Allow me to say, I don't share answers, I share a perspective that comes from my experience, my environment and beliefs.  **Please Take, what can be an asset to your journey** We don't have to share the same view, have the same experiences, but we can respect each other enough, to listen, and to determine if there is something that can be an asset to our lives and continued journey. 


The work is in the exercise, when I consider exercise, whatever area is before me; Spiritually, Mentally, and or Physically, it is the work, it is the Focus that determines
​"My View".  I know firsthand that in "consistency" lies the power, the discipline includes "rising above" the moments of hesitation, and or procrastination.  Not easy, again not easy, a discipline. 
​

To Know that, to Share that is great, but to do what is necessary, is "always a choice"


Most of us know, those things we need to do, and we have "great" intention but like clockwork for some, the thoughts come with a list of distractions, and before you know it, that weekly, daily routine planned, becomes a "To Do".


As a woman of Faith, my peace has been located in the "surrender", in casting my worries on God.  The question I often consider, reflect on, how can I Trust God in One Area and Struggle with doubt in others?!  The surrender allows the "decision" that If I'm willing to Die on my Faith, that should include Living on it.  God has been and is faithful, and for me, He is a Big God, and why should I wrestle with weights that are to heavy to carry, so I intentionally "exercise" handing them over to Him. I exercise in casting those cares, an exercise, a work. My perspective, He is God and He can see over the Mountain, He knows the Road Ahead and He Knows my End from the beginning, so why should I rob myself of this precious gift called a New Day?!


My exercise "now" includes giving those worries to Him.  When, not if, but when worry knocks, when stress whispers, when fear provides thoughts of all the things that can go wrong or challenge my hope, my joy, and peace.  When "what If this or what if that", comes banging on my door (my thoughts).  I "exercise" taking a pause, getting still "choosing" not to wrestle with things that are so much bigger than me.  I will do what I can and "choose" to leave the rest to God. 


I have a great exercise that really is a peace gift, no matter your beliefs or philosophy, when "thoughts" wake you in the night, or early morning, or anytime and all these things are coming at you, "sing a song" in your head, any song that you love or brings you comfort.  The thoughts have no room to compete, they become silent because all we have in that moment is that Song.  I encourage "YOU" to Try it, exercise in it and even in your light sleep, when thoughts try to weigh you down, the Song will eventually become a reflex when you exercise.  Such a sweet, precious gift that will bring a smile of comfort. 


Trusting God, surrendering, casting cares, could be summarized by;  I don't know HOW God Will, but I TRUST that He will and my exercise is to just surrender, to rest in that, not wrestle, not worry, but Trust.  A work, a discipline and as shared "no one said easy".  Why should my blood pressure go up and my nerves become rattled with things that "I cannot change?!"


This is the exercise which "for me" covers all the areas, God is my center.  
Now Visualize, Circles, that represent the day, filled with choices, decisions that will come before you.  Consider God, our creator as the center circle and than draw circles around that center circle that will require our attention, some known and some that will arise.  Consider, the exercise of that center being our foundation for our decisions. Starting from our center, "Living Inside Out" at least for me, brings peace, allows me to pause and just appreciate Who Really Is In Control in my life, who is my Foundation. 


At Some Point. . .


As a woman of Faith, God is my center, for me means I'm bringing all things around my Faith, doing all that I know to do, but "choosing" to Focus on Peace, "choosing" to live Inside Out. These are choices, and I know that I'm not obligated to do anything, I have the power of Choice.  I choose Peace, so I continue to seek those things that build on that foundation, working from Peace. 



Did I say Easy?
Did anyone say Easy?
#NoOneSaidEasy


I've considered based on the road traveled, that my personal focus is not about seeking or being focused on easy, the work is exercising to  "Just Do", just do what I can and exercise leaving the rest to God.

​
Choosing to Focus on what really matters for "this day", and for the road ahead.  Choosing to Focus on those areas that bring more joy, that build upon more peace, and to decide that my life's journey is not a destination, it is in every decision that I have to make, it is found in Trusting my Creator, not in some areas, but all of them. 

In this season of my life, the greatest joy, is in the many whom have connected and have joined "the work" of planting seeds of Gratitude along with Helping Build Bridges Across. Gratitude is so much than a word, it is an action. 


The question often asked, How can I work a Garden of Gratitude with Helping Build Bridges Across?  Simple, get in where you fit in, never obligated just do what's enjoyable for you.  To review the affiliates and or referrals that send a percentage to HBBA, please visit "Planting Seeds of Gratitude"  and or  "Mailing Out Gratitude".  


"Moments before Memories" allows us to celebrate, as a community, special moments that are meaningful to you, to send you the "unexpected" joy from our village, our community.  Be sure to connect! 


The work is allowing, our hearts to consider how precious this Gift called Life is and to respect that with a humble heart, that we make choices daily, we decide to express loving those around us by our words, and by our actions. Exercising Gratitude "daily", and including "Taking a Pause" when we are not in a good space, recognizing even "Peaceful Silence" can be a blessing in the lives who surround us. 


