Special Holiday Places

Happy New Year

Dona Anderson

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I always love the week between Christmas and New Years

relaxing by the light of the Christmas tree, candles or the fireplace.

It is a Calm time.

A time to just Be.

A time to Reflect and Wonder.

3 Angels of Peace

Enjoy the soft Glow of your life as we begin again with a New Year.

 2017

Dreams   Hopes  Truth   New Beginnings 

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SHOW and TELL

Time to Show off & Celebrate Mr. Santa

Dona Anderson

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Do you have a Collection? 

I started to collect Santa's back in the mid 80's. 

It was fun for me and easy for others to get me a gift.

Well as with lots of collections it got too big and over these past several years I have had to select ones to give away.

This Santa is a keeper so I thought I'd share it with You.

I call him my Woodland Santa

You know as I reduced my collection by a few each year it was not a sad thing.

I found someone else to love them as much as I did and I always felt that was what it was suppose to be about.

That's what Santa would have wanted.  

Us to love what we have and Share.

What's your Collection about?

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Ho Ho Ho .... Merry Christmas!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon (Video)

LOVE LOVE LOVE this ...

Dona Anderson
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I had to share this video.


Sit back ... Relax ... Breathe ... Listen.



Have a Wonderful Day.

Take Care.

Tibetan Dance 2015 - བདེ་སྐྱད།

Time to Dance

Get up and join in.

Dona Anderson

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Spread out your arms

lighten your step

SMILE, Breathe

and 

Just have Fun!

"Happy Talk" from SOUTH PACIFIC

All of a Sudden an old Song Pops in your Head

Dona Anderson

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A Movie from my childhood.

I was out walking the other day all of sudden I started singing this song.

Where do these old songs come from?

Does this happen to you?

Love the line that says

Got to have a dream

If you don't have a dream

how you going to have your dream come true

I guess this could be our take away message from this fun song.

In the Meditation Live Your Dreams from my book Moving Forward from the Heart I talk about how sometimes dreams can be scary and often seem unattainable.

As we start making plans for the new year 2017, I hope your old or new dreams come with ease, wellness and each day you get to have fun learning and exploring.

And, taking the title from another Meditation - Enjoy even the boring parts.

Take Care.

What Dreams are in Your Future

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Do you need to bring your Sparkle back?

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Best Friends

Some Friends come & go

Best Friends are forever.

Dona Anderson

Enjoy this video about Friendships.

Have a great week ahead and maybe check in with one of your Friends to just say Hi and see how they are.

Perhaps plan a get together.

If they live somewhere else give them a call or send a Thinking about You card in the mail.

You'll think of something.


I love this line I saw somewhere

Life is short – smile while you still have teeth!

Time for Holiday Shopping

Two Vancouver Island Shows coming up!

Dona Anderson

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Roots to Breath Wellness

November is the time to get busy with that Holiday Shopping and I'll be at 2 shows to help you this month.

Charles Dickens Christmas Craft Faire
Courtenay
November 11-13

and 

Winterfest Craft Faire
 Qualicum Beach
November 25-27

Visit my Shop Page for 

Online Shopping and Direct from Author Information. 

Elizabeth Gilbert & Marie Forleo on Fear, Authenticity and Big Magic

I'm a Huge FAN ...

Dona Anderson

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I'm a Fan of both these wonderful ladies. 

First off Marie Forleo for her B-School program that I'm a participant in for 3 years now.

And Elizabeth Gilbert, Yes of course I read Eat Pray Love, saw the movie, saw her on various talk shows and also had the wonderful opportunity to see her at Oprah's, The Life that you Want Tour in Seattle a couple of years ago.

This is a interview to watch and share with your friends at the links below. 

Well worth the time so if you're in a hurry save it another time.

How does your Fear affect You?

Enjoy!

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5 year old Problem - Solved

Change the Words!

Does this sound like Your Story?

Dona Anderson
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Dona Anderson

 It’s funny how things sometimes go round and never seem to get resolved. 

 I recently found the beginning thoughts about this story that I had started about five years ago and never finished. 

 The reason it never got finished is because at the time I didn’t know the answer to what I was trying to figure out.

 I’m sure many of you thought like I did that our later years would be full of being happy, hobbies, relaxing, travel, family, friends and working on the fun to do list. 

