the last time I will make a mistake or error in judgement, but when I do I can only hope that I learn from it and do better the next time. One of my favorite Oprahism's "when you know better you do better" has enabled me to move through moments of, "did you really just say/do/think that??!!??" more times than I'd probably care to admit!

Jot down Louise's quote, and Oprah's too...and the next time you mess up, and if you're human rest assured you will, you too can remind yourself that if you did your best, you did good...even if the end result was not quite what you had hoped for. ~ Andrea Chervenak :-)

My Truth About Peace & Faith

2010-09-03T11:38:00.007-04:00

As one who came to terms with my spirituality late in life I am finally able to bask in the peace that comes from living a faith-based life. I had always thought of faith as it relates to religious beliefs, but my life's journey has allowed me to view it in an entirely different way.

A few years ago, when I was very ill and in a dark and desperate place, I followed the wise advice of a spiritual counselor who told me to "ask God to prove His existence so you never doubt Him again." You see I had always struggled with my religious beliefs and had gotten to the point where I felt as though if there was a God, I surely had done something very wrong to be punished with an illness that left me feeling hopeless and without options.

After I challeneged God to prove Himself to me, the seemingly impossible happened: my life began to change in the most amazing ways! All that I needed became available to me, and I have absolutely no doubt this happened because God felt I was finally ready to understand life's truth. I still haven't figured out all the details, and maybe never will, but that no longer matters. I have come to know the true meaning of peace, and of faith, comes from acceptance that my uncertainties are a function of the human mind...which was divinely created to question and doubt. Yet at the same time I am filled with the unwavering knowing that a Higher Power does exist...and the Spirit of that Power lives within me.

I can fnally say I know true faith and as a result - peace. Because the Universal Power I believe in isn't concerned where I communicate with Him or how I communicate with Him, but simply that I do. All He asks of me is that I do my best, that I do good in the world, and that I always strive to be kind, compassionate, and caring to His other children. He knows I am going to make mistakes, and I have no doubt He forgives my human failings. I believe He wants for me all of the dreams, hopes, and blessings that I want for myself. And so through challenge and struggle He has led me to my own personal truth...the truth that allows me to have faith in the face of despair...the faith that allows me to accept life as it is, and to strive and reach for all of the amazing things it can be. ~ Andrea :-)

The Power of Six Seconds

2010-08-02T13:45:00.012-04:00

"Minds are useful when we need to conceptualize, plan, and theorize. But when we depend on them to guide out inner lives, we're lost. Minds are excellent at presenting a thousand different variations of the past and conjuring them into a future...and then scaring us with most of them."
~ Geneen Roth, Women Food And God

If only we were built with on/off switches and had the ability to turn our minds on when we needed them, and off when we didn't. But since that is not the case, how can we move away from the the continual chatter in our mind?? Of course there is meditation - a practice that many people find immensely helpful. But I am just not one who can practice mindfulness by sitting for 30 - 60 minutes.

What I do find beneficial is deep breathing that seems to calm my physical body, as well as my mind. I have been doing lots of deep, slow breathing the last few years but added another step recently that provides an even greater release of stress and anxiety, and quiets my body & mind more readily.

Here's the exercise I use: Take a deep breath in through the nose (if you are breathing in properly your abdomen will rise, not just your chest!)...HOLD FOR 6 FULL SECONDS...then gently and slowly release the breath through the mouth. After repeating this several times I am filled a greater sense of ease and peace, while at the same time feeling more energized.

How blessed we are to hold so many simple, yet powerful, abilities!! ~ Andrea :-)

Turn Helpless into Hope

2010-06-26T08:31:00.005-04:00

I gave up watching the local news years ago. Seems all they ever have to report are murders, rapes, and robberies, and I just decided that listening to all negativity wasn't good for my health - mental or physical! So I made the newspaper my source of local news - each morning I scan the headlines and decide what I want to read, and what I don't. This way I can stay informed, but don't feel overwhelmed with continued exposure to the not-so-good news.

I've always enjoyed the national evening news...they seem to offer a broader view of world events and human interest stories you wouldn't hear about otherwise. But I find in the last two months I have a hard time watching any news. What is happening in the Gulf is devastating. My heart breaks for the people whose lives have been impacted by this disaster, as well as the wildlife and environmental destruction. What a helpless feeling to watch this unfold and not be able to do anything about it.

The sad truth is there are more things we can't control, than things we can. But the one thing we do have is the ability to filter the information that we expose ourselves to, and to process it in a constructive way. Be informed, but know that continued exposure to negative news can have a negative impact on the body, mind, and spirit. Remember too that hope is a powerful energy, and even in the most dire and seemingly impossible circumstances a dose of hope combined with the power of prayer can change everything. So if you too begin to feel overwhelmed by all that is going on, see it resolving in a positive way...pray for this outcome - and together we just may change the world!

Flu Philosopy!

2010-06-12T08:00:00.006-04:00

"You can't be sick...you never get sick!" Well my husband was wrong. I had some kind of flu/virus that had me feeling pretty lousy for the last week. Even though I wasn't feeling great, I knew it could have been so much worse. Because I take good care of my body on a regular basis, I was able to fight the virus off and recover quickly. But what also got me through without too much wear and tear was my positive mental attitude.

If you've never tried living life from the "it can always be worse" perspective, I suggest you give it a try. I've found that when things go wrong the more I focus on what is wrong and the more "woe is me" attitude I have, the worse things seem to become. But when things go wrong and I work at shifting my thinking to, "ok this stinks...but I know it could always be worse" and I refocus my thoughts to all of the things that are right and all of the blessings...somehow things always seem to get back on track.

And I used this same philosophy to get me through the flu. Every time I started feeling really sick I would remind myself how much worse it could have been...and then started thinking about all of the blessings that fill my life. So when my fever would spike I would remind myself that at least my stomach wasn't affected. Or when my cough became really annoying I would remind myself how lucky I am to know about the soothing effects of honey and how this natural miracle helps to calm a cough without any side affects. Doing this would always make me feel a little better...and before long I noticed that even when I was feeling bad, I wasn't feeling bad...

So next time life is not cooperating with your plans, try having an attitude of gratitude and remind yourself, "it can always be worse..." and see if that doesn't help you move through life's challenges a little more easily! ~ Andrea :-)

Take Responsiblity For Your Own Life...

2010-05-29T08:11:00.012-04:00

I know it isn't easy to do the things one needs to do to be healthy. But if you aren't willing to put forth a little effort and make a few sacrifices, then don't complain when you don't feel well or get sick!!

Unless you live under a rock you know that in order to get and/or stay healthy you need to eat right, exercise, and reduce stress. Yet I hear from people all the time who are looking for fast and easy. They don't want to eliminate the foods that are weakening their bodies. They don't want to get up off the couch and go for a walk. They aren't willing to take a few minutes each day to mediate and to eliminate the things that create stress.

Believe me, I am far from perfect. But I have learned the hard way that if you are not willing to support and nurture your body eventually there is a price to pay. I've suffered the consequences of not doing what is right, and that is why I am so passionate about warning others when they are being complacent about their health. Good health is a gift...a gift that comes from properly caring for our bodies, minds, and spirits.

Don't wait until you've lost your health to start doing what you need to do!! Start eating healthy, nutritious foods and stop eating the garbage that weakens your body. Get some exercise - some is always better than none. And find ways to eliminate the stressors in your life because they too are bad for your health. Feed your body, mind, and spirit...and in return you will be blessed with the rewards of good health and inner peace!! ~ Andrea

Even Miracles Take A Little TIme!

2010-05-08T21:18:00.014-04:00

I was browsing in a gift shop and came across a plaque with a message that really touched me: Even miracles take a little time. I bought it because in this "hurry-up I want it now" world we live in I often find it difficult to be patient and seem to want what I want instantaneously! I keep this plaque on my desk as a reminder that the best things in life are often the things we have to work or wait for.

No where are miracles more evident than in nature, especially the transformation from the dreary harshness of winter to the lush beauty of spring. Just this week I was reminded of the small miracles that Mother Nature performs. We had colder than usual temps in the South this year that lasted for much of the winter. Tropical plants obviously don't do well in freezing temps, and so we thought we had lost quite a few plants and shrubs. We tried to have an optimistic outlook and were hopeful that many of the the plants were healthy enough to survive and would come back to life. But by late April many still looked like dried sticks, and we decided it was time to replace them. But lo and behold when we went to remove them we were met with one of nature's little miracles: green buds sprouting from those dried sticks!! Actually some of the plants had already been sprouting leaves!! What an amazing reminder of the magnificence of nature and the cycle of life... and a profound example that even miracles take a little time! ~ Andrea :-)

Check out the beautiful leaves growing back on one of the plants...and if you look closely you will see the others beginning to sprout new leaves too:

Finding the words...

2010-04-30T23:18:00.003-04:00

As I was getting ready to sit down and begin writing I checked my emails and found a lovely note from an old friend. It was beautifully and eloquently written and I couldn't help but think, "if only I had that gift, if only I could find a way to express myself through the written word." And I had to laugh! Because here I sit every week - writing an article, or writing for this blog, or my blog for Wear Your Intention. And I wonder where I get the nerve to do it.

I am not a very good writer - people tell me I ramble way too much. Guess I write like I speak...never did have a knack for getting to the point, always needing to share all the little details. I think that must come from spending my youth listening to my mother's best friend, Marilyn. She was (is) a beautiful woman - beautiful red hair, always dressed perfectly, her make-up perfect. She would often stop by our house on her way home from work and sit at the kitchen table where I was doing homework, and would chat with Mom as she cooked dinner. Marilyn is the world's greatest storyteller. It takes her 30 minutes to relay an incident that would take most others 3 minutes. But she has a way with words - she makes even the simplest things sound fascinating. I could sit and listen to her tell stories for hours on end. To this day I look forward to our two or three times a year phone chats...they used to be updates about my mother's health, but now that Mom is gone, I find comfort in Marilyn's stories - chatting with her always brings back so many wonderful memories.

See what I mean - here I am, off topic, and rambling. What I started off wanting to say is this: Never let your lack of ability stop you from doing anything. I may not be a very eloquent writer, but I feel like I have a lot to say. Not everyone will like my delivery, some may not like the message. But there will be those who might learn something from the experiences I share, or perhaps it will spark an idea that leads them to better health or a happier life. I think skill is a great thing, but passion is better. Follow your passion. It may not make you a great writer, but it can lead you to rewards that can't be communicated with mere words. ~ Andrea :-)

A Skeptic No More

2010-04-16T07:32:00.005-04:00

I met Dr. Bob Christiano about 5 years ago. I was in a pretty dark place at the time. I had been struggling with "chronic fatigue syndrome" for 10 years and was feeling pretty discouraged. I had been to dozens of doctors and alternative practitioners, and none seemed to be able to provide the answers I was desperately seeking.

So when I met Dr. Bob I was hopeful that this time I would find healing, yet deep inside was a voice telling me to not get my hopes up because I had been here/done this before. But there was something about Dr. Bob that was different from the start. I could tell that he took his work very seriously and cared deeply about his patients.

Because I was extremely sensitive to supplements and other treatment protocols, it was not easy for Dr. Bob to jumpstart the healing process. But he was patient, and persistent...and in time figured out ways to treat my very weak and sensitive body.

Dr. Bob not only explored the root cause of the physical symptoms, but the emotional components as well. It is only because of his wisdom and insight that I was able to recognize the spiritual disconnection that was manifesting itself in physical ways. He helped me to develop a relationship with God, and at the same time worked at healing and supporting my physical body.

This process has been like peeling an onion - one layer at a time we have peeled away the symptoms and their causes...and as we do I get stronger, healthier, wiser, and more inspired. Although Dr. Bob is not the only practioner who has been instrumental to my healing, he is certainly the most integral part.

The energy work he does has changed me in profound ways. But it is his dedication and determination that I admire most about him. I share this with you for the same reason I created Heal With Hope - because I want you and others to know that there are people out there with the knowledge and compassion to help you - even when traditional and alternative medicine may have failed you thusfar. No matter where you live the treatment protocols he uses can be applied long distance. He is an amazing person, and talented doctor. And I give great thanks for the blessing of being guided to him!! If you want to learn more about Dr. Bob, visit his website: http://www.newwavewellness.com/~ Andrea :-)

PS: Just a reminder that I do not accept paid endorsements or advertisements, as is the case here.

Positve or Pollyanna?

2010-03-28T10:00:00.004-04:00

I want to set the record straight. Yes, I am a positive person. And no, I am not Pollyanna. Do I think things always turn out the way they are intended? Yes. Do I believe in the power of positive thinking? Yes. I am absolutely convinced that if you focus on what you want the likelihood of achieving it is far greater. Just as if you focus on what is wrong and what you don't want, the likelihood of continuing to manifest more of the same, is greater.

But being positve doesn't mean you view the world through rose-colored glasses. It means that even when times are tough, when things don't go as planned - and you are facing challenges both large and small...that it is all going to be ok. It's believing that all things happen for a reason, and if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will find your way. It means accepting that sometimes "it is what it is."

Most of all being a postive-focused person is about faith. Faith in yourself...and faith in a higher power. It is knowing that growth does not come from sunshine and roses...that's the place where we discover pleasure. We grow, evolve, and learn when we have to dig deep. When we have to figure things out. And being positive means that you keep your eye on the end goal, even when it is hard to see or believe - especially when it is hard to see and believe!

I've been facing some of those challenges myself lately. A venture I undertook that felt so divinely inspired at the time, has not turned out exactly how I envisioned it. Am I a little disappointed? Sure. But I am not only a positive person, but a realist as well. I face my disappoints the same way I face all of the goodness in life. I give thanks for it - for all of it. I do not judge life by the number of challenges I face...but rather but the face I put to each challenge. I know that the possibilities before me are limited only by my ability to imagine and believe in them. I accept all of life. I choose to have faith. To believe that as long as I listen to my heart that I will be guided to all I need to know, and all I need to do...and to live the life it is intended for me to live. ~ Andrea Chervenak

From Winter to Spring...

2010-03-20T09:15:00.009-04:00

After months of unusually cold, dreary weather, today is a magnificient day. Bright sunshine, warm dry air, and the beautiful colors of flowers in bloom. Somehow today I feel lighter, more peaceful, and more optimistic. Because like the weather, the last few months have been unusually challenging. But lately I notice a shift - the days seem brighter, relationships warmer, and opportunitites are in bloom.

Our lives really are a mirror of the "nature" of nature. Just as we experience "winter" in our lives, if we are patient eventually "spring" does arrive. The ability to recognize that nothing stays the same forever - the seasons change, the tides turn... brings with it a sense of peace and spirit of optimism.

There are seasons to all life...the shift from dark and dreary to beauty and sunshine. It happens in nature when the starkness of Winter becomes warm, colorful Spring. And it happens in our own lives as we move from darkness and difficulty to brighter, happier times. So just as we get through February because we know that better weather lies just ahead in March, we can take comfort during challening times knowing that the tide will always change, the seasons always shift, and all be well once again. ~ Andrea

Life Lessons

2010-02-28T17:10:00.009-05:00

We moved to Florida more than 20 years ago, leaving behind most of our family and friends. It was a difficult thing to do, but we knew we had made the right decision when we met our neighbors. All of them were lovely people, but we had a particular fondness for our next door neighbors, John and Lucy. From the first time I met Lucy I knew she was a special person. There was something about her smile that would put you at ease, that made you feel happy to be in her presence. And Lucy was a champion hugger. For some reason I always felt comforted when she hugged me, and could feel her love and caring eminate from it.

About 6 years ago we moved, but Lucy and I made a point of staying in close touch. Last year Lucy called with bad news. They had discovered cancer, a rare form. Initially the prognosis was good. Unfortunately the surgery, chemo, and other experimental treatments they tried, did not work. Sadly Lucy passed away last week. Although I have experienced a great deal of loss the last few years, for some reason this particular loss has been very difficult to process.

The last time I saw Lucy I knew she was struggling to accept her illness, and the uncertainly that came with it. She was trying hard to be positive, and to have faith. When we spoke a few weeks later she was much more peaceful and seemed to have come to terms with the situation. Lucy was a person of great faith, and I believe she found peace by enjoying life as much as possible, and leaving the rest in God's hands.

Her passing has been filled with reminders. How precious life is. How fleeting it can be. How this moment is all we really have, and we need to do whatever we can to make the most of it. Most importantly Lucy has been the lesson that the kind of life you live does matter. Because when you live it the right way, you will never be forgotten.

I have no doubt that heaven is a brighter, more beautiful place now that Lucy is there...sharing her smile and hugs with all who have gone before her. And I know there are many people beside myself who will never, ever forget her - and the amazing, wonderful woman she was. ~ Andrea

My apologies...

2010-01-29T03:59:00.004-05:00

I know it has been a while since I've been able to blog...I apologize if you've been wondering why I've haven't written for a while! I've been spending every waking moment working on a new website about positive intention. The new site is The Power of Positive Intention.com. I've had so many people ask me about positive intention and thought it was time to create a resource for those who are looking for answers, or just want to live a more positive life.

The last few years I've heard complaints about how difficult it can be to remain positive in a sometimes negative world. And I've also been asked many times how I am able to remain positive given some of the experiences I've lived through, and some of the challenges I continue to live with. And my answer to those questions is always this: being positive is not an emotion - it's an attitude. It is simply a recognition of the personal power we each have - not to control the cirucmstances of or lives, but rather to choose how we will react to them.

Being positive is making the choice to see challenge and struggle as opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve. It is finding blessings in even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is the effort to live your best life. It is your vision for today, and faith that tomorrow can be a better day. It is a spirit of peace, and a heart filled with hope. Being positive is trust in the knowing that you are created from the Spirit of magnificence and perfection - and are capable of so much. ~ Andrea Chervenak

Baby, It's Cold Out There!!

2010-01-09T17:45:00.008-05:00

Two long sleeve shirts, a thick hoodie sweatshirt, fleece pants, fur-lined boots, and a thick scarf...no I am not visiting Antartica - I am sitting at the computer inside my home in Florida, and I am FREEZING!!! For those who live in parts of the country where it is always cold this time of year, please understand - we are not used to this!! It has been 30 degrees below normal for about a week now, and today some areas had sleet and even snow flurries!! One of the main reasons we moved here is because I have never tolerated the cold very well... so to say I was not looking forward to the plunging temperatures is an understatement!! I've heard the theory that after living in a warm climate for a while, your blood thins and you feel the cold more. So if this is true, I figured after living here for more than 20 years, I might have a tough time handling more than a week of freezing weather. But it turns out the cold weather has been a nice surprise and a nice change...and got me thinking about how often we anticipate the worst, and more often than not, wind up pleasantly surprised!!

That's the thing about negative anticipation...we worry, we resist, we expect the worst. But usually when change does occur, things almost always work out better than we expected!! Look at my experience this week with the cold weather...it actually turned out to be a nice change. The cool weather was invigorating. It's brought about an opportunity to communicate with people I might not have connected with otherwise - neighbors, and even srangers...everyone here is talking about the weather! Since it's a bit too cold to be out for long, people seem to be spending more time indoors - I've heard several stories of family movie or game nights, or those who are lingering over meals a little longer than usual.

This experience has been a good reminder that big changes and small changes are really just opportunities to experience something different, a way to challenge ourselves, a chance to shift into another mode, and even come away with a fresh or new perspective on things. When the world around us changes, it creates possiblities for us to change, too.

I won't be sorry to see the cold weather go, but I am glad it was here. So next summer when it is hot and humid, I will be able to remind myself of how it feels to be cold! I have the wonderful memories of the fun (but bundled up) long walks my husband and I have taken, and the really great quality family time we've spent. And I also have the answer to a question I have often pondered: if I ever had to go back up North would I be able to handle the cold?? I may not like it, but I now know I can survive it!!! ;-) ~ Andrea

2010: The Year Of New Choices

2009-12-29T12:45:00.011-05:00

The calendar may indicate that a new year is upon us, but if you carry your old habits and attitudes with you, will there really be anything "new" about it?? This is the perfect time to make time for self-reflection and introspection. Many of us find it difficult to honestly evaluate our lives, so if you need some guidance, try this exercise:

Take a blank sheet of paper and on one side make a column entitled Positives, and on the other side, Negatives. In the Positive column list the following: What in your life is working for you? What are the things that make you happy and fill you with contentment and joy? On the Negative side list all of the things that are NOT working, the things that are making you unhappy, and are holding you back.