My prayer is that, flowers can grow out of ashes, for all the lives who have been and who currently challenged by difficult roads, and unexpected seasons.  God's Grace was and is beyond sufficient, looking back He was with me every step of the way, walking and guiding me through a season that knocked me off of my feet, a wilderness of not sure where the road traveled would lead, "In an Instant" life changed.  My focus, after walking through such a tragic season, with a heart tattooed for life, the question, the focus, what can I do with it?!, I refuse to live as a victim and this is the continued work.  Allowing our hearts to know the "value" of time, to be awaken to not taking "moments" for granted. The work keeping us mindful and focused on "Who Promised that Tomorrow will look the same as Today?!"


The work is, includes coming in contact with those we don't know, being respectful, even in places we don't agree, even in those spaces allowing the space to "Agree to Disagree" without offense.  The work is meeting "Hearts" not Faces, not allowing the conditions of any moment, to allow the assumption or judging others based on the chapter, we walked in on for any person.  We just don't know the Story of the Hearts we meet along our travels. 

This is something new?!

Life "delivers" change, rather you're prepared or not, and on board or not.  Change Happens. "Nothing remains the same" is often quoted. Some don't embrace change well, and for some it can be very overwhelming.  Yet, whatever the emotions, and the concerns attached, change doesn't come along and ask for your permission to visit.


This is something new?!


As a woman of Faith and one who exercises Gratitude Daily, it has been the recipe that has allowed me to rob the "Thief Named Regret".  My heart is to share with others some ways to Exercise Gratitude.  The question often asked, "Donyale, how can I exercise Gratitude Daily, when some days are not so great?"



First, before we continue allow me to state;
I do not offer answers, I share a perspective.  If only it was as easy as a few steps, or five ways to this, and 10 steps to follow, we would all gladly sign up to that blueprint.  The truth, from my view, is that  "No One Said Easy" so we may never master, but we continue to "exercise" Gratitude daily.  "Not Just Mountains, but Moments is the Focus "the impact of embracing a new day, doing what we can do and not allowing worry about what tomorrow may hold, to steal from the gift of the life we have right now, this day. 


Embracing "No One Promised Us that Tomorrow will look the same as Today" that alone can allow for us to embrace "fully" what this day offers and becomes "an aid" in the words that we choose to deliver to others and in the actions we choose to take. 


This is something new?!


The road behind offers us, an opportunity to consider the lessons from our experiences, if we are open to listening, to reflecting, and to consider who we were in those moments, what role did we play. Beautiful includes a heart with the intent to become better, to do better, to decide within what is "priceless and precious" this day and what can we carry forward for the road ahead.  Beautiful is recognizing what is really important to us?!


This is something new?!


Gratitude
Gratitude is a word that means so much more than "appreciation",  Gratitude is an action, when exercising daily, it can become a reflex, and it flows into the lives of those around us, even our silence can offer Peace.


This is something new?!


When I consider the noise around me or the challenges that knock on my door, I found that Beautiful can be located wherever I place my Focus.  Beautiful is when I begin my day focused on that I awaken to having a new day, a new page,  the gift of life and loved ones who surround my life.  That is a blessing.  I reflect on all the things that are so easy to take for granted. I embrace and my heart is tattooed with precious moments and memories of love ones that shared a space, that shared a season along my journey, that alone travels with me daily, and for all of this, I AM GRATEFUL.



This is something new?!


Some like to close there day in reflection and some begin the day with reflection,  "Exercising Gratitude is when you intentionally live recognizing what is important to you, important to your heart.  It's so easy to get wrapped up by Noise, by Distractions, including those who can trigger negative emotions or thoughts by their words or actions.  


Life is short
Life is precious
Life is priceless
​Life is a gift that only "we" can decide individually on how to "spend" it. 


Those words hold so much truth at least for me, and they are really so much more than just words...
​

We all hear slogans, popular quotes or words, but when you stop and consider the value, the truth behind them, reflecting on what they mean in your life,  it puts many things in Perspective.  

This is something new?!

In closing, 

It's important to know our value, to maintain our peace, to change what we can and let of those things we can't change.  

Make a decision to live beyond "yourself", treasures are sometimes hidden and delivered to those who live beyond themselves, who choose to Plant Seeds of Gratitude
​in the lives of others while "Exercising Gratitude" in their own life. 

~ THIS IS SOMETHING NEW ~

A New Day offers an opportunity to let go of yesterday, anything that is a weight, or a burden.  Carry with you the lessons to travel alongside as you hope for many tomorrows.

A New Day offers an opportunity "to decide" what you have "this day" and not be robbed of what you don't.

No One Said Easy but we have to decide how to receive a "New Day".  Life's journey offers each of us an opportunity to "decide" how to live each day and how to celebrate, cherish those who surround our life along the way.

~ Always a Choice ~

Not What They Say
A Choice on how you choose to travel this journey "every single day"

"Moments not just Mountains"

"Making Gratitude Contagious" is always the intent 

These questions come up often and I'm Grateful.  I'm a visual person and I love words and I thought I would put together a Video demonstrating and Answering those questions.

