My Sandbox
"Making Gratitude Contagious"
Which began in 2014 to INSPIRE
Now it is "Gratitude Intensified"
Which began in 2014 to INSPIRE
Now it is "Gratitude Intensified"
 Keep Your Focus Emotions Don't Determine the Distance Photos and Posts Don't Defined the Truth There is Always a Story Behind a Smile  Keep Your Focus Embrace "Your" Journey Don't Get Distracted by What is on the Right or On the Left  Keep Your Focus "MGC"
#MakingGratitudeContagious is Always the Intent
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 Love these words... "We Can't Direct the Wind, but We Can Adjust the Sails" From that thoughts flow and reflecting on... "As a Man Thinketh in his heart, so is he" Proverbs 23:7 "...but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2 It takes the same energy to address challenges, distractions, pursuits etc and the change, the effort is not determined by how "we feel" emotions are very unstable. When you can "feed your perspective", when your work is within. Like a seed what is inside will grow and it is not limited, it can expand and become stronger and no matter the winds, the storm, the disruptions, the thoughts that battle your peace, "living inside out" is the muscle and it can outrun external things around you. How?! Not an answer, a perspective for you to consider, to mode to your own journey Consider, if a rock is blocking your way, your perspective, your focus goes beyond the rock, it will even consider what can be learned about the rock and the focus will see the areas around the rock and even more what can be done with the rock on your present day journey and even shared with others traveling with you or coming up behind. It is not the Wind It is not the Storm It is not the Distractions Is is not the Thoughts that come to weigh you down, to whisper defeat It is the Adjusting of the Sails It is feeding, overeating on the words, the media that empowers your perspective In those places you find solutions IN those places even without having an answer...You Have Peace Peace allows us to hear, to see, to know, to find Solutions To take what is in our hand and to see the Value of that To Recognize what is priceless "We Can't Direct the Wind but We Can Adjust the Sails"  #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
 Making Gratitude Contagious is always the intent   In An Instant Blueprints are torn up, plans are changed, in fact, the route, the journey, the path is not only unknown, but it is also no longer familiar. The view has changed… In An Instant What was stable, secure, known is now a question mark. The work is necessary for all areas and for me, that included my core, my center, my faith, my Creator For me, Faith has been my anchor, not by what I read, or heard about, but by Firsthand Experience. My Creator, God is a Father, a relationship and I’ve always known there are Hills and Valleys along life’s journey, I’ve walked my share of both. With all I’ve known and know, I didn’t know…This Gravity of a Storm was allowed… Trust becomes a question... In An Instant When Life is Disrupted The door is kicked in Things are thrown around You find your “core” you find out the strength of your muscles physically, mentally and spiritually...not because you were looking to find out….not an option the moment chooses you In An Instant This is on the heels of a “Tragic” loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter and all the family members...my family knows firsthand the “Ripple” effect. My Heart, my Thoughts and Prayers go out to these families. In An Instant My family is more than my household, it runs 7 levels deep and wide...A Ripple effect that present-day continues to travel in numerous households, numerous families and friends In An Instant So much more than what you “possess” it is a connection that is “ripped” from your life In An instant I often share my Heart is Tattooed forever, true statement, life continues the same as it should with scars, heart tattoos but it is the cycle of life. Tattooed hearts, tears in celebration. Thank God for Faith, hope beyond a Grave. ”In An Instant” The subtitle of every page written along my journey is “No One Promise Me Tomorrow Will Look the Same As Today” it doesn’t mean I’m not attached to emotions, to thoughts, it means that the Wisdom of That, is that I live with Intent in moments Standing on my Truth, continuing to seek Wisdom from my Creator In An Instant That Truth…  “No One Promised Us that Tomorrow will look the Same as Today” allows the decisions in a moment, determines the Words Spoken, determines the actions, it determines the Decision in the Moment. In An Instant Why does sharing fulfill me because I experienced “Choice”, I experience choosing to Love, to share Laughter, to give Space when needed and Yes, Life was Altered in an Instant which tattooed my heart but I lived full, I lived Gratitude and because of that I robbed the thief named Regret…and that is the Gift I want to