After you've done a thoughtful evaluation of what is and isn't working in your life, turn the paper over. Make two new columns: Goals and Plan of Action. In the Goals column list all of your goals for 2010. Don't forget to include things such as "learning to live in the moment" and "finding blessings in every situation" if you have not yet mastered these important life skills. In the Action column list out the steps you need to take and the things you need to do, to accomplish these goals.

Never forget that everything in life always comes down to one thing: choice. Whether you are aware of it, or not, we each have the power to choose - our thoughts, our actions, and our deeds. Sometimes we relinquish this power because we have lost connection with our inner guide. But once you recognize and reclaim this power...all things become possible.

If you do nothing else in 2010 I hope you decide to reclaim your power, and to make choices that will fill you peace, love, and hope. Happy New Year! ~ Andrea :-)

Need some inspiration in the New Year? Check out our line of organic cotton inspriational t-shirts: http://www.wearyourintention.com/

Thanks to my Guardian Angels...

2009-12-18T10:48:00.002-05:00

The dictionary describes a Guardian Angel as: an angel believed to have special care of a particular individual; a savior or protector. I never really believed in angels - guardian, or otherwise, but I am now convinced the world is full of them, because I have been blessed to have had several show up in my life the last few years!

It was just over three years ago, I had found my way through a very long and difficult illness, and was inspired to create a website to share all that I had learned about healing with others who were also searching for ideas and inspiration. I know absolutely nothing about creating a website, my computer skills were basically limited to emailing and internet shopping. That's when divine intervention brought Guardian Angel number one into my life. Evelyn Dufner of My Computer Angel.com came to my rescue - first by helping me to build and develop the Heal With Hope website, and then by teaching me everything I needed to know about computers and web design. How special is Evelyn? I don't know too many people who would rush to a client's home at 10:00 at night because their computer crashed...and it just so happens to have happened on the same day they finished an 18 month journey of writing a 260 page book!! Not only did she come to help me that night, but has done so many other times as well.

I am also indebted to a dear friend, Matt Weber of ROAR On The Web.com. Matt is a brilliant marketer and owner of an incredible web design/Internet marketing company. We had lost touch for a number of years, but divine intervention played its part and we reconnected a couple of years ago when I was in need of a company that offered greater technical know-how. Matt has been an invaluable source of information, ideas, and inspiration. He and his talented team redesigned the HWH website earlier this year, creating a beautiful and well-organized site...and because of their expertise, we reach more people than ever before.

About a year and a half ago I was inspired to develop Wear Your Intention. I knew absolutely nothing about women's apparel, particularly organics, all I knew was that I wanted to offer a fashionable t-shirt made with organic cotton. The Universe guided me to reconnect with another friend I had lost touch with, and who it turns out was opening a business specializing in organic clothing and other natural products. There is not enough time or space for me to share with you all that Paula Rigoli of Pure Style Sales & Marketing has done to help me, but I can tell you this - without her I am not sure Wear Your Intention would exist. She is a bright, loving, caring person who is without a doubt, my Guardian Angel. She is in the process of redoing her website, but if you are ever in need of natural or organic products, she's the person you wan to talk to.

You would think that at this point I had been blessed enough, but I can tell you that it just gets better and better! Some of the angels who continued to enter my life include Marcy Matthews of Lawton Printers, who with Brad Berberich of the same company, spent 6 torturous months helping me to take my 260 page "manuscript" and turned it into the beautiful, easy-read book that it is is today. Both Marcy and Brad treated Heal With Hope A Healing Handbook & Journal as though it were there own, and they painstakingly worked to ensure that every detail was just right. They give the term customer service new meaning.

Through Marcy I met two of the most talented graphic artists you could ever hope to work with. Renee Blair (ReneeBlair.com) and David Leach are the creative talent behind all of Wear Your Intention's unique, original designs. They are not just artistically talented, but are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. They both have the patience of a saint - and trust me, I know this because I can definitely test the patience of a saint! Without them there would be no beautiful t-shirts, no catalogs, no hang tags...none of the creative materials they continue to produce for us each day.

Another person who has made this journey so remarkable is our t-shirt printer, Joe Hull. Joe owns J & H Printing, and I don't think he had any idea what he was getting himself into when he agreed to print our t-shirts. T-shirt printing is an art, and I have no doubt that the time and care Joe takes with each shirt he prints, adds to the love and positive energy that people feel when they wear a WYI tee.

And earlier this year another Guardian Angel entered my life. Evelyn took a teaching position at a local college, and I desperately needed to find a computer/web tutor...but I didn't think it would ever be possible to fill Evelyn's shoes. But then I met Dave Van Beekum, owner of DB Tech Design. Dave is a very talented, very bright young man who has been a terrific teacher. He recently updated the look of the Wear Your Intention website, and customized it so it is now a much more user-friendly site. Dave and I are working on lots of new features, and have some great things planned for 2010.

I have also been blessed with two wonderful friends who have offered encouragement and support...and have been willing to do whatever they can to help - including modeling! I am so very grateful to Alison and Lynn for always finding time to help, to offer an opinion, and to listen to me even when I tell the same story over and over! ;-)

As blessed as I have been having all of these amazing people in my life, it is my family to whom the greatest thanks must go. My beautiful daughter, Laura, who patiently read every version of my book - over and over and over. Who provided ideas, opinions, and is a sounding board for everything I do. She models all of our shirts even though she is busy with her own work and activities. Her enthusiasm and love has gotten me through many bumps in the road, and she is without a doubt the light of my life.

My son Michael is a source of balance and groundedness. He is my reminder that it is the simple things in life that matter. He may not be in the midst of the "action" but is always there to cheer me on, and I know that he is there for me whenever I need him.

And then there is my husband, Mike. Everyone who knows him will tell you that he is without a doubt one of the kindest, most decent people you will ever know. He is my inspiration, my backbone, my rock. For 36 years he has provided unconditional love and support. He is always there to catch me when I fall, to encourage me when I want to quit, and who makes me believe I can do anything...because he believes I can. I can tell you with 100% certainty that there would be no Heal With Hope or Wear Your Intention without him, because without him by my side there is no way I would have survived those dark and difficult days that preceded all the joy that fills my life today.

I give thanks to God for all of the angels He has blessed my life with. I give thanks for the inspiration, the purpose, the passion that fills my mind and spirit. I give thanks for the honor of knowing these amazing people, and for the gift of having them in my life. ~ Andrea Chervenak

PS Want to see the t-shirt I created to honor all my Guardian Angels? View it here!

Have A Little Faith...

2009-12-06T10:10:00.006-05:00

Looking for a great book to give this holiday season? I just finished Mitch Albom's new book, Have A Little Faith, and loved it! It is the true story of his 8 year journey to get to know and better understand his childhood rabbi, who had asked Mitch to deliver his eulogy when he dies.

This is a beautifully written tale of how he reconnects with the man he feared and revered, and the spiritual lessons and evolution he underwent. Mitch intertwines this with the story of his meeting Pastor Henry Covington, who rise from a life of crime and drug addiction, to become a preacher to the poor and homeless.

No matter what your religious beliefs, this is a deeply moving, inspiring look at faith...and as Rabbi Harold Jushner describes, "...about the power of love to triumph over death, and the power of faith to us through the worst adversity." Senator Bob Dole offers this comment, "A timeless story...about faith, hope, and serving others, and the yearning to be involved in something greater than ourselves."

Here are a few excerpts that touched me:

"...if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of 'I could have, I should have.' "

"The things society tells us we must have to be happy - a new this or that, a bigger house, a better job. I know the falsity of it. I have counseled many people who have all these things, and I can tell you they are not happy because of them. The number of marraiges that have disintegrated when they had all the stuff in the world. The families who fought and argued all the time when they had money and health. Having more does not keep you from wanting more. And if you always want more - to be richer, more beautiful, more well-known - you are missing the bigger picture, and I can tell you from experience, happiness will never come."

"When a baby comes into this world its hands are clenched...because a baby, not knowing any better, wants to grab everything, to say 'the whole world is mine.' But when an old person dies, how does he do so? With his hands open. Why? because he has learned the lesson, we can take nothing with us."

"...the secret of happiness...be satisfied, be grateful for what you have...for the love you receive...and for what God has given you...that's it."

Read more on Amazon.com, or visit your local bookstore! It's a great book to give or get! ~Andrea :-)

The Greatest of all Gifts

2009-12-01T22:22:00.016-05:00

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,
plans for your good and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

I can still picture our little white Christmas tree. It was maybe 2 or 3 ft. tall, and fit perfectly on a table in our living room. What made this tree so special were the bubble lights it had - they were in the shape of a candle, in various colors, and when plugged in the liquid inside would heat up and bubble. I remember that tree as though I just saw it yesterday. I would sit for hours just watching the lights glisten and bubble...I so loved that little tree.

What strikes me as I take this trip down memory lane is that I honestly can't name one present I received as a kid. But as I think back upon this time in my life, I realize that the greatest gift I ever received was the spirit of love my parents passed on to me. Their love was always unconditional. They were always there when I needed them. They thought I could do anything, and so I grew up thinking I could do anything. And from this love grew the most powerful of all gifts: a spirit filled with hope. A sense of hope still lives within me today. It has allowed me to overcome obstacles that at times seemed insurmountable...it has given me strength when I didn't think I could take another step forward...and has taught me that all things are possible if I believe they are.

It does not matter whether you are rich or poor, young or old - the gift of love is always within you to give...to others, and to yourself. From love grows the spirit of hope. And when you have hope, you have all you will ever need. And there is no gift greater.

Wishing you days blessed with love and hope, always... Andrea :-)

I'm thankful for...

2009-11-20T20:14:00.006-05:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It has little to do with turkey, and everything to do with the spirit of the season. I grew up with a father who didn't believe in self-pity, but did believe in being thankful for what you have - however much or little that might be. As a kid I never wanted for much, but whatever I had never seemed to be enough. Every time I would complain that I didn't have this or that, or some other perceived tragedy, my father would remind me "there is always someone who has it worse than you." His favorite story was about the man who was sitting in a bar complaining to the man next to him about a hole in his shoe, when he looked over and realized that man had no leg. No matter how many times dad shared this story, it was always a sobering reminder how much worse life could be.

Several years ago I lived through a very long and challenging period dealing with debilitating symptoms from a chronic illness that left me struggling to find much to be grateful for. But on the darkest of those days I would hear my father's words, "there is always someone who has it worse than you..." and I would be reminded that as hard as my life was, there was someone who was dealing with something much worse.

As I moved through that long, difficult time my sense of gratefulness increased. Actually I believe that having a strong sense of gratitude helped me to survive and come through the experience stronger, wiser...and more grateful. There is so much I am thankful for today. I still stuggle with my health from time to time, and I have heartaches and disappointments like everyone else. But I have learned that if I can focus on the blessings, if I can find something to be grateful for no matter what circumstances, I move through the experience more quickly and easily.

I give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. I give thanks for being guided to all of the answers and cures I need to be healthy. I give thanks for my happy, healthy, loving family and friends. I give thanks for the people who love and support me. I give thanks for the inspiration, purpose and passion that fills my life. And I give thanks for the sense of gratitude that fills my spirit and enriches my life. I pray your life be blessed with many reasons to be thankful this holiday season. ~ Andrea :-)

A Sign of the Times...

2009-11-08T08:13:00.003-05:00

It's gotten to the point where I can't watch the news or read the paper...seems every day there is some new tragedy. This week is was the Fort Hood tragedy, then the shootings in Orlando. And the ongoing struggles: the health care debate, 10%+ unemployment, the wars...

There is a great deal of turmoil in the world today. It is troubling to know what the depths of desperation and hatred can do to people. It is heartbreaking to think that there are so many people, here and around the world, who will wake up this morning and not know where they will get their next meal. Or if they will have a roof over their head tomorrow. Or for those who live in place like Afghanistan and Iraq, who fear leaving their homes because they do not know when and where a bomb will explode, or what other kind of atrocities they will face.

There was a time when my thoughts would be focused on, "what is the world coming to" and "how are we ever going to be able to move past these times?" But here's what I've come to know: great change is almost always preceeded by great struggle and challenge. Whether it relates to personal growth, or matters of national or universal interest, change is not easy. I truly believe that we are moving through this difficult time to a much better, much more positive place. I think each and every one of us has learned lessons because of what has occurred and have come to appreciate life much more. And this is how positive energy grows...and spreads...and attracts more positive energy.

I know I discovered that I can do with less, especially "things." I have a greater appreciation for the blessings I do have. Time is more precious, so is the love of family and friends. I have been reminded how great a country we live in...a place where we can express our views, diagree, even get angry with one another...and someone find a way to work together. No doubt that times are tough right now. But I've personally come to know that beyond the darkness there is always hope... always opportunity...always a new beginning. ~ Andrea :-)

We are what we think, but...

2009-10-26T18:05:00.016-04:00

I'm am a true believer in the Law of Attraction - of focusing attention to what it is we want to attract rather than that we wish to move away from. Shifting the way I view the world has had a profound affect on my life. I went from seeing myself as a positive person, to actually being a positive person. Each day I attempt to focus my attention on my blessings instead of my troubles...to seek goodness, and to fill my heart with hope, no matter how dark the road ahead appears. This shift has been empowering, and the results far-reaching.

I've been asked how I always manage to maintain a positive and upbeat outlook. I can tell you, I don't. I have the same doubts, the same anxieties, the same fears as anyone. What I have been able to do is to view life's struggles, challenges, disappointments, and unpredictable circumstances as a part of the human condition and as an opportunity for growth, personal evolution, and worldly transformation.

There was a time when I would find myself in the midst of one of life's overwhelming moments and think, "How could this happen to someone who is so focused on the positive." Or I would experience feelings of guilt, "if I was as focused on the positive as I should be, this never would have happened." This is when I have to remind myself there is a divine plan for each of us, and that God's plan includes lessons, periods of enlightenment, and transformative experiences...and that this is not always an easy process.

Our life experiences - the good and the difficult - are part of the human experience we are intended to have. No matter what life throws our way we must attempt to keep our focus beyond the horizon - to what it is we want to attract and to where it is we want to be. Then we will pass through these experiences stronger, wiser, and richer. ~ Andrea :-)

Once Upon A Time

2009-10-10T08:23:00.004-04:00

Once upon a time we lived in a world where people had disagreements, and though there was conflict created from these differences in opinion and ideology, at the end of the day we would somehow find a way to recognize the vast similarities we shared, and would come together to find middle ground. And then there was progress, and growth, and a spirit of oneness.

It is difficult to be an observer of today's world. A world where so many minds are closed to compromise and hearts are so filled with fear, that there is no discourse and no search for common ground. It is troubling to see that many of our leaders and role models are filled with such a spirit of hate that it is seemingly impossible for them to see beyond their own agenda, to try to view things from an opposing perspective. They have lost sight of productive discourse and mutual respect, there is no such thing as middle ground.

How is it that so many among us have become fearful of change? Who are so filled with prejudice and have hearts that are so full of hate? I find it fascinating that so many of these same people also claim to be doing God's work, or at the least, hold themselves up as leaders to the path of rightegousness. Yet from where I sit, all I can see is spiritual disconnection. Because here is the truth as I know it:

God has created each and every one of us to be unique...to be individuals who may look a little different, think a little different, and view the world through different eyes. But the one thing we all share - the one common thread - is that we all come from this same Divine Spirit...the Spirit of love, of magnificence, of perfection. We are perfectly imperfect, our mission is to learn, to grow, and become enlightened through our differences. I wonder how God views those who are so filled with hate, so filled with the spirit of "my way or no way?" My heart tells me this is not what God wants for any of us.

And so I am choosing to not participate in the spreading spirit of hate and negativity. I will not read the emails filled with fear. I will change the channel when someone is spreading a message of intolerance. I will hit the off switch when people like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck put their personal desires above their love of country and fellow man. And I will offer all of these people something that seem to have forgotten how to give: I will choose to look for their goodness, for their true heart, that I know exists somewhere deep within them. I will search for common ground, and remind myself over and over again that we are more alike than we are different. ~ Andrea :-)

Another Must Read

2009-10-01T13:27:00.005-04:00

I have been so blessed to have come across so many wonderful books this Summer, and my luck has continued into the Fall as I just finished another wonderful book that I had to share with you. If you have not read The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlho, I highly recommend it.

More than 65 million copies of this book have been sold in 150 countries, and it has been translated into 60 languages. Why? Because the message of this story is universal - it is about the journey we each take in this lifetime...seeking our "personal legend." You may call it your purpose, or your passion...this fable touches each of us because Coelho understands that we all share the same desire to discover our personal calling.

As much as I loved Santiago's (the main character) story, actually my favorite part of the book is the author's introduction where he shares his thoughts about personal calling, which he defines as "...it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth. When we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend." He also shares his theory of the four obstacles to actually finding the courage to confront our own dreams:

1. We are told from childhood that everything we want to do is impossible...and eventually our personal calling is so deeply buried in our soul as to be invisible. But it is always there.

2. Love: we know what we want to do but are afraid of hurting those around us by abandoning everything in order to pursue our dreams.

3. Fear of defeat, fear of failure. Coelho has a wonderful explanation for the benefits of failing: "...once we overcome the defeats - and we always do - we are filled by a greater sense of euphoria and confidence. In the silence of our hearts, we know that we are proving ourselves worthy of the miracle of life. Each day, each hour, is part of the good fight."

4. Fear of realizing our dream for which we fought for all our lives...that the possibility of getting what we want fills the soul of the ordinary person with guilt. "But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why you are here."

Happy Reading! Andrea :-)

How Did I Get Here?

2009-09-19T08:24:00.005-04:00

It is so easy to find yourself traveling in a direction that you didn't plan, and often don't want to be in. Maybe it starts when you take a job that sounds like a perfect opportunity, but winds up being one that requires you to work too much, or some of the people are difficult, or the work is boring...and you become frustrated and feel stressed, and eventually you notice you are always tired or unhappy, and before you realize it another area of your life shifts in a negative way... you develop health problems or a relationship suffers. Perhaps it's not a job that sparked this shift, but instead financial problems, or a toxic relationship, or there is a more personal and spiritual cause.

I have hear stories of illness and or emotional suffering from so many people, and the common thread is the sense of "how did I get to this place?" The fact is, for most of us getting to "this place" doesn't happen overnight, it is a gradual process. We are so busy living life, we don't notice it happening until, BOOM - we become ill or find oursleves in a place of despair or great challenge and struggle. And then we wonder, "how did I get here?" I've been in this place...and know how easy it is move in the wrong direction without even realizing it. The great thing is once it happens it becomes easier to recognize the patterns before they lead to negative results the next time.

Stuff happens. Life goes off course. We get sick....we lose a loved one...we have too much to do and not enough time to do it....we are disappointed...we are unsure. That's just the reality of life. But great stuff can come from finding yourself in a place you didn't expect...you can learn a lot from illness, and loss, and disappointment. You learn to be grateful. You find out you are stronger than you thought you were. You discover you can do things you never thought you could. You learn that the world is full of so many loving, caring, wise and wonderful people. And so you find that although life doesn't always go according to plan, that you can find your way by making the choice to learn the lessons, to grow and change and adapt...and to not worry about how you go to this place, but instead focus on the bright and beautiful horizon that awaits just ahead. ~ Andrea :-)

No Regrets...

2009-09-05T07:11:00.006-04:00

Words have such great power. When I discovered the work of Masuro Emoto and became aware of the impact the words we think, speak, and wear can have in what we attract to our lives, I have made an effort to search for words that seem to touch my spirit.* My office and home are filled with post-it notes, plaques, and other items that contain words of wisdom and inspiration.

I have many, many favorites...for years my #1 has been: "it is what it is." I can't tell you how many times this phrase has helped to bring me back to reality in a frustrating or challenging situation, and allowed me to stop the cycle of negativity I was headed toward. These five simple words have in part formed the philosophy on which my recovery was based: acceptance. Because I've learned that "what you resist will persist." So the more focus on what it is you don't want and are unhappy about, the more hold and power it will have in your life.

