Category Archives: Gratitude

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Honoring Dr. Jeanette Cates – Day #4 – Honor Someone Who Has Inspired You

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catesheadshot300 Today’s honoree is a very special person in my life in SO MANY WAYS! I could (and probably will) say that about many folks during my “Top 30 Month” but Dr. Jeanette Cates holds a particular place in my heart – and mind.

I first met Dr. Cates in 2006 at a Jim Edwards conference. I had just started my business and knew how to do teleseminars with my business partner. Dr. Cates was speaking on, imagine that, teleseminars. I was intrigued by her teaching style, her knowledge and most of all by the fact that she lived just 70 miles up the road from me in Austin, Texas – at that point in my business life I thought that all IMPORTANT people were untouchable and lived “far away” (even though George Strait lives “far away” although he’s right here in San Antonio).

As the conference went on my shy little self finally got the courage to talk to Dr. Cates and thank her for her information and expertise.  We talked a bit and then I crawled back into my hole 🙂

When I got home I made sure that I followed everything she did and bought every product of hers that I could find. Her ability to teach and get the important points and concepts across in such a short period of time – so concisely and succinctly- amazed and pleased me. I had taken many courses that were weeks long and by the time I finished I forgot what was said in week 1. But Dr. Cates could take that information (from several weeks of a course) and place the practical knowledge into our heads in about an hour. I was blown away by her amazing talents to say nothing of her phenomenal knowledge.  She had a follower forever in me.

As the years went by we became closer (I think that’s because I was just a pest that she finally started to accept). We met at a few more conferences and I got a bit less shy and we talked more.  We also found out that she sometimes was in San Antonio and we took advantage of that and had lunch and then I would drive to Austin and we’d have lunch – can you see a pattern here – and a common denominator – food…LOL.

Without boring you I just will say that Dr. Cates has been a very influence in my life as a friend, mentor and internet business presence. There is NO ONE on the internet that can take you from nothing to success in such a short period of time like she can. She is so far beyond all of us (I still am a beginner in many ways even though I’ve done this for 7 years now) but, unlike so many, is able to remember what it was like to be at the beginning and knows exactly what we need.

She is compassionate and caring and will do just about anything for anyone who needs help and wants to learn. She is brilliant (genius is a better descriptor) but is not “too good” for everyone else as you often find in people that smart.

Dr. Cates really wants people to succeed – she’s had opportunities to expand beyond the beginner arena and yet remained a staple for us – a life preserver for us.  There really is no one else out there that fills her shoes. I would follow her anywhere and if she tells me to jump, I jump.

But she is so much more as a person and I owe her my life in so many ways. She stepped forward two years ago and gave me the information and the opportunity to change my life and begin again. I can NEVER thank her enough for that. So, not only has she had such a positive impact on my internet business but also on my personal life. Where in life do you ever have the opportunity to have such a total friendship/relationship. This only happens once in a life time and I know that I am so very blessed and realize that the Law of Attraction has brought Dr. Jeanette Cates into my life for a very important reason – I’m not sure I would be alive today if not for her. Not many people have a friend that has been a life line for them and had such meaning. But I am one who does and I revel in it every day.

Thank you Dr. Cates! For EVERYTHING! I honor you today (and every other day of my current and future life).

Terrie

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Honoring Kay Christopher – Day #3 – Honor Someone Who Has Inspired You

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page27_1 Do you know what EFT is? I didn’t for the longest time but I will tell you that it’s probably THE most important technique I’ve ever learned. And although I had tried it (actually that should read “dabbled in it”), I didn’t think I knew how to use it effectively. I did know that it was something that made me cry out of the clear blue sky one time when I was “tapping” along with a CD I had ordered on pain relief.  THAT really hit home with me but I still didn’t get into it as deeply as I should have – probably out of fear of the unknown and fear that I wasn’t doing it right (so the answer is to not do it at all right? NOT).

EFT is Emotional Freedom Technique or “Tapping” – it’s a form of energy medicine based on the meridians in your body (so based on ancient medical principles – the best kind there is that I’ve ever encountered). If you want to know more about what EFT is you can check out Gary Craig’s website (the founder of EFT).

But this is about another person who’s changed my life. She is  Kay Christopher – my EFT practitioner (I think that sounds weird to put “my” in front of that – like I could own someone but then again people say that Dr. so and so is “my” doctor so I guess it’s accepted..LOL).

