What are the Things You need Most?

another year almost gone 

but it will never be forgotten.

Dona Anderson

Last week I said I'd pass on a few reminders for some of life's pleasures and for that we're going to the guided Relaxation titled  I Give Thanks  in my  book  Simply, One Breath At a Time

Dona's photo message

I shared some of this previously in a post dated May 10, 2016 that still continues to travel the world.

These last couple of years have been especially difficult and 2020 was full of much heartbreak and loss.

I hope these simple everyday reminders will help us to keep moving forward.

We sometimes forget the simple things in life, our surroundings, our necessities, earths beauty, the human touch ... they are always there but can go unnoticed. 

I invite you to join me in expressing gratitude for some of life's pleasure's ... at the end rest with a gentle breath and think about which ones hold a special meaning for you today and others you can add.

For the wonders of earth  ...                    I give thanks 

For each drink of water ...                       I give thanks

For the warmth of the sun ...                    I give thanks

For the beauty of nature ...                       I give thanks

For each gift of a breath ...                      I give thanks

For the kindness in a smile ...                  I give thanks

For the chance to laugh ...                       I give thanks

For the grace to dance ...                         I give thanks

For the notes in music ...                          I give thanks

For the love in my life ...                          I give thanks

For this present moment ...                      I give thanks

For all this and much more ...                  I give thanks

Excerpt from
Simply, One Breath

At a Time © 2008

This list isn't asking for much.

It's just noticing some of the everyday things we all need.

And, each of us will have others to add like family, friends, pets & more?

And at times in our lives we do need to say
Thanks for many of these.

Perhaps that's the reason people around
the World keep connecting to it.

click here for the original post from 2016
currently has over 24,000 views.

Simply, One Breath At a Time
Meditation - I Give thanks page 115

Click on the label Simply below

for other previous posts. 

Visit the Resources Page for

              Information on Wellness products

Thanks for your visit. 
New posts every Tuesday.

Your shares to Friends & Family around the the World lets them
know you're thinking about them Too!

Links below.

it's time now to wish You 

a Happy New Year!

PS. I hope this is exactly what you needed today.

Let's start the new year with a  😀

Stay connected with the weekly email

link to notify you of each new post.

Happiness lies with me,

My Heart is happy...

Take Care  💚

Bing Crosby & David Bowie - "The Little Drummer Boy (Peace On Earth)"

A favorite of mine this time of Year

I hope it's one of yours too?

Dona Anderson

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Enjoy 🌲

Our wellness includes MUSIC

Peace On Earth ... yes
 can it be ... yes

What are your favorite songs
this time of year?

Its been a year to remember for many reasons.

The World again seems to be a smaller place where we need to understand, help and work together to support our future.

Our last post for the year next week reminds us

to be grateful for the simple pleasures of Life that in

times of panic disaster or tragedies we

recognize to be most important.

Thank You again for continuing to share with others so that Wellness travels around the World.

Every little bit adds up.

Links for sharing below.

I hope you visit again and to make it easier click on the link below to be a Subscriber to get an email link to these once Weekly posts.

Just a couple of steps to complete.
No cost no hassle.

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Take Care.

PS. one more treat

  

Again sharing this favorite song at this link.

Old Christmas Letter Found

what's in the letter?

what ... does it Say?

New posts every Tuesday connect us to Stories,

 Gratitude, Life, Happy Hearts and more.

Do you need any of this?

Dona Anderson

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Last Spring I found a few old Christmas Letters
in a binder when I was going through a cabinet.

They brought up so many memories for me in times less Busy. 

Simpler times, that we'll all have our own stories about.

As I read them over again I thought I'd share this one with you.

It's an old letter about even older Christmas memories and when reading it I immediately went back in time - it felt like watching an old Movie just missing the sleigh ride.

Here goes - wishing now it was shorter

it starts with

Good Tidings to You

Each year the holiday season is a special time that provides us with opportunities for creating memories, wonder, connection, reflection and if you let it, stillness.

Growing up on the Canadian prairies, the holidays offered moments to walk in the crisp new snow, bundle up with many layers of soft warm clothes, mittens and scarves, listen to the squeaky sounds of winter, and be able to see your breath so you knew it was right there with you.