 But when we got here we weren’t sure of what we even really liked or wanted to do because we never had time to find out, try new things, and so many things have changed this last twenty years.

I had started with a list of 3 headings: 

What I have to do 

What I want to do  

What I get to do

This got confusing and I didn’t get very far because it still didn’t help me find what I really wanted nor did it give me any direction.

Before a hermit - still a hermit

Before not overly energetic - still not overly energetic

Here's an Example: I have to exercise, but I don’t like it much, except for yoga.  I used to walk several miles a day throughout the year, now it’s much shorter and depends on the weather and this or that.  

I liked my exercise bike, but it now only gets an occasional visit when dusting.

So how do I check this one – Exercise

I have to do it - yes, only because I know I have to so I can keep moving

I want to do it - well no, not really but I'll say yes, see above

I get to do it - yes, only because I don’t have any real excuses, I am able and have time

Not fair, it checks yes in all 3 boxes!

I used to live by a weekly routine that scheduled my days. 

Now I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do, and what will fill my mind, body, and spirit when I look back over this last 20 or so years of my life. 

So here I am - five years later 

Older and Wiser - Older that's for sure.

Anyway now I have decided to change the words from the old story to “I choose” and I came up with a few statements.  

It will be forgiving, flexible, and changeable when I need it to be while still giving me some direction.

I choose a few different physical activities each week that are appropriate for how my body feels and what it needs.

I choose to be mindful of what I eat and select lots of nutritious healthy foods.

I choose to have quiet time for myself and also time to get out and enjoy nature.

I choose entertainment that is positive and healthy for me, my body and my emotions. 

I choose to surround myself with people that love, support and inspire me, and I them.

I choose to keep learning, creating new dreams and goals for my future because I want to and I get to.

And, I know that my life will be as exciting,  wonderful, 

and as full as only I can choose it to be!

Are there words in your life that you need to change?

A wonderful quote from Dr Wayne Dyer says ...

"When you change the way

you look at things,

the things you look
at change"

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Check out my new book Moving Forward from the Heart for lots of inspiration and discovery


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Without Judgement

One Rose Wellness Message

Dona Anderson   

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When One Rose will do ...

Dona's Dream - help others and send wellness out into the world.  

Sharing this One Rose message with you today.

Quiet your mind and allow 

yourself to be as you are,

without judgement, 

accepting the energy

and inspiration ... 

This message comes from the guided relaxation Breathing Space, in Simply One Breath At a Time.

In this meditation we are asked to let any last thoughts of the outside world fade from mind before we are asked to rest inside our own breathing space ... a space for dreams ... a space for pauses ... a space to be ...

I used Without Judgement as the title of this post as I think that is hard for many of us to accomplish. I know I have struggled with this many times.

We tend to be our biggest critic and are often looking to find something wrong in ourselves. 

Some days we may even have a list running in our head. 

We Can be our best supporter, make good thoughts and spread those.

We Can use positive energy and inspire ourselves with our own love, creativity and acceptance.

If you have a pet (I have 2 dogs)  or a special friend you'll know they love you forever as you are. 

Lets do that for ourselves a few times and see how it feels. 

See what they see ... we might be surprised.

There's more on Facebook, Dona Anderson, Roots to Breath

Info on One Rose Wellness Cards and other products here.

Get more messages at the label below, One Rose Cards!

Thanks for Sharing this Wellness Message 

with others at the links below.

Trauma, Healing and The Brain: Community Learning Event, Dr. Gabor Mate

Very Interesting Talk!

Important Learning

Trauma & Healing

Dona Anderson


We can learn a lot from this information in how we live and relate to others.

Years ago I went to a short course about how childhood issues related to later life illnesses.

I'm glad to see more information on this.

I hope we will take away a few ideas for change.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Plan a Wellness Night just for You or invite Friends!

Start Creating RESULTS Now.

Dona Anderson
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Tools to Boost & Support your Wellness

It's easy ... and I've made it even easier with these links to follow.




A few different Meditations to try out.

Give yourself a Massage 

Listen to these wonderful Chants 

Here's some healing Yoga 

There's lots of books and other things available for more learning and experiencing.  Check out Angel cards - crystals - there's lots of relaxing music on You Tube - and online information for Chakra, Reiki, Reflexology, Tapping and other healing.

