{#MotivationMonday} Are butterflies worth a thousand words? {#Video}

If Monday isn't exactly your favorite day of the week, let this You Tube Video Montage on Inspirational Butterfly Quotes help you start your week on a positive note, if a picture is worth a thousand words, how much are butterflies worth?

Credit: Video Courtesy of User: Beautiful Life T2

Stay Motivated My Friends!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received and all opinions are 100% 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.

{#MotivationMonday} #Butterflies we are FOUR days away from the first day of SPRING!

Fellow East Coast Peeps, soon we will have LESS of this:

And more of THIS:

In just four days, it's bye bye old man winter and HELLO Spring! Who is with me?

I hope this put the motivation in your Monday!

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{#MotivationMonday} In this case you have BOTH! Make this the week YOU change your life! {Todays' #inspiration"}

Today you have BOTH! A Monday AND a Brand New Year to start those changes! Get working on those resolutions, it's never too late or too soon, just start! (Did you check out our new Facebook Cover Photo? It reads for a New Year to Bring You Something New, Make A Move Like A Butterfly Tearing Its Cocoon! Make A Move! - What do you think of it? What new move will YOU make this week?)

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January 1, 2015 - A New Years Prayer!

Wishing all my butterflies a new year filled with abundance in all its many forms, opportunities to keep you challenged not just busy, love, health and happiness!

If you set resolutions for this year, what are they?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored Post!

{#WordlessWednesday} @jengroover inspires the crowd at the @ActivateMovmt #Activate2K14 #Conference

I thought this picture of Jen Groover (tagged by Success Magazine as a 'one woman brand') inspiring attendees at the Activate 2K14 Conference would be a perfect empowerment photo for Wordless Wednesday!

"We have control of one thing only in this world ... Our Perspective. Choose a positive one." ~ Jen Groover

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies, feel free to comment with a link to your Wordless Wednesday Photos as well so we can check them out and leave you some comment love! (No Giveaway Links please!)

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FTC Disclosure: I was invited to attend the Activate 2K14 Conference as a member of the Digital Media, this is NOT a sponsored post, it is an event recap of my experience. All opinions are 100% 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 visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information. This post may contain affiliate links.

How has this Mercury Retrograde Wreaked Havoc on YOUR life so far?

Great Advice from Spiritual Spew - Practicing Patience and the art of 'non-reaction' is still something I am working on!

For those of you who are not clear what a Mercury Retrograde means, it is when the Planet Mercury slows down and appears to 'stop' (or station) and move 'backwards' (retrograde), this happens three to four times per year.

I found the graphic I used above via websearch on a blog called Spiritual Spew, you should check out the original article this photo is attributed to HERE. And no, I don't know her and this is NOT a sponsored post or plug in any way for anyone, just real talk.

They say during a Mercury Retrograde that you should NOT engage in any binding contracts (you are to postpone signing any contracts until after the Retrograde period is over), expect delays while travelling, don't buy electronic equipment or a new car, and do not go in surgery that is avoidable. You should also take caution while speaking (or in a writers case while writing) as your words may come out in a way you didn't intend them to. During this time period many people experience computer problems or phone lines going down. (This has definitely been happening to me!)

Interesting also to note, a lost idea or person can come back into your life, sometimes someone with a mysterious 'pull' on your psyche. We are to draw hope that this retro back in air signs (those born under the zodiac signs of Libra, Aquarius and Gemini) is allowing us to take a mental review of our mind and it's patterns and what conclusion we draw from our experiences. The positive of this particular retrograde is that it is supposed to be allowing us to see our past from a different angle or perspective.

Great Advice from the folks at Illuminating Souls!

I personally don't remember any retrograde period that I have seen referenced so much as I have this one. Apparently this one is hitting many hard.

For me so far, people from my past have in fact re-surfaced, people who were absolute back-stabbers and sneaky snakes who took way more from my time and energy than they ever added to it and I have refused to re-connect with any of them on any level.