share, the power that, robbing the Thief, making Pain Pay Dividends, Soaring "daily work and exercise" above the storm. A gift That I want many to experience I want “us” to live accountable, not pointing fingers I want us to Love I want us to Confront issues "we" all have in our lives, personal work I want us to Know our Truth I want us to Speak our Heart I want us to Live with and operating with others with Gratitude So When Life “Shifts” not If, but when we will fill the gravity of the Chair Removed Space no longer occupied But We In An Instant Will Add a Tattoo to our Heart Not a Weight Not a Regret In An Instant We will walk into the Next Chapter Looking around and asking...How Can I be of Service on the pages to be written in our lives How Can I take “In An Instant” And fill it with Being the Change Our Life being used as a Seed into the lives of many Not the Same for all of us Not a Platform Not a Stage A Seed Planted everywhere our daily travel takes us In An Instant Shake Awake, participate in moments, participate in making others smile, deliver Peace in the room that you enter… The Work is within Within spills out into what surrounds you That is the Priceless Commodity In An Instant Decide To Live Inside Out #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the Intent Thank you for being here Thank you for sharing Thank you for Traveling this Unfamiliar  2014 represented many beginnings along the Journey this company was one of them...Why?! Connected to this resource because of the core mission of the owner and The why behind the many who are connected and because it is resource Connected to the core of his Community Planting Seeds of Gratitude #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the Intent Together We Know Our Why We Do the Work We Plant the Seeds of Gratitude along our Journey and We Watch it Grow and We Recognize we Live the Moments We Bring the Vibe of the Change We Want to See #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the Intent Be the Change Not "Someone Should..." If YOU If I If WE SEE the need Than that someone Includes You, I and We #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the Intent
 Life is not a movie...or is it?! I’m very grateful for Helping Build Bridges Across community, It started from a sandbox and now a community. It has purpose and an intent of #MakingGratitudeContagious, many connecting and joining in planting seeds of gratitude and together we observe seeds sprouting and growing. We share conversation, perspective, our experiences are not the same, our way of life or how we live may not look the same but here a common thread is operating from love and with respect to each other. We can exist agreeing to disagree and that is beautiful. My fulfillment is found as some know in sharing encouragement but that also includes conversation. The community represents for me, not sharing Answers but having a conversation, I know my truth, I’ve chosen and I know the Truth that I’m willing to die on but I believe in being open to listening, listening without a need to debate every thought, most times to “just listen” no listening to reply but to allow a space to share. A privilege to be able to share, to have an opportunity to talk, to be able to provide a Perspective, while at the same time allowing those who hang out to share their Perspective also. We all have to consider our truth, WE each have to be willing to decide what to die on...but I would share we each should do the work, our diligence on what that looks like, not just on what “they” say or what we’ve heard but to seek our own truth. A work but when you know your intent, your why, it allows you to live full, Taking a Pause, living aware before speaking having words and intentionally choosing your actions every single day. Yes, a work to be awake, to be alert to why we do what we do. I believe while each and every person determines that, in the midst of, in the middle of, if nothing else we should be able to have a common thread and that is “operating in love” being able to not live in judgment but to share a space of love and if nothing else a level of respect for each other. Life is not a movie...or is it?! As I continue, allow me to set the stage of how this Post was inspired, I posted one of my favorite images, a throwback image in the social media village a couple of days ago, the image was as follows.  