I “met” Kay (on the phone) over 2 years ago kind of by accident. She used to be a therapist and I needed an evaluation before a surgical procedure I had so a friend recommended I ask her. This friend (who is also on my “Top 30” list so stay tuned) had told me about Kay’s doing EFT but since she lived in Austin I didn’t really see how I could do any of that “stuff” on the phone. But I called Kay to find out if she could do the other evaluation. She told me ‘no’ she didn’t do that any more. But since I had her on the phone and was anxious about the surgery I thought “what the heck” maybe I’ll see what this “phone EFT” is. So I made an appointment with her.

There was no looking back after that. I was hooked. And I began changing. Almost every week, Kay guided me through all the changes that were to come in my life. I had no idea so many changes were coming. I knew I wasn’t happy and that my life was actually quite a stick_figure_holding_letter_e_400_clr_7746 stick_figure_holding_letter_f_400_clr_7701 mess.  But it was a nebulous entity – I was so wrapped up in work and was working almost every hour of every day (still trying to cover for a doctor who had died in 2007 and also creating a new computer system stick_figure_holding_letter_t_400_clr_7742for our organization etc). My health was not good. I had no relationships outside of work (you need time for that). All my life equaled was work and I knew that at 62 years old I did NOT want that anymore.  And this was even before I met Dan.

EFT helped unblock the energy flow in my body (my description, not anything official). Although major changes happen each time you tap, there are so many layers of blockage that it’s like the proverbial onion that needs to be peeled back.

Kay worked with me every single week – patiently helping me uncover areas that I wanted to work on. So we’d tap and tap and tap and almost every week another change took place in me. She is such an expert at uncovering my problem areas and asking the correct questions to find out what I needed – probing questions which I didn’t always like but I trusted Kay enough to know that they were vital questions.

Would I have begun working with Dan last year without Kay – I’m not sure. It took courage for me to go to the gym and ask for help (it’s always been difficult for me to ask for help all my life – until I got into working with Kay) because I felt I wasn’t worth it or worth taking up his time. I would have been worried about the embarrassment of an old fart working out in front of all the other people there, etc.

Would I have started running again without Kay? I don’t know that either. I suspect I might not have for the same reasons. Fear – she has helped me conquer so much fear in so many areas of my life – many people keep telling me how much I’ve accomplished in my life – and I guess they are right but FEAR has held me back from achieving so much more.

Would I have had the courage to show up at Parvaneh’s events and then ask her if I could actually continue running with the folks of her caliber. NO, I would not have had that courage. I can say that flat out. Without tapping and Kay’s “unroofing” of my inner fears and conflicts I would NEVER have showed up at that first event. And if I had, I would never have gone back. For that alone I owe Kay so much. I cannot thank her sufficiently.

You may be saying to yourself – “well, that’s her job, after all Terrie you are paying her”. And yes, you’re right I am paying her. But you can pay alot of people and still not have them help you to such a great degree week after week after week. A lot of folks reach their limits in how they can help you but Kay has NEVER reached any limits (except maybe patience with me but she’s never mentioned it fortunately) – her experience and knowledge are boundless and I continue to be impressed weekly with her kindness, compassion as well as her brilliance.

Thank you Kay – without you  I don’t know where I would be today but it would definitely be in a very bad place.

Terrie

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Honoring Daniel Sampeck – Day #2 – Honor Someone Who Has Inspired You

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dan Day 2 is here and this is easy – my personal trainer – Dan(iel) Sampeck is way up on the list. This man has completely changed my life in just about 1 1/2 years.

I finally got the courage to ask at my gym if there was someone who could help me get rid of my upper back pain (I was very grateful that my lower back pain had gone when I took off some weight). At that point (Sep-October 2011) I was hoping to participate in another 3 day Breast Cancer walk (3 days = 60 miles) but I was having such pain in my upper back when I walked that I knew I wouldn’t be able to tolerate that for 3 days. That was the incentive that got me past my shyness to go ask. The woman who talked to me said she felt this guy, Dan, would be great for me. So I made arrangements to meet with him.

And my life has changed completely since I first met with Dan!

Not only did my back pain improve but it didn’t really matter because I got the courage to try to run again (strangely it didn’t hurt when I ran – go figure). Dan also taught my muscles to work properly and improved my balance (although there is still a very long way to go on that one). I now revel in the compliments I get (especially at Whole Foods where I go after my workouts to get salad for dinner) on my arms – and they are endless comments too. So Dan also taught me about vanity…LOL – but in a good way.

I have worked with him 3 times a week for this past year and a half and I can tell you that there is absolutely NOTHING that I wouldn’t do for him – that’s how much he has changed my life and inspired me. He had to listen to endless thoughts, comments, and worries about my training for the New York City Marathon and he was always so supportive about it. He created workout plans that would work the muscles I needed for running.

He also worked the most important muscle – my mind. He knows how to motivate and encourage everyone and is such a nice guy (except when he chuckles and raises the weight from what you’re comfortable with – that evil laugh is enough to put you in a rage – if you weren’t already exhausted from the workout..LOL). He can tell when there’s something wrong and usually he can figure out what it is and then figure out what the perfect solution to it is.

He is very humble. If you look on the internet you’ll see all his body building contest pictures and you’d wonder how I could say he’s humble – but he is. He is sure of himself but not in an obnoxious or conceited way. He pays attention to you AND he cares about you. He will never be sidetracked or look at his phone or other people when he’s watching you work out. He wants to make sure you do it right. And you know what? You want to do it right because you know he’s there and you think “geez, if he cares so much I better care and I better do what he tells me because he’s got a good reason for telling me to do it”.

He’s caring and compassionate although he doesn’t want anyone to know that.

How’s this for caring. He hid this from me and I’m so glad it turned out ok as it was. He planned to go to New York in November to surprise me at the Marathon – that’s phenomenal in and of itself. And then when I told him I had decided it wasn’t right to go, he finally told me (it was too late for me to change because I’d cancelled my reservations) and although I felt really bad (I didn’t know at that time that the marathon would be cancelled) but he made me feel ok because he told me he was also going to p302890_4413659232773_1324206015_nropose to his girlfriend – which apparently turned out great – he wouldn’t tell me differently anyway. But I was so moved that he would go to all that effort and trouble to be supportive of me. Not many people can say that they have that kind of support.

He is always positive and a light at the end of a tunnel – a very long day at work. He got me through a year of very difficult working conditions (when we were working on finalizing the computer project that I’d been working on for over 2 years and getting ready to deploy it- – a major computer system for our organization). Even when I was tired and just wanted to go home, I knew that I would feel better when I was done working out with him. And I did!

As a result of his training (mental and physical) I had the courage to do all those races in a row in December, then try my 50 mile event last weekend and then do a marathon in Austin this past weekend. I don’t think I could have done as well with all his hard work with me.

Dan is the true embodiment of a “personal trainer” and I owe him my life – sincerely. Without him I’d probably be gaining weight again and be back to being a slug. I don’t know how to adequately thank him for all he’s done for me and meant to me.

You are terrific Dan! Thank you for coming into my life!

Terrie

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Today’s The Real Day To Practice Gratitude…

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 “Black Friday”. I don’t like that phrase – period. It has many connotations to me – what about you?

Anyway, though, it’s a day when everyone is out at the stores trying to get bargains on their Christmas (holiday) shopping. And they are not always very friendly when they are trying to get as many bargains in as many places as possible. People push and shove and aren’t very friendly – it’s all about them it seems. Sure, they couch it in “I’m trying to get gifts for my family” but it’s all about them – there’s nothing about the other folks in line.

Now is when you MUST practice gratitude/thanksgiving and do it pretty continuously if you’re out there with them. If you forgot to get your weekly supplies at the store and have to go today, practice your Rampage of Appreciation technique (I’ll talk about that in a minute) and see if that helps make your day go better. Although we only officially celebrate gratitude on one day (yesterday) we should be practicing gratitude EVERY DAY! Do you have your copy of the Gratitude Journal? Are you using it?

Did you know that gratitude is the quickest way to achieving all you want in life – the Universe responds to gratitude and appreciation more than it does to anything. The vibrations associated with gratitude are amongst the highest. And when you have high vibrations, you will attract the best to you. Make a practice of using your Gratitude Journal every day from now until Christmas and see if a) you’ve established a habit that will stick with you and b) what have you attracted in that time period – the more you record the better – it will also become your success journal. You’ll see the successes you have because you will be grateful for them and will write them down every day. That way, all you have to do is read through the journal to see how far you’ve come.

Now for the “Rampage of Appreciation” – this is a great process from Abraham-Hicks! Try this as you are standing in line at a store (you can use it any time, any place though). Look around you and find something you like. Then start talking (to yourself) about how beautiful it is and how great the improvements or changes are in the store etc. For example: “I really like the way they have decorated this year. That shelf is so neat and the surrounding area is really clean. Look at how they have matched the colors and put them in a cool green and red pattern for Christmas. Oh, and I really like the friendliness of that woman behind the register – no matter what is said to her, she’s always smiling and has a pleasant word. There are a ton of people in line and she’s not fazed in the least. She’s just so happy and friendly and seems to put everyone at ease. I notice a beautiful change in all the people in line as they get close to her. It’s as if she’s radiating the spirit of Christmas and happiness and joy. How could anyone NOT absorb that attitude. And the managers – how cool is it that they have Christmas badges and hats and don’t seem to be bothered by them – it helps them stand out for those needing their services but not appearing ostentatious…..” and you just go on and on and see how it changes the way you feel. The Rampage of Appreciation is something really fun to do and will change how you feel about things in your life!