Thank you for the support and for being here and connecting in the work of this garden.  Whatever you're part it is appreciated, it's everyone who is connected doing a little and together we are all "Making Gratitude Contagious"

Hugs,
​Donyale

ATTRIBUTES of AN EAGLE


AN EAGLE

Have you ever Considered the Attributes of An Eagle?

THEY ARE MASTER FLIERS
A Master flyer represents to me knowing when to Soar and when to Fly Higher to Rise Above the Storm


THEY FLY ALONE AND LIVE ON HIGHER GROUND
I would use the word "Leader" not a Follower, always Focused on reaching Higher Ground


EAGLES ARE EXTREMELY BOLD, COURAGEOUS, MAJESTIC AND POWERFUL
This speaks for itself!


EAGLES ARE VERY PATIENT
I see this as having Vision with a Destination in Sight, which includes a Quiet Wisdom of recognizing and knowing that Patience is a REQUIRED Attribute to Move Along the Journey.



From my heart to yours: 
Like the Eagle, we Find the Strength within, we Have Vision, we Seek Purpose, we Stay Focused on the Destination in Sight.  One area that I've had to learn and continually PRESS FORWARD in is to Get Going, Be a Doer, Be Consistent and CONTINUE to MOVE FORWARD.                                                                           


From my Perspective:
The Boats to turn back have been burned, there is no retreat, we go higher or we choose to retreat. Always a Choice
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
 

Watching this show, competing with Sugars, this moment touched me and it was a reminder WHY the work of "Making Gratitude Contagious" 

​"Makes a Difference" in so many lives including my own


Take a Moment to Check it Out:​

​Thank you for connecting.  Thank you for Planting Seeds with Journey HBBA, anything you have done and are doing is planting a seed. Beautiful is knowing that Seeds planted has the potential to grow into something Beautiful.

To join in the work...Eagle Call are the Resources that allow us daily to Plant Seeds of Gratitude into the life of someone else.   The only requirement is to find what fits your heart, to simply "Get In Where You Fit It". 

Thank you for traveling this Unfamiliar Path with Me...
I choose to take the reigns of every single day, every single moment, no matter what I feel.  My emotions have to get on board or they will be carried in my Truth, making the most of this New Day, New Page.  

​When you live Knowing Your Why....
​You no longer focus on the "noise" or "distractions"

The Why is the #StoriesBehindtheSmile
The Work is #PlantingSeedsofGratitude
From a Heart that Knows #GratitudeRobsRegret

Does Gratitude Make Problems Disappear?!

Does Gratitude Make Problems Disappear?!

If only it was that simple...

When I share posts filled with images and words, it is intentional.  Sharing with a purpose.  I'm no different, the journey presents challenges, some days are heavier than others.  My truth is that I choose to take the "reigns" and I choose discipline on where my thoughts are going to travel, it's not magic and it doesn't happen instantly, it's an exercise.

It's an exercise...

The process is, I wake and I Thank God for a New Day and then I take time to feed my spirit which means "for me" reading the word, watching a podcast, reading a chapter from a favorite book, or reflecting on "I have a new day, which offers opportunity".  Opportunity to make a phone call to loved ones, mail cards with photos or words that mean something "to the recipient", not about me, about them.

Listening, not multi-tasking but listening when a loved one calls, or my sons are engaged in sharing something that is important to them, a post, a movie clip, a song, a thought who knows but a "discipline" to stop and engage, not while thinking on what needs to be done or while doing something else but making the effort "to stop" listen and engage.

​An Exercise

​Does Gratitude Make Problems Disappear?!

The journey is not magic, it requires effort, a discipline with emotions.  My theory is that if my anger, my rage, loudness could change those areas that are challenging in my life, then I would consider the effort, but I've traveled to many miles and know those areas are only distractions.  Distractions take away our focus and we can miss those priceless, precious memories that will remain with us for a lifetime.

Always a choice...

​Does Gratitude Make Problems Disappear?!

Problems, Challenges are just that, a moment that presents our attention.  Does anything take that away...probably not.  So the real question in my heart, it is not the problem, the challenge, the disappointment, the hurt that takes away a problem, it is my perspective that will determine how "I choose to confront it, how I choose to walk through it, how I choose to look at it, to look at it, to look at it but to now allow it to reside within"

Even if I table it, pray about it, reflect on it, the discipline is not to allow it to "reside within".  

I choose to Exercise, to Exercise Gratitude of what I possess "right now, in this single moment" that is my focus and if I can' appreciate that, I remind myself, I have life and someone was not afforded that this morning.

Gratitude is more than a word, it is an action

Thank you for being here.  Thank you for connecting and joining with me in #PlantingSeedsof Gratitude 

YPlant a seed with my book: 
Live Heart Inspired, 216 pages filled with Images and Words to reflect
You can Preview before Purchase

Make Someone Smile and Mail a Greeting Card, Mail Gratitude through our affiliate.
The company will Print it, put in an envelope and mail it. 
​No Contract, mail one card or mail many it's up to you

Share our Brand of Gratitude  
Wear, Share and Surround your life with what represents this community.
It is our Focus and it represents this community

#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent