{#MondayMotivation} What happens when @Kmart gives select NYC #Bloggers an unlimited budget to shop for @StJude? #Kmart #Love

For those of you that follow me via Social Media, I recently experienced another death in my family. Second one this year if you are keeping count.

It sent me into a very dark tailspin.

One I'm truthfully still trying to shake.

And while I have turned down a majority of events I have been invited to this last quarter of the year, one event invite stood out from the rest.

The opportunity to join with fellow NYC bloggers to support an initiative with Kmart to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Philanthropist Marlo Thomas (daughter of Danny Thomas who founded the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee in 1962) was there with some of the children of St. Jude to lead us in a Toy-Shopping Spree - with my favorite words ever included - 'unlimited budget'. We were told only to 'fill up our carts' and that we were shopping from ages 0-18.

Kmart has marked a milestone achievement of donating $100 Million to St. Jude in total lifetime donations. They are the first Corporate Partner in the hospital's history to attain this landmark donation!

These funds have helped to:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fully treat 206 patients with ALL, the most common form of childhood cancer

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Provide more than 10 million meals for St. Jude Families

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cover the costs of 67,000 days of Chemotherapy

Here are some photo highlights to put a smile in your motivation Monday!

See those cute #Love Hats? They are available at Kmart for $5 and $1 from each hat goes directly to St. Jude!

Special thanks to NYC Blogger and St. Jude Blogger Brand Ambassador, Nichol Perez of fivelittlewords.net for sharing the three photos above with me!

I filled my cart with stuff for pretty much every age group!

MY TAKE:

This is an amazing achievement, and I personally prefer to support brands that are doing something to give back. Way to go Kmart!

I haven't even put up a tree yet with everything I am dealing with (and quite frankly may not), but as a survivor I jumped on the chance to help do something to bring a smile to the children of St. Jude, I know how much a prolonged hospital stay sucks, I know how much Cancer Sucks, anything that makes Christmas a bit brighter for children battling cancer and are in the hospital for Christmas is something I am all about doing.

And I got to experience the joy of giving at a moment where I really needed it most. They have no idea how much I needed to be there and do something to get outside of my own head for a little while.

As I am not a mom it gets super frustrating to be pitched toys all the time, EXCEPT in THIS context!

An event where the toy swag goes directly to the children who need it? YES, PLEASE!

Readers Sound Off: Does knowing that Kmart has reached this milestone level of support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital make you want to shop there just a bit more? Will you pick up a #Love hat this holiday season?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Compensated Post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Kmart Gift Cards were provided to bloggers in attendance as a thank you for our time, not as compensation for the post.

Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her butterfly cocoon of fabulosity: Electronics/Technology (yes I am a Gadget Geek first!), Fashion, Jewelry, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants, Photography and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys (at least not those that are intended for children).

Unless it's charity related, If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly won't want to play.

Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey's Butterfly.

Still here? Now go make someone happy today.

Teaming up with @PGeveryday & @SheSpeaksUp to raise awareness & bring you a great #Giveaway too! #PGBestDefense

{CLOSED}: WINNER IS ENTRY #644 - COURTNEY RENEE, CONGRATULATIONS!

ad: This is a Sponsored Post & Giveaway brought to you in conjunction with SheSpeaks and P&G

I am honored to team up with P&G and SheSpeaks again this year for a very important cause, Breast Cancer Awareness. Last year I participated in the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action where I participated in a blogger round-table with Breast Cancer Survivor and host of E! News Giuliana Rancic, if you missed my recap to that event click HERE. That day inspired me so much that after a visit to my primary (I changed my Primary Doctor shortly after my long term hospitalizations in 2012), where I shared my Family History with Cancer, he opted to have me begin annual Mammograms earlier than I needed to, and I shared about my very first ever Mammogram HERE.

I am so proud of P&G for being consistently involved in such an important cause that directly affects so many lives. I would say too many lives. In fact One in EVERY Eight women will get Breast Cancer in her lifetime. The death rate in fact is actually HIGHER among Latina and African American women. Every hour and a half a Latina woman dies of Breast Cancer in the United States! As a Latina I find this statistic beyond alarming and if I can help in some small way to give another woman the courage to do her self exams MONTHLY, and talk to her Primary Care Physician about getting her Mammogram than I am more than happy to do so.

This year, the P&G Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to educate everyone about the importance of early detection. Throughout the month of October you can visit the P&G Breast Cancer Awareness Website to hear P&G employees' who share inspiring stories about moments made possible in their lives due to early detection and also download the NBCF's Early Detection Plan App!