So now – no matter where you are today, make sure you do at least one Rampage of Appreciation – comment below on how you did with it and what happened!

Terrie

p.s. I find it hard to understand why the made “Small Business Saturday” the day after Black Friday when people will have spent much (if not most) of their allotted money the day before. Does that indicate lack of real support for Small Businesses and just giving it lip service? Something to think about.

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The Power of Gratitude

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My “Gratitudes” – this story is really important right now if you’re faltering either in your attempt to find out what your “Successes” are for 2012 or if you think you’ve made the correct list but are floundering around and not feeling very successful. Infusing your life and your goals with some gratitude may help get you back on track – IF you’ve followed the steps to creating your Success List.

I may have shared this before but it’s never too late to reiterate it since it was such a powerful moment in my life.

I have always been a big proponent of the power of gratitude but I don’t think I ever really applied it with a strong “need” before the spring/summer of 2004.

You see, I had just been “blessed” by getting a job offer in San Antonio – I was living in Virginia then.

Let me digress a bit and explain that part of the story. I was in the Navy and had been for almost 30 years. In 1985 I had been stationed in San Antonio and absolutely loved it. In fact, that was where I became exposed to New Thought. As I was transferred to the East Coast I declared “I’ll be back here” – my friends laughed at me because there weren’t any other Navy opportunities for me in San Antonio.

But, over the years I held on to that idea in the back of my head. In 2003-2004 I began to talk to my friends in Virginia about a non-profit organization that I want to start. They would ask where it was going to be – out of nowhere I replied “Texas” – I have no idea why I said that – usually those types of responses are the ones you must pay attention to.

Anyway, in the spring of 2004 I was at a conference and my boss forwarded me a notice of a job opening in Washington DC (where I was already working) doing the SAME job I was already doing and had been for 11 years. Of course, my interest was peaked. For once, fortunately, I scrolled down and you won’t believe what popped up right up in front of my eyes. There was the same job offer in SAN ANTONIO, Tx – right where I was stationed 20 years prior. Imagine my joy at this.

However, I never imagined I would get the job so I did a very sloppy job of filling out the application, hit send and forgot about it. Several weeks later I received a phone call and the conversation went something like this “Everyone here loves you, Terrie and the job is yours” – how’s that for an interview? The Universe was really working for me. Of course, I said ‘yes’!

So, I flew to San Antonio to try to find a house. I had two dogs and had certain things I wanted to have in my property – I’ll tell you about my “outside access” manifestation in another post. I had four days to find a house. I wasn’t being successful. My realtor was wonderful and she drove me around looking at this place and that place and on and on. Nothing was right. I can’t even remember the reasons they weren’t right but I was getting desperate because I had to return to Virginia and had to start getting ready for my retirement from the Navy and a move to San Antonio, Tx! But, things didn’t seem to be working.

Then I began to question whether or not I should do this, whether or not it was right for me, was I acting too impulsively, etc. I even went so far as to talk to my boss and tell him I wanted to withdraw my request for retirement. Fortunately he told me he didn’t think that was going to to be possible – however, that just increased my anxiety.

So, the next to last night I was to be there, I laid down on my friend’s couch and all these horrible things were going around in my mind. What to do?

Suddenly it came to me. I started to say my “gratitudes” – I remembered that gratitude was the most powerful “action” anyone could take. I told myself that I had nothing to lose so I started in my anxious state to just be grateful for simple things – things that were easy to come up with – my mother, my father, my life in the navy, my health etc. I said “I am grateful for…..” over and over until I fell asleep very calm and serene.

The next morning I woke up still calm and relaxed, I knew things were going to work out – and they did. I found the house of my desires that day. As soon as I walked in that door I knew that this house was meant for me. But more about that in another post.

The primary point here (other than the power of manifestations) is that being grateful and showing that gratitude to the universe brought me everything I needed and wanted at least 10 times over. It took away all the external anxiety and as a result, all the internal anxiety. It allowed a direct route to me from the Universe. It was like a laundry chute. The Universe poured all that good into the chute and once I had said my “gratitudes” I opened the door and put the laundry bin under that chute and all those wonderful, good things fell into my life.

So, next time you’re feeling anxious, try saying or writing your “gratitudes”. You can use the Gratitude Journal that I had made for this purpose. It really works and it means lot to be able to look back and see what it glorious things have happened to you..but the fun part is to also record the small things, the things that happen everyday – “I found a parking space up close to Target” for instance. “I didn’t hit one red light on the way to work this morning” – anything you’re grateful for – put it down.

Enjoy the power of gratitude!

Terrie