I recently saw a phrase that I found extremely powerful: "Live life without regret." Think about it - what if you could stop the natural inclination of "shoulda, woulda, coulda" and the negative, draining energy that regret brings, simply by reminding yourself of these simple words. I have had a very challenging week personally and professionally having made a decision that will probably wind up costing me a lot of time, money, and aggravation. But every time I read my "Live life without regret" post-it note on my computer monitor, I am reminded that the situation is what it is: I can fill myself with recrimination about what has occurred, or I can figure out how to fix it, to accept the loss, and move on. And I've done that. Am I sorry I made the wrong decision originally - you bet I am. But do I regret it? No way. Because I am choosing to live my life without regret. I know that the only healthy thing to do it move on...to move forward, and be grateful for the knowledge of knowing better and being able to do better next time. ~ Andrea :-)

*Read more about Dr. Emoto at www.WearYourIntention.com. This is my organic cotton t-shirt website with beautiful t-shirts that have positive, inspiring messages. I created this line because I wanted to "wear my intention" and couldn't find any eco-friendly t-shirts that had a fashion fit and beautiful designs. We are in the process of completely redoing the site - adding lots of new information and features,which should be up and running by mid-September. The site may be down from time to time as we work on it, so please check back if it is down when you visit. The sale of these shirts help to support the advertising-free Heal With Hope website.

Breakfast With Buddha

2009-08-21T10:30:00.010-04:00

I have been so blessed to have discovered some great books this summer - I love to read, but don't have as much time for it as I used to, and therefore it is always special to find a great read. I've recommended a few books I've read recently, but I am just about to finish another that I think you might enjoy. Breakfast With Buddha by Roland Merullo is a fun story filled with lots of deep meaning and great lessons.

Otto Ringling's sister tricks him into taking a road trip with her spiritual guru, Rinpoche, a crimson -robed monk, who she is convinced can aid Otto's spiritual growth and enlightment. And so they set out to travel out west together, Otto determined to show the monk some "American fun," and winds up seeing his world and his life through someone else's eyes.

This is a well written, light-hearted, easy-to-read book that is particularly relevant to anyone going through a bit of a mid-life adjustment, is undergoing change that you find a bit uncomfortable, or want to read a good story sprinkled with deep meaning. As Otto slowly opens himself to Rinpoche's view of the world, his changes in the process.

Some of my favorite passages include:
"We are humans , and we have human minds, and we try, with those minds, to understand something that is very beyond us."

"...to me enlightenment is a big shift inside your eyes, a different way to use your mind so you can understand some of God, some of Jesus. But it is maybe not one shift, but many small shifts. You change your spiritual condition - by prayer, by meditation, by the way you live, the way you decide to think, by the lessons you learn in living this life with a good intention - and then, when this happens, after a long time(s) or short time(s,) the way you see the world changes."

"It seemed to me that Rinpoche was making the point: that I was in control of my spiritual situation, not God; that we have been given the tools for an expanded consciousness and it was up to us to use them, not simply wait around for death and salvation."

Enjoy what is left of summer - and Happy Reading!! ~ Andrea :-)

Lessons I've Learned From My Dog...

2009-08-08T09:02:00.003-04:00

I've been blessed to have had several great dogs in my life, but none sweeter, smarter, or more loving than our pug/shitzu, Hailee. Hailee came to us about 7 years ago...my son had moved into his own apartment and decided he wanted to get a dog. He quickly realized that having a dog was more repsonsiblity than he could handle, and so Hailee came to live with us.

At the time I was in a really bad place healthwise. I was extremely weak and having vertigo problems...most days I could barely walk to the mailbox, let alone take care of and walk a dog. But as you know, when a dog has to go, a dog has to go...and being a very neat and fastidious person, I didn't want a mess in my house. So three times a day I somehow dragged myself to take Hailee out. And low and behold, in time my energy level began to improve - not a lot, but enough that most days I was able to get her out to take care of business. And on those days when I couldn't muster the strength to do it, Hailee would lay faithfully at my side - snuggled up offering comfort only a loving, sweet puppy can.

I've learned a lot from Hailee through the years, and thought I would share some of those lessons with you:

1. Love unconditionally

Dogs don't seem to mind if we've gained 5 pounds, don't have any make-up on, or are in a grumpy mood. How different would our relationships, and the world, be if we stopped judging people by their appearance, to be able to look beyond their faults and flaws, and were able to love them... just because.

2. If you can't get what you want, enjoy what you have

I admit it. When Hailee came to live with us all she ate was dog food. She never begged for table food...well, that is until about two weeks after she moved in with us. If I was enjoying something it seemed only fair to share it with her, and so Hailee developed a taste "people food." Her favorites are fruit, cucumber, sunflower seeds, and of course any kind of meat. But when we don't have extras, or there isn't enough to share, she will trot over to her bowl and chow down on her dog food. It may not be her first choice, but it's food, and so she eats with gusto, happy to have something to satisfy her hunger.

3. Take time to smell the roses

If you really observe them, dogs do more than just sniff for scents from other dogs...at least Hailee does. When we are out for one of our 3 daily walks she always takes time to stop and look around, observe her surroundings. Taking in the scenery...then a few deep sniffs into the air to really bring herself into the moment.

4. Make time for simple pleasures

Take naps. Enjoy belly and back rubs! Roll around. Be happy. Give love. Accept love. Just be.

~ Andrea :-)

From Type A to Type B...

2009-07-24T16:43:00.010-04:00

I have no doubt that being a Type A personality contributed to the health problems I have struggled with for a good part of my life. It is inevitable that you are going to wind up paying a price if you are a people-pleaser. A perfectionist. And a person who pushes until you can't push anymore.

In the last few years I became more enlightened and recognized the importance of honoring my body, mind, and spirit. I believed I had moved past demanding so much of myself, though I would sometimes find myself unconsciously slipping back into those old patterns of pushing too hard, seeking perfection, and doing for others even when it was detrimental to my own well-being.

I have continued to work on this, and recently had some experiences that indicate I have made great progress. My life's passion is still helping others, I still try to give 100%, and I do believe in hard work. But as I have learned to become an observer in my own life, I am better able to recognize when I am crossing the line from doing good, to doing too much. When you are truly present in your own life, and are in touch with your inner guide, it is possible to be more in tune with what makes you feel good, and what feeds you, instead of depletes you.

I have found that working at keeping myself in the present moment has not only helped me to be more personally aware, but has also allowed me to have stronger, healthier relationships as I am now able to judge others less, and be more accepting of their limitations.

So if you are a Type A and want to change this pattern of behavior, pay attention to your actions and reactions....be an observer in your own life. Listen to the words you speak, and be mindful of the thoughts you think. Don't judge, just be aware. Of how these things make you feel, how they impact your physical body, your mind, and especially your spirit. Being present in your own life can help you to identify the behaviors that need to be worked on, and the patterns that need to be broken. You may not be perfect, but as a work-in-progress you may just find that you are happy to just "B"!! ~ Andrea :-)

Summer Reading

2009-07-11T15:52:00.008-04:00

Nancy Drew book. Shade tree. Cool drink.

Ahhhh...memories of summers past. I've always been a lover of books, and as a kid there was nothing I looked forward to more than coming home from the library with a stack of Nancy Drew mystery books. I would head for a nice shady spot under a tree, a cool drink by my side, and before I knew it the sun was going down and it was time to go in for dinner. Time would just fly by...no worry about chores that that were left undone, or the host of other things that kids worry about. Reading was my escape then, and it still is today.

Unfortunately these days I find good books too few and far between. But I got lucky recently and found two wonderful paperback books that I enjoyed so much I wanted to share them with you. I enjoy books with a fast pace, not overly detailed, well written, with a little suspense, maybe a little romance thrown in, and always a happy ending. The two books I am about to recommend meet all the criteria I just described, but you will have to decide for yourself if you consider them to have a "happy ending."

The Year of Fog
by Michelle Redmond
This is the story of Abby Mason, and the year she spent searching for her fiance's 6 year old daughter who went missing as she and Abby walked the beach. What I loved about this book was Abby's spirit and determination...as well as realizing how little we know about the power of the mind. For more details about this book: http://www.amazon.com/.

The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein

I almost didn't puchase this because the main character is a race car driver - I am not a fan of racing, but when I read the first page and discovered it was narrated by his dog, Enzo, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. This is a very moving tale - I promise you that you are going to cry, but you will laugh too. What I loved most is the message of personal power that comes through...Enzo wisely realizes that we manifest our own destiny. Great read. More details: http://www.amazon.com/.

Whatever you do this summer, I hope that if you feel the need to "get away from it all," you will pick up a good book, and enjoy the journey... ~ Andrea

Celebrating Independence...

2009-07-03T21:34:00.004-04:00

As I sat down to journal tonight my thoughts were on the July 4th holiday...which somehow started me thinking about the word independence, and what it means to me...

Independence holds great meaning for me. I suppose that is because we often don't truly appreciate something until we have lost it...and that is exactly what happened to me. I have always been an extremely independent person - always the first to try new things, to stand up for what I believe in, to buck the trends that don't suit me. Even after I got married, and learned the rules of sharing and giving, I think I always held on to a small part of myself, always fearful of completely losing "me" and my independence.

And then along came an illness that not only robbed me of my quality of life, but took away something that I had always cherished: my freedom and the ability to be independent. The unrelenting and overwhelming fatigue I experienced, followed by a virus in my inner ear causing nerve damage that resulted in severe vertigo, left me barely able to walk, let alone drive. And although I am extremely grateful for the blessing of having found my way back to a much greater level of health, some of the remants of the inner ear damage remains, precluding me from driving.

And so part of my long journey to healing has not just been about the recovery of my phyiscal symptoms, but also about rediscovering my identity and sense of purpose. I went from the extreme of being completely independent of others, to having to rely on family and friends to drive me wherever I need to go. At one time I viewed this as irony, I now see this experience as an opportunity that has allowed me to grow, to evolve, and to access a resilience that I never knew I had.

I've finally discovered that it's ok to need other people, that I don't have to always be the one giving, it's ok to take sometimes, too. I may not always like the circumstances of my life, but I have learned to accept them. Each day I do my best to make lemonade from whatever lemons life may have decided to throw my way.

My perspective on life may have changed a bit through the years, but my definition of independence hasn't. Being independent isn't about going it alone, it's about taking a hand and then finding a way to give back to someone else. It's about defying the odds, and never quitting, and facing your fears knowing that no matter what, you will find a way.

Happy Independence Day!! ~ Andrea :-)

A Week to Remember...

2009-06-28T07:56:00.004-04:00

I didn't know them personally, but in many ways it seems as though I did. Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon. They serve as a reminder of how fleeting, fragile, and unpredictable life can be. That you really do have to make the most of each and every day, because no one is guaranteed a tomorrow. That no matter what we have planned for life, it is destiny that determines if we stay, and when we go. All we really have the ability to do is to make the most of the things that we can control...

We can love and support our bodies through proper nutrition and exercise. We can fill our minds with positive thoughts - sure life stinks sometimes and hands us stuff we don't want to deal with, but we can choose to view these times as opportunities to grow and learn, instead of turning them into pity parties and an excuse to not make the most of life. We can find a way to live inspired lives by focusing on what it is we can do to make someone else's life a little better, either by doing big things like volunteering, or choosing a career that serves others - or by each day choosing to look for the good in everyone, to share a smile with everyone whose path you cross, to give of yourself and your possessions. Because it is in this kind of giving that our lives become richer, our sense of purpose stronger, our lives more meaningful.

We are not perfect, our lives are not either. It is not how life was intended to be, because if that was God's plan, it would be. I think we were put on this earth not only to learn lessons, but to be lessons. For me Michael Jackson became the lesson that money and fame can't buy the really valuable things in life. Farah Fawcett demonstrated that medicine alone can't heal us, that healing is a function of the body, mind and spirit. And from Ed McMahon I learned that it's far better to laugh than cry.

Iam saddened to think that these talented, larger than life people are gone. But they aren't really because their contributions to the world will live on. And I also find peace in knowing that Heaven is now filled with a bit more rhythm, beauty, and laughter. ~ Andrea :-)

When Failure's Not An Option

2009-06-19T21:38:00.008-04:00

"It's always too early to quit."
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Not a day goes by that I don't find inspiration from some wise person's inspiring words - written or spoken words that capture the essence of an emotion I am feeling, or offer encouragement to keep going, to keep trying. Yesterday I came across this Peale quote...after reading it I almost didn't jot it down in my inspiration notebook. But I'm glad I did because after rereading this simple quote I started thinking: if you take failure off the table as an option, then failure is no longer a possible outcome.

I remember watching an interview with Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, a few years ago. They were discussing the success of their marraige and I was intriqued by the pledge they had made to one another when they got married: divorce is not an option. They decided on the day they took their vows that no matter what happened they would have to find another way to work through their problems, because divorce was never going to be on the table - it was, and is, not an option for them. And though they said they have been through some challenging times as a couple, they know they are going to have to find another way to work things out because they had made this pledge, and intended to keep it.

Peale's quote got me thinking - what if no matter what challenge, no matter what struggle, no matter what difficulty you are facing in life - what if quitting is not an option? I am not talking about an extreme action, but rather the self-defeating thinking of thoughts such as "I don't think I can do this..." not being a part of the dialogue in your head. What if the word "quit" or "failure" are not a part of your vocabulary...and every time you think, "I can't..." you stop yourself from that kind of thinking, and replace it with thoughts of, "Sure I can...it's tough and hard to see my way through this, but I am going to keep pusing, to keep trying, by taking one small step after another..."

Someting tells me that if failure is not a possiblity, success is inevitable - sooner or later.
~ Andrea :-)

No more excuses...

2009-06-06T09:35:00.009-04:00

I am a huge fan of Dr. Wayne Dyer and was excited to learn he just released a new book, along with a DVD of his PBS presentation on the philosophies in Excuses Be Gone.

As always, Dr Dyer did not disappoint. His philosophies changed my life several years ago - his lectures on the power of our thoughts and inner beliefs transformed and empowered me. His new book and lecture expands on these teachings...and are a great reminder of the personal power we each have to change our lives.

Here are a few excerpts from his lecture (I haven't had a chance to read the book yet):

Never underestimate your power to change yourself...never overestimate your power to change others.
When you correct your mind everything else will fall into place.
Think flexible, be humble.
Live in the present moment.
How we perceive what is going on inside of us can change out DNA.
We don't attract that which we want, we attract that which we are.
Every action is a choice, try choosing not excusing!
Move away from excuses.
With God all things are possible.
All excuses are misalignments.
Contemplation is the highest form of activity.
Willingness is suspending all blame and taking total responsiblity for all in your life.
Imagination is the greatest gift you have been given.
The subconscious is where things manifest - feelings are manifesters!

Thank you Dr. Dyer for another opportunity to expand my horizons by connecting to my inner power and letting of limiting beliefs and blocks! ~ Andrea :-)

(To learn more about Dr. Dyer's book visit his website: www.drwaynedyer.com)

Love Yourself Anyway...

2009-05-31T22:05:00.004-04:00

The greatest transformation in my life occurred when I finally grasped the true meaning of acceptance. That life is full of circumstances and situations that one would not necessarily choose for oneself - be it ill health, relationship problems, career challenges, or financial hardship. But true acceptance is being able to say, "ok, this is where I am, this is the situation life has handed me, and I choose to have faith that despite this challenge, I am going to find my way."

By diligently working at this - even during some pretty dark times - I now have sense of inner peace and calm that I had never before been able to connect with. It's not that I no longer struggle or face challenges, but when I do, I refuse to exist in that place of recrimination and regret. I keep myself focused on the present moment, as I continually shift my thinking to positive anticipation and expectation. During particularly challenging times I will use visulization and gratitude prayer to keep myself focused on the blessing that I choose to believe are on the way. This shift in attitude has created many positive changes in my life.

One of the healing techniques that I use to reinforce this attitude choice is EFT. Emotional Freedom Technique is an incredibly simple process that helps to release blocked emotion and energy. It incorporates the use of a statement that always ends with love and acceptance of oneself, despite the symptoms, emotions, or flaws you have recognized and are trying to release. The statement one would use goes something like this: "Even though _____, I deeply and completely love and accept myself."

I've recently begun to notice an unexpected benefit I have discovered since using EFT: I have made great progress in shedding the life-time habit of having unrealistic expectations for myself. I have come to realize that instead of self-recrimination, when I obverse an imperfection or I am disappointed with myself, I find myself looking at the "imperfection" or behavior with a greater sense of personal love and acceptance. It is not that I no longer strive for better, but I seem to have reversed long-held patterns of regret and disdain, and have replaced them with this more positive and accepting attitude.

I still work at losing weight, I still wish I had a few fewer wrinkles and were free of all health challenges...but as I continue to strive to grow and evolve, I can also love and accept the person I am right here, right now. ~ Andrea :-) andrea@HealWithHope.com

A Metaphor For Life!

2009-05-16T09:16:00.012-04:00

Last May I shared my excitement about a plant I had for a number of years, and how it had suddenly sprouted the most beautiful flowers. At the time I wrote about how this had reminded me of the mircale of nature, and how life is continually blessed with unexpected surprises.

This winter the plant appeard to be dying - it was losing leaves, had no new growth, and looked as though it wasn't going to survive. It got bad enough that I wondered how much longer it would survive. This filled me with sadness... something that was such a source of enjoyment, had turned into a reminder as to how things can change suddenly... and not always for the best.

I decided to repot it, give it some fresh soil and a larger pot to spread its roots. For the last few months it hung on - not looking great, but not getting any worse. Then two weeks ago I noticed a small flower was beginning to sprout...and a few days later another...then another...and well, you can see from the picture how well this plant is doing now!

What a metaphor for life this plant has become. First a reminder that in life we must always expect the unexpected, because you never know when something beautiful and amazing will sprout in your life. Then it served as a reminder of the cycle of life's natural ebb and flow... nothing lasts forever, good or bad. And now it's an example that although there are times when we may struggle and things may look bleak, if you tend to your roots with love and care - and have patience - you too will once again find flowers sprouting in your life.
~ Andrea :-)

The Road Less Traveled...

2009-05-10T09:05:00.006-04:00

"We must be willing to fail and to appreciate the truth that often life
is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived."
~ M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled

All week I'd been searching for the right words, those that would provide inspiration to my daughter, who was faced with making a life-changing decision. It was a difficult choice...should she take a safe and predictable route, or choose a more uncertain path and take "a road less traveled", one filled with more uncertainty, but also more potential.

I had provided my typical motherly support, but wanted something a bit more profound to share with her...and I found it, in the most unlikely of places. I was reading the sports page of the newspaper, an editorial by one of the paper's sports columnists - something by the way, I rarely do. And there it was, the words that I had been looking for, the M. Scott Peck quote at the top of this page. I felt as though his words reinforced my advice of "life is full of uncertainty...but that should never stop you from following your heart...and taking chances..."

Each time something like this happens - that something I need to know or do shows up in an unpredictable way - I am in awe of the amazing power we each have to attract what it is we need and want to our lives . Sometimes it's not how or where I would expect it to, but if always shows up as long as I keep myself open to it.

But this gets even better. After reading this quote and a bit more about Peck's book in the editorial, I decided this was a book I wanted to check out, but for one reason or another I wasn't able to get to the book store. On Friday evening I accompanied a relative to an appointment, which I had planned to participate in. Turns out it was intended to be a one-on-one visit, and so I was relegated to a waiting area. I sat on the sofa trying to figure out what I would do with this unexpected 45 minutes of free time when I glanced over at the bookshelf across from me, and lo and behold sitting there was a copy of The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck!!! So there it was - my opportunity to get a good look at the book I was so curious about. I read through it and discovered that there were a few messages in the book that were of interest to me, read them, then put the book back on the shelf knowing that I no longer needed to purchase it as I had taken from it what I needed.

I know some would say, "this is just a coincidence" but it is more than that to me. When I clearly set intentions for what I need in life, and open myself to whatever way in which the Universe may respond, I find exactly what it is I need each and every time. So if you feel that you are ready for guidance from a higher power, let your intent be known...then without judgement be open to all that comes your way...you just may find your answers in the most unexpected places!!!! ~ Andrea :-)

Choosing Faith...

2009-05-02T20:59:00.006-04:00

For most of my life I struggled with faith: is there a God? If there is, then is one religion right and all others wrong? Was Jesus the son of God, or is the Messiah yet to come? And if God is all loving and all forgiving, then why have many religious people I have met believe that those who don't accept God or Jesus in the manner they believe will be condemed to eternal hell?

I have no doubt that this uncertainty and sense of disconnection was a block that prevented me from finding peace and comfort in my life.

A few years ago I was working with an alternative practitioner regarding a chronic health issue that had no known cause or cure. He was a very spiritual man with a strong faith in God, but with no religous affiliation. One day he suggested to me that "faith is something we choose, and is not something we are necessarily born to believe." Believe it or not I had never considered this before - I was fascinated by the concept that I could choose to have faith, and therefore I would. He also suggested that my uncertain religious/spiritual faith could be at the root of my illness, and recommended I explore this further.