One of the H.B.B.A. family, posted a reply... “This is not a movie you can’t keep killing things in your mind” Again please know, I love conversation because we speak our own truth, our own perspective and yes we each have our turn to talk, to listen and to share at least in this village of “HBBA” including the time to agree to walk away from the conversations agreeing to disagree. A tribe with a common vibe but uniquely living our own journey. I’m humbled and grateful for that. These words resonated because it allowed me to pause and consider that the posts, the images, the words, the videos are like walking on clouds to some people, as if posting, sharing means you have it all figured out. As an observer, it could be perceived that one has mastered the skills of containing emotions or living only in positive vibes. Living victorious... Life is not a movie...or is it?! Those words ...Life is not a Movie, really meaty words because you can go in so many directions on that premise. What is life in a movie? What does a movie represent, does the good guy always win? Is the perceived “good guy” the winner? is there always a happy ending? What does a happy ending really mean, or look like? Does life represent something different on the screen versus something in real life? As I considered this, I wondered what is seen, perceived, assumed in my posts that created the thoughts of... it is not tangible? I could add, there are many types of movies, genres, themes, messages but in reviewing my social media post It is not far fetched to assume that my glass appears half full, that my position appears to find the light in a dark room, to be alert to the disruptions, the weights in my life and deciding not to focus on that component, aware, very aware of weighted thoughts because I live it, because I have my own battles, including distractions. Like you many thoughts knock on my door, my heart and my mind. Along my journey, along my walk, I want always want to know the How, for those who appear to walk through, How...My share is my journey but I give so that someone can take what might be an asset along there journey. The choice I made is to “exercise” in many areas, taking the reigns on my emotions, some days, my emotions are very stubborn and not easy to grab hold of but again to “exercise”, I have things that come up that are unexpected, frustrating, so again “exercise” what thoughts are allowed to visit, what thoughts are allowed inside recognizing the intent is to set up camp, to reside in my heart. I have to decide to not entertain those thoughts. “Exercise” is for a lifetime because no matter your current state, you, I, we will battle “thoughts”, knowing that allows us to prepared “when” not if, but when they show up, “to exercise” in showing them the exit, in reaching for those things, those words, those images, that overshadow the worry, that overshadow the defeat or the sadness. This does not imply that you turn off your emotions, if you need to cry, if you need time alone that’s healthy. This is an alert to be aware to not let the faucet continue to run without addressing if more help is needed. To Exercise, to be aware, In fact, that is how “No One Said Easy” was adopted. “No One Said Easy” now that I know that I “exercise” in learning more about the Gift of Peace, to focus on, to seek, to learn more about Peace, the Peace of God, I study, it’s my Focus because like a muscle, the more I “exercise” in the burn, the discomfort. The more that this gift called Peace becomes stronger, the more that it shows up, the more that it reigns over disruptions, the more that I learn the power of Peace. Not mastered, “an exercise” in the moments. Not mountains, moments. “An Exercise” for a lifetime. If any other emotion, worry, stress anxiety could change my situation I would exercise in those areas but I have traveled enough miles to tell you that those emotions are not game changers, those emotions do not change anything. Life is not a movie...or is it?! My God, you can’t imagine a moment in time that snatches the carpet from under your feet, that is a sucker punch and takes your breath away, that kicks you down a tunnel in an instant and at the most inopportune time, noting a loved one who dies or in this case, murdered, there is no right time. Even those who die in the elder years doesn’t make it the best time. These are loved ones and life changes when their presence is gone, that personality, that spirit has moved on and it is a noticeable change, as the years continue more of those we love will part company and every exit represents a missing chair and it is a notable moment and a noticeable change. In fact, one common thing that we share, no matter our belief, our color, our culture, our age, our status, we will attend many services as a guest until we are the honoree. “Just the truth.” In an instant, our lives changed, my sons and I and not at the best time, noting that there would have never been the right time, 13 and 16-year-old boys had lost a father, a dad who was active in their lives. Their dad adored them giving into their lives what he thought a father should be and they adored him because he was there, he showed up and was involved. So “in an instant” represents something that words cannot express. Life is not a movie...or is it?! As a woman of Faith, which is a significant statement and cannot be an honorable mention, or side note, it is the note, the title, the paragraph, the book. For me, having a relationship with my creator, one