According to the National Cancer Institute, Early Detection is the BEST defense against Breast Cancer. The earlier it is detected, the higher the survival rate. When detected during the localized, (or early) stage, the five year survival rate is 98%!  An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure my butterflies!

I am actually due for my annual Mammogram very soon, and want to encourage my butterflies that if you have been putting it off, please don't. Schedule your appointment as soon as possible! Breast Cancer, doesn't care how young you are, how healthy and athletic you may be, and it doesn't care that you have no history of it in your family, early detection is the key to saving lives.

P&G goes 'Pink' in October and we partnering with SheSpeaks and P&G to bring you a chance to win some of their most loved products and brands in a 'Pinktober Giveaway'  full of goodies to remind you about the importance of pink!

Enter using Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Double Your Chances to Win and Join the TWITTER PARTY!

**Please Note: Ascending Butterfly is NOT a host or co-host for this party so please direct any and all questions to the host**

Join @PGeveryday and special guest @CoreyWootton for a special Twitter Party about the importance of creating an early detection plan and rallying the women in your life to do the same! (You might want to be sure you are following the hosts before the day of the party, this way if you win the hosts can DM you to get your info for prize fulfillment! and don't forget to RSVP and actively use the hashtag during the party!)

When: Thursday, October 22

Time: 3 p.m. EST

RSVP: http://bit.ly/PGbcaRSVP

Hashtag: #PGBestDefense

My Take:

Cancer has affected my family and I know first hand how devastating it is. Early detection is key for every cancer type not just breast cancer, so please butterflies do your monthly self-exam, and if you have a history of Cancer in your family speak to your primary about referring you for a Mammogram, you do NOT have to wait until age 40 if you have a history in your family or you detect a lump! Playing it safe is the best way to ensure you'll be able to keep playing at all!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored/compensated post and giveaway in conjunction with SheSpeaks and P&G Everyday. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. All opinions are 100% my own and I can't begin to stress just how important early detection is in saving lives. Ascending Butterfly staff are NOT medical experts nor do we make claims to be, always check with your Physician FIRST!

#ad: I am joining @AmericanCancer Society to #finishthefight against #Cancer, because for me, it's very much Personal! Learn how YOU can help too!

Let's Finish The Fight {Sponsored Video}

Disclosure: I am honored to have this opportunity to tell my story as part of the American Cancer Society's 100th Birthday Celebration. While this is a Sponsored Post that includes a Sponsored Video Message, all opinions and stories contained herein are 100% my own. This post is Sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

It's no secret that 'The Big C' has been a major part of my life. I lost my Great-Grandmother to a Brain Tumor, my Grandmother to Uterine Cancer, my Dad to Liver Cancer, and my Mother has battled Ovarian Cancer twice and thankfully is here to tell her tale. Last year I was diagnosed with end stage Lung Cancer despite the fact I have never touched a Cigarette in my entire life. My ongoing battle, (as it stands I am being told by one hospital it's not while another is very sure it is) has not been an easy one. My Godmother, (who is also by blood) my Great Aunt, lost her battle to skin cancer.

I HATE Cancer. There I said it. Hate is not a word I use lightly. I don't use it carelessly. Since I started blogging I have taken as many opportunities as I possibly can to share about initiatives that aid in the fight against Cancer, not just Breast Cancer, but ALL Cancers equally. The fight against Cancer is very much a personal one for me.

In College I helped to put together a Fundraiser Concert for the American Cancer Society, it combined two passions of mine, my love of music (you listen to a lot of music and do a lot of praying while someone you love (or while you yourself), is undergoing testing and treatments) and my desire to aid in the fight in some way. The way fellow students on campus rallied to help is something I have never forgotten.

Will there be a cure in our lifetime? I can't answer that question with total certainty one way or the other, but what I can tell you with 100% certainty is that Cancer does NOT discriminate. It doesn't care how young you are, how much life you have yet to live. It doesn't care if you have a family that needs you. It doesn't care how important you are, it doesn't care what you have done nor does it care what you haven't yet accomplished.

 

Close your eyes and imagine hearing a Doctor tell you that you have end stage cancer and that you are 'on borrowed' time. How would you feel? What is the first thought that crossed your mind? Was it the loved ones you'd be leaving behind? Something you really want to achieve in life that you haven't had the opportunity to do yet?

