Gratitude Time!!

I think it’s time for a Gratitude Break!  As many of us have busy and hectic lives with a dash of turmoil at times thrown in the mix, I think it’s important to take a moment and reflect on the many wonderful loved ones and things we have in our lives that make it a joy to get up and live another day.

I still have those moments where I sourly say ‘Why is this happening to me?’ Sometimes it can be easy to turn to the negative side of things when something isn’t going according to plan.  And I sure do like having a plan.  Planning is good but there comes a point where you have to relinquish the control to a higher power and just let it take you along for the ride.

What are you thankful for?  What is going on in your life right now that you feel an abundance of gratitude.  

Today, Monday March 26, 2012 here are just a few things that I am grateful for.

My family – no matter the distance or time we have together, I am lucky to have them in my life.  I am so grateful for the love and support I have been shown, especially when times were dark for me and I didn’t know if I’d ever see the light again.  Although I sometimes still struggle, I really do know that I’m loved by the ones who truly matter to me.

Alanna – my niece, my heart, everything that is good. She is my joy and laughter and the sweetest sound to my ears is hearing her say ‘I love you Auntie Misty’

My friends – I have amazing close friends who I am blessed to have in my life.  Although most I am not able to see on a daily basis because of distance, I know that they truly carry me in their hearts as I them. Knowing that someone is out there who loves you, not because they have to but because they want to is such an amazing feeling.

Oprah’s LifeClass Tour – I am so lucky to have the amazing fortune to be able to attend this blessed event, with amazing co-teachers on stage with her.  I’m looking forward to learning more and having fantastic AHA moments.

AHA moments – because they truly give me a sense of learning something else about me.  I have learned what is really inside my heart, what my spirit holds close and how I can make me a better person to become my more authentic self.  We all want to improve ourselves and becoming aware of how to do that inwardly only helps out the outwardly.

OWN Ambassadors – I have connected with some fantastic people just in the last few months.  People who not only have the same passion for Oprah and OWN as I do, but are truly amazing people who take anyone in.  No judgments, no stipulations.  I am blessed to be part of such greatness. Everything happens for a reason and I believe that astonishing things are going to come from this group.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Oprah – for being my ultimate life mentor.  The things I have learned about myself, after locking them away inside me for so long, I learned from her.  I learned not to be ashamed.  I learned how to love myself and I learned that I am worth it.  I learned my future isn’t based on my past.  I learned that all I want is to be heard and seen and know that I matter.  Life breakthrough after breakthrough is really what has kept me going.  

My inner strength – just when I think it is diminishing, BOOM! Something else happens to trigger this force inside of me.  Whether it’s to support myself in a struggle within or to be there for a loved in need, I am so thankful that I can do that, supporting, loving and giving of my own self. 

Little Warriors – for bringing child sexual abuse to the surface and providing parents with the early detection methods to help stop it.  Knowing what to look for is part of the battle!

http://littlewarriors.ca/

Thanks for tuning in friends!! Until next time....

Misty
xo

Lessons

There are lessons to be learned all around us.  Even if we don't quite pick up on them right away, or ever, they are still there.  The hope is that we are perceptive enough to receive it.  To allow those lessons to speak to our hearts and actually teach us something. Those valuable life lessons are comprehended through our own experiences and our inner souls.  Only then when we recognize a lesson that is forming in front of us can we say AHA, that was a moment!

#17 - You Can Rise From the Ashes of Your Life - Oprah's Lifeclass Season 1

This was a major lesson for me. I realized then that I really am the only one who has the power to pick up my pieces and move forward, putting each heartache, each struggle and every obstacle I have hurdled into my bag of life and carry it with me along my journey.  As I conquered each new phase,  the items I carry with me reposition themselves in my bag and new things become more important and take greater priority. The more lessons learned, the more AHA moments you experience, it equips you with armor for the future.  It can become easy to allow the circumstances from your past to dictate to you the person you are going to be.  When in reality that is so far from the truth.  I am not that same person anymore.  I am not the weak, scared and naive girl I once was. I am unbroken.  I am a survivor and I am here to fight another day.  Nothing comes easy to any of us.  We all have had our own trails and tribulations that we have overcome.  Some with grace and skill and others with an inept sense of self. 
I believe that people who have beaten all odds, fought to get out of the darkness and turn a otherwise downward path around are people who need to be applauded.  They truly did rise up from the ashes of their life.  They need to be thought of as victors because that's what they are.  Whether you have overcome losing a loved one, being sexually abused, being beaten, losing all of your earthly possessions or not feeling love from anyone, you are in  a place now, god-willing, that you can look back just to see how far you have walked on your own.

On a side note, Lady O will be coming to Toronto very soon, on her Lifeclass tour for season 2.  This is very very exciting.  I'm eager to learn more in class!!!  If anyone hasn't seen the first season, I encourage you all to check out the site for an overview of the first 25 lessons.  I promise you won't be disappointed!

http://www.oprah.com/oprahs-lifeclass/Oprahs-Lifeclass-Lessons-Season-1

Like I have said many times before, Oprah is my life mentor.  She has taught me and millions of others so many valuable lessons. She has really taken us all to school and it feels great!!  I have put my trust into her words.  Not because of her celebrity status.  But because she has taught me. Her heart has reached out and touched mine.  I see her for who she is and what she is offering.  And even though she doesn't know me by name, I know that her heart feels mine as well.  Her heart feels what I am putting out there as so many others are doing the same.  Because its true and pure and there is nothing better then that.

I am on twitter as well.  You can find me @mistygirl77.  For any of you who are on Twitter and have the same love and respect for Oprah as I do, please find me and lets have a chat.  You will also find that there is an amazing community of Oprah and OWN supporters who all come together as one, talking and sharing.  I invite anyone to join us.  You can look up the hashtags, #OWNAmbassadors, #OprahsNextChapter and #Lifeclass to name but a few.  I have had the privilege to get connected with some pretty outstanding individuals who have the same passion as I do.

Shout out to all my Own Ambassadors!  Love you guys!! xoxo

Take it easy everyone!
xoxo