At the end of the day a Mercury Retrograde is also considered a time of 'fated' events. I for one, feel very much like I am at a crossroads in my life. Personally, Professionally, and Spiritually. I feel this retrograde while almost nearing its completion, will reveal a lot more.

This is the last retro for 2014, a fact for which I for one am very much grateful! Take note of any major themes that occur for you during this retrograde period. If you are prone to keeping a journal, this time period will probably offer you some very interesting reads when you look back at this time in your life!

Butterflies how has this Mercury Retrograde Period affected your life? 

(and it is so sad I need to add this, but bible thumpers do NOT try to comment about the evils of astrology, I am just plain not the one, I moderate all comments and will not only delete them but I will block you also, no trolls allowed! Engagement and Conversation always welcome, negativity however is NOT!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. 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.

Hug those women in your life who have made your world a better place today! #‎WomensFriendshipDay‬

Today is Women's Friendship Day and I want you take a moment to thank those women who have been your 'tribe', your 'network' and your safety net.

To those women who have empowered you.

Who have your back.

Who uplift you in prayer.

Who support your dreams, even when you are not strong enough yourself to see that you can do it.

Who share - their time, their support and friendship with you.

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No Matter What People Tell You, Words and Ideas Can Change the World.

I have to thank Getty Images and Huffington Post for this photo. Robin was definitely an Ascending Butterfly and he will be greatly missed.

Butterflies, depression does carry a very high risk of suicide, if you feel you are in immediate danger or risk please call 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) and there is also a hotline for the deaf at 800-799-4889. Reach out for help and do not suffer in silence.

Words and Ideas can change the world. So does our Self-Talk. The most powerful two words you can combine is 'I AM', be very careful how you use them. Do you find yourself constantly saying 'I am sick, I am tired, I am Fed Up, I am Angry'?

Watch your internal dialogue butterflies, and please note, men take their lives nearly four times the rate of women while women have the higher rate of being ignored by physicians or dismissed as just a passing panic attack or 'stress'.

If you have approached your primary or sought treatment for depression and don't feel you were listened to or were dismissed, please do not stop trying to find a physician who will listen, and while you are trying to find the right clinician, reach out to your tribe - your friends, family, clergy, keep expressing how you feel and don't bottle anything in or internalize it!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. You are NOT alone, please share this message with anyone you feel may be at risk!

A @DrMayaAngelou inspired #MotivationMonday

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty" ~Maya Angelou

I was born on April 4th just like Maya Angelou and hers is one of my absolute favorite butterfly quotes. Many of my butterflies noticed I changed my personal Twitter Account to the image above and I thought it would make the perfect Motivation Monday this week. And a special thanks to all the butterflies out there who email me quotes, pictures and poems they find about Butterflies, I cherish them all!

Being a butterfly is about transformation and change, but often we neglect to reflect upon the changes that get us to where we are and who we are at this very moment.

It's OK to be in transition right now butterflies. I know some of you don't feel like you are in the place you belong, or the skin you feel comfortable in, but I can promise you that it's all for a reason. These shifts, transitions and sometimes setbacks and detours are all an important parts of the process.

This Ascending Butterfly definitely mourns the loss of Maya Angelou, but I know her words are a legacy that will plant a seed of greatness in generations to come.

I hope these words will serve as a reminder to be kinder to those around you - we are all in different stages of our transitions butterflies - let's show more empathy to both our fellow caterpillars and butterflies today!

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FTC Dislcosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post.

The Three Places You May Be Forgetting to Add 'Intention'

We tend to approach 'big' things with intention, but we sometimes forget to speak intention on things we do almost on 'auto-pilot' when we do them like:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lighting a Candle
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Lighting Incense
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Go To Sleep At Night/Our Dreams

@buddhaonabicycle.com

You can add intention to all three of these.

Light a Candle or Incense with Intention - We tend to have a reason when we light a candle, but open the door to only positive energy by lighting it with intention. Whatever your belief system is should be what guides you. I have observed some who are Christian open the lighting of a candle by stating they are lighting the candle in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as they believe that lighting a candle symbolizes the light of Christ. Others feel that lighting a candle brings light to our wishes and desires, used by some as a request for healing or peace.