About The American Cancer Society:

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization that is dedicated to eliminating cancer, they help save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer, by detecting it early, by being there during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through investment in ground-breaking discoveries and by rallying lawmakers and communities worldwide to join the fight.

The achievements of this organization are amazing, they have contributed to a 20% decline in cancer death rates and have helped to save 1.2 million lives. Their efforts have directly lead to a 50% drop in smoking deaths since the 1960's, contributing to a drop in overall lung cancer death rates.

The Fight Continues:

Despite their impressive accomplishments the fight continues! Some current goals include the undertaking of a historic research study called the 'Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3), the goal is to enroll at least 300,000 adults from various racial/ethnic backgrounds from across the US by the end of THIS year. They want to be sure that people facing Cancer have the help they need including a free place to stay during treatment and a ride to get there (I can't begin to stress how important those two things really are when you are facing such an emotionally, physically and spiritually draining process). In addition to the continuation of giving everyone access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air and more! The Society currently operates 31 Hope Lodge Facilities around the country, each offering a home away from home for patients and their caregivers traveling for treatment at no cost.

Where my online persona and my real one meet:

On Twitter, I am 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' as I'm a Twitter Party online hostess, and I'm also a music lover who shares fun tunes and audio accessories that make music sound better because music, and travel are two of my biggest passions. Online, I may be the TwitterPartyDJ, but offline I'm a lucky survivor, and I was super excited to find out two musicians I really like are joining in the fight too, check out these videos by Mary J. Blige and Josh Groban:

YOU CAN HELP:

Silence Won't Finish the Fight AGAINST Cancer:

My Take:

Will YOU take a moment against silence? You can sign up on the American Cancer Society website to join the boldest move yet in the fight against cancer and I hope you will take a moment to do so. Let's help the society with their effort to help people celebrate more birthdays. After you sign up check out the tab that reads '100 Stories of Hope'. If reading those stories don't put your day-to-day temporary worries into perspective, nothing will. Silence never helps anything, let's make noise, let's give this issue a voice online, talking about it raises awareness and raising awareness is the way to get closer to a cure!

Just like I took the StrongMoms Empower pledge, and shared with you recently about #MoonWalkNYC, I have also taken the pledge to help the American Cancer Society to make NOISE to finish the fight against cancer and I hope you will too!

Sixty years ago, 1 out 3 people diagnosed with Cancer survived. Today, thanks in part to the work of the American Cancer Society, 2 out of 3 will survive. Let's make it 3 out of 3!

How has Cancer or the American Cancer Society affected your life Butterfly? Please share your story. Together we can add 100 more stories of hope! 

  ˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of the American Cancer Society. All stories and opinions are 100% my own. I am a survivor and it's important to me personally to empower others with my story!

April 19, 2012 - National High Five Day! Can you High Five for Cancer Research? @NH5D

My friends at Hayneedle tweeted out today that it was National High Five Day and I thought they were joking so I thought I'd look it up, and lo and behold they were right! But it's high fiving with a purpose and a cause, and you know how much Ascending Butterfly loves using the power of social media for social good right? Well the National High Five Project is using the power of the High Five to raise money for Cancer Research.

Giving 55 high fives on National High Five Day helps to raise money for Cancer Research! Pretty cool right? You'll get your own registration page to customize with your picture and your personal goal for how much you hope to raise for cancer research. Send it to friends and family and ask them to make donations to your page (if they do, they'll be entered in drawings for fun prizes).

Approximately 2 in 5 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. All of us have, or will, be affected by a cancer diagnosis in some way. The money raised by this event goes to four cutting-edge research institutes trying to cure cancer once and for all: The Gateway For Cancer Research, the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

So high five today to help those with Cancer come closer to a cure! Kudos to Hayneedle for sharing about this initiative with their followers!

If you missed it, you can read all about my Tide Loads of Hope countdown to Earth Day with Celebrity Television Personality Vanessa Lachey HERE, and learn how YOU can win a Maytag Washer and Dryer. And also, don't forget to RSVP for our upcoming #HHMilkBank Twitter Party on April 24th at 9pm EST/6pm PST with great prizes!

Happy Thursday, and Happy National High Five Day Butterfly!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No compensation has been received to share regarding the National High Five Day Initiative and all opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Purple Tuesday

In honor of our Smashbox giveaway launch, I have dubbed this 'Purple Tuesday'! I will wear Purple, and of course I'm listening to Prince's song 'Purple Rain' in the background as I write today.