I remember walking on a milder evening with a friend while beautiful snowflakes fell and talking for hours about nothing important but it felt the Best. 

I remember being able to walk over to relatives to drop off presents instead of mailing them and getting to see them thankfully placed under their tree, and then having a cup of warm cocoa and some homemade cookies.  I got to go along to the store to buy the big turkey, and help pick out the most beautiful Christmas tree to decorate. 

It was always the best when I got to place the angel on top, and then to feel the pause in the air when the tree lights were first turned on.  

And, there was nothing better than helping fill tins with freshly baked cookies and getting to eat the ones that were not quite perfect.

I remember anxiously waiting for family to return home for the holidays, and sitting at the long decorated dinner table for hours with our best china and silverware over second and third helpings, and then the finale - Mom's Christmas pudding for dessert!

Photo by S. Anderson

If it was possible, one of my wishes has always been to sit at Mom's Christmas table again but as an adult with all the same people instead of the young child I was.

I would like to be able to again listen to their stories so I could remember them, to see and hear what my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles other relatives and dearest family friends talked about then, how they all laughed and connected and most of all, to learn more about who they were.

As a child we often get little glimpses inside the people around us without the opportunity to really know them and their stories.  We think there will be lots of time later but unfortunately life and time always changes our world and those in it.  

Our daily lives are different from back then to now, but in so many ways the same.  

Even with all the changes and differences, I think the important things, the hope and the desserts of our life are the same, to love and to be loved, to laugh and smile, be happy and healthy and know that someone is there to notice, to see us and be part of our lives.

My wish list this season is to share and connect with others, to be part of their life and to let them be part of mine.

To make new memories and joy through our laughter and smiles, enjoy each bite of the food we eat together, and just sit and talk for awhile about nothing important but it will be the best.

And while the earth in this part of the world is preparing to rest now for the winter and we say bye to 2011 and welcome 2012, I will take some time to pause for awhile and celebrate with gratitude all that is in my present life, my hopes for the future, and I'll bring along other wonderful memories of the past to enjoy again!

And to you, a Happy New Year ...

now can I have some more pudding please!

Thank You for visiting today.

PS.

That was the last time I wrote a big Christmas letter  - later I just wrote little notes in the cards and sadly the cards and notes got less and less each year. 

Looking back now, I wonder if I should have continued a few years longer.(?)

Have You ever revisited some old letters you wrote - 
for me, it was a wonderful way to connect to who I
 was in that time of  my life.

Links for sharing below and comments welcomed.

Photo's added for this post.

Photo of Barn was taken by Sandra Anderson.

B&W copy is in Simply, One Breath At a Time

Feel part of a global community as

these posts are shared with others and 

travel the world.

cookies, I saw the word cookies somewhere - YUM.

what's your favorite kind of Cookie

The Best part - it's Free

what we focus on grows 

This is something we CAN do and it's free
                      .

 Another addition for your Wellness Toolbox

Dona Anderson

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Dona's photo - message from
Simply, One Breath At a Time.

A Calm Breath for Breathing...

We do it all day long but do we pay much attention to it.

Our breathing connects us to our inner self, our organs, heart, and lungs that are nourished, move and open up space for circulation to help us stay healthy and relaxed.

Have you thought about your posture and how sitting with head forward and rounded shoulders makes us shorter and not letting the breath move as it should.

And, if we're grumpy and frown instead of relaxed and smiling we've also shortened the breath. Shallow breathing also affects the body.

Let your next breaths softly fill your body ... 

as you do this a few times, also let your  

face, eyes and shoulders soften ...

Notice each breath opening 

and then leaving your body.

Feel the coolness of the in breath, 

and then the warmth of the out breath ...

Be part of this exchange, 
part of the simple gifts of life.

I picked a Rose Wellness Message
for us today that says ... 

I invite my next breaths to bring me
to a place to smile and be present,
a place to notice beauty, 
and a place to find joy ...

One Rose Wellness Cards

I invite my next breaths to bring me

to a place to smile and be present,

a place to notice beauty, and

a place to find joy ...

Is it time to rediscover your breath.