As always happens when the time is right and the student is ready, some remarkable people came into my life, and whose wisdom and teachings guided me to resolve much of my uncertainty. I still don't have an affiliation with any religious group, nor have any profound revelations occured to me that have clarified the questions that I have pondered most of my life. But what did happen is I discovered my own power.

I discovered that we each have the power to choose - our thoughts, our feelings, our beliefs. That when we have doubts, we can make the choice to let them go, and rather align ourselves with the knowing that life is unfolded exactly as it is intended to. When our failings and limitations present themselves we can accept them, knowing that we are not and never will be perfect...and to love and accept ourselves anyway. When we are disappointed we have the ability to shift our thoughts to focus on our blessings instead, and the things that are right and good in our lives. Most importantly, when we are filled with fear and uncertainty we can choose to have faith...to recognize that although we can't control the circumstances or the events that occur in life, we can control is how we react to them.

And so I have finally discovered true faith. I choose to believe that there is a God who wants the same goodness and love for me that I want for myself. That all I need to know and do will always be available to me if I ask to be guided to it. And most importantly I live in faith that no matter how dark the day or difficult my struggles, I will always find my way to light once again. ~ Andrea :-)

Gratitude can change your life...

2009-04-26T11:54:00.007-04:00

"No matter how bad things are in your life there
is always something good you can thank God for..."
~ Rick Warren

My first exposure to the concept of gratitude came several years ago when Oprah shared her experiences of applying gratitude to her life by using a gratitude journal. She shared the positive impact that writing down all that she was grateful for each day had in her life day. I have always been a glass half full person, and being grateful came naturally to me, so I didn't feel the need to actually keep a journal, but I did make a greater effort to set aside time each day to focus on all in my life I had to be thankful for.

As I became more enlightened about the Law of Attraction and the mind/body connection, and studied the philosophy of spiritual teachers like Dr. Wayne Dyer and Eckhart Tolle , proponents of the positive impact of living a life of gratitude, I began to recognize the power of living in gratitude. So in addition to spending time focused on the blessings that already existed in my life, I began to pray with gratitude as well. I assumed that if what I desired in my life (for example good health, a sense of purpose, loving friends and family) was positive in nature and would not harm or hurt another, then that is something that God would also want for me. And so instead of asking God for good health, inspiration, or abundance...I started to pray with gratitude - and began to thank God for those things.

I've been living a life of gratitude for two years now and the impact it has had is profound. I've been through some challening times, including loss of a loved one, health challenges, and relationship difficulties, but I have been able to navigate through those time with a bright attitude and optimistic spirit. I believe this is because I have been able to create a pattern of gratitude that enables me to find the good in all circumstances (a problem no longer turns into a "why me," but rather is viewed as an opportunity for growth and enlightenment).

I recognized the impact this shift in perspective has created in my life earlier this week when I had to have a root canal done. I've had a bad experience with this procedure in the past so I was anxious about having it done...and then during the procedure there were a number of complications. When I was leaving the dentist's office I realized what a different experience this was from the last time. Both were difficult and challenging, but this time gratiude and positive expectation came to me so naturally I left feeling great. Never once during the two hour procedure when things were not going as they should did I start the pity party, the "why me" or "why is this happening?" I was able to easily keep my focus on the positive of the situation (yes, I really was able to find a positive aspect to what was going on!) and more importantly found great peace in prayer - no, not praying for God to get me through the experience, but using gratitude prayer to thank God for giving me strength and peace to get through it, as well as for the positive outcome that I knew was ahead.

If you don't believe that such a simple change in attitude can have such a profound impact, give gratiude living and praying a try...I have no doubt you will be thankful you did!!! ~ Andrea :-)

Dear Jimmy...

2009-04-18T08:23:00.005-04:00

Dear Jimmy,

I can't believe it has been almost 20 years since I've seen or spoken to you. Time goes by so quickly - the last time we saw each other at a family get-together you were in your early 20's, full of amibition and big dreams. I know life didn't turn out exactly as you had planned - your career as an artist never came to fruition...through the years your mother shared the stories of heartbreak and disappointment that you incurred when the business deals that were to be your "big break" were not to be.

But I also understood that although you were sometimes down, you were never out - you found a new path, and as you approached forty you decided to go back to school and become a teacher. I so admired your ambition, and also your ablilty to never stop dreaming.

I also know that you dealt with a lot of challenge and struggle in your life. I can only imagine how difficult it was to share that you were gay with family and friends - I know many in our family can be judgemental, and I am sure it took great courage to do this. I was so sad to hear that you became HIV positive, and then learn that you developed AIDS. And I can't even begin to imagine how overwhelmed you must have felt when you were told you also had untreatable cancer.

Your mom continued to share stories of your fight...even when you were under Hospice care I understand you refused to give up and believed that you would be able to overcome what most would consider insurmountable odds.

My heart is so heavy today Jimmy as I learned that though you did all you could, you did not win this final battle. I know the small concillation that your mother, and the rest of the family has, knowing that you are no longer suffering...and that you are now surrounded by loving family members who preceeded you in death, and are now welcoming you "home" - to what I pray is a place of eternal peace and love.

It is difficult to understand why bad things happen to good people - I have always grappled with this. But I would like to believe that the place you exist in now is so amazing and so beautiful, that although you are gone from this earth, you are now of it - and your goodness, and kindness, and loving spirit will live on in those who knew you and loved you...and that you my dear cousin, are just beginning an incredible new journey that the rest of us can only imagine and hope for...

With love, Cousin Andy xoxo

Try Chicken Soup With a Side of EFT...

2009-04-04T23:06:00.006-04:00

I never get sick. I can't tell you the last time I had a cold/flu/virus. I'm usually pretty careful about avoiding people who are sick, and I wash my hands frequently, etc. But a little over a week ago my daughter and I spent the day together to celebrate her birthday. Normally I would not have been in such close contact with someone who was sick - she was just starting to get over a really bad cold/flu, but it was her birthday...

So a few days later there I was - runny nose, headache, high fever, cough...basically feeling pretty crummy. Thankfully I had just purchased some wonderful vegetable chicken soup at Whole Foods, so I was set in the food dept. Our refrigerator was stocked with honey, so I had what I needed for the cough and sinus congestion (if you don't know already, research indicates that honey can be more effective than cough syrup for coughs, and more effective than antibiotics for sinus infections).

That meant the only thing I was in need of was a cure for the anxiety that illnesses such as this can bring about. With all of the health challenges I have had the last 12 years, and my previous experience that even the slightest ailment can trigger a set-back to my overall health, getting sick always brings with it a concern that this could lead to other health consequences.

I decided to try using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) to help me deal with these concerns, as well as for the general symptoms I was experiencing. I have used EFT for several years for many things, but never in a situation such as this. Well, I can tell you that I have had some pretty remarkable results!! First of all I really felt great for someone who was really pretty sick. For some reason the symptoms just didn't seem as severe as they should have been for having a fever of almost 102, a hacking cough, and bad headache. I can't say that EFT cured me, but I would say that it definitely took the edge off of the symptoms. Another benefit was that my concerns about the longer term impact of the cold/flu completely dissipated. It is almost one week later and my symptoms are vastly improved. I am also back to my old self in terms of energy and stamina...with no ill effects whatsoever.

What I am also very pleased about is that the entire time I was able to focus on all of the blessings of the sitution. I had such a strong sense of appreciation for even the smallest things...my comfy, cozy bed...for my loving friends and family...for being blessed to have tools like EFT and visualization at my disposal. I believe this is a result of continually practicing gratitude in my life each day, which made it a natural thing to do, even under more physically challenging circumstances.

In addition to the EFT I also did lots of visualization. I frequently visualized my "strong, healthy immune system" fighting the germs. I also imagined myself healthy and feeling great, and that seemed to give my body some added support. I also did lots of Thymus Tapping - you will find complete details in my new book, Heal With Hope: A Healing Handbook & Journal...but to give you the abbreviated version of this simple exercise: vigorously tap on the thymus gland (center area of chest) with your finger tips to stimulate it. Why? The thymus is responsible for immune cell production. Add visualization, and you have created powerful support for your immune system!!

Hopefully I will never have to use EFT and visualization in this way again...but it is nice to know the amazing results one can get when you "feed the body and use the mind!!!!" ~ Andrea :-)

Happy Birthday 2009

2009-03-26T23:20:00.007-04:00

This was originally posted in March 2008:

This is such a special time of year - spring, my favorite season, has arrived...and my daughter and I celebrate our birthdays within days of each other. It has become a family tradition for me to write a poem to celebrate our special events...especially birthdays. Because this last year has been such an amazing period of spiritual growth and enlightenment for both of us, I decided that instead of the traditional poem, I wanted to write something special for her... and I know she wouldn't mind if I shared it with you:

If I Knew Then What I Know Now…

I would live a life without regrets. I would know the past is just that…

it is over and done, and can’t be changed –no matter how hard I try.

I would see worry and fear for what they really are: a waste of energy…
because the only power I have is over this moment, right here, right now.

I would recognize the power of choice that is mine in every situation in my life…
and would use it to focus on the positive,the lessons, the possibilities.

I would live in acceptance of my limitations and faults, as well as those of others.
And I would always remember that I may not be perfect, but that’s ok.

I would allow myself to only count the blessings and live in gratitude...
and I would know that wanting and needing are definitely not the same thing.

I would see difficulties and challenges for what they really are:
opportunities to learn, change and grow.

I would love myself for who and what I am...
in spite of my flaws and imperfections, and I would always
embrace the fact that I am a work in progress.

I would know that caring, sharing and giving are really the
greatest gift I can give to myself, and others.

I would make the most of each and every moment,
because I know how precious they really are.

Most of all, I would live my best life...
because I know that is the only way
to honor myself, and God.

Happy Birthday Laura...
with love always & forever,
Mom xoxo

Clear the Clutter, Clear your Mind!

2009-03-14T08:33:00.006-04:00

Things have been a bit overwhelming the last few months...I've discovered that if you take on too much - even if it's doing things you love - you can pay a price both physically and mentally. You would think that by now I would have learned this lesson, but evidently I am a slow-learner, and I recently found myself back in that endless cycle of pushing myself way too hard. And with that came the need to put off my usual habits of keeping things in my life organized.

Yes, I am one of "those" as a friend likes to say - I like things to be in their proper place. My motto has always been if you put things where they belong, you know where to find them, making life less stressful. Years ago I managed an advertising company and used to hound my staff to keep their desks neat, as I've always believed that it's impossible to have a clear mind when you have a cluttered workspace.

So when I tell you that I hadn't filed any papers - personal or business - for over 3 months, you might better understand how little time I had been devoting to things that are usually important to me. About two weeks ago things had become really stressful - I was continually finding myself in situations that required lots of clear-thinking and decison-making - and I found myself struggling to find my way.

Things finally got to the point where I realized I was getting nowhere fast and decided I needed to just to let it all go and take a break. I took a look at the desk in front of me, and the mounds of unfiled paperwork, and began filing and organzing. An hour later I found myself at my personal desk and began doing the same thing - cleaning out the old receipts and paid bills files...filing and organizing all the paperwork that had accumulated. I eventually found myself in my closet - pulling out clothes that I hadn't worn all winter - I figured if I haven't worn them this winter, I surely wasn't going to be wearing them in the spring or summer...

A few hours later I was tired, but feeling much more peaceful. It felt so good to finally have things organized - and I realized that spending hours doing seemingly mindless work had created an opportunity for my ever-working mind to take a break. That night I had a restful night's sleep (I think cleaning out a closet is a great work-out...lots of stretching and lifting!!) as I felt mentally and physically at peace.

The next morning I found myself with a clear mind, ready to tackle the projects I felt so overwhelmed by the night before. And once again I stand reminded that it is imperative to find a way to take a break from the cycle of always doing, and to sometimes just "be." To honor the things that are important to us - no matter how small they may seem. Because when we do, we are creating an environment in which we can find peace no matter how hectic life becomes!
~ Andrea :-)

Add self-refelction to the list...

2009-03-01T08:29:00.005-05:00

When you know better, you do better.
~ Oprah

Life is full of second chances...we make mistakes, hopefully we learn from them, and make better choices the next time we are in a similar situation.

I have made a lot of mistakes in my lifetime...have learned lots of lessons, and made better choices because of it. But I've recently learned one of the most valuable lessons of all: just because you know better, doesn't always mean you will do better.

Having uncovered many "secrets" to health and healing after a very long journey searching for answers to my own challenges, I wanted to share my discoveries with others in the hope that perhaps I could ease their burden. I created a website and later wrote a book, and suppose that over time I came to see myself as somewhat of an "authority"on living a more enlightened life. I don't view myself as an expert, but rather a graduate of the "School of Hard Knocks,"and having made lots of mistakes and learned from them, I began to see myself as an example of what works for a life of better health, harmony and balance.

So I must confess that I was surprised and disappointed to recently find myself back in a place that I vowed to never be again. I discovered that it is easy to fall back into old habits and behaviors, without even realizing you have done so. How quickly I moved from my new lifestyle that included honoring my body, mind, and spirit through self-awareness and self-reflection...back to the push, push, push, do, do , do, persona that created the environment of stress and disconnection that caused my health issues in the first place.

Although disappointed that I so easily slipped back to my old patterns of putting work obligations ahead of my personal needs and respect for other people's time and attention, I was able to recognize and reverse this before it began to create negative implications to my health and well beging.

I love that I am able to see this experience for what it is - a reminder that living an enlightened, spiritual life requires continued effort and vigilance. That anything worth having, doing, or being is hard work. That though one's heart may be pure, it is still easy to be led by the ego and stray from our good intentions. I am reminded that life truly is a journey, not a destination...that every fall, every misstep, every disappointment and challenge brings with it an opportunity to grow stronger...and be better. ~ Andrea :-)

Superstitious? Not me!!

2009-02-19T20:56:00.008-05:00

If I had a dollar for every time I've uttered the phrase, "knock on wood," or "I don't want to jinx things, but..." I would be a very rich person. As a kid I remember never stepping on the cracks in the sidewalk as I heard that was bad luck...same with looking at a black cat, and answering chain letters. I had "lucky charms" that I would always carry with me, I forwarded every email that said if I didn't I would have back luck forever - I even changed my phone number once because I was told the numbers 666 were the sign of the devil and were unlucky.

I'm not sure why we succumb to superstition so easily - perhaps it provides a sense of control in an otherwise uncertain world. Whatever the reason, I know that there are many people who are afraid to share wonderful news in fear they will "jinx" themselves, or those who knock on wood every time they talk about something positive in their life...there are even athletes who wear "lucky" socks or other items because they believe they will enhance their ability.

A few years ago, as I began to shift from believing that my destiny was controlled more by outside circumstances than my own power and spiritual connection, I realized that faith, not fear, was where I needed to direct my thoughts and energy. As my faith - in myself and in my connection to the Divine Power that created all life - grew, I was gradually able to let go of the superstitions that had once seemed so empowering. I can tell you that the experience has been liberating, and life has become more peaceful. I am no longer afraid to respond "I am doing great and life is wonderful..." when someone asks how I am...I am able to delete those emails that suggest I'd better forward it within 1 minute or I will have bad luck forever. I can walk under a ladder without worry, and pet a black cat without thinking twice.

I no longer live in fear of "what if" and rather focus my energy on my own power - my ability to align myself with positive expectations. This has made a huge difference in how I view my life and the world. It seems incomprehensible to me that a force as divine and magnificent as God would be worried about what emails I've forwarded, what part of the sidewalk I walk on, or if I knocked on wood after I shared good news. I'd like to believe that God is more interested in my moral character and how how well I am serving Him in life...

And so the next time you receive one of those emails that tells you to pass it on to 10 people in 10 seconds or else, try hitting delete...then smile...and know that everything is going to be just fine...because it is only when you let go of fear, are you are finally free... ~ Andrea :-)

The meaning of Hope...

2009-02-16T11:40:00.005-05:00

Hope is the voice deep within that whispers, "I think I can"...
and grows louder to say, "I know I can, and I will!"
~ Andrea Chervenak

Everyday life is challenging enough, but the economic crisis the world is now facing has created unprecedented struggle and suffering for so many. If not directly affected, you probably know someone who is. And then there is the fear factor - the worry of what the future holds, not just for yourself, but for the world around you.

No matter how aware or enlightened you are, it is so easy to slip back into patterns of anxiety and fear...how readily we can get caught up in the cycle of doom and gloom. And if there is anything that I have learned, it is that allowing yourself to exist in negative expectation only serves to increase its power, and allows it to grow and morph...until you are so deep in the thick of it, that the light of hope becomes invisible...

If you have lost your job, your home, or are overwhelmed by any situation that is testing your ability to hold on to hope, and have faith that everything is going to be okay, I pray that you will find a way to disassociate from this dark perspective and be able to keep your focus on the light that is surely ahead. In no way am I diminishing the anguish you might be feeling - but I have lived in a place of darkness, and know that it is suffocating and does only one thing - weaken you mentally, physically, and spiritually.

It may require you to dig deep, but refusing to attach yourself to fear, negativity, and doubt...and instead choosing to align yourself with the positive energy that flows so readily to those who seek it, will help you to light your path and lead you to all that is yours to know and do.

When fear and doubt take hold, declare your intention to let it go: "Even though my situation is difficult and challenges me in so many ways...I choose to let go of all fear, all doubt, all negatitivy, all anxiety..."

And declare your intention for what it is you want to attract to your life, "I choose to align myself with the positive energy of faith and hope...and I give thanks that all I need to know and all I need to do will find its way to me."

I know this is not easy, but I also know that on the other side of darkenss there is always light...and its beacon shines more brightly to those who seek it.

With wishes for blessings of abundance, good health, and peace... ~ Andrea :-)

It is never too late...

2009-02-06T22:09:00.007-05:00

Several years ago I turned 50 and had pretty much given up on living the life I had always expected to live. I was struggling with chronic health issues and had gone from being an independent, free-spirited, and positive being... to someone I no longer recognized.

While browsing through a bookstore one day I came across a beautiful metal bookmark with a quote from George Eliot that really struck a cord:

It is never too late to be what
you might have been.

I remember thinking, "if only this were true..." as at this point I had begun to belive that perhaps I was not destined for the purposeful and passionate life I had always envisioned. But I suppose the optimist in me still existed because I decided to buy it to add to my "inspiration corner" that I had set up in my bedroom. Every once in a while this quote would catch my eye and I would again think, "if only this were true..."

And so here it is, just a couple of years later, and quite frankly I find myself in a place that I truly never imaged was possible when I bought that bookmark not that long ago -living a life filled with more inspiration and purpose than I have ever imagined possible.

I have been so blessed to have found my way from a very dark place, to living a more enlightened and inspired life. The focus of my life has completely changed and the person who was once full of doubt and uncertainty has been replaced by someone who has choosen to live in a place of faith and positive expectation.

I have been divinely inspired these last few years and am so grateful for the guidance that has led me to develop a line of inspirational tee shirts, along with a website about the power of positive intention and expectation (http://www.WearYourIntention.com/). A book that I have spent the last two years writing (Heal With Hope A Healing Handbook & Journal) that is scheduled to be released in the next two weeks. And I marvel at the evolution of the Heal With Hope website that has grown from a few pages two years ago, to over 100 pages today.

The lessons I have learned and applied to my life are not special to me, and can transform anyone's life. And so I have finally found an outlet for the purpose and passion I had always hoped to find in life...by sharing these lessons with others in the hope that someone else may be inspired to turn their life around, and that anyone who is feeling as though the best days of their life is behind them - and that miracles only happen to others but never them - will know that everything is possible. It truly is "never too late to be what you might have been." It doesn't matter what your age is, or how impossible your dream may seem. I found my way, and you can too!! ~ Andrea :-)

Some Things Never Change (Thankfully)

2009-01-27T21:22:00.006-05:00

It was twenty years ago and the first day of my new job as an advertising sales representative for a local newpaper. My boss, who had been in sales for many years asked me what my sales goals were, to which I replied "I suppose it would be to help businesses grow their business through advertising." Her reply? "Well, that's fine and good, but that's not a goal. Your goal should be the amount of sales you want to make in a day, a week, a month, a year..." And so began our frequent debate: my position was that I was going to work as hard as possible and make as many sales as possible while doing my best to serve the needs of my clients. Her argument was that without actual sales goals I had nothing to reach and strive for, and therefore I was seting myself up for failure.