Taking a moment of silence before lighting a candle or incense for that matter to clear your head of negative thoughts and energy is important. Try sitting for a moment with your eyes closed, if you are a good 'visualizer', visualize white light all around you, if you are more of a voice person, affirm either silently or out loud postive words of affirmation to put yourself in the right place (mentally and spiritually)  to light your candle or incense.

When you feel ready, open your eyes, light your candle or incense (or both) bow your head and direct your intentions and/or prayers to the Universe, God, Allah, Buddha, the Angels or your higher self for that matter and ask that the energy created by your candle or incense serves your highest good and the highest good of your environment and those around you.

The hardest part will be the letting go, release any need to have the prayers answered in a specific way, allow spirit and the universe to help you find the best path to your answer.

Put intention to your sleep and dreams -  Yes you can do the same for your sleep, and while this might feel the most strange to you at first, doing this with consistency may just change your sleep forever. Take some time without noise, turn off electronic devices, tv and music too. Sit for some time in silence, whether you keep a gratitude journal or not, focus on 3 good things that happened to you in this day. Express gratitude (silently, or out loud your choice) - then focus on your top three goals for yourself, personal would be better, but professional are OK too, Affirm to yourself be it out loud or silently that you charge your dreams to help you see clearly those goals you wish to manifest, ask your subconscious mind to be vibrationally aligned to those goals so you may see clearly how to reach them.

When you master these, try adding intention to other simple daily tasks, add intention to your eating patterns, television viewing, and one of my personal favorites your shower, I really do believe we can change our lives by changing our thoughts and our own responses to the mundane/routine and to those things that may not be so routine.

What have you put intention to today butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. But if you would like to sponsor a Motivation Monday, feel free to contact me! :)

Weekly Moment of #Gratitude! = #MondayMotivation

Happy Presidents Day!

What I am Grateful For:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Skinny Scoop! (I need your ONE CLICK daily vote!) - The Skinny Scoop has nominated Ascending Butterfly as one of the Top 25 Product Review Blogs! You can vote for Ascending Butterfly daily until 02/28 here: http://www.skinnyscoop.com/social-list/create?list=top-25-product-review-blogs

Ascending Butterfly is already a Top 50 Product Review Blog on Cision, I was totally floored when I found out we made their list! (Article here: http://blog.us.cision.com/2012/06/top-50-product-review-blogs/) so I was honored to see us nominated again independently in the Product Review category. I try to bring you unique products from a very wide variety of brands both established and emerging, and it's gratifying to see my efforts recognized! For those of you who saw my social media blasts about the nomination and have already voted for us, THANK YOU. Your support means more to me than you know! It is a simple one click vote, that doesn't require you to like anything, sign up anywhere or even provide your email, just click vote and you are done!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Losing Followers! - I put up one cheeky title last week and it appears a few 'butterf'lies' disappeared. Had they read the entire article they would have realized the play on words was entirely innocuous. I don't do it very often, but when I do, it's just being cheeky, I've kept this blog drama free, politics free, sex free and pretty much snark free since 2009. I'm sure they will come running back during the next great giveaway, but frankly I wish they would stay away. This space is a place where I am going to be myself. I am going to be true to myself. I am going to be authentic to myself. and I am going to express myself. Will it work for everyone? Probably Not. We can only please 50% of the people 50% of the time. I'm OK with that. So yes, I am actually quite grateful for those that bailed because of my cheeky laundry detergent title, they reminded me that it is OK to be true myself. And I'm sure double will come in for all those who left. (some people actually like cheeky!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Wins! - I've been carving out some time for sweeping every now and again, and had a few wins come in during February that I almost forgot all about.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Volunteer Time This Week! - As many of you already know I spent some time last year in Chicago at the Headquarters of Ronald McDonald House and got to visit several houses out there, and spend some time volunteering, one day it was making welcome bags for the families, on another simply baking cookies to share with the families with some of the children who were up for it. Part of my pro-bono ambassadorship is to meet with my local house here in New York City and find ways to help them. I have my first meeting with the local house this week, and I'm just truly grateful for the chance to help. After spending a year in the hospital myself, I have a great deal of empathy for families who find themselves in the hospital helping their child to battle a serious illness. Once I get a more defined sense of what the local house in New York City needs, I will share more about it here, but I just wanted to give a deep thanks to the brands I work with who have already expressed interest in finding ways to get involved. In my opinion this is what I wanted to see my little space online and my social used for, for Good, for Giving Initiatives, for ways to motivate, challenge and inspire myself as well as others. A recap of my Chicago experience can be found here: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2013/09/i-am-ronald-mcdonald-house-charities.html