that started prior to being married, which included being married for almost 20 years, so that provides some foundation of seeking, learning more about God, my faith is Christianity and it is the Faith, the Grace that walked me through an unimaginable moment. It is the Faith that allows me to live in a Freedom that can’t be measured, which introduced me to a Priceless Gift called Peace. A Peace that can allow you to be in a space, a moment with everything being thrown around you, with noise, with thoughts intended to rob you, thoughts with the intent to kick you in a dark room and leave you there. God’s Grace, His Peace allows me to walk in a Peace that I can’t describe, that again key word I “exercise in” Like you, I’m no different and YES life delivers distractions, tries to set up tents of stress, whispers of anxiety, events create havoc or knocks things over, creates hindrances, attempts to paints pictures of defeat, intentions to rob my joy...intentions to be concerned about matters of my heart, many of which I have no control over but thoughts dance around me. The Anointing teaches more and more, the more I experience, the more I learn about this unending flow of this Gift called Peace, a Peace that allows Calmness in the midst of a storm, in the moments of valleys and uncertainty. A Peace that allows celebration in the midst of tears, a Peace aware, very aware of disruptions and noise but doesn’t allow it to reside inside, does not allow it to rob me, my family or generations that I will never meet in this lifetime. Allow me to state again, not a religion, a relationship with God. I learned throughout my journey prior to that tragic, life-altering moment, that disrupted my home, my family on September 7th, 2016, that the Word of God was and is for me a road map, it didn’t make every day easier and it didn’t shelter me from painful moments, or life-changing moments, it provided a guide of what this life is for me, this journey. It didn’t and doesn’t shelter me from tears, concerns about my family and future for my sons. It instead provided me a shelter, it explained that no matter what my present circumstances are , that a living God lives in my life, He is present, His Grace knows my name. He is a God of Purpose and He can see over the mountain and it is beyond me and beyond my understanding. Life is not a movie...or is it?! Making Pain Pay Dividends is my punch back to the evil that sucker punched me and the work centers around that, #MakingGratitudeContagious which has so many layers that I haven’t even come close to peeling back. Life is whatever movie you choose to write, like a movie it has scenes of Oh No, or How will we ever, but for most they have a thread of possibilities, of We can get through, We will make it, etc The posts, the images, the words of encouragement are the pages I write, I exercise, I choose to focus on, it is the movie, I’m choosing to focus on. To living, it is the pages I choose to write. My fulfillment is found in when crazy shows up, my muscles are getting stronger, my exercise is creating a reflex of Peace in the midst of crazy, not to walk on clouds but to be still, to be calm so that I can hear clearly the options that are available, that is just a fraction, just a fraction of what the Gift of Peace offers. Life is not a movie...or is it?! We each have to decide. We each have to decide what to focus on, what to exercise in our life. Life is not a movie...or is it?!  As I close… There is one reminder, we have a place that is “our equalizer” our Chapter that will come to a close, our movie will have closing credits. “Just Truth” lets not sleep on those words. Those words will allow us to choose he words we speak, those words will determine the actions we take, those words will allow us to Pause before making a decision. There is a cost in the process and it doesn’t make me special, accolades and applause...please know are not required. I am not concerned if “no one” ever knows my name, my focus, my drive, “I care” that I drop kick the evil that visited my home,the system and all that surrounds it, “I care” about that which shattered my heart. I care that I had the heart to start, I’m grateful and hopeful to know my sons have an opportunity and that generations will have a choice, that family members, dear friends, H.B.B.A. Family and all those I will never meet can consider that Storms are a part of our journey, that “No One Said Easy” but now that we know that we are “Not Overwhelmed” “We are not Surprised” we “exercise in what we have learned and we live fully in the gift called peace. Flowers will grow out of these ashes. Life is not a movie...or is it?! I’m “Completely” UNPLUGGED from “they”, my vision is sitting still and asking God now what, what can grow out of this madness...that is what matters to my heart. This is not a religion, this is a heart who desires to finish my part until my chapter ends. “Just Truth” The fact that so