💚

Messages are from the pages of my book

Simply, One Breath At a Time.

Head over to the Resources Page

for more info.

And posts with similar messages

at the label below One Rose Cards. 

Thanks for your visit today.

PS. Lots of times in our lives we have to think about how our body breathes, our posture and see if we need to make some adjustments.

* This can be our reminder
*I needed it too.

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Weekly posts offer new thoughts,

experiences, stories and lots more.

Don't go yet!

Christmas combo
 4 links to check out. 

The Holidays are  coming up so please take care of you.

Rest often, ask for help and gift yourself lots of Self Care moments. 🎄

YESTERDAY'S RAIN ~ W G Snuffy Walden

You know I like Music - Right

Welcome & how are you?

If you need to relax a bit, you're

in the right place today. 

Dona Anderson

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I can never get enough of this amazing guitar music I have on one of my Christmas CD's so I found it to share with you.

It melts my Heart.

Have a listen.

I hope you'll Love it too.

Wow, we're already into posts for winter.

Thank you for Helping me with my Dream
by reaching out & supporting others around the World!

This has been a year we really needed to share as much
love, peace and hope as we can.

Links for sharing below 💚

We never know how many times our

  shares will be re shared.  

PS. Have a good week and give yourself

lots of Permission to Rest moments!

I'll be playing this music lots of times.

My Meditation time, 

what's yours?

Update - Sorry I lost the comment section for this post last week. I didn't know why and later found out the section was full so I had to delete a lot of older comments and it came back. If you want to comment about this post please use a later post and refer to this one. Thanks. 

What are you really busy with?

How do we Get more done in less time

See if this makes any
sense in Your life?

Dona Anderson

Weekly posts help support our crazy life.

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How many of us have done this ...

Someone is on their way over and you rush around the house like a crazy person to clean it up.

You're intense, focused and no one gets in your way.

You only have a few minutes and ...

YOU DID IT!

The door bell rings and you're all Smiles. 

So what happens all the other days.

                    

Is this you?

                               It's me many times.

We let our self walk around with no real focus and one thing not finished finds us starting another.

A phone call or thought interrupts you and then you head off off in a different direction.

The sock in the living room may travel around the house and be left behind in yet another room.

Where did the morning go - you haven't even had your 2nd coffee or tea yet.

When I used to work

we had routines, daily and weekly chores, exercise times and to do lists to prepare for things but the holidays and long weekends set me up for not getting done in 3 days what I used to do in 2.

While computers make lots of things easier, they create more things to take your time and sometimes it's like watching TV, it's kind of being there, numb or unresponsive until it's time to eat or go to bed.

It takes us longer to get things done these days when you're on hold for hours or waiting for a call back. You need to do more paperwork for your statements, receipts and make online appointments.

More and more things that you have to do and less and less from the providers. 

You're being swamped with advertising, notifications and another hour goes by.

More things seem to build up and the list of things to do gets longer and longer.

Stress builds up, things get missed and on and on ...

What's going on
and do you need a bit of standing up and dusting off to get back into the World again and find out what makes your Heart Sing.

Where can you find HELP.

Let's make 2021 the year to say Enough and

get our life back - some of it at least.

How will you do it?

I know a lot of people are stressed and struggling with all the things that need to get done these days.

It's Something important to talk about and see what can help,

got any ideas - let us know in the comments.

PS - For the Vinyl Cafe lovers in the audience here's
a Christmas story you'll probably remember

No, it's not the one where Dave cooks the Turkey.

Bye for now, hope you're following by email
and you'll be back next week. 

In the meantime check out these ways to

Rest and Breathe EASY

Love it when the glacier sparkles.

Say the word calm as you breathe in ...

Can you feel calm as you breathe out ...

Mr. Bojangles - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - [With Lyrics]

Do you have songs that make you cry?

The Ugly Cry.

I DO - this is often one of them.

Dona Anderson

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In my guitar groups music books there are 2 songs that make me cry.

This one and the other is Puff the Magic Dragon.

I love them both but ...

Some days the tears just start to come.

Then it's Quick - find a tissue as tears are running down my face and I need to blow my nose. 