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Please VOTE daily via Facebook for our Butterfly-in-Chief, Tracy of Ascending Butterfly to win a spot on 'Run to Napa' a 10K run, powered by @ZOOMArun  - http://woobox.com/h3xho2/vote/for/1921984

To Vote:

(1) Follow the link above

(2) It will be defaulted to 'enter' so press the 'vote' button instead

(3) Scroll down until you see the picture above, you may have to scroll all the way and press 'view more' or show more entries twice before my picture comes up

(4) Once you find my picture which will be the same as the one above, hit VOTE

That's it! (You won't get any spam for voting!)

THANK YOU!!!!

oh did I mention I have the chance to bring one blog reader with me on this amazing trip? It's a daily vote, so if you are voting, please leave a comment below and let me know!

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

What are you GRATEFUL for today Butterfly?

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{Todays #Inspiration} Each Person! #MotivationMonday

I can relate to the last sentence of this quote! My best creative writing has always felt like I was just a temporary vessel for the words and that the writing 'came through' me. Those writing moments are effortless, almost easy. I am engrossed and engaged and the words flow through me as hours fly by on the clock. Those days feel amazing!

But the key is to remember that every single day can be like that if we are open to the many blessings that the Universe sends us each day. Today practice letting something come through you, stay in the moment, and say an affirmation to both start and end your day. Don't let 2014 be 2013, you can shape it into anything you want it to be!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

I plan to _______ to move myself closer to this ______ Goal! #MotivationMonday

For me: I plan to develop better financial habits to move myself closer to the Goal of moving to a new residence! What is your fill in the blank for Motivation Monday?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored/Compensated Post.

Weekly Moment of Gratitude: First #MotivationMonday of 2014 Edition! + Winner Announcement!

Butterflies it is the first Monday of the New Year!

What I am Grateful For:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2014! - It's a new year and this is the first Monday of 2014! Let's set the tone for how we greet the rest of the year by greeting today with enthusiasm and gratitude. Each new year I get to ring in I now realize is such a huge blessing. It's kind of cool that we are actually 6 days into this new year already and this is the first Monday we have to confront. Even with it starting with a snowstorm, I see this year as a blank canvas just waiting for me to fill it. I'm actually late starting on my Vision Board this year, so if anyone has theirs up I'd love to see it! (Especially if it includes butterflies!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - RAOK! - I took some much-needed, long-overdue and well-deserved time off during the holidays and was on the receiving end of two random acts of kindness during my travels that really touched me. They were just simple kind gestures, but since sadly kindness is sometimes hard to find, gestures like these take me by surprise. I am way more comfortable being on the giving end of an act of kindness. Something I want to work on for 2014. I may not be able to repay them directly, but I can always pay it forward and that's exactly what I intend to do. Start this new week with the goal of doing one surprise thing for a perfect stranger. You don't have to report them here if you don't want to, but keep track of it in your 2014 journal. When you end this year and go back to read all of your posts, it will give you a super warm feeling inside! And keep track of all the RAOK's you are on the receiving end of too! (You don't have to search so hard to find them, it can be simple things like someone holding a door for you when your arms where full, you adding to the take a penny/give a penny jar in the supermarket etc)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Wins! - With 2013 being such a busy year I didn't enter many contests. It's one of my favorite hobbies that sadly went neglected last year, but I did get some win notifications and prizes from seeds of entering that I had sown last year and few small instant wins to start my 2014, nothing life changing, just small simple stuff but it gave me a happy and lucky feeling which is always a fun way to start a New Year!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Changes! - Plotting my year of 'change' one step at a time, first up hair! Time for a chop! chop! and I may go bold and do a color change too! What about you butterfly? What is your first change going to be this year?

