Sunday, December 15, 2013

Poem on Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards, here's the poem I referred to in my Dec 2, post.

Christmas Cards
I have a list of friends I know
all written in a book,
And every year at Christmas time
I op to take a look.
And that is when I realize that
these names are a part,
Not of the book they're written in
but of my heart.
 
For each name stands for someone who
has crossed my path sometime,
And in that meeting they've become
the "Rhythm of the Rhyme"
And while it sounds fantastic for
me to make this claim,
I really feel I am composed of
EACH REMEMBERED NAME.
 
And while you may not be aware
of any special link,
Just meeting you has shaped my life
more than you can think
For once you've met somebody
the years cannot erase,
The memory of a pleasant word
or a friendly face.
 
So never think that Christmas Cards
are just a mere routine,
Of names upon a Christmas list
forgotten in between.
For when I send a Christmas card,
that is addressed to you,
It's because you're on the list
of folks I'm indebted to.
 
For you are a part of the many
folks that I have met,
And you happen to be one of those
I prefer not to forget.
And whether I have known you
for many years or few,
In some way you have had a part
of shaping things I do.
 
And every year when Christmas comes
I realize anew,
The biggest gift that life can give
is meeting friends like you.
And may the Spirit of Christmas
that forever and ever endures
Leave it's richest blessings
In the hearts of you and yours.
(Author Unknown)

Monday, December 9, 2013

One Rose Wellness Card, and what the message meant to one lady!

One Rose Wellness Card, and what the message meant to one lady!


Yesterday at the last show for the year I shared a special moment with a lady after she picked one of the message cards.  A gentle smile of knowing came across her face and I knew whatever she picked had a special meaning.

Her card said, "Say to yourself, the rest of my life begins with my next breath..." She told me had cardiac arrest and she knew exactly how much those few words meant.  That next breath meant life!

I'm so lucky to have had the privilege to share that moment with her, and thanks everyone for your support this past year.


One Rose Wellness cards created from Simply, One Breath At a Time, by Dona Anderson

Monday, December 2, 2013

Christmas Card List


Christmas Card List  As the holiday season approaches and I get out my cards and list of names, I will again be wondering about the people on my list that I only seem to for sure connect with this time of year, how they are, and what has happened in the last year. 
 
Years ago a lovely poem about Christmas cards (author unknown) circulated and it rekindled my need to keep sending out cards even when I felt I didn’t have time and the times had changed.  It starts with “ I have a list of friends I know all written in a book, and every year at Christmas time I op to take a look.  And this is when I realize that these names are a part, not of the book they’re written in but of my heart.”
 
It goes on to say how the list was made of  people that come into our lives, ones who have shaped our lives in some way, ones the years cannot erase, ones we’re indebted to, and ones whose meeting was a gift.  It kind of reminded me of the poem about people coming into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, see my post April 10, 2013.

I remember when I was little watching my Mom get her cards ready.  It was a big event and would take her several days to finish.  She’d set up the card table in the living room, make  several piles of cards, envelopes and stamps all nice and neat on the table, and then sit down all ready to go with her various lists of names and addresses.  She lovingly signed and addressed the cards to go out to all their special friends and family, and even to local acquaintances as  it was their form of social networking for the time.

My list from many years ago used to also be full of all those same kind of names and now with all the current ways to connect with people at our fingertips, sending Christmas cards gets less and less each year but it is still a special time to think about and be grateful for each person that is on the list.

As our old ways continue to change over time and even if you don’t celebrate this holiday, I hope you can still find that special moment to think about or connect individually somehow with those people in your life that you prefer not to forget, that would be on your list to remember and acknowledge … to let some know they will always be a part of your life, and to let others know that they are the ones that will forever have a special place in your heart …

 Take Care Everyone!

 (check back later for the whole poem)

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Imagine Relaxing this Christmas Holiday!


Relax this Christmas Holiday!

 See what happens when you read this one line to yourself,

“Let each breath be familiar, welcoming, like opening the door to an old friend…”

 So easy, no stress, shop online at home!

Simply, One Breath At a Time is the perfect gift.  Let it find its way into your home, school, church, office, yoga studio or into any wellness center or practice.
 
Or, maybe you’d like to start a wellness circle in the New Year!

It can go anywhere, even your travel bag and it is coil bound for easy reading!
 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Christmas Shopping Time!

Christmas Shopping Time!

What do you want? Imagine a gift that goes on giving for a lifetime.  Imagine learning how the breath, relaxation and meditation can be your companion through life.

The older I get the more I want to have things in my life that will teach and help me to live more and live well.  I want things in my life that teach me the beauty of simple things, and that bring me to a place of awareness and gratitude for where I am and what I have in my life.

Simply, One Breath At a Time reminds me that the rest of my life does begin with my next breath, and I want to know it, I want to feel it.

What do you want? 


 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

One Rose Wellness Card

My message today says!

"The breath gives us choice and strength,
courage and confidence,
calmness and healing..."
 

One Rose Wellness cards created from Simply, One Breath At a Time, by Dona Anderson

Friday, November 1, 2013

Affects of Stress

How does stress affect my body?


Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson

Affects of Stress - Google stress and how it affects us! In a couple of minutes you can make quite a list from physical symptoms to emotional  and behavioral symptoms and everything in between.  In just a few minutes I had over 60 so I stopped looking for more as I was feeling depressed (one of the symptoms) 


In looking at the list I can see a few that I have had to deal with.  I remember my how my lower back was and still is a great place for stress to visit frequently,  I checked off worry, frustration, digestive disorders, fatigue, mood changes, headaches, jaw and muscle tension, and weight gain to list a few.

If we have a few of these how do we then escape the accumulative affects that interfere with our daily work, home, and family life? 

How do we take back our health and wellness?  

How do we bring balance  back into our lives and breathe?

Medical research shows us more and more how stress is a link to so many illnesses and personal changes, I even saw articles saying it is a silent killer.  So that is why I try to keep learning and  sharing what I can.  I am finding that the more I present things to others the more I get someone talking and thinking.  Often they don't realize what is bothering them or they're maybe wanting to change but are not sure of what to do or how to do it.  And sometimes they don't realize that a few small changes can make a big difference!

This post is a request to us all!

Dona Anderson
What if we all got fed up with the stress in our lives and did something positive to make a change.  What if we could easily make a huge difference with a few small changes!

What if we extended a safe place out to others where we could honestly talk, listen, exchange ideas, respect and value each other, and maybe ask for help or offer help to others.  What if we talked more about change, easy things we can change, how we could do it.  What if we could just get some ideas flowing that could be workable and maintainable.

Imagine how you'd feel if you noticed a change in the air, felt life opening up, or you heard someone take a deep breath and then relax a bit today, then a bit more tomorrow and the next day.

What if you could cross off some of those items on that list that affect you
and say, no, not here any more!

Imagine!

I found this great link with pages of articles to pick from so we can start sharing and talking right away!


If you're interested in guided breathing, relaxation and meditation check out my book.  Online sales at Amazon  other ebook formats at online booksellers 


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