I wonder who else has songs

 that do the same to them for
whatever reason ...

I used to be very sensitive,

much worse than now.  

I couldn't listen or watch some things because the ugly cry would swell my eyes up so bad I just had little slits to see out of the next morning.

Sometimes it was embarrassing especially when we were out at movies or concerts. 

The people beside me weren't always appreciative. 

And, I really felt bad when others told me their problem/story and would apologize that I was sad/tearing up.

Do us sensitive ones ever lose it or

is it just how we're suppose to be. 

Google can Help. 

There's questions & responses to help about

crying if you want to check that out.  

There are even Benefits listed.

I guess I need that cry every once in awhile

which was the second I added Tilly's photo in here.

My first photo message back in 2012 - Miss you beautiful  Scottie Girl.

 Her heart was very Kind & Happy.

Thanks for your visit.

New posts every Tuesday.

Together we're sharing Wellness around
the World - links for sharing below.

PS. I hope I'm not alone in this crying thing and Hopefully

 one day we can get back to those before Covid activities.

73 Ways to Support You going Forward

It's Birthday Time
5th Birthday 

Celebration Time 💚

Dona Anderson

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Wow, five years ago tomorrow I was picking up the boxes of Moving Forward from the Heart and had to open one quickly to see it for real.

And, then I got to go through the pages on the drive home. (Nope, I wasn't driving)

It seems that it has always been with me - at least longer than 5 years since and the time I worked on it.

Sometimes you have to write the 1st book to get to the second so I guess that's what I did. 

It's fun to have previous buyers of Simply, One Breath At a t time stop to tell me how they enjoy my work and one lady last fall came by to tell me she had bought Simply,10 years ago and still uses it all the time.

Moving Forward from the Heart is also helping others and lots of comments from shoppers and readers why are listed below and on the Wellwishers page.

- help a new empty nester

- help me heal my heart

- learn more about myself
- for relaxation
- figure out this time of my life
- lovely words and charming prose
- want all your stuff
- it leaves time and space to dream
- emphasis on breath

Link to the Wellwishers page 

Here's one you'll see ...

"In just a few words, it's a lovely book. It's obvious that a lot of care and thought went into your presentation. The are many books out there on meditation but I would say "Moving Forward..." is one of the best, so readable, so accessible, so uplifting".

Our World and lives are full of stuff, being busy, emotions, fake and troubling news, storms, tragedies and more.

Stress seems to be a normal part of our conversations.

It's getting harder and harder to make ends meet, enjoy life and have some time to get to know who we are or even have a moment to be still and think about it.

These 73 meditations help us to relax, breathe, visit nature and figure some of that out along the way.

The first meditation is titled, So Much More to See.

The last is, You Became the Beauty. 

Between the two are 71 other titles ...

Some of the others you'll meet are,

  Message in Dona's photo is on page 52

A Place for Messages

Words from a Friend

Practicing Calm

Breathe Happy

Garden in your Dreams

Possibilities Gently Drift in

Special places

Begin again

Visions for the Future

Letting Life be Easy

Tree House

Earth Angel

Rise and Shine

One Hug

Live your Dreams

Lullaby of Peace

    

Open yourself up to wonder and dream ...

A post I did July 14, 2015 a few months before I got my hands on a real copy started with ...

It's always a bit scary to let your work out for everyone to see.  I've been working on this baby for over 4 years and it's time to let it go so I can find out what is next for me.

The following is in the book and talks about

What Moving Forward from the Heart means to me!

When I wrote Simply, One Breath At a Time I had the title right away, and then with  this book I only had a few ideas for the title until Moving Forward from the Heart came to me at the end, long after all the writing was done. 

It was in one of those still, quiet times and it made perfect sense.

Since completing this book, I can see now that I was unknowingly writing from my Heart and Soul, and my Heart wanted to know more about compassion, hope, the ability to change, and forgiveness.

My Heart wanted to know more about how to heal, open, love and most of all how to move on and forward.

I’m always sharing things on my Blog as I learn from life and time, and now I am also learning from all the meditations in this book.

They nudge me to let go of what I need to and remind me to live my life now, celebrate all that I am, have and can be.  They remind me to celebrate others and our beautiful earth.  