Well it turns out she was wrong...at least partially. Not only was I successful in sales, but actually became the Sales Manager for this company, and later had even greater success at another company. But in some ways I suppose that my manager was right - having goals, or as I refer to them today - intentions - can be very valuable. Setting one's sight on what you want to achieve can be very positive, and can certainly help you to align your energy with what it is you want to attract. But I also believe intentions or goals that are strictly about material gain are often unrewarding or unsuccessful, because when desire stems from selfish motivation it is not as satisfying or meaningful. There's nothing wrong with wanting to attract abundance and financial security...but doing so from a position of helping others gives greater value and meaning to what may otherswise be self-serving motivation that may leave your pockets full but your spirit empty!

I am convinced that I was successful because my goal wasn't about how much I could personally achieve, but rather how I could help others to achieve their goals. And when I strayed from this principle, as I did from time to time, I know that the monetary gain was never as meaningful as it lacked the personal reward that came from knowing that I had helped myself through helping another.

I have recently started a new business and once again was asked what my goals for the business were. And as I thought about my answer I realized that the "goals" I have now are not much different from those I had years ago - to provide a means for others to achieve their goals. I know too that my success will never be defined by how much money I make, but rather by how many people I can help...and if I keep that as my focus, the rest will simply take care of itself...
~ Andrea :-)

"Letting it all hang out..."

2009-01-13T21:49:00.013-05:00

It isn't easy to accept certain aspects of life, particularly more difficult circumstances such as illness, loss, and struggle. I have personally come to know that if you accept things for what they are, somehow working through the challenges of life can be a bit easier. I've also learned that looking for the lessons and the silver lining in all situations, makes getting through times of challenge much easier.

But what has been a difficult process for me is applying this theory to the aging process, and the physical changes that come with aging. I must admit I've always been a pretty vain person...always trying to look my very best. So when I began to notice the effects of living with a chronic illness for many years, along with those inevitable signs of aging that come when you are in your 50's...I really struggled to accept this new person I saw in the mirror each day. Coming to terms with aging has required a bit of refocusing and making a shift in the way I think about myself, as well as causing me to examine my tendency to judge the way I view myself and others by outward appearance.

I remember the day when I saw my reflection and first thought, "who are you?" Shortly afterward I found a plaque with the most appropriate message: "change how you see, not how you look." And so I became determined to apply this wisdom, along with the lessons of acceptance I have learned through the years...and to embrace these changes as a natural part of the aging process. I also remind myself that the reflection I see in the mirror is not "me" - that is just my outer shell, and who I am is my spirit, which is ageless and eternal, and always beautiful.

It is one thing to be accepting of all parts of yourself, and it is another to feel free enough to share these imperfections with the rest of the world. I am not photogenic, even on my best day...so I have rarely taken a picture that I am willing to share with my family, let alone the rest of the world!! But lately I notice that I am less concerned about someone noticing my wrinkles or those couple of extra pounds that seem to manage to hang around no matter what I do to convince them to leave!! I suppose this new-found self-assurance comes from the practice of living in acceptance in other areas of my life...and is slowly permeating every aspect of my being.

I am in the process of creating a new website for a new line of positive intention tee shirts I have developed and asked my beautiful daughter to be my model. We took lots and lots of pictures, and my husband suggested he take one of Laura and I together to share with visitors to the site. Of course as soon as I saw it I began to think, "I could never put this on the website - look at my wrinkles...the double chin...how old I look..."

But as I began posting photos on the site I thought how silly and vain I was being - because in actuality though it may not be the best picture of me (my daughter assures me I really do look a lot better in person!) it is me...and so I decided to post the picture anyway. And truth be told - it hasn't bothered me one bit knowing that people can plainly see some of my flaws and imperfections. It is an amazing feeling to be free of the concern of what others might think of me. It's not that I no longer care, but that I no longer feel the need to prove anything to anyone...that I am finally in a place where I am not only able to accept the circumstance of my life, but to also accept me - warts and all. ~ Andrea :-)
PS: If you want to check out our beautiful tee shirts that will help you to keep your focus on the positive energy you wish to attract into your life, visit our website: http://www.beyourintention.com/.

The Greatest Gift of All...

2008-12-25T07:12:00.009-05:00

I have always been a "material girl." I never seemed to have enough stuff - clothes, jewelry, the latest make-up, new furniture or accessories for my home...I was never really staisfied, always thinking that "if I could only have ____" I would be happy. Except that never seemed to happen, and so the cycle would continue...

As I became exposed to the teachings of spiritual masters such as Eckhart Tolle and Wayne Dyer, the awareness that things can never fill us, but that true happiness and contentment can be found only from a place of peace - the peace that exists in the present moment...the connection with that place of peace that lives deep within...and the peace that comes with acceptance that where we are, and what we have, are exactly as it is intended.

And so as I began to work at living in the present moment with positive intention and positive expectation, I found that looking back with regret or looking forward with anxiety, began to happen less and less. There are more moments of contentment with who I am, and with what I have. Sure I still love clothes and decorating my home, but I no longer expect these things to fill me.

This was no more evident than last night - Christmas Eve. I spent that evening as I have for so many years - my family together to share a meal and to exchange gifts. It is always an enjoyable time, but last night was even more special than usual. We ate the same meal we always do, and exchanged the same type of gifts...but instead of deriving pleasure from the food or in the material giving and receiving, I found myself completely present in the moment...truly aware, maybe for the first time, of the love and caring - and bond, that we all share.

As I reflect this morning on the special evening I shared with my family last night, I realize that I am the recipient of the greatest and most everlasting gift of all...I have been blessed to know moments of peace and love, shared with the people who mean the most to me. And so on this Christmas Day I give thanks for this most precious of all gifts, and pray that you too find your way to a place of inner peace and contentment. With blessings of peace and love, Andrea :-)

Finding Faith

2008-12-17T05:32:00.003-05:00

"You don't have to know why, you just have to know." ~ Andrea

I suppose one might say I was a "non-believer" most of my life. It's not that I didn't believe in God, it's just that I if I couldn't see it, feel it, or explain it, I had a hard time believing it. The one thing that I had always envied most in other people was their religous faith - it was the one thing I didn't have that I so desperately wanted.

I will never forget a friend of mine who was going through a tough time telling me that she knew that God would never give her more than she could handle, so she knew she was going to be ok. She meant it, she believed it, and so you know as tough as things were for her, her faith got her through. I on the other hand, was also going through a challenging time and felt completely alone, because at the time I did not share her faith in the knowing that there was a Spirit at my side that would guide me through.

And so it is a testament to the amazing miracle of the Spirit of Life that today I am the one sharing my sense of faith with others. An even greater miracle is that I still can't explain the details, to you or to myself. I can't tell you that I understand God or religion any better today than I did then. I still don't have all the details worked out, and can't give you an explantion for how or why...but I have finally found my way to a place called Faith.

What I've learned about Faith is that it has absolutely nothing to do with what church you attend, or the religious label you carry...to me Faith is the acknowledgement of the presence of a Higher Power, a Higher Energy. It is the Divine Power that exists within each and every one of us, and every living thing, and it connects us all - one to the other.

To me, Faith is about recognizing that our thoughts create our beliefs, which in turn create our reality. It is being aware that what we think and believe are something we can choose. That we can choose to connect with positive expectation, or to live in a place of fear and worry. We can choose to say, "I may not understand this, but I choose to believe it is so." And that is how I came to live in a place of Faith. I made the choice to believe, and so I do. This is the way of intention - you align yourself with a belief simply by deciding to do so, and then also being aware that old habits and patterns will continually try to direct you back to that place of doubt. Slowly but surely, as you continue to redirect your thoughts to that which you are choosing to believe, those beliefs begin to take hold and become more than a thought in your mind, they become a part of your spirit, and your entire being.

When I made the choice to connect with this Higher Power (which many call God) I began to experience God's presence in my life - at first in small ways, and now in much greater ways. I am less fearful, less analytical, less demanding of myself and others...and best of all I feel much less alone.

And so if you are feeling disconnected from the power of God, consider this: you don't have to know how, you don't have to understand why, you just have to make the choice that you are going to have Faith. Ask God to show you the way, to reveal to you all that you need to know and do...and allow yourself to be open to unseen and unknown possiblities. Then watch for all of the amazing and wonderful things that come your way. ~ Andrea :-)

Brighter Days Ahead

2008-12-05T22:20:00.002-05:00

It's pretty hard to not be affected by all of the bad news we've been bombarded with lately... skyrocketing unemployement, the declining housing market, and the ever-growing financial woes impacting businesses of all sizes. Even if you are not personally affected right now, you can't help but feel the pain so many others are experiencing...as well as be concerned about the future we all share.

Although it is important to be an active participant in the world around you, I also believe that too much exposure to this type of doom and gloom news can create an environment that tends to bring you down and serves to attract more and more of this type of negative energy. I'm not suggesting we all become Pollyanna, but it is important to continually remind yourself that you have been blessed with the power to choose how you react to the circumstances and situations you encounter each day. You have the ability to choose to let go of the past...and to view the future from a place of optimism and positive expectation.

I know it's not easy, and if you have been personally impacted by these circumstances and see nothing but darkness ahead, I know it is particularly difficult to look for the light. But as one who has sturggled and suffered, and has known despair all too well, I can tell you that as long as you have faith and hope there isn't any problem or situation that you can't overcome. Not that it's always easy, but being proactive instead of reactive...and holding on to the knowing that you are going to find your way...makes it all possible to move through difficulty a stronger and better person.

The following is an excerpt from my new book, Heal With Hope A Healing Handbook & Journal: Each day we are presented with the opportunity to align ourselves with the energy we want to attract into our lives, as well as that which we wish to share with the rest of the world. Just imagine what your life would be like if you decide to replace fear and doubt with peace and faith, greed and bitterness with gratitude and forgiveness, and anger and grief with love and joy.

I pray that you are able to journey forward from a place of peace and acceptance...and know that tomorrow holds many great and wonderful blessings for you. ~Andrea :-)

My Gratitude List

2008-11-21T07:49:00.006-05:00

I can't believe another Thanksgiving is upon us...and though I try to live in gratitude each and every day, this time of year serves as a special reminder to stop and give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings we have been given throughout the year. Here's my 2008 Gratitude List:

1. I am so very thankful for finding the motivation to finally finish my book. It was a long and sometimes trying process, but I felt God's presence throughout...and there is no blessing greater than that.

2. I give thanks over and over again for the incredible sense of purpose, passion, and inspiration that has flowed through me, and that has created the opportunity for me to begin a business doing all the things I love to do.

3. I give thanks each day for the wonderful, supportive people who surround my life with their enthusiasm, as well as for their support and patience - I am so blessed!!

4. I am awed by the number of loving, caring, giving people who have been brought into my life either through Heal With Hope, my projects, or daily life...it is gratifying to know that all the bad news you read and hear about is only a fraction of what really happens in this world...it really is full of the most amazing people who each day renew my faith in mankind!

5. There are no words to describe how blessed I feel to have been able to participate in the election of our country's next President...an historic moment in our history that reminds us all that everything is possible.

6. I give great thanks for the meaningful time I was able to spend with my mother before she passed away. Those special moments are forever embedded in my heart...I realize what a great gift I was given.

7. I am filled with appreciation for the great strides I have made in restoring my health...I am so thankful for all of the new ways I have found to be a healthier, happier, stronger person.

8. Always on my list is my wonderful family...I am full of love and appreciation for being able to experience life with them. I thank them for the lessons they teach me each day...and for allowing me to believe that I am a positive force in their life - even when they don't really mean it!! ;-)

9. As I sit here and look out the window at the beautiful area we have been blessed to live in, I am reminded of how truly lucky I am and give thanks for our beautiful home and our serene and peaceful surroundings.

10. There has been no greater blessing this year than the ever-growing closeness I feel to God...the awareness and enlightenment, the growth, and the transformation that has taken place and that has changed me and my life forever...thank you God for all of the great and many blessings you have provided to me and my family. I pray you will continue to guide me and reveal to me all that is mine to know, and all this is mine to do. ~Andrea xoxo

"If only..."

2008-11-14T08:50:00.004-05:00

I am fascinated as I sit here and watch my sweet dog, Hailee, chase after her tail...round and round and round and round...why is it that it matters not at all to her that she never catches it - is it that she enjoys the mindlessness of running in circles, or is it that she can't let go of the hope that one day she will catch it??

I suppose I have done quite a bit of tail chasing myself...well that's how it feels when I think about all of the time, energy and wasted effort I have spent on chasing nirvana...that place of perfect health, complete happiness, and always being in a state of peace. And if you are anything like me you may have been doing a bit of tail chasing yourself...playing the "if only" game:

If only I had _____. If only I could find _____. If only I was able to _____. If only ____ would happen.

And on occasion the "if only" actually comes true - we get exactly what it is we were so sure we needed to make us happy, to bring us peace, to make life right. Unfortunately when you get that "if only" it is usually followed with a "but now if I could only..."

Well it's taken me a while, but I have finally discovered a truth that has transformed my life - there is no such thing as if only...because we, as is life, is fluid...constantly changing and evolving...so absolutely nothing is going to last forever, and there is no if only that is going to make everything all right forever. Sure there are moments when everything comes together and life does feel just right...but even then it is so easy to start thinking, "well if I only had ____ things would be even better..." or "if I could only _______ my life would be perfect." Well guess what...even if you get that, there is probably going to be another "but now if only" to follow...

So I do my best to live in this moment...right here, right now...with no "if onlys." Simply enjoying whatever I have in this moment and doing all I can to make the most of it. Not that I don't strive to improve, to do better and be better...but I have finally figured out that there is no one "if only" that will make everything perfect...I make the choice in each moment to be grateful for the place I am right now, with all that I have right now, with who I am right now...and I embrace the peace I have found by no longer needing to say, "if only..." ~ Andrea :-)

Replace Fear with Faith...

2008-11-07T10:34:00.008-05:00

I recently received an email that is indicative of many that I get, and it started like this: "Today I stumbled across your site on the internet, don't know how but I did..."

This started me to think about how a few years ago my initial reaction to this would have been, "wow, what a coincidence!" But I have since come to know that there really are no accidents - that everything that happens does so because it is divinely intended, and therefore all that we need to know and all that we need to do is always available to us...is always presenting itself to us...as long as we are open to it and don't allow our fear to get in the way.

I am not a person of great religious faith, and for much of my life this was a source of great conflict for me. But I can't begin to tell you how much peace I now have simply because I followed some advice given to me a few years ago of "asking God to reveal Himself to you so that you never doubt his existence again." Whatever it is that you call the Higher Power you believe in - God, Spirit, Allah, Buddha -doesn't really matter. In my heart and mind what does matter is that you are acknowledging and connecting with this powerful force of energy that guides each of us as we travel the path of our individual destiny. Many try to make this relationship complicated by telling us that we have to follow certain rituals or traditions, but I like to think that God/Higher Power is more interested in the kind of life we live, and the kind of human we choose to be, rather than little details like that.

For some having a relationship with God is easy - but for others like me, it is not as easy, not as natural. What I discovered is that it does not have to complicated - it can be as simple as being a choice - just choosing to believe that this Power exists and is working within you to create all of the experiences you are meant to have...to accomplish all that you are intended to accomplish...and that you are evolving as only you are intended during this lifetime.

To find a place of peace in life I believe it is also important to accept that some of your experiences are going to be wonderful, happy, and fun. And other experiences will be difficult, challenging...and very hard. Remember that it is during these times that you achieve the greatest growth, gain the most knowledge, and become prepared for your next level of awareness and enlightenment.

Fear is a very powerful emotion that can manifest itself in physical as well as emotional ways. And all it needs to feed itself and become more powerful is for you to acknowledge it and focus on it. I am so very thankful that I was able to let go of the albatross of fear that at one time consumed my life...and was able to do so simply because I made the choice to stop living that kind of life. God has guided me to the awareness that we each have the power to choose - that we have the ability to choose our thoughts and where we focus our attention, and therefore have the power to influence what we attract to our lives. We can choose to know that no matter how far we stray or how deep our wounds, God/Higher Power will be there to light the way. I have made the choice to live in faith and to know that my future will be bright, simply because I choose to believe that it is possible...and you can make this choice, too.

Decide to replace your fears with faith...and know that everything is going to be ok. No matter how much turmoil there is in the world, no matter how bleak or dark our days...great and wonderful things are on the horizon if we choose to align ourselves with them. So let go of your fear...it isn't serving you, it's only harming you...and choose to fill yourself with the faith that the path you are walking is the right one for you...and there are many wonderful and amazing things ahead. ~ Andrea :-)

Carry Hope In Your Heart...

2008-11-02T14:07:00.002-05:00

"A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart."
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We've been living through some tough times, no doubt about it. People are losing their jobs, their investments & retirement savings, and there is turmoil around the world. These events have caused many to question their faith, and even lose hope for the future.

I know there has been an overwhelming current of uncertainy the last few months, and there may be more ahead. But I am going to make a prediction: I truly believe that brighter days are just around the corner. There are so many of us who now have an awareness of the connection between the energy we project and the energy we attract, and are continually making a focused, concentrated effort to align with positive thinking and positive expectation. And those collective forces are beginning to produce results...the air of negativity and fear is subsiding, and seeds of hope are growing and spreading.

We are human, and as such we seem to have a natural inclination to fear the unknow. But we have also been blessed with a free will and an ability to choose - we have the ability to decide how we react to the circumstances in our own lives, and how we react to the events that occur in the world around us. And so I have made the choice to align my thinking with the energy of hope and optimism...my heart is full with the knowing that brighter days are ahead for all of us. We will elect the right man as our President, the financial crisis will pass, we will create a more peaceful world, we will learn to better honor ourselves and each other...and I know many others who hold this belief as well.

I pray that you too will choose to fill your heart with hope - and that you will see brighter days ahead, for yourself and for the world. Let go of negativity and be willing to align yourself with all of the infinite positive energy that fills our universe. ~ Andrea :-)

Staying Positive in Negative Times...

2008-10-24T07:33:00.004-04:00

We are living in turbulent times and even the most optimistic person may have feeling of uncertainty and concern about the future. We also know that the Law of Attraction suggests that what we focus our thoughts on is what we will attract into our lives, and surely anxiety and fear are not what we want to attract! Here are the steps I am taking to keep my focus on the positive and hope you will find them useful as well.

1. Turn off the television.

Let's face it, television news is 90% doom and gloom, and listening to pundits as they strike fear into your heart and mind is not healthy and can really bring you down...often without you realizing the impact their negativity can have. Sure you want to know what is going on in the world, but do you really need to hear the same fear-induced reporting over and over and over? I don't...so I have stopped watching the local news (seems to me all they ever report on is rape, murder and what bad thing has happened). I also limit the amount of time I watch national and cable news - I may catch the beginning of the program where they give you the headlines, but that's it. I read the newspaper every day, but refuse to read past any negative headline and instead search out the informative and inspiring stories.

2. Stay focused on the blessings.

Every time I catchmyself in "what if..." mode I consciously release that thought process and make the choice to focus on all of the blessings I have in my life and give thanks for them. I also give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings that I know are on their way to me, too! (For ideas on how to do this see the articles on Visualization, Relaxation and Meditation on HealWithHope.com. Also read about Journaling - a great way to let go of fear and anxiety by putting them to paper and then tearing it up to let it all go!)

3. Be aligned with what you want to think, feel, and be.

The more you think about what might go wrong, what bad thing could happen, you are more likely to attract this kind of energy. So make the choice right now to let go of self-defeating thinking and simply choose to know that everything is fine, and everything will be fine! It's really all just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other, of accepting things for what they are - you might not be able to change everything, but you can reduce its power by detaching from it and acknowleding that "it is what it is."

Join me in the knowing that we are on the right path, headed in the right direction, and that good things are on the way for all of us. ~ Andrea :-)

Your Feelings, My Feelings...

2008-10-17T11:27:00.004-04:00

I knew that my blog post last week might offend some people, but I didn't realize the hostility and anger it would arouse. If you didn't read that post, I spoke about my support for Barak Obama because I believe his optimistic attitude, sense of hope, and ability to bring people together would help to move our country past the divisive atmosphere that that has eminated from Washington for the 8 years. I suppose a website about natural health and healing is not the place one would expect to read someone's political views, but to me the upcoming election is about more than political views, but about the kind of energy and attitude we want from our leaders. I strongly believe that the energy we put out is the energy that we attract and I personally want to elect a President who is positive, hopeful, and open-minded - not one who is angry and bitter.

This is my opinion, what I feel in my heart. I may be right, and I may be wrong...but these are the feelings I own. And I can tell you that in my experience people who judge other people's feelings are creating an unhealthy environment for themselves and the world. Sure I get annoyed when I feel strongly about something and others don't see things my way...actually I admit that I am a pretty opinionated person...but I have come to know that the only way to survive is to learn to accept that not everyone will agree with you, that people will disappoint you sometimes, and that things will not always go according to your plan.