Start a Wellness Circle

Plan a Spa type Day or Evening at home or at a Spa

Pamper Yourself

You Deserve time to take care of YOU

Have Fun

For the past 6 six years I've been part of a Wellness Circle with a couple other ladies.

We meet every second Wednesday evening for a cup of tea and listening to readings, music and meditations.

We may do some chakra or other healing, pick a few angel cards and we always end with a One Rose Wellness message.

It's very casual which is nice as some times life gets in the way.

It's a  few hours away from everything else to just breathe, be comfortable and  relax.  

Great relaxation starts here.

                                   Check out other posts and their labels for more ideas.

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Links to share below, thanks.

Support YOU

One Rose Wellness Message

Dona Anderson   
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When One Rose will do ...

Messages are from the pages of Simply, One Breath At a Time

                         
Dona's Dream - help others and send wellness out into the world. 

A great message for you today.

Because you can,

start to see 

and feel

 the beauty in you,

see your 
uniqueness,

your powers,

your strengths ...

Because You Can. I can. We all CAN.

Check out your Uniqueness.

Your Powers.

Your Strengths.

Think about You and not those other people that come to mind.

Gratefully accept a compliment.

Acknowledge and support what You're good at.

None of us can do Everything.

I know I can do things that I don't recognize as anything special but it is to someone else, and you can do things that I can't, don't or I'm not good at.  That's OK, Good.

We get to do that Balance thing.

We get to support others, get help, buy from the bakery!

It's like all those shelves and rows of other stuff in the grocery store that you don't buy.  Someone else does because they use it, like it, know what it is.  That's good and over the years I'm learning  a bit about what some of it is.

We all have things we like or don't, are natural at or not, remember or not.

I think this message was the inspiration for some of the writing in my new book. Moving Forward from the Heart.

On the back cover of Moving Forward from the Heart it says:

Rediscover the gifts you already possess

Rekindle your spirit to be able to offer you best self out to the world

Discover your own true self when you slow down and listen.

START WHERE YOU ARE!

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There's more on Facebook,

Info on One Rose Wellness Cards and other products here.

For more One Rose messages, 
click on the label below One Rose Cards 

Thanks for Sharing this Wellness Message with others at the links below.

Who's Humming in the Kitchen

Secret Ingredients.

Is it time for a few different ingredients, tastes and textures? 

Dona Anderson

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Have you eaten some new or interesting things lately

My first post about my Husband ... and Soup

Mulligatawny Soup

He really likes soup.

Besides opening up lots of cans of soup, the last several years he has also made a variety of different fresh ones.  

Each time he'll spend a few hours in the kitchen chopping, simmering and humming.

Yes humming.

Several reasons for the humming. 

He enjoys making it and he enjoys sharing what he's made with others. Most of the time it is specially made with someone mind.

This is similar to the yearly making of the cabbage rolls. After they get into the freezer he enjoys giving take out packages of supper to others.

And YES, he shares his summer garden produce as well.

Back to the Soup.

The soup in the picture was made with love and a list of ingredients that at first were a bit odd for us with coconut, a banana and an apple.

The recipe comes from the book nom nom paleo and this soup is Mulligatawny. Quite different from other ones we've had and so far the best. WE LOVE IT..

What is Paleo

I think the secret ingredient is the delicious homemade bone broth that simmered on low in a slow cooker for 24 hours.  You can use store bought broth but this is so much better.

The spice he choose this time was Turkish curry (from  World Spice Merchants in Seattle)

There's something about all the goodness that goes into home cooking and thinking about where the ingredients come from.  

No can or package this time.

Both the broth and soup recipe he used were from the book and there's lots of other recipes online.

Shop around for soup bones, our Farmers Market was the best place.

If you are stuck in the same old routine, 

check out the links provided above for some ideas and inspiration. 

Thank you for your visit.

Links below for Sharing.  

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Conflicting to Amazing

Everything Starts to be Amazing

From Moving forward from the Heart

Meditation #66

Dona Anderson

It's a conflicting time of year trying to get back to normal life again after another wonderful summer of sunshine, lots of delicious fresh food from the garden, outings and a few lazy days.

Here's some help to refocus on the present moments in your day.

Enjoy, and thanks for sharing with others.

Everything starts to be amazing when each day

I am the best I am able to be.

Everything starts to be amazing when I begin from a 

place of peace, presence, and wellness.

Everything starts to be amazing when I feel the

richness of my next breath and how it connects me to the world

Everything starts to be amazing when I focus on

all that I am able to do,

When I am grateful

for all that I already have,

When I see 

simplicity, harmony, beauty and joy

as being part of my everyday life,

and

Everything is amazing when

I receive the gift of another day to see the love and kindness

in your Sweet, Sweet Smile.

               

~ Moving Forward from the Heart - Dona Anderson ©2015~

Thanks for sharing with friends at the links below.

I Just want Moving Forward from the Heart

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Link to more about Moving Forward from the Heart and other Wellness Products

More Wellness on my Facebook page

Click on the label Moving Forward below to see more from this great book. 

Do small things with great Love ~ Mother Teresa

Compassion Stones 

always gifted ~ never sold

Gifts from the Heart

Dona Anderson

I'd like to introduce you to Carolin Post from Calgary, Alberta Canada 

Carolin is shining her beautiful light out to others through her artwork and inspiring messages.

I first saw her artwork on Facebook when she was drawing in the sand while on vacation, and her messages are now travelling the world as they go into the hands and hearts of so many.

She leaves her Compassion Stones in random places for people to find. 

Imagine finding this beautifully packaged Compassion Stone on a statue, sitting on a bench in a mall or park, some even took a ride on a cruise ship to Alaska. 

She also has extended her Compassion Stones out to support local organizations, hospitals and makes other special deliveries.

The journey continues from the giver to the receiver  - both sharing in the gifts each stone brings for love, peace and happiness. 

Each stone is numbered.

I received # 443 in June and I know she has been busy painting so I can't imagine what number she is up to now. I'm sure well over 500.

I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples ~ Mother Teresa

Carolin ~ you are sending so many ripples out into the world.

Thank You.

I can hear the angels overhead singing with JOY!

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Harvest Time

Each year we say this was the year of ...

It was hard to pick one this year.

Dona Anderson

Big Thank You to my husband for his amazing garden again this year!  ♡

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Lots more on Facebook

August 2016

What was it?

The Apples

The Pears

Spaghetti Squash

Beans

Peppers

Tomatoes

Onions

More Apples this year than ever before. Boxes picked.

I picked 2 pails of pears from our small tree and that was after removing lots after blossoming and then again later.

Lots of delicious Peppers and Tomatoes being eaten and lots of Tomatoes are spreading out into the neighborhood as usual.

The squash vine was trimmed  as it was taking over and there were already over 20 happily growing. Lots to give away and they keep great in our cold room over the winter.  We cooked some from last year in the late spring and they were great.  The dogs really like it so we put a bit on their supper occasionally.

The beans grew lots but they weren't so good this year.  Hubby will get a different one next year.Yes the dogs also like a bean on supper.

Not too many walla walla onions. They are delicious and always go fast. Last year we had lots so I cooked and froze some for French Onion soup.

Decision Time!

I'm calling it a tie for the 

apples & pears so will call this the year for the  ... 

fruit trees.

My Husband has Visions of an Apple Pie in his future.

Here's another post about food and my husband !

Thanks for your visit!

An old Chinese Proverb says ...
He who plants a garden, plants Happiness

Lots of happy here and another Yes, the dogs like apples too. 

Links for sharing below!

A Short Indulgence

I can still taste these

Picture of the cherries is from a couple of years ago but
the memory is still there.

Dona Anderson

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       from the pages of 

Moving Forward from the Heart

A few hints about what you'll find in this 2 1/2 page Chakra Meditation

Garden in your dreams

I really enjoy visiting this nurturing garden meditation.

Right from the beginning it shares comfort, nourishment and love.

Dona Anderson, picture for post only.

Begin to visualize a dream garden

Spend time in this garden where every day is a good day.

Soften your eyes and let yourself escape to a place where your inner eyes open 

Let's start with the beautiful Red Roses, breathe in and let their beauty fill your heart

Now - Can you imagine happy shades of Orange ... can you taste something orange

Gradually discover yourself gazing at the Yellow sunflowers confidently waving at you

The yellow dissolves and is replaced by the color Green like the color of grass ... walk over to it and feel its softness underfoot

When you're ready move to the cool colors of blue, indigo and violet.

Look up to the sky for the first color of blue and then walk around to see the lilacs, lavender and violets.