many things have been thrown my way...allows me to take it personal, “Now I Need to Know” what is trying to make me draw back, what is trying to make me retreat. Now that makes me “Exercise” more and I have no choice but to “continue forward” because I have to know. ‘Just Truth” “When You Know” Some Things are not for everyone and then there are some things designed just for you. Thank you, (you know who you are in this Village) who simply replied with these simple words and it generated a thought and allowed this to flow… “This is not a movie you can’t keep killing things in your mind” ***Thank you for speaking your heart’s truth, it allowed us to have conversation, it allowed for these words to flow. Eagle Hugs Nothing we do, each and every one of us, no matter how small it appears to be, just sharing our truth. If you feel led to say it...than Say. If you feel led to do...than Do. All of which should come from a heart with good intentions, with love and you never know what it opens up to, to what it allows to be released but when you genuine, if nothing else it allows “PEACE”  Life is not a movie...or is it?! Thank you for being Here Thank you for Reading, Listening and Watching Thank you for Sharing, Wearing and Surrounding your life with Gratitude Thank you for Traveling this Unfamiliar Path with me Live Heart Inspired Can We Talk Wear, Share and Surround your Life Listen Up In the Flow of Words Someone is on your Heart #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent 
When Strong Winds Blow... Could it be designed, to make you question that what is lodged inside your heart to bring a positive change, to make a difference in the lives of others is not of any value?! Could it be designed to make you believe that the season of your life, your current state or circumstance has nothing to offer to the hearts who surround you today?! When Strong Winds Blow Consider... Could It be the direction, the path, the road That you should Pursue and Press Toward?! Consider... When Strong Winds Blow In this Season In this Moment There is a Heart you cannot see But You can speak You can share The Ointment that soothes a Bleeding Heart You can share what you have walked through Consider... Someone Somewhere Is now Confronted with Consider... God's Grace has an appointment His Ways are not our ways His Thoughts are above our Thoughts Consider... Who is Wiser Who can see over the Mountain Who knows the End from the Beginning Consider... Who do YOU Trust When the Strong Winds Blow ~HS Consider... Every "seed" that is planted has the Potential To Grow The question then becomes what are you Planting? And What will Grow? Thank you for being here
Thank you for sharing Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me Consider... Joining with me Planting Seeds to make Gratitude Grow #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent  Flowers and Weeds...What in the Amazon World?! Along my Life's Journey, I describe the travel as New Chapters, new pages being written. Seeds being planted that begin to sprout which is a part of my why along this journey. You have moments along the journey, that you have to ask yourself, "what in the world" is this about?! I just had to share one of these moments because it is my Truth and quite funny. I wrote a book, "Live Heart Inspired" 2nd Edition; a collaboration of blogs written from 2014 to learn more visit the "Live Heart Inspired" page. So on this journey, I decided to write the book and then next step distribution, I jumped into unknown waters with the intent to share my vibe, sharing words that encouraged me. Simply, trying to move outside of my comfort zone, finding myself in unknown territory I made the decision to release into a market that I had no clue about. A Global Book Distribution market...Only to find out after jumping in that I selected the wrong Paper Stock for my type of book, which created the first issue pertaining to cost. Then "after submission" I learned that Amazon, sets a price above the Publisher cost in the Global Distribution market, which out of the gate, set the price at $53.00 for my book. Submission, means immediate circulation, not a pre-approval on the potential cost, which is known "after" it's in circulation. The book was in circulation, swimming in the waters with the Sharks at $53.00???!! to start. Please Note: I would not pay that for any book including even my own work, "What in the Amazon world?!" is happening. Please note, even as I share this, the price continues to rise. I now offer this book direct only from the Publisher. I just had to share "the image" above, LOL!! What in the Amazon World? Please don't take my word for it, Google the book, "Live Heart Inspired" by Donyale and share a good laugh with me. This book continues to climb in cost in the entire online marketplace, not just with Amazon who sets the market rate. Can you believe it?! This is my journey and my Truth. I can enjoy a good laugh but at least I decided to jump, to continue forward, in spite of the craziness present day. What do I say now...Simply, So be it. In fact, for me it's a game...How High Can It Go in the Marketplace??? Lol. While observing and choosing to have Fun with this, a moment back to business...Tribe please know there is a Direct Publisher Link to purchase with common sense. Thank you for Purchasing, Thank you for Sharing. Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me. Eagle Hugs. The price for "Live Heart Inspired" by Donyale **2nd Edition Direct Publisher Link is: $19.59/book Listen up, when you're pressing through, when you're sharing, if you don't think you will be challenged along the way, my dear friend you are sadly mistaken. In this community, the shared vibe, we know that "No One Said Easy" now that we know that we continue forward. It's not what happens, it's what we choose to do with it that matters. Thank you beyond words that I know how to express, my deepest gratitude, to each and everyone of you who have already purchased this book, This purchase answers an eagle call and with it you are joining with me, planting seeds of Gratitude. This 2nd Edition; "Live Heart Inspired" is a Journal book, with words to consider, with Images and Words to stop and reflect on your own Truth, a book to reflect on your own Perspective. My prayer is that it will Inspire and Encourage you. "Live Heart Inspired" final release offered now as a "2nd Edition" You can purchase direct publisher for $19.59. What in the Amazon world?! I'm not upset: I'm just sharing my vibe with our tribe and including to make sure you're aware of where to purchase it at a common sense price of $19.59/book Amazon, no fault to you, even though you would have to know a book at this price, now at $104.00 +, would never sell. Could it be that you use the traffic, to recommend other products?! It's called business, so be it. I'm a Prime member and I like most appreciate a good deal! I do know "why" you do what you do with books...it's called business, it's about taking traffic for any product, and offering, recommending other products, allowing the buyer to decide. I get it, not upset because I'm the one who dived in without understanding the full system. I accept my truth. By the Way, to "You" the future author who has something to say...Lets go, share your words, your truth and observation, that's a beautiful thing and we are all waiting. Eagle Hugs, Donyale Yep...you already know "No One Said Easy" but now that we Know that we Pick up the Pen and write this page for "this new day" #MakingGratitudeContagious is my way and will always be the intent.
Thank you for traveling this unfamiliar path with me!   Thank you God for your Grace
Thank you for in the midst of my Pain, my Discomfort, my Uncertainty you never leave me Thank you because you teach me that it doesn't matter the circumstances Thank you because you've taught me it doesn't matter how I feel What matters is the Truth of Your Word and Your Promises I can't see the full Blueprint I can't pretend to Know Why certain things are allowed or happens along my Journey But I continue to Trust You I continue to Seek You, your Word, your Truth and your Wisdom This Journey is so much more than Just about Me So much more than my story behind my smile My Journey is no longer about what I heard about or about what I've read This journey is about what I've learned firsthand which includes Peace in my life beyond my own Understanding in the midst of Disruptions even in the Midst of Uncertainty and Unbelievable Storms I Trust You God In the midst of the Storm, in the midst of Winds Raging Is this Easy?....No But You are the Potter and I am your Clay Your Creation The doors that you open No One Can Shut and The doors that you Close No One Can Open So my Journey continues In the Name of Jesus "No One Said Easy" but now that I know that I continue to write the page for this day Life is a Gift A Priceless Commodity and My intent is to Spend every moment Intentionally Being Grateful for that "No One Said Easy" but Now that I know that I choose to Make the Most of This Day This Page, right now, that is being written Eagle Hugs, Donyale All are welcome in this Community Recognizing our lives are very different Our Beliefs may not be the same Our Journey doesn't look the same Our Experiences are very different We don't think the same and everything doesn't resonate the same I understand that and I'm respectful of that But In this Community HelpingBuildBridgesAcross.com Our common core Is living our best lives and the best for our Generations to follow Our common core is that "Light Always Pierces Darkness" and "Love Always Wins"  Who Understands the "Seed" that is Planted?! No one can see it? What is it doing down in the Ground? Will it Grow? Does it Have Any Potential? Does It....~HS Making Gratitude Contagious is always the Intent
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