I learned a very valuable lesson many years ago when my husband and I went on a Marraige Encounter weekend. The weekend is spent focusing on learning to communicate without judging. The premise is that "feelings are feelings, they are not right or not wrong - it is what someone feels and therefore should not be judged." This philosophy has served us well in our marraige - we just celebrated our 35th anniversary. And I also try to live by this in all of my relationships - as mother, friend, sister, neighbor and professional. It isn't always easy, especially when you are a know-it-all, as I can sometimes be. But I try to be aware of this and take great pains to remember to do my best to honor and respect other's feelings and opinions, particularly when they differ from my own.

I know in my heart that the people who criticized me did so because they too are worried about our country, their families, and their future. I pray for the day when we can all stop fearing one another because we have different opinions, or look different, or sound different. We all come from one Source...and that Divine Power is inside each and every one of us - black, white, yellow,Christian, Jew or Muslim...we are more the same than we are different. And if we focus on the similarities as opposed to the differences our lives and our world would be much the better for it. ~ Andrea :-)

Voting for Positive Change

2008-10-11T08:03:00.002-04:00

I apologize in advance to anyone who may be offended by my political views. I realize this is a delicate subject, especially when being discussed in a blog that is dedicated to good health and healing. But I think if you read on you will understand why I feel so compelled to break my rule of keeping the subject matter strictly to what is in my heart, rather than on my mind.

Eight years ago when George W. Bush was running for President, long before I understood the principles of the Law of Attraction as well as the impact that the energy we put out is the energy that will come back to us, my instincts told me that there was something about him that lead me to believe he would not be a good President. He seemed arrogant, and lacking the intellecutal ability and intelligence I believed was needed from a President. I wrote an editorial to the local newspaper addressing these concerns and that I that believed that his divisive attitude and shallowness would lead our country to econonmic decline, as well as to conflicts in our relations around the world. Sadly, not only were my instincts right, but things have actually turned out to be worse than I had ever imagined were possible.

And so it is 8 years later and once again we are getting ready to elect a new President. And once again my instincts tell me that only one candidate has the intelligence, energy, and attitude that will lead our country away from the angry, closed-minded negativity that has pervaded Washington - and therefore the world - for the last 8 years.

John McCain has proven time and again throughout this election process that he is not the man that is going to change anything - he projects anger, bitterness and an unwillingness to be true to his professed qualities of being able to bring about positive change. I'm not worried that he will bring "more of the same" to our nation, but that things will actually worsen because he is so lacking in optimism and openess.

I am supporting Barak Obama for President. I believe he has the wisdom, attitude and energy to move our country in the right direction. I see in him a calm, pragmatic, and deep intellecutal ability, as well as a positive attitude and energy...and because I know that the energy we put out is the energy we will attract in return, I believe that his positive nature, and his judgement to surrround himself with like-minded people, will bring about not just a change in policy, but a change in energy that our country so desperately needs.

I suggest the next time you have the opportunity to watch John McCain and Barak Obama - don't listen to the words they speak, but the way those words are delivered...the body language...the demeanor. And I think you will see the calm, assured, optimistic energy coming from Obama, and the tense, angry, negative energy McCain exudes. If you believe that we have had enough negativity and negative energy in Washingon, I hope you too will consider bringing about positive change by casting your vote for Barak Obama, too!! ~ Andrea :-)

Once a Type A, Always a Type A...

2008-10-02T21:55:00.005-04:00

I'm about to make a confession, but please don't tell anyone as it might ruin my reputation as this very zen, spiritual being who preaches to anyone who will listen about living in the moment, and staying connected with your inner sense of peace and calm, even in the most hectic of circumstances.

Ok, here's the confession - I've just discovered that once you are a Type A personality, you will probably always be a Type A personality!! I know my inability to know-when-to-say-when was a major factor in my illness - I pushed and pushed and pushed until my body couldn't hold up any more. I was a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and managed a business - and always felt I had to do each to perfection.

Illness taught me that if you don't respect and honor your body, mind and spirit there will be a price to pay. And yet, here I am working like a mad woman the last few months, and most particularly the last several weeks. It is all for a good cause, and I am loving every minute of it, but I am pushing myself nonetheless. The Heal With Hope website is being completely redone, I am finishing a book I have written, and working on developing a line of inspirational products. There is creative work, accounting decisions, and legal ramifications to be addressed...this is in addition to my regular responsibilities of maintaining the current website, answering reader questions, and planning future articles...and of course caring for myself and my family.

I share all I am currently involved in because it is important to the central theme I am trying to put forth - that once you are a Type A you are probably always a Type A. What I have also found is that just because you know better now doesn't make it any easier to walk away from the things you see as your duty and or responsiblity, but it does meant that you are more aware of the price you may pay for all the pushing, and therefore it becomes easier to make the decision to expend your energy on things that really mean something to you instead of wearing yourself out trying to make the rest of the world happy (and believe me they never will be - the more you do, the more you are expected to do!).

The old Andrea would have sat and fussed with this blog posting until it was up to my usual gold standard...but tonight I am going to show the world, and myself, that although I may still be a bit of a Type A, I am now smarter and wiser and know when to say when...and so I say good night!! Because this on-her-way-to-being a former type A is tired and needs to go to bed. Sweet dreams... ~ Andrea ;-)

Lost? Try Asking God For Directions...

2008-09-20T07:16:00.002-04:00

From a distance it always seems as though everyone else's life is running smoothly, until you get up close and realize that they are dealing with the same struggles, uncertainty, and angst that you are. The problems may be different, but life has a way of being an equal opportunity offender - no one's life is perfect - we all are confronted by challenge every day. And each of us will face various crossroads throughout our lives. Though how we work through those processes may be very different...

I have always been an analyzer - when confronted with challenge I think things through carefully, looking at all the angles...eventually making up my mind as to the course of action I want to take, and then begins the inevitable round of what if's- what if this happens, what if that happens. Then the worry about making the wrong choice pops up, followed by uncertainty...and well, you get my drift.

Others may take a different approach - perhaps read self-help books, consult with a therapist or life coach, or one of the more common approaches: do nothing. Sometimes when faced with uncertainty it just seems easier to do nothing than try to figure out what the next step should be.

I was at a very important crossroad in my life a few years ago...my illness was really wearing me down and I felt as though I had exhausted all possible options...I didn't know what to do next or where to turn for answers. You can read more details about what happened to turn things around for me at http://www.healwithhope.com/ My Story, but suffice it to say that some events took place that lead me to the one and only option left to me: asking God for guidance. I am not a religious person, and this was defnitely out of my comfort zone...but I took a leap of faith, asked God for guidance, and there is no doubt that God answered my call.

I reached another crossroad later that same year, this time I was feeling better physically, but because I was still not well enought to work I felt as though my mind was wasting away and my life had no purpose. And so once again I was at a loss as to what my next step should be, and I turned to God for guidance. I asked God to "show me the way" and to figure out "what is mine to do". It has been almost two years since I asked God those questions, and in that time I have been inspired to create the Heal With Hope website, write a book (which I hope to be releasing soon), and my latest projects - a great line of inspirational products (watch for an announcement soon on Heal With Hope).

And so I would suggest to you, if you are at a crossroad in your life and just can't seem to find your way, try asking God for a little help. I believe God is an equal opportunity provider - you don't need to be a certain faith, pray in a certain way, or do anything other than ask for some guidance. Of course being an honorable, loving, caring being probably won't hurt your cause either. Skeptical? That's ok, give it a try anyway...I sure am glad I did. ~ Andrea :-)

What really matters...

2008-09-13T07:41:00.002-04:00

It has been heartbreaking to watch thousands of people being forced to evacuate their homes the last few weeks - storm after storm has forced so many to flee, often with little time to grab what they can and leave.

Which started me thinking about what I would take with me if I was forced to leave our home in just a moment's notice. As I make a mental list of the absolute necessities I would take, I realized that all of the "things" that have always seemed so important - the furniture, the accessories, the stuff - really don't matter that much after all. I love to shop...and probably always will...and I do enjoy having a nice home...but all of those beautiful things that I painstakenly shopped for are just that, things. They can be replaced, so if I had to leave it all behind it really wouldn't matter much, because the truth is, it's just "stuff."

What does seem important? The same things you hear people say they grabbed as they hurried from their homes, or the things you see people searching for in the aftermath of destruction of their home: the family photos and mememtos. I suppose that is because all the "stuff" can be replaced, but the memories of the people and good times we shared with them, exist only in our minds, or in the snapshots we took, or the souveniers we bought to serve as a reminder. As I look around my home those are the things I would be devastated to lose - my kid's baby pictures, photos of my parents who are no longer with us, the little mementos we've picked up through the years. Perhaps some of my little angels and tiny buddhas that I have been given by friends and family would make their way with me...but as I look around there is not anything else that I could not live without, because it can all be replaced. As long as my family and our pets were safe and at my side, all would be ok.

Well actually there is one very vital thing that would absolutely have to go with me - my little make-up bag!! Really, I could survive without most anything, but please don't ever ask me to give up my lip gloss, mascara, and powder...there comes a time in life when those things move from the frivolous list to the necessity list!!! So the make-up bag in on the list of non-negotiable items I am taking with me!!

On a more serious note, my prayers are with those who have been forced to flee their homes...I pray they will be able to return to find their lives in tact...their homes still standing, their possessions awaiting them, but most of all their family and friends safe. ~ Andrea :-)

The Law of Attraction in Action!

2008-09-06T23:33:00.003-04:00

When I first opened myself to the possiblity that my thoughts, actions, and expectations had a direct impact on what I would attract into my life, I wanted to believe it, but truth be told I didn't really think it was possible. But time and again I have proven myself wrong...and in the last year I have come to trust that not only do we have the power to attract the type of energy we want, but also that the Universe will enhance that energy by bringing people and circumstances to reinforce those intentions.

If you have read any of my other blog entries, you already know that I have had some amazing experiences attracting positive energy into my life...Iwanted to share my latest confirmation of how the energy of my thoughts and desires continues to manifest into reality...

Although life has been going well and I have been feeling very fulfilled in my personal life, and in the work that I am doing, I've felt as though I had hit a plateau with my healing and was ready for the next step. And so once or twice in the last week I added to my nightly Gratitude Prayer: "Thank you God for guiding me to the people, places and things that I need to find to take me to the next level of healing." I then let it go because I've come to trust that when the time is right all I need to know and do will be there...

Last week I completed updates to Heal With Hope (if you want to be added to the Update list you can email me: andrea@healwithhope.com) and sent out the update notification. I included a friend, Charlene, an amazing cranio-sacral therapist that became a very special friend of mine, but who I normally contact through my personal email account. I wanted to know if she had any photos of herself performing cranio-sacral as I was interested in adding some photos to the article on the website to help people better understand what it is all about. Because I had never contacted her through the web email before, I typed in her address from memory.

I received a reply a day or two later, but found it a bit odd - Charlene is normally so warm and loving in her notes and this reply was very impersonal and to the point...she said, "no, I don't have any photos but feel that the article on the site is incomplete". I was surprised as she had never said anything like that before, but I thought perhaps she was busy and didn't have the time to add much more to her note. We corresponded several times on the subject - I invited her to write an addition to the article so it was complete...she agreed, but each note continued to be very impersonal and stuck only to the subject at hand. The last note I received from her was about to solve the "mystery" as to why Charlene did not seem herself. The last line of her most recent email asked, "would you remind me how and where we met." I knew something was not right - I mean this was Charlene...someone I had shared very personal experiences with, who was such a good friend, and I knew that unless she was losing her mind, that she would know who I was!!!

Well, as you've probably guessed by now, I had been sending emails to the wrong person...yes her name is similar (Char instead of Charlene) and their email addresses are exactly the same except one uses aol.com, the other earthlink.com...

Here's the part that I love best - both are cranio-sacral therapists, and the "new" Char takes cranio to another level, which she is going to write about and share on HWH in the future. She also uses a program called Resourcing that sounds very interesting and is something that I think may be helpful to me personally, and perhaps will be of interest to those who visit HWH - I will keep you posted about this!!

Think about it - I am looking for new ideas for healing, and the Universe guides me to a person who has some new perspectives on healing that seem to fit my needs!! Do you think it was an accident that I messed up the email addresses?? I sure don't - what are the chances that you mess up an address and then reach someone who has information you are looking for???!!!

I have also received an email from someone who "found the site by accident" and who has offered me some great ideas about healing. Check out Jo Davidson's wonderful site: http://www.zentertainment.org/. Jo, who is working her way through some challenging health issues, has created a great site - Zentertainment Talk Radio - to share information to help others heal. I think you will love her site...and I am sure you will agree it was no "accident" that she found HWH!! (She also suggested a site to me that sells vibrational remedies for healing purposes...I haven't looked into it yet, but perhaps it's another suggestion the Universe has sent for me to explore?!? Check it out if you are interesed: http://www.healerswhoshare.com/).

In addition to asking for guidance on healing, I have also been working hard on updating the site and began to wonder if all the time and effort I spend on it is worth it - am I really helping people?? Well, the Universe decided it was time to remind me why I do what I do - I have received several emails in the last few days letting me know that information on the site proved helpful...and I hadn't received any emails like this in quite a while!!

So if you want great things to come your way, maybe it's time to choose to believe it is as simple as this: be willing to think positive, believe that everything is possible, and ask God to lead you to what you need and want...though make sure instead of "asking" you give thanks for it right up front - let Divine Power know that you believe it is coming, and you just might find that it will!! ~Andrea :-)

Finding calm in the storm...

2008-08-28T20:25:00.004-04:00

It has been a wild and crazy couple of weeks...my life has been wonderfully full as I spend 8-10 hours each day working on my book, updating and revising the website, and my creative juices were flowing with more ideas than I could possibly handle right now. All was going along smoothly as the healing work I have done was helping me to be stronger than I had in a very long time, and I focused on incorporating all of the spiritual lessons I have learned to help keep me grounded and in a good place.

And then came the crash...my brand new fabulous computer crashed. Within the course of a few minutes all of the hard work - the book, the website, the personal projects I had been working on were seemingly gone. I had spent about 6 hours earlier that day working on rewrites to my book...I was having a hard time finding the right words and the day's progress was slow, and finally I thought I had worked through all of the kinks...and suddenly it was very possible that it was all gone.

It took several days, but I eventually discovered that a repair was possible and that not all of the data would be lost...what a relief!! Then the next day we were presented with a new challenge - our air conditioner decided that it had outlived it's life expectancy, and was ready to head to air conditioner heaven.

Now most of you don't know me - don't know that I am not what one might consider to be "good in an emergency." I freely admit that I have been prone to panic and am a bit excitable and overly empathethic...

Well that was then, and this is now. I'm not saying I didn't have a moment or two, but 99.9% of the time I discovered that not only do I preach to others about living in the moment and anticipating positive end results in every situation, but I now find that I actually live in that place myself. When the computer crashed I was concerned, but was also able to stay present in the moment and realize that there wasn't much I could do other than to focus on and hold on to the knowing that it would all work out and that whatever needed to happen would, and that it would all end exactly the way it was intended to. Same with the air conditioner...I consciously made the choice to think of all of the people who had it worse than me - those who were without power from Tropical Storm Fay - so not only were they also hot, but they had no refrigerator, no lights, and some had to evacuate their homes because of flooding. I also choose to know that everything would fall into place and be ok...and that is exactly what happened.

I find more and more how easy it is to fall into that place of peace in the moment...to connect with my inner guide that tells me that everything is going to be ok, all is happening in the exact way it was intended. It took a long time to get to this place - it is easy to be "positive" when things are going well...the true test comes when things take a bad turn. I know the "bad turn" could have been much worse...but I also know that whatever comes my way I will not project and look for the worst...I will work at aligning myself with positive expectation...and I have no doubt that everything will be ok. As I said to a friend the other day, I no longer expect there will never be storms in my life...I just now know that it is possible to find peace within every storm. ~ Andrea :-)

Old friends are the best friends...

2008-08-15T09:30:00.007-04:00

You've probably heard the quote, "some people come into your life for a reason, some for a season, and others for a lifetime..." I love this, because it really is true - you meet someone, have a real connection with them, but within a short period of time, for one reason or another, they are gone from your life...probably because the reason they were there has now been resolved, and it is time for both of you to move on. Then there are those people that you think are gone from your life forever, but for some reason you continually find your paths crossing again and again.

I've recently reconnected with an old business associate who I always liked and admired on a personal as well as professional level, and it feels as though it had been weeks, not years since we'd last been in touch. Today I had the chance to speak to another business acquaintance who I always had fond feelings for, and again I felt as though it could not possibly have been 10 years since we had spoken...

What is it about some people that the connection is always in place?? No matter how long it has been since you have seen or spoken to them, there is a special bond that allows you to fall back into conversation and reconnect with ease?? This brings to mind a very special friend - a gal I've known for over 25 years...Janet and I met in the supermarket when our boys were about 6 months old and became fast friends. I moved away 20 years ago, and have only seen her once in all that time...and yet when we make our annual phone call to one another during the holidays we are on the phone for hours and it truly feels like no time at all had passed...

One of my oldest and dearest friends, Sue (pictured here with my husband), and I have a relationship like that. We can go for months, even years, without being in touch...and then we see each other or get on the phone and it feels like we had just spoken the week before.

What a wonderful gift it is to not only be blessed with the people who are close to you in your daily life, but also to have those special connections to those who you may not see or hear from often, but to whom you always and forever feel a bond with. I give great thanks to God for the blessing of being reconnected with so many amazing people...what an incredible gift!!
~ Andrea :-)

If you needed proof...

2008-08-08T07:26:00.003-04:00

Several years ago I first heard Dr. Wayne Dyer speak about the transformative power of our thoughts - his message that "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change" really resonated with me. And so I began my journey of learning how to use this to change the circumstances of my life.

I studied the wisdom of spiritual teachers like Dr. Dyer and developed my own exercises and techniques that enhanced my ability to refocus my thinking and to "retrain my brain"(watch for information about my new book that outlines all of these methods). I began to notice positive changes and so I shared this newfound approach with family and friends. Most were already used to my "far-out" ideas and would just smile, but as they saw my life improve, they began to listen a bit more and some even began to change their lives by changing their thinking too!

Let's face it though, part of the human experience is to doubt and to question, and this belief was no different. I knew that how I directed my thoughts absolutely did have an impact on what I was attracting into my life, but there are always those little nagging doubts, I wondered about the limitations of this power to really change things. But if I ever had any doubt before, I can tell you after this recent experience I don't any longer:

I recently wrote a book and have been in the process of having copies created at a local office supply shop (Staples). Because of the unique nature of the book I was creating an acutal mock-up of what I want the book to look like so publishers would be able to grasp the entire concept of what I am trying to achieve. This process required printing the pages, having them cut to size, printing and laminating the cover, then having it all bound.

The first few copies were perfect - and all went well. But the next day I received a call that they were having problems with the laminating machine and couldn't get it to work right. This was particularly upsetting as I had promised to send the book out that day to someone who was trying to help me get it published, so it was really important to get a good copy completed. I went over to Staples and saw for myself just how bad the cover looked - and it was awful!

The two gals working at the copy center had come to know me and understood how important this project was, and had made over a half dozen attempts to provide at least one good cover. I knew we had to get this done somehow and so thought it was a perfect time to put the power of positive thinking and gratitude into practice. I told them that we were going to work together to attract positive energy to this situation and get the laminator to do what we needed it to do. They had both gotten to know me quite well the last few weeks and just smiled and gave me that "let's just humor her" look I've seen many times before.

I asked everyone to take a deep breath, and then we set an intention that the laminator was going to begin to work perfectly (I said the words, they just smiled and rolled their eyes!), but they did nod in agreement! I then went over to the machine, put my hand on it, and said: "Thank you laminator for creating 3 perfect book covers for me - I need to get this project done and thank you for your cooperation." I then spent a moment visualizing the machine at work and the end result being 3 perfect covers.

They were reluctant to give it another try as they had tried so many times unsuccessfully, but I knew the cover would be perfect this time, and so they agreed to try one more time...

I have to be honest and admit that when the laminator put out three perfect covers I was delighted, and a little relieved - I believe in the power of being able to shift energy by shifiting our thoughts, but this was a machine after all, and I was surrounded by people who didn't really believe it possible. I must say both gals were amazed and the seeds have been planted - they now know that they hold the power to change circumstances that are seemingly impossible to change.

This story gets even better because the next day the exact same thing happened, though it was with a different employee, but the end result was the same! They couldn't get the machine to laminate properly, I came and changed the energy of the situation, and we were able to get the job done!!

Last night when I dropped off 3 more books to be put together I decided to try setting the right energy before leaving the store, rather than have to go back and fix it later...so I went over to the laminator, thanked it for the perfect job I knew it was going to do on the book covers - and left. When I went back to pick up the books, Trisha, the gal who had been there the first time this all happened, was delighted though a bit surprised that she had 3 perfect books ready for me!!

Now I realize that to some this is going to sound crazy - even impossible. Believe me, I completely understand...but I also tell you with 100% certainty that "if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at can change!" Just ask the staff at the Staples copy center! ~ Andrea :-)

A Frog in the Toilet...

2008-07-31T23:17:00.004-04:00

One of the great things about age is that you have had time to learn to roll with the punches, and are less and less surprised by the unpredictablity of the unexpected events life can throw your way. I have found that just when I think I have everything figured out, something will usually occur to remind me that I really don't...and I have come to accept the fact that maybe I never will have it all figured out. Because I have learned that life is a process - an evolution -that provides continuous challenge so that we never stop growing, stretching, and learning.

I was recently reminded that that life is always full of surprises...sometimes when we least expect it:

It was a typical evening for me - I watched a little tv, spent some time on the computer, and did a little reading...and before I knew it, it was time to get ready for bed. I am a creature of habit and my nighttime routine is second nature, so I rarely pay attention to what I am doing as I wash up and get ready to get to sleep...but on this particular night I am grateful that my inner voice was on alert and that I was paying attention to it, because for some reason I paused to look down before sitting on the toilet.

And I am so very, very thankful that I did!! Because as I glanced down into the toilet I saw a huge frog sitting on some tissues I had thrown in there earlier!!!! Now I am not talking a toad here - not one of those cute things I used to try to catch as a kid - I mean a full grown, BIG frog!!!! I am sure if you happen to live within a 10 mile radius of my home you probably heard my screams...my husband who is used to me screaming every time I see a bug knew this was not my typical scream and came running. As he entered the bathroom he told me to calm down and stop exaggerating because surely the huge frog I began describing was probably not very large at all. Well, he was in for a huge surprise himself!! He was as shocked as I when he saw this huge frog just sitting there, looking like he was right at home.

After a bit of a chase he was able to catch the frog and put it back outside where he belonged. The only regret we both had after that happened is that we didn't think to snap a picture, as I know that no one would be able to capture that moment was to have a photo of it. The next question was how on earth did that frog get into the toilet in the first place!! We called the city water department to check our pipes for a break through which the frog could have gotten in, but they found nothing amiss. My husband checked vents and anything else he could think of and came up with nothing.

As many of you know, I'm never able to tell a story without attaching some kind of moral to it...so I've decided that perhaps my visitor was actually God's way of reminding me that life is full of surprises - some good, some not - and no matter how prepared you think you might be, don't forget that life is an unexpected journey and we are just along for the ride - so enjoy it, bumps, bruises, and unexpected guests all!!!! ~ Andrea :-)

A promise kept...

2008-07-25T21:02:00.005-04:00

When my father passed away 5 years ago my sister and I wondered how long Mom could survive, her heart broken at the loss of her soulmate and partner of 52 years. It was hard to imagine her being able to go on without him...he was her rock and she relied on him so very much. But Mom surprised us all - although her heart was heavy she did her best to go on. It wasn't easy, but her strong will and determination helped her to take slow, small steps forward.

Within a year or two we began to notice a decline, both physcial and mental. There were subtle changes at first, but in time we were told that her early stage dementia had progressed and she would need to be moved to a facility specializing in memory care. After an exhaustive search we were blessed to find a wonderful home for her - a loving, caring environment where she was surrounded by kind and compassionate people. Although her mental and physical health continued to decline, Mom throughly enjoyed her new home and the great people she lived with.

Although my family was very close-knit, I never had a particularly close relationship with my mother...we were very different people who didn't share many common interests. Years ago my mother stayed with us while my Dad was away, and she seemed to not be herself. I remember her evenutally confessing that she was concerned that one day when my father was gone she was worried about what would happen to her. I assured her that I would always be there for her, and promised should the day ever come that I would take good care of her.

And so I kept my promise...I visited her frequently, took her on outings until she was no longer able. Then our visits were just time spent together - sitting outside enjoying the sun, watching the clouds float by, listening to the birds chirp...and chatting about the things we both loved most - our family and friends. She always perked up when I would visit and so I knew that even though she couldn't say so, she always knew who I was.

This last year she didn't speak very much and so I did most of the talking...and she became a very good listener. I came to know her body language - she didn't need to say a word but I could tell when she was tired, hungry, or in pain. We would sit quietly side-by-side, just grateful for this time together as we both knew these days wouldn't last forever.

One of the best days we ever spent together was a few months ago when I brought along the manuscript for a book I had just completed to show her, and then decided to try reading it to her. I would stop frequently to see if I was tiring her out, but she would indicate she wanted me to continue, and so I did until I had read her the entire book. When I was finished she gave me one of her rare smiles and nodded when I asked her if she liked it. Even now the memory of that day fills my heart with great joy.

The next few months were difficult for both of us - Mom was suffering and watching her decline was so very hard. I did my best to brighten her day - visiting more often so she never felt alone...and reminding her that I understood she was struggling and would do everything I could to ease her burden. Although words never passed between us, I could feel her gratitude and love - and this gave me the strength to continue.

Last week things took a bad turn and Mom could no longer get out of bed. I was sitting with her when she looked over at me and smiled, then closed her eyes for what would I thought would be a brief rest. Sadly, it was the last time she would open her eyes...and two days later she was gone.

I have learned so much the last five years - about my mother, and about myself. I now know we were both much more alike than I had ever realized...we were both much stronger than either of us had imagined...and that from love and trust a special bond could grow that not even death would be able to break. Though Mom is gone, I take great comfort knowing that she is at peace, and that we journeyed together through some very difficult times...and despite all the obstacles, we found our way to one another. God bless you Mom - I pray your spirit is eternally blessed with peace and love. Yours forever, Andrea xoxo

My Greatest Teachers...

2008-07-18T06:12:00.003-04:00

I have been blessed by many incredible teachers who have had such a positive influence in my life. From my 7th grade teacher who was the first person to make me feel as though I was capable of so much more, to my father whose unconditional love taught me to believe that I could do or be anything...to more recent spiritual teachers like Wayne Dyer and Eckhart Tolle, whose wisdom has inspired me to stretch and do the unimaginable.

I have achieved many goals the last few years because of the inspiration of the people I have mentioned above. But none of what I have accomplished would have been possible without one very special teacher, Evelyn Dufner. Evelyn, aka My Computer Angel, has guided me, pushed me, encouraged me...and most of all turned my many visions into reality.

Evelyn is one of those quiet people whose influence you don't realize until you step back and look at how much you have learned and grown from her guidance and instruction. She is a pretty amazing person - one of those talented people who wears many hats...she's a computer instructor, web designer, business administrator and classroom teacher, not to mention a mother, wife, and daughter. She seems to glide effortlessly from one to the other, always bringing with her an encouraging smile and a large dose of enthusiasm.

I know how blessed I am to have Evelyn in my life as I am sure there are few people who could put up with my sometimes demanding and impatient personality. I work so hard to evolve to be a patient, kind, and calm spirit, but let's just say I am still a work-in-progress!

Without Evelyn Heal With Hope would not be the beautiful website that it is, and the book I just completed would not be as special. So as I remember all of the great teachers who have impacted my life in so many wonderful ways, I want to give thanks to Evelyn for being such a wonderful teacher and friend. ~ Andrea :-)

My Best Friend...

2008-07-10T05:39:00.003-04:00

If you believe, as I do, that there are no coincidences, you will understand how the timing of Hailee coming into my life was not an accident. Five years ago I was struggling with my health, my dad was very ill, and we were getting ready to move to a new home. Right around this time my son, who had been living on his own, had to move back home for a short time and brought Hailee, his new puppy, with him.

There was a lot going on and I was not thrilled about having a puppy in the house, but after spending just a few minutes with her, I was in love. She was not only adorable, but she had such a loving and fun spirit you couldn't help but be happy in her company. Within a few weeks I let my son know that he was welcome to leave at any time, but the dog was staying...at that point Hailee and I had become inseparable and I couldn't imagine my life without her.

Hailee was always full of energy and enjoyed going out for long walks. And as a puppy she needed to be taken out quite often. This was all at a time when my energy level was extremely low and I could barely muster the energy to walk to the mailbox. Well Hailee didn't know anything about chronic fatigue or vertigo...she needed to get out several times a day, and since I was the only one at home during the day, I had to do it. It wasn't easy, and some days we couldn't go very far, but somehow I was able to push myself and take her out almost every day. And an amazing thing started to happen - slowly, but surely, my stamina began to improve. To this day I credit Hailee for forcing me to become more active, which I believe has been an important part of my healing.

Shortly after we moved my father died - this was a very difficult time as I was extremely close with my dad. No matter how down I was feeling, there was Hailee, at my side...providing comfort and love. And my mother, who was also devastated by the loss, was also comforted by Hailee's love and affection.

Through the years I've had ups and downs with my health, and Hailee has been there with me through it all...on the days I couldn't get out of bed, Hailee laid beside me, pressed up against me as if she were trying to pass along some of her energy to me. And to this day when I'm not feeling great, she is always there, snuggled up beside me. No matter how I feel or what I am doing, she is always there...at my side, providing her quiet comfort and support.

The last 51/2 years have been full of struggles and challenges, as well as joys and triumphs. And each and every experience was shared with my best friend and loyal companion, Hailee. She is 6 years old now and continues to be the greatest joy and blessing in our lives. She was at my side through the bad times, but also the good...she has been here as I devoted myself to creating the Heal With Hope website, and she has been right here as I spent the last year writing a book, which is now completed. And she is beside me right now as I write this blog entry.

We were never sure of Hailee's exact birthday, but believe she was born around this time of year...so Happy Birthday Hailee. Thank you for always being there...for making me laugh and licking away my tears...and most of all for your unconditional love. You are the best. xoxo

~ Andrea

Divine Inspiration...

2008-06-26T19:39:00.002-04:00

Almost two years have gone by since I first had the idea to create the Heal With Hope website. The idea for the site came to me one day when I was sitting around feeling sorry for myself - my illness left me unable to work, and yet I knew that I still had so much to contribute to the world. So as I sat there I said to God, "ok, I know there must be something I should be doing with my life...I sure could use some help figuring out what that is"...and a thought immediately popped into my mind - create a website to help other people who are struggling with their health! As I started to plan exactly how I would do this, the vision for it became so clear - I knew without a doubt that this was a divinely inspired idea.

Once the site was up and running it was not taking nearly as much time as I thought it would to maintain, and once again I was in a place trying to figure out what it was I should be doing with my life. This was on my mind a lot...and one morning I woke up at 4:00 AM and had the answer...as I laid in bed I had what I can only describe as a "vision" - in my mind was a book...I could see it - the title, the way it should be laid out, the entire concept. I grabbed my notebook that I always kept by my bedside and starting writing...and writing...and writing...for almost 5 hours I sat there and put to paper all the ideas I could recall from my "divine inspiration". Well, it has been almost a year and as I sit here typing this blog entry I am delighted to tell you that I am also printing a rough draft of the book that was once just a vision - The Healing Handbook & Journal. I have no idea what will happen with this book, but I do know that whatever is meant to happen, will. Whether this book turns out to be a bestseller, or if the only copy that is ever read is the one I am printing out of my computer right now, that's ok. I am at peace knowing that whatever God intends for this book is exactly what will happen...and I also know that whatever is next on the horizon for me, I am ready, willing and able to take it on!!!!
~ Andrea :-) www.healwithhope.com

The Summer of 1970

2008-06-13T12:56:00.005-04:00

Summer has definitely arrived - the heat, the humidity...and for some reason memories of a time when summer meant something completely different: get to the beach, wear skimpy clothing, put the top down on the car, and most of all HAVE SOME FUN!!

And so my trip down memory lane begins - thinking of all of the great summer vacations I took with my family, the fun times I had with friends, and the sense of freedom that only summer can bring.

Of all the memories of summers past, my favorite had to be the summer of 1970...I had just graduated from high school...women's liberation was in full swing - you couldn't turn on the television without seeing some kind of women's rights rally, and inevitably a few women who would entertain the world as they made a bonfire and burned their bras!!

Fashion designers took notice and fashion took on a more free and liberated style...never before had clothing been designed to be worn without bras, though surely in the small town I grew up in, no one would even think about going braless. Well, unless you were 17 years old, had just graduated from high school, and were ready for adventure.

One day I was shopping for an outfit to wear out that evening when I came across the cutest little top - I'd never even tried on anything so skimpy before. Though I can't tell you what I ate for breakfast this morning, I can tell you that I remember every detail about that cute little top - it was a soft pattern, sleeveless with a collar, buttons down the front, and it was short - it ended just below the bust - where there was fabric meant to be tied into a bow under the bust. Well I just had to have it as it fit perfectly...and best of all I didn't need to wear a bra with it!! Note: for those of you who don't know me, I am well endowed, so if Iwent without a bra the world would know it!!

That night as I got dressed to go out I couldn't wait to put on my new top (minus my bra) with a new pair of low-cut jeans I had just purchased (Brittney Spears was not the first girl to show off her belly!! And in those days I had a belly I was proud to show off!!). My parents always liked me to have dinner with them before I went out, so I joined them in the kitchen for a meal before leaving.

I promise you I will never, ever forget the look on my father's face when he glanced up from reading his newpaper to say hello to me - looked at my outfit - and stopped breathing!!! I can see it as though it had happened yesterday - his mouth dropped open and he said, "where do you think you are going dressed like that..." I calmly explained that I was going out with my friends for the evening, to which he replied, "there is no way you are leaving this house without a bra!!". And so the battle began...I was a "liberated woman" who had rights, and I could wear what I wanted!! Dad's argument was that as long as I lived in his house I followed his rules and his rule was no bra, no going out!!!

This went on for some time, and to tell you the truth I honestly can't remember if I ever did put the bra on or not...but I sit here thinking about how great it would be if my dad were still here for me to argue with about silly little things...how great it would be to be young and feel as though you could do anything and be anything...and most of all how wonderful it was to be 17 in the summer of 1970. ~ Andrea :-)

Our Untapped Possibilites...

2008-06-05T02:49:00.004-04:00

No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. —Dale E. Turner

The world is changing...or my perception of it is. I can remember being in my early twenties and reading or hearing about someone in their 50s or 60s who had accomplished something signficant - maybe started a successful business, or wrote a bestselling book - which seemed so extraordinary for someone so "old". It appeared that the world belonged to the young - at least in terms of opportunity and the expectation of one being able to turn their dreams into reality.

Today you often hear about people in their 50's, 60's, 70's and even 80's doing great things with their lives - and it is not considered unusual or uncommon. I am sure part of it is that we have greater knowledge of how to live healthier and longer lives, as well as great medical advances have been made that have added quality and quantity to our years.

I also believe that much of this has occurred because many of us have made the choice to move towards greater"awareness" and "enlightenment". We are learning to stop identifying with our physical form and instead recognize that who we really are - our true being - is our spirit. And so the emphasis that was placed on physical appearance seems less so, and we learn to keep our focus on ways to achieve inner peace, live in gratitude and align with our true self and purpose. Which then feeds our spirit, and in turn creates beauty that can't be described in physical terms, and serves to grow creativity and imagination - leading to some amazing accomplishments.

One of the greatest benefits of my long illness was my eventual journey to a remarkable path of enlightment, which has opened so many doors of incredible opportunities. In my mid-50s I am full of ideas, dreams, and goals of so many things that I want to accomplish...all of which fills me with such tremendous hope and optimism for the future.

So no matter your age, your health, or your position in life - the opportunity to grow, to transform, and to blossom is real and possible. Let go of your limiting beliefs and choose to know that you can...and you will... ~ Andrea :-)

Gratitude Grows A 'Miracle'...

2008-05-25T23:09:00.007-04:00

About two weeks ago I shared my gratitude for the heightened sense of appreciation and new found sense of peace and wonder I had developed for nature and its inspiring beauty. This all began after reading Eckhart Tolle's insightful book, A New Earth, and also participating in Oprah's online classes based on the book (for more information visit http://www.oprah.com/). Tolle recommends that when you are feeling disconnected from the present moment one way to draw yourself back to the 'now' is to observe nature (a flower, plant, tree, bird, etc) without thought or preconceived notion - to just observe and let go of all thought.

In my May 2nd blog entry I had included a photo of a plant that I have had for a few years that had suddenly sprouted the most amazingly beautiful flower. I was so captivated not only by the uniqueness of the flower, but also by the fact that it had appeared so unexpectedly. I was filled with a deep sense of appreciation for what felt to me like a bit of a mini-miracle, and which I felt represented all of the unexpectedly wonderful things that can occur unexpectedly when the power of this great Universe is at work.

A few days ago when watering this plant I could not believe my eyes - I discovered more than a dozen flowers sprouting all over the plant - some red, some deep purple - all so uniquely beautiful! I have enjoyed watching the flowers bud, then begin the blooming process. What is most incredible to me is the fact that this plant, which had no flowers for two years, has suddenly sprouted numerous flowers!!

Is this a coincidence?? I don't think so. I truly believe that my great appreciation and gratitude for the one beautiful flower created a vibrational frequency - an energy - that made the growth of many more flowers possible. And I can't help but think that if an attitude of gratefulness and appreciation could have such a transformative impact on a plant, what kind of miracle might occur when that kind of positive energy is focused on my my own healing, or directed to a loved one, or other human being??!!

My commitment to living in gratitude is now stronger than ever. And I would suggest if you don't already practice thankfulness in your life, you might want to give it a try...you never know what kind of miracle you will be able to create!!!! ~Andrea :-)

Imperfectly Perfect!!

2008-05-16T22:51:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago an alternative medicine pratitioner I work with asked me what my goal was regarding my health. I didn't need to think twice about this one and replied, "perfect health". She then proceeded to explain that it was dangerous to want "perfect" anything because by doing so I was setting myself up for failure.

Several years ago I would have agreed with her - I was always so focused on trying to reach the goal line I never allowed myself the opportunity to enjoy any other part of the journey. I am so grateful to now be in a place where I am able to embrace my imperfect self as I continue to strive for that ever elusive place of perfection.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with having a goal of achieving perfection as long as one can also accept the circumstances of life each step of the way. I recognize that things are not always going to go according to my plan, and life is going to provide unexpected challenges. I am able to accept that things are what they are... I know without a doubt that I am exactly where it is intended for me to be. The bad days aren't going to last forever...nor will the good ones. Life is composed of ups and downs, highs and lows...and the less I fight it and the more I embrace it, the more powerful I become.

In my heart and mind I still strive for "perfect health" - but I am also realistic and know that it is very possible I will never get there...after all, is there such a thing as perfection?! I am completely at peace with my life regardless. I accept each moment as it comes, and try to make the best of whatever comes my way. Most of all I am give thanks for being a person who can dream big and think grand thoughts...and especially for those special moments when all that I dream of seems so very possible.
~ Andrea :-)

Nature's Miracles...

2008-05-02T17:07:00.008-04:00

One of the techniques I have learned from Eckhart Tolle (author of A New Earth) that I find helps me to live more in the moment and feel more grounded is by connecting with nature...by closely observing without naming things, and then creating awareness by being fully present when doing so.

This has been enlightening for me on many levels...when I really began to pay attention to the sky, the trees, the flowers, the plants, the birds, the squirrels...I can feel the oneness that exists between all living things, as well as have a greater sense of spiritual connection.

I have become a much better observer...and from this state of higher attentivness the grass and trees look more alive and their color so much more vivid...the same with the sky, and water, and...well, everything!!

For those, like myself, who believe in the law of attraction, it seems that I truly am attracting more of nature's beauty into my life...a friend just sent me pictures of the most magnificent butterflies I have ever seen - their wings are actually transparent and look like stained glass!!! They are so unique, and so beautiful. And just last week I discovered the most incredibly beautiful and unique flowers blooming from a houseplant that I have had for a very long time that I had never seen before...

To me this is just one more example of how when we change our thoughts and actions we really can impact those things that we attract to us...mostly, I am so grateful for the experience of connecting with nature as I have found such peace in its miraculous beauty...and it serves as a reminder that miracles are possible for all of us if we just open ourselves to the possiblity.
~ Andrea :-)

Accepting Each Moment For What It Is...