"Relax in this place knowing that you are complete,

you have everything inside you to succeed,

nothing is missing,

and

You are beautiful"

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Air. J.S. Bach Bobby Mcferrin

Do you like great MUSIC ?

You'll want to hear this ... 

Dona Anderson

If you haven't heard about Bobby Mcferrin, 

here's one of many videos to get you started.

I listened to this years ago and was amazed.

Thanks to my husband for playing this recently so I was again

amazed  and thought I'd share it with you.

Enjoy! 

Links to Share with others below.

What can 3 Breaths do?

One Rose Wellness Message

Dona Anderson

                                              When One Rose will do ...

                              Dona's Dream - help others and send wellness out into the world.  

Here's a message for you today.

Thank You for sharing this message to help others.

Softly say to yourself, 

As I breathe in,

I bring awareness to my whole body ...
as I breath out,

I feel my body and mind slowing down ...

I have a chalkboard in the kitchen and most of the time it just has the one word SMILE on it.

Visitors to the kitchen say when they see it they automatically smile.

I find the same thing happens when you hear the word BREATHE, we tend to automatically take a breath.

So here goes ...

Focus on your next breath and let it come and go naturally.

With the following breath, bring in more awareness as you breathe in and then feel your whole body releasing as you exhale.

Let's do one more ...

Slowly Breathe In bringing awareness to your whole body 

Slowly Breathe Out feeling your whole body and mind slowing down.

3 Breaths later, how do you feel? 

You did great!

The messages for One Rose Wellness cards are from Simply, One Breath At a Time

Info on all products here.

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This is where I'll be on the Weekend

Nautical Days Festival - Comox BC

Comox Nautical Days 

Tricked you with a post on Friday

This replaces the one for August 2

I'll be exhausted after the long weekend and sleeping in!

Dona Anderson

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I'm off to participate in Comox Nautical Days Festival.

I enjoy being at this 3 day event as it is family friendly and we get visitors from around home and beyond. There's lots of food, events, and entertainment.

The weather has always been HOT and this year it's suppose to be ........ not too HOT

YIPPEE!

I don't do well in the Heat so I'll have a big container of water and a spray bottle of water to cool myself especially my feet.

Each year I've attended the festival as a vendor, I've handed out One Rose Wellness card samples. It is a wonderful opportunity to introduce myself and talk with others. 

The conversations are as varied as the people. 

Some of it might be what they're eating, where they're from, where I'm from, or books they're reading.

Some tell me about current life difficulties, health and of course lots of talk about yoga, meditation and other wellness practices. 

I have a couple of ladies who come to get a new card each time they see me and they love it.  

Now that I have 2 books - I'm asked which one they should buy.  

The first time I was asked that I hesitated for a moment.  

I don't know why I never thought about being asked that question so I hadn't thought about an answer and it felt uncomfortable. 

I felt like I was comparing which of my pups I liked better or something similar. You know what I mean.

Anyway it's getting better.  I think this previous post will help tell a better story. 

Take Care & Have a great weekend !!

http://comoxnauticaldays.com/

Direct from Author (ME) - check out the Shop Page

Lots more wellness on my Facebook page!

Elton John and Billy Joel - Piano Man live

Remember this Song

Elton John and Billy Joel together

Dona Anderson

Sharing an old song with you today!

Enjoy - Sing - Smile - Clap

Special Discoveries

One Rose Wellness Message

Dona Anderson   
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When One Rose will do ... 

                         
                     Dona's Dream - help others and send wellness out into the world. 

                      Messages are from the pages of Simply, One Breath At a Time.

I picked this message to share with you today ...

This message has a special place in my heart.

Let each breath be familiar, welcoming, 

like opening the door to an old friend ...

How do you feel when you open the door and there on the outside is one of your old friends, a special relative or someone else that is a treasure in your life.

Have you ever thought of the breath as being familiar, welcoming, opening.

It is all these and much more.

It is with us every minute of every day.

We really do want that next breath to breathe life in.

We can't live without it, yet we don't think about it very often we just do it!

Perhaps on occasion we can think about how important it is,

celebrate and say thanks.

Have a great day!

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There's more on Facebook,

Info on One Rose Wellness Cards and other products here.

Thanks for Sharing this Wellness Message 

with others at the links below.