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WINNER ALERT:

 New Year, New Jacket!

Congrats to Elsie Rivera, Entrant #1937 in our Holidays Wilson's Leather $100 Gift Card Giveaway! Didn't win? No worries, we will have Wilson's back soon so stay tuned! Join me in congratulating Elsie by posting a comment on this thread!

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

What are you GRATEFUL for today Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post.

Last Day of 2013! Bye Bye 2013 and WELCOME 2014! #NYE

Life is to short to wake up with regrets.

So love the people

who treat you right,

Forget about the ones who don't.

And believe that everything happens for a reason.

if you get a chance,

TAKE IT.

If it changes your life,

LET IT

Nobody said that it would be easy.

They just promised it would be worth it.

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

And if something like the image below is on your agenda for tonight, please be careful and safe butterflies. Don't get behind the wheel under the influence, and don't get in any car if you feel the driver is inebriated!

Gogo Shop on Etsy

HAPPY NEW YEAR BUTTERFLY!!!

If you are creating an online vision board, I'd love to see it! If you are game to share yours, please post the link as a comment below!

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. This is NOT a compensated post. Happy New Year Everyone! 

Weekly Moment of Gratitude: Last SUNDAY of the year edition!

Have a Beautiful Sunday, Butterfly Fairy Wings

Butterflies it is the last Sunday before the New Year! So much gratitude and so little time left before a new year begins!

What I am Grateful For:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - YOU! - There has been a weekly moment of gratitude since 2009 in this space, and it's meant so much to me each time you all join in and share with me something you are grateful for. It's been an amazing glimpse into one another's life and I am very grateful for each and every one of you!

From Every Wound There Is A Scar And Every Scar Tells A Story. A Story That Says, I Survived.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - SCARS + LIFE! - New Year's Eve before 2012 began I was battling for my life and that was the absolute worst New Year I had ever known. I am grateful for my life of course, grateful to be ringing in another new year when doctor's didn't seem so sure I would. But most importantly that year was a defining moment that taught me how strong I really am. We all think we know what we will think, feel and do in certain situations, but until life puts you to the test, you really don't know. Trials are life lessons that help to uncover hidden strengths.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - ASCENDING BUTTERFLY! - In many ways it is hard to say if I've grown into this site or if this site has grown with me. It's probably a mix of both but I'm grateful for every moment of it. It will change in 2014. I am changing in many ways and I'm sure those changes will reflect here. But being a butterfly has always been about transformation. I am excited to welcome in a new phase of my journey and share it all with you!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - VISION BOARD! - I am planning on creating a Vision Board and making my New Year's Wishlist something Visual I can tap into when the day-to-day needs of the present moment try to side-track me from my long term goals.

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

GIVEAWAY ALERT:

 New Year, New Jacket!

For all you give to me, I love to offer fun giveaways as a way to thank you all for sharing this journey of gratitude and transformation with me! Our wonderful friends at Wilsons Leather are closing out the year with us and want one of our lucky followers to enjoy a $100 gift card to start the new year with a new jacket, or a new handbag or a new accessory of choice! But much like the lottery you've got to be in it to win it, so be sure to put in your entry HERE ASAP! And if you aren't already doing so, sign up for their newsletter as they host regular giveaways of their own, AND they offer exclusive discounts to newsletter subscribers, so trust me when I tell you that a $100 with them can really go a long way, and with styles for both men and women as well as fashionable and functional accessories, there is literally something for everyone!

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

I wish each and every one of you a year filled with peace, happiness, love, joy, health, abundance and prosperity. May each new day that unfolds in 2014 bring you something new to be grateful for!

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

What are you GRATEFUL for this week Butterfly?  Is it a lesson learned, or a random act of kindness that you gave or received? What do you want 2014 to bring?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post.

{#MotivationMonday with #Butterflies} - Cultivate the habit of being grateful!