2008-04-25T10:52:00.005-04:00

We are having the most beautiful spring weather this year...in the morning and evening the humidity is low, the temperatures are perfect, and there is the lightest of breezes, all of which brings me such a sense of peace and joy...even when I am not feeling very well, it is pretty hard to feel too badly when it is so magnificent outside. And yet there are parts of the day when it becomes just a bit too warm, the sun feels a little too hot, and the breeze seems to have died down...and I begin to feel just a tad uncomfortable. It brings to mind how much nature is like life itself...one minute you can be feeling as though all is well and nothing could disrupt the great feeling you are basking in at that moment...and then, poof, something happens to burst the bubble...nothing major, just enough to disrupt the good mojo you've been feeling.

It brings to mind how all things turn and change - how the turns of the weather are just like us - all is well, and then it's not...but then things turn once again,and all is well once again.

And so I attempt to learn the lessons that nature offers - to accept each moment as it is...to understand that I won't always feel good, things won't always go exactly according to plan, some days all will be well with the world, and there will be those times when it all feels like nothing is right. It is all just a part of the natural flow of life. I remember Eckhart Tolle (author of A New Earth) describing acceptance as "being the space for what is"...and that is how I am trying to live my life...just being the space for the glorious emotion of that beautiful sunny day, knowing that the sun will eventually be blocked by clouds...and the clouds will produce rain...but then once again the sun will shine...and the cycle will start all over again. And although I much prefer the sunny days, I accept the darker days for helping me to appreciate the good ones all the more. ~ Andrea :-)

Celebrate Earth Day...

2008-04-18T12:12:00.002-04:00

Another Earth Day is upon us, and I am so thankful that caring for our planet is no longer considered just a passing fad, but acutally a serious concern that is getting serious attention.

I remember the first time I was exposed to the thought that we have a personal responsibility to care for our natural resources...I was in my teens and saw a television commercial that featured an American Indian dressed in his traditional garb, standing in front of a polluted lake with this huge tear running down the side of his face. That powerful message really touched me, and for the first time I was struck by the thought that we are all caretakers of the resources we have been blessed with...and that the consequences of not doing so, are quite serious.

Many years passed before I was again reminded of this sense of responsiblity - gas prices were on the rise and we were all looking for ways to lower prices, and most especially to become less dependent on foreign oil. We were warned that wasting power wasted energy and oil, and we all learned about recycling, reducing usage, and to reuse. And many of us did start incorporating these small steps into our everyday lives...yet, the reality is very few took this seriously enough, myself included... we continued to drive large vehicles, to want the conveniences of disposable everything, buying new instead of used, and especially not giving up our hair spray and other personal grooming products, that were contributing to reduction in the ozone layer. We cared, but didn't want to sacrifice. And now we are faced with the reality that we no longer have a choice - we have to stop wasting, stop being selfish, and start putting out money where our thoughts are...

Tips for an eco-friendly, green life abound - do an internet search and thousands of articles will appear. I spent the better part of the last couple of weeks writing an article for Heal With Hope outlining ways to build, live, and buy green.

Some of the more general tips included:

Drive Less
Buy Less
Buy Local
Take your own bags to the grocery store or use recyclable bags
Wash clothes in cold water
Buy energy efficient appliances
Insulate your home properly

If each of did just these few things the positive impact would be monumental!!

Whatever you do, on April 22nd please take a moment to look around you - give thanks for the beauty and abundance of this great earth...and make a pledge to yourself to do what you can to honor and love it by living a clean, green life. ~ Andrea :-)

If you can imagine it...

2008-04-11T21:29:00.003-04:00

There was a time that no matter how hard I tried it was almost impossible to imagine myself as a healthy, functioning being. I was continually told that if I wanted to put the power of my thoughts to work for me, then I needed to see myself and/or my life exactly how I wanted it to be. At that time I was in such a difficult place, my health so poor, it was hard to remember what it was like to be healthy and to feel well.

It is years later, and although I still have some challenges with my health, the strides I have made amaze even me...I had been sick for so long I don't think many people thought I would recover, and there were times when I was one of them. But somehow I was able to maintain my connection to my "healthy spot" deep within...a place that I believe exists within all of us. How do you find and connect with your healthy spot? Try sitting quietly and do your best to imagine yourself with the kind of health your want to have, or place you want to be at in your life...then concentrate your energy and thoughts to that place, blocking out any other thoughts or feelings the best you can. As you continually connect with your healthy spot you continue to plant seeds of wellness, which in time will blossom and grow deep within you.

I am not saying that this connection is the magic answer to everyone's woes...but I personally believe that by seeing, feeling, and imagining what it is you want for yourself, does make it more possible.

You must also be willing to pay the price for good health - eat right, exercise, learn to manage stress...and if you do these things, and you keep your focus on what you want to do, be, and feel...you may just find that the Universe is guiding you to the people, places and things that can make it happen. ~ Andrea :-)

Living in the Present Moment...

2008-04-05T07:24:00.003-04:00

I think I finally get it.

For years I have struggled with my health, which created stress and challenge in many other areas of my life. And eventually the cycle of worry and fear became a way of life, a part of my being. Without realizing it I was living in a state of constant anticipation of the worst, which only served to impact the present by drawing more of that negative energy into my life. I was unable to be "present" because my mind was always looking backward or forward, but rarely was I living in the "Now".

After reading Eckhart Tolle's masterpiece, A New Earth, and participating in Oprah's online classes with Tolle, I have started to recognize this pattern in myself...and by followng his simple suggestions have made remarkable strides in living in the Now, of being more present, and therefore better able to live in a state of peace and harmony.

Just by becoming aware of how my ego and pain-bodies (emotional blocks)interfere with finding peace in the present moment has been immensely beneficial. When I find myself looking back, or becoming anxious about the future, I focus my attention on my breath, which has a way of returning my thoughts to the present moment. His others suggestions of focusing on the hands, feet, and body to feel their "aliveness", as well as putting full attention on nature are also very helpful.

I know that I can never erase all of the difficult experiences of my past, and wouldn't want to as they helped me to become a stronger and more spriitual person...and I also know that worrying about what may or may not happen in the future is a waste of time and energy...and so the best I can do for myself is to live in the Now...finding the peace and harmony of this moment, as I know that is the best way to make the most of this moment, and to continue to draw that energy into my life. ~ Andrea :-)

Technology Rocks...

2008-03-29T12:26:00.003-04:00

We really are so blessed to be living at a time when technology makes accessing and sharing information so simple...it was not long ago to do research you had to get into the car, drive to the library, and then spend hours searching for books on the suject, if they even had any...and if they did, many were so old they were often outdated. Today, in the comfort of your own home, you sit down in front of a computer and the world is literally at your fingertips. Whether you are searching for information about a disease, a treatment, a person, a place...it is all there, in a matter of seconds!!

Tweleve years ago when I was first diagnosed with CFS we didn't have a computer, they were just starting to become "mainstream", and so I had a difficult time not only finding relevant information about the disease, but also found it challenging to find other people who were dealing with a similar experience that I could talk to. Today you can chat with people around the world, learning and sharing, and never feeling alone. I find it equally fascinating that Heal With Hope has had visitors from around the world - Russia, Holland, The Phillipines, Korea, New Zealand, Japan, and many other places...amazing!!!

Yesterday I visited a new doctor whose office is completly high tech - all of my medical records were scanned into their computer and so when I met with the doctor he just opened his laptop and everything (and then some!) that he needed to know about my medical history was right there in front of him. He had a nurse at his side who typed all of his comments/notes directly into my online file...even my lab slip was generated from that same computer!!!

So as I make my "daily gratitude list" today, I am giving thanks for the blessing of living at a time when everything I need or want to know is just a click away...providing all of us with the power to learn, grow, share and connect.
~ Andrea :-)

If I Knew Then...

2008-03-22T20:21:00.006-04:00

This is such a special time of year for me - spring, my favorite season, has arrived...and my daughter and I celebrate our birthdays within days of each other. It has become a family tradition for me to write a poem to celebrate our special events...especially birthdays. Because this last year has been such an amazing period of spiritual growth and enlightenment for both of us, I decided that instead of the traditional rhyme, I wanted to write something special for her...and I know she wouldn't mind if I shared it with you:

If I Knew Then What I Know Now…

I would live a life without regrets.
I would know the past is just that…
it is over and done, and can’t be changed –
no matter how hard I try.

I would see worry and fear for what they really are:
a waste of energy…because the only power I have
is over this moment, right here, right now.

I would recognize the power of choice
that is mine in every situation in my life…
and would use it to focus on the positive,
the lessons, the possibilities.

I would live in acceptance of my limitations and faults,
as well as those of others. I would always remember
that I may not be perfect, but that’s ok.

I would allow myself to only count
the blessings and live in gratitude...
and I would know that wanting and needing
are definitely not the same thing.

I would see difficulties and
challenges for what they really are:
opportunities to learn, change and grow.

I would love myself for who and what I am...
in spite of my flaws and imperfections,
and I would always embrace the fact that
I am a work in progress.

I would know that caring, sharing
and giving are really the greatest gift
I can give to myself, and others.

I would make the most of each and every moment,
because I know how precious they really are.
Most of all, I would live my best life...
because I know that is the only way to honor myself,
and God.

~ Andrea :-) 03/08

Changing My Ego Patterns

2008-03-15T05:58:00.003-04:00

I have learned much from Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth, with the greatest personal lesson being a better understanding of how the ego can create a false sense of self-image and identity. I have been able to identify how an attachment to material possessions had become very self-destructive - both emotionally and physically. I have come to recognize how attached I had become to "things" in an effort to feel better, to reward myself. I see now that I was trying to buy peace and happiness, but instead of finding satisfaction, I was creating a cycle of wanting and "needing" more...no matter how much I had, it was never really enough.

Shopping has always been a hobby, something I've loved to do. But I began to see that it had become something more. The awareness that this was my ego at work... searching for identity and self-worth through possessions, rather than looking for them within. As Tolle so wisely suggests, awareness creates a space between you and "it", and that space can lead to greater presence in the now. This knowledge has enabled me to begin making decisions from a place of logic, rather than the ego.

Now when I shop I find it easier to admire things and leave them there. I am aware that whatever it is, it will not fill any empty places within me, it will not bring me love, or peace. By being more present and grounded I have become more capable of discerning "need" for "want". How liberating and freeing. Thank you Eckhart Tolle for a very valuable life lesson. ~ Andrea :-)

A New Earth

2008-03-09T08:54:00.002-04:00

I have recommended many books, but A New Earth by Echkhart Tolle is an absolutely, positively have-to-read experience!!!! This masterpiece is a blueprint for spiritual awakening and enlightenment. It is an education, and offers insight, inspiration, and more "aha" moments than you can possibly imagine.

I am in complete and total awe of the amazing genius that Tolle is...his wisdom and brilliance are apparent on each page, but what is most awe-inspiring to me is how he translates this into the written word so that each of us can comprehend and personally connect with his message. As someone who is attempting to write a book in which I share the wisdom and knowlegde I have gained from my life experiences, I can tell you it is not easy to take your thoughts and put them into words so that they mean something to someone else. Tolle has managed to take a complicated message and make it easy to understand, and I believe personal for each person who reads it.

For me, each page offers an awareness of all that I have known to be true, but have been consciously unaware of...I can now idenify the patterns of ego that have allowed me to perpetuate destructive behaviors that have blocked healing in my life. I have become aware of pain-bodies (emotional blocks) that attempt to draw me into cycles of fear and negativity.

A New Earth is a gift to the world, and gives something unique and personal to each and every person who reads it. I believe it will offer you the opportunity to look at your life in a new way...and pray you are as blessed from its message as I have been. ~ Andrea :-)

In Just A Year...

2008-03-01T07:49:00.003-05:00

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since the launch of Heal With Hope. It has been a wonderful year...I have met some of the most incredible people, and grew in ways I could not have imagined possible. What I find most amazing of all is that although there were so many blessings, the year was also filled with challenges and struggles - none of which "set me back", but actually demonstrated what a strong and resourceful person I have come to be. I finally understand that life isn't always going to be perfect, nor the road always smooth...there will be bumps, twists and turns...but if you can see these obstacles for what they really are: a wake-up call, a lesson, an opportunity - they can transform you in the most wonderful way!

I have discovered that if you challenge the status quo, expect great things, and open yourself to all possibilities, amazing things can happen. A little more than a year ago I had no direction, wasn't sure where to go, or what to do. I asked God to please show me the way...and He did.

The Heal With Hope website has led to an idea for a unique book , which I am just finishing and will be available later this year. It is a wonderful book - at least is has been for me to write - a very therapeutic experience for sure! I have several other projects I am working on as well...it is a very exciting time. And yet I still face challenges each day - balancing the need to do all I want to do, with the knowing that I must honor and care for my body, as not listening to my instincts and heeding the warning signs is how I wound up in trouble in the first place! It is a sad time too as I am watching my mother's health decline and know that she may not be here much longer...

I have made peace with the knowing that there are going to be good moments and bad...happy times, and times of grief and sadness. It is all a part of the balance of life. I give thanks for it all...but most especially for the many blessings that make up my life. I thank you God for the love, peace, and purpose you have helped me to find. Thank you for this amazing year, and I give thanks for all of the continued blessings that will continue to flow into my life...

If you are struggling or lost and can't seem to find you way, ask God (or the Universe if you prefer) to "show me what is mine to do"...and then give thanks for it - as if it has already shown up in your life. Asking for help and believing it was going to happen changed my life, and I know it can do the same for you. God Bless You! ~ Andrea :-)

The Power of the Written Word

2008-02-25T08:22:00.004-05:00

Although I had always heard about the benefits of journaling - putting your thoughts and feeling on paper - I had never really gotten into the habit of doing it. I am a very verbal person, as well as very analytical, so I thought there would be little benefit for me personally.

When Heal With Hope was created I started My Blog as a way to share ideas, thoughts and feelings on a variety of health or life-related topics. I set a goal of writing at least once a week, and found it was not as easy as it would seem to be. Each week I spend time deciding on a subject...it is usually something pertinent to what is going on in my life at the time, but sometimes the process becomes an opportunity to uncover unresolved matters, and to more deeply explore what I am really feeling, and the impact it is having in my life.

It turns out that blogging/jounaling has been a very therapeutic experience. Taking the time to sit quietly and to connect with my innermost thoughts and feelings, helps to release them...to validate them...to work through them...

If you have never tried blogging (visit http://www.blogger.com/ for info on how to create a free blog) or journaling (see the homepage of Heal With Hope, http://www.healwithhope.com/) I strongly suggest you give it a try. You may find yourself uncovering issues that need resolution, releasing some of the emotional blocks that interefere with your healing, and also find a new connection to the inner you.

I believe words have a power greater than any of us may have realized...so try taking pen to paper and discover the power of your words! ~Andrea :-)

The Bend In The Road

2008-02-19T22:54:00.014-05:00

"The bend in the road

is not the end in the road

unless you refuse to take the turn..."

The plaque bearing this message sits in my bedroom, mostly going unnoticed. But every once in a while I find myself pausing to read the message - which I don't think is an accident, as it usually happens when I am at a crossroads, dealing with some kind of difficulty, or just feeling like I am stuck.

The other day when I paused to ponder the message, I was struck by how it brought a smile to my heart, as I realized that at that moment I knew that I had made it past a bend in my road, and was now traveling a new path and was on a new journey.

So many wonderful things have happened to me the last year or two...and the last few months have been especially blessed as it has been a period of great creativity and enlightenment. I am still dealing with challenges and have my struggles, but I also find the flow of new ideas and new options overflowing in my life, and feel blessed with great energy - literally and figuratively.

So if you are stuck at the bend in your road and aren't sure how you are going to continue your journey- have faith. Because you can and you will. You may not see the way right now, but stay focused on where you want to be, and you will be guided to find your way.

The road to enlightenment, peace, and well-being isn't always easy or smooth. But I can tell you that if you keep your eyes focused on what is ahead of you, rather than what's behind you, before you know it you will have made it past the bend in your road - and you will have become a stronger, greater being in the process!! ~ Andrea :-)

Infinite Love & Wisdom

2008-02-13T08:20:00.004-05:00

A friend of mine recently shared her excitement about a new book and healing program she discovered - Dr. Darren Weissman's The Power of Infinite Love and Gratitude and his LifeLine Technique. The technique incorporates a variety of healing modalities including acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine, muscle testing, along with modern therapies like EFT, NAET, and NET.

The essence of Dr. Weissman's message, and that of many other "new age" scientists, healthcare practitioners, and philosophers, is that finding a way to live in a place of love and gratitude is one of the most impactful healing tools available to us. Emotion has such a great affect on our mind, body and spirit - anger, hurt, fear and disappointment weaken us physically and mentally. And this can create an interruption of energy flow, opening the door open to illness, or blocking healing from taking place.

So how do we live in a place of love and gratitude when life keeps getting in the way?? When people continually do things that annoy us, when events occur that throw us off track, when we feel stuck and limited?? We do the only thing we can do - we make the choice to focus on love, and to be grateful for whatever we do have that is right and good.

When you find yourself annoyed at someone, make the conscious choice to let go of that feeling and to find some reason to send vibes of love and compassion to them. When things aren't going your way and you find yourself getting annoyed, stop what you are doing...take a deep breath and upon its release feel all of the annoyance and negativity leave your body in that exhaled breath. When you feel stuck and life is conspiring to limit your growth and progress, divert your attention to something that makes you feel good - take a walk and observe the beauty of nature around you, listen to music that you love, spend time with someone who makes you feel good, or grab your journal and put your thoughts and feelings to paper.

That is what I am doing right now...it has been one of those mornings - nothing specific, just a few little annoyances that I focused on and therefore gave power to - which didn't get my day off to the kind of start I like to have...but gathering my thoughts and releasing them here has allowed me let it go, and enabled me to refocus on getting back to a healthier and happier place... to connect with the love I have deep within, the gratitude I have for all of the blessings of life.

I can feel the negative energy leaving my body...and a more peaceful energy entering. I may not be perfect, my life may not be perfect, but I continue to seek to find that place of "infinite love and gratitude" that will help me to move closer to living the life I truly want to live. ~ Andrea :-)

PS If you are interested, check out Dr. Weissman's website: www.infiniteloveandgratitude.com

Are You Willing To Pay the Price?

2008-02-06T23:02:00.000-05:00

The warning signs were there. I could feel the stress and strain of my life taking a toll on my body, mind, and spirit...but the money I was making was good, and leaving my stressful job just didn't seem to be an option. I knew there were foods that were not agreeing with my body, but I was busy and just didn't have the time to do figure out how to replace those familiar foods. I was always on the go -work, kids, family obligations...and so I continued to push myself and to tax my body, and eventually my body said, "Enough!", and I wound up in bed and unable to function for several years.

And so I was finally forced to see that feeling good was more important than food, than money, than the "I-can-do-it-all-perfectly" image I felt I had to project to the world. I stopped eating everything that weakened me - sugar, grains, dairy, salt, non-organic fruits, veges and meats. I became careful to avoid exposure to toxins as much as possible. I began spending my time and money investing in myself - searching out people and treatments that would help me to regain my good health.

It has not been easy - no one enjoys sacrifice, struggle, and having to work so hard at being well. But I know what it is like to hit bottom, to be so desperately ill that you wonder if you will be able to go on for another day...and when I think about that time and place, the sacrifices I am making seem small in comparison.

I see people now who are in the place I was - not paying attention to the warning signs, assuming that they can take care of things "tomorrow", that they will be able to continue to bounce back, even if they keep eating the wrong food, so they keep pushing themselves beyond reasonable limits, not honoring and loving themselves...and unwilling to pay the price.

Unfortunately many are not ready to hear the message: you can pay attention now, or you can pay a great price later. You are a precious gift, deserving of good health, peace, and joy...do whatever it is you need to do to love your body, care for your mind, and nuture your spirit...because one day time may run out, and you may not get another chance to do it right. ~Andrea :-)

Change How You See...

2008-01-29T12:15:00.000-05:00

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.

The "secret" of The Secret

2008-01-23T12:08:00.000-05:00

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 :-)

No Better Topic Than This...

2008-01-14T06:34:00.000-05:00

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 :-)

The Miracle of our Amazing Resilience

2008-01-08T06:55:00.000-05:00

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 :-)

Happy New Day!!!!

2008-01-01T08:21:00.000-05:00

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 :-)