They give me strength and courage, and ask me to think, to see, explore and to share.

Does this sound like a book for You'd like ...

Message in this photo is on page 119.

Welcome with gratitude this

 special time to be with yourself 

and all that you are ...

More information on the
 Resources Page 

Thanks for sharing at the links below. 

PS. Love this message on the front cover -
Sweetness lies inside the spaces where
you free your body, mind and spirit to
fully celebrate life!

Pictures for post only.


Thanks for your visit and have a great day.

 Find out more from this book

at the label below - Moving Forward.

What do You do when Life gets complicated?

Have You ever felt like

Running away?

Dona Anderson

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With all the stress and worry in the World right now this is probably what a lot of us are thinking.

Story time.

The later 1950's kid version

One day a few of us on our block decided to "run away" well sort of.

We got as far as the baseball diamond several blocks away and after getting something to eat that took all the money we had, we went home - tired, piggy banks empty and waited for supper.

Our big exciting get away only lasted a couple hours or so.

Mom never knew - (?) unless my sister told.

The adult version

For me,

Lots of time when life got confusing, stressful, too busy, broke, too many problems, chores, moving and even the pets as puppies took what little energy we had left, the thoughts of running away seemed to cross my mind.

 Just to get away for a day or so to have  peace and quiet, sleep, relax, not have to  cook, clean, take the bus, or go to work.

But we survive, 

and get through it the best we can.

We learn,
to ask for help, change the schedule, prepare ahead of time, relax and exercise more often and let go of some of the have to do's in favor of the want to do's.

Thankfully - Life, home and work changes as years go by. 

The pressures, expectations, roles all change as we grow, learn, prepare, age and manage our days and life.

No, I never did "Run Away" but I have to say it did feel good thinking about it for a few minutes.  

What I should have done was taken a Wellness Day when needed. 

And used more of the benefits that were available so I would have been much healthier and happier instead of having everything hurt for years. 

That would have made a huge difference.

Now I can relate to this message better 

Say to yourself ...

I give myself Permission to Rest

It's nice now that there are more wellness words, information, thoughts and services to use for your Self Care. 

These words are normal now -

Spa days, Retreats, Meditation, Yoga, Relaxation, Homeopathy, Stillness, Acupuncture, Chiropractors, Massage, going for a run, or walk or just to stop

& take a breath.

What's on your list to help You?

Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for your visit today
new posts every Tuesday,

and Thanks for helping me spread Wellness around 

the world by sharing at the links below.

💚

PS. Honestly ...

I don't know where all  this stuff comes from each week

but you get to come along with me to see what's next!

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Take Care

That's our Scottie girl Lucy above.

She's 6 now - all grown up. 

We all need these ...

Quiet moments, 

Where do you find Yours?

Dona Anderson
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One Rose Wellness Message

for you today

There's nothing

 for  you to do,

There's

nowhere for

 you to go,

Simply surrender

to this

quiet moment ...

Do you have Quiet moments?

Where do you find them and for how long?

How do they make You feel? 

Perhaps yours is being away from cars, street noise, machines and being with calming sounds like music, waves, birds or whatever it is for You.

Quiet time also changes over the years as you age and your work & family life changes. 

It can even change through the seasons from outside to inside spaces.

Quiet time also helps connect us to feelings of peace, satisfaction, being grateful and contentment - a word I'm learning more about.

Where do you get your
 special moments.

One Rose Wellness Cards

There's lots of different things to do to relax, reduce stress and support your Health.  
It might start with just focusing on your Breath for a few minutes.

Take Care.

One Rose Wellness Cards are a set

of 105 Messages all from the pages
of  Simply, One Breath At a Time.

More information on the

Resources Page. 

Thanks for Your visit.

Links below for sharing, Thank You.

Hope you'll sign up to get email
 notifications of new posts.

Find more posts for One Rose Messages

at the label below, One Rose Cards

PS. My TV quiet moments is on the CBS Sunday Morning show where they end with a few moments in Nature every week. It's been a favorite for many years. Love it. 💚

I hope you like my photo above - very peaceful and quiet. - leave a comment and tell us about your quiet spaces.