Purple is the color for Fall this season, although as far I'm concerned Purple never goes out of style, it's a color I'm very fond of! I love it in it's entire shade range from lavendar to Royal. Purple has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. Because purple is derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool color it has both warm and cool properties. A purple room can boost a child's imagination or an artist's creativity. Too much purple, like the color blue, could result in moodiness.

The color of mourning for widows in Thailand, purple was the favorite color of Egypt's Cleopatra. It has been traditionally associated with royalty in many cultures. Purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. The Purple Heart is a U.S. Military decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle.

Considering using Purple to decorate this season? Deep or bright purples suggest riches while lighter purples are more romantic and delicate. Use redder purples for a warmer color scheme or the bluer purples to cool down.

There is a lot more to color than meets the eye! Color your space today, color your world!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will add color to my life and my space.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update fieldOK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win the Reign Eye Shadow Palette of YOUR CHOICE, Majesty or Monarch HERE (you may also press on the Smashbox logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday, August 10, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Zen Monday - Ascending Butterfly is your Zen Garden

I'm resolved not to have a 'manic Monday' this week, so I'm keeping one step ahead of my schedule and to-do list today. Less chaos = Less stress. Less Stress means a 'Zen Monday'. And that's just how I like my Mondays.

What can you do today to put the zen in your Monday? I'd say starting off with Ascending Butterfly's Today's Words of Inspiration, is a great start! Try not to hit the snooze button twice today, if you can get to work 15 minutes earlier than usual, you can plan out your day. Both your professional and personal to-do's. That should give you 15 minutes or more to yourself this evening. What would you do with an extra 15 minutes? You don't have to guess, you can actually make it a reality by staying one step ahead of yourself today.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will stay one step ahead of my schedule and I rule over it, instead of letting my schedule rule over me.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.
Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends TODAY!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

NOTE: Come Back Tuesday for a review and giveaway that is very much fall trend fab!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, August 09, 2009 - This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and TWO giveaways!

Living in Gratitude

On Sunday's, 'Today's Moment of Inspiration' becomes the weekly 'Moment of Gratitude'. While I do still live in Gratitude each and everyday, I decided to change this feature to a weekly to allow a full week of Inspirational messages and breathing meditations. 'Today's Butterfly' will remain a daily and will post with the Today's Inspiration Monday through Saturday, and will post with the Weekly Moment of Gratitude on Sunday.

This week, I am grateful for:

1) My local radio station Power 105, they showed me love in a big way this week. I was the 'Chicas Project' grand prize winner and will be sporting a new Power 105 Tshirt and a new chromatics 8 gb pink ipod Nano to go along with it! Just like 'readership (and followership) does have it's privileges with Ascending Butterfly, listening really paid off for me this week!

2) I am grateful for Ascending Butterfly sponsors who has this made this whole summer special, and there is certainly more great stuff to come!

3) I'm also grateful for having received the opportunity to attend the eenamaria bag launch bash earlier in the week, it was both fun and informative and I'm thankful for all the great people I met there. And the creative inspiration I received regarding a project that is part personal, and part Ascending Butterfly related. But more on that to come later, way later!

What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and a Giveaway! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

NOTE: We have a new review and giveaway coming soon! It's very much in line with Fall Trends, Come back to find out more!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Sites of the Day

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Saturday, August 08, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

I am in Weekend Mode. My mind filled with fun and indulgence. Some time outdoors, time with friends and family, good food, refreshing drinks and treats, I have to admit it's hard to focus on the ever growing inbox and to-do list.

So let's focus today on indulgence, and how it can actually be a good thing. A healthy thing even. We all know that stress causes damage to your heart, your brain, your immune system, and it makes your blood pressure rise. Sometimes you need to indulge your whims. Doing so reduces stress and as you can see reducing stress is a good thing, a VERY good thing.

What are you doing this weekend to indulge yourself? Please share. Sometimes we can all use reminders of the little and big ways to help ourselves feel better.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will indulge at least one whim this weekend.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different.

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thursday, August 6, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Mark Twain had it right when he said:

Dance like nobody's watching....
Sing like nobody's listening...
Love like you've never been hurt...
Work like you don't need the money...
Live like it's heaven on earth...

Sometimes we all stumble with one of these (or some times all of these!) but it's never too late to get back on track. You really can Dance like nobody's watching, I do that one all the time when I'm cooking!

I also Sing like Nobody's Listening in the shower, OK in this case, it's probably really good no one is listening. I won't be auditioning for American Idol anytime soon.