Happy Motivation Monday! The holidays countdown has begun!

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

FTC Dislclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

What do you think of your Facebook 2013 year in review? #lifecoachcorner

What does your 2013 Facebook year in review look like?

Was it all your shiniest moments of the year?

Where there moments it highlighted that you would just as soon forget?

As a Life/Career Coach and Social Media Consultant, I find my annual Credit Card Statement that highlights my 'major' purchases of the year (both personal and professional) interesting, I also find the Facebook Year in review a reminder to stock of the events of the year that is ending, to make changes for the year that lies ahead.

If your highlights were work related, do you still feel passionate about what you do?

If they were all personal do you feel you shared too much or too little of yourself with your friends and family?

I personally have always felt mixed about Facebook, and only joined it as an additional promotional vehicle for Ascending Butterfly, were it not for blogging it's a Social Media Platform I probably would never have joined at all.

SO BUTTERFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT FROM YOUR FACEBOOK 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW? ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH FOR 2014?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

Motivation Monday: My Favorite Nelson Mandela Quote!

This has always been my favorite Nelson Mandela Quote:

"Our Deepest Fear is Not that we are inadequate. Our Deepest Fear is That we are Powerful Beyond Measure." ~ Nelson Mandela

We lost a leader who truly led by example, but he wouldn't want the world to be darker in his absence, he would want us to shine our lights even brighter and apply our collective individual light to making this world shine brighter.

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post.

Weekly Moment of #Gratitude: The subtle and not so subtle shifts edition! #inspiration #motivation #change

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Not focusing on insensitivity! - As a life long New Yorker I have to admit I was outraged to hear of the two women who dressed as The Twin Towers being destroyed as a 'Halloween Costume' and the woman who opted to dress like a Boston Marathoner, I can't say I can begin to understand what went through their heads. But this weekend an event took me to the site. I have mixed feelings when I visit there. It's become a bit of a tourist attraction and there were folks trying to sell stuff to the tourists to make money which did not make me happy, I don't think it's right for someone to try and profit from the tragedy that occurred that day. But when I took in the scene there this weekend, there is excitement and hope that something has finally been done with the location. That New York took it back, we came together, re-grouped and decided to re-build. Is what was ultimately done with the site going to please everyone? Probably not, but something did need to go there. That empty hole, that space needed new life and like it or not, there is something there, life must and will go on. Instead of focusing on what's not, on the horror and tragedy that occurred that day, I took a moment to focus on what the space can now become, and I'm going to let that fill me with hope.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Receiving! - I'm normally the giver in most of my relationships, and when someone gives to me without expecting something back in return, it still sadly takes me aback. Don't get me wrong, it's not a matter of seeing the bad in people before the good, I'm just not in the habit of being on the receiving end of generosity. And this week someone did something super nice and it made me feel grateful that there are still nice people out there.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subtle and Not So Subtle Inner 'Shifts'! - There has been a lot of putting my foot down this year and making it super clear to myself and others about what is and isn't acceptable, these subtle and not so subtle shifts have caused some doors to close and some relationships to come to an end, and while it doesn't feel like it in the moment, the year soon coming to an end has made me realize it was necessary for some of those doors to close to make room for bigger and better opportunities. Don't mourn the doors that close butterflies, celebrate the ones that open!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Events! - A very mixed bag of non-stop events that I will recap shortly. The wide variety of experiences that I have had this week kind of made me feel like I lived a year in a week, so today while trying to clear my devices to make room and space for the new week of events and experiences that are ahead of me I took some time to reflect on the subtle and not so subtle shifts these experiences made on me and be grateful for how each and every single one of them allowed me to 'shift' and grow.

This month is moving super fast and somehow December is almost here! The flurry of holiday madness is descending upon us and another year will soon come to end. Are you ready?

Our Holidays Buying Guide has already begun and new giveaways will launch this week so stay tuned! And we will draw and announce the winner of the $100 Staples Gift Card soon!

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

 What are you GRATEFUL for this week Butterfly?  Is it a lesson learned, or a random act of kindness that you gave or received?

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

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post.