I will admit, 'loving like you've never been hurt' is sometimes a hard one for me! Do you trip up on this one sometimes?? Come on, fess up, I can't be alone with this one!

And in this economy, 'working like you don't need the money' may be difficult too, but it can be done. Don't let work become WHO you are, make sure it's always WHAT you do but NEVER who you are!

Live like it's heaven on earth is my favorite! I strive for that one each and everyday. How do YOU live like it's heaven on earth? What makes you feel that way? For me, it's travel. For me it's a beach chair, while I'm sitting out by the ocean watching the waves crash, feeling the warm sun on my skin and the feel of Ocean Breezes through my hair. For me, that truly is heaven on earth. Or at least as close as I've come to it.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will live like it's heaven on earth.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Happy Hump Day

According to Urban Dictionary, 'Hump Day' is defined as 'Wednesday, the middle of the week, implying that you have to get "over the hump" before you can anticipate the weekend. The term was not originally intended to carry a second, more risque meaning.' - While I can understand the urge to, (I'm in a silly mood myself), Keep the replies clean on this one everyone! By all means email me the really funny stuff! (I'm going to have to start forum pages soon!)

I won't be happy until I've posted something about every day of the week. I found it interesting that according to the Hebrew Bible, Wednesday is the day when the Sun and Moon were created. Now that's more like it, I'd rather have this association with the day than the some of the others!

How do you get over 'Hump Day'? I try to make it a point to get out for the entire hour during lunch, it somehow helps to not only make the day feel like it's going by faster, but when I get out, I just plain feel more connected to everything including myself. I'd advise you to get away from your desk today regardless of whether or not it is sunny out. Get connected, make your 'hump day' happier!

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I take the time I need to get fully connected.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

This book is an amazing resource for young cancer patients and their families to find strength, truth, wisdom, humor, grace and perseverance personified. I highly encourage you to read this book, and I wish it had been available to me years ago when my nephew was battling cancer. Reading the stories of other young people speaking to him in a voice he could understand and sharing their unique experiences would have helped him to put his own experiences in better perspective I'm sure.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Overcome your fears? Oh YES you can!

Last night I found myself facing an unusual bout of shyness, which hadn't reared it's ugly head since childhood. It made me think that overcoming fears would be a good discussion for today!

What are YOU afraid of? What fear do you have that you need to overcome? Is it public speaking? Heights? Spiders?

I received that Nike advice last night, that we all think sounds kind of lame, "Just Do It". But it honestly was the only advice that made sense. It was the only advice that worked. And when I took it, the rest of my night went really well. There will be more to come on the specifics really soon.

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I can overcome any fear.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

2. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE (you may also press the cover graphic below) - Stay tuned for an Author Q & A next week. You can begin to send in your questions now. Email your questions for the author to me HERE

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday, August 3, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Press on the graphic above to be directed to our NEW BOOK CLUB!

Today we are launching our newest feature to Ascending Butterfly, Our Book Club! Each month we will feature a book in the spotlight and open up the book club thread to comments on the book. In honor of our first book club title, today's meditation will be on Perseverance.

I will say this book puts true perseverance in a new light. It made me reflect on the times in my life where I had to show perseverance to get through tough times and challenges. We all have our perseverance tested, sometimes on a daily basis even, but it's how you handle the tough times that count. Perseverance is your true grit and it has nothing to do with obstinancy, in fact this quote describes it perfectly:

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Reflect on the times when you've shown true perseverance in overcoming an obstacle. How did it make you feel? Powerful? Confident? Able to take on the world?

Use 'Today's Words of Inspiration' as a breathing meditation to still your mind, quiet your thoughts and bring in positive energy. As you inhale bring in only positive energy by saying in your mind, I breathe in positive energy (or you can say creative energy if that is what you wish to create more of) and as you exhale, Affirm out loud today 'I will always persevere.'

Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by universal forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul. Do this at least twice today and see how by taking a moment away from the hectic pace and breathing in positive energy and affirming what you wish to create, your thinking will become different!

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me (@Tracy_Iglesias) on Twitter here! Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias Today's Words of Inspiration and two super Giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

Make this your best day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Today's Butterfly - Featured Site of the Day - And a Giveaway!

Enter to win NEWLY Launched shapewear sponsored by Très Sleek HERE! (You may also press on the logo below to be taken directly to the giveaway!) Remember, this giveaway ends SOON! You only have until August 10th to put in your entry!

NOTE: Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book club of the month title: 'Perseverance' by Carolyn Rubenstein. You can enter for the book HERE
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~