Ascending Butterfly Book Club Returns! October Book Club Title: 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez - Enter to win an Autographed Copy!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Our winner has been notified, upon verification, winner announcement will be posted both here and on our home page! Check your emails, it could be YOU!

Remember, we have three current giveaways posted on the upper left hand side of the page. And Stay tuned for our November Book Club Title of the Month!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Enter to win an Autographed Copy of America Libre

The Ascending Butterfly book club took a one month hiatus, and is now back in full force! Not only are we back, we are back with an Autographed Copy, and we are back with a page turning title!

Synopsis

Time: The second decade of the twenty-first century. As the immigration crisis reaches the boiling point, once-peaceful Latino protests explode into rioting. Cities across the nation are in flames. Anglo vigilantes bent on revenge launch drive-by shootings in the barrios, wantonly killing young and old. Exploiting the turmoil, a congressional demagogue succeeds in passing legislation that transforms the nation’s teeming inner-city barrios into walled-off Quarantine Zones. In this chaotic landscape, Manolo Suarez is struggling to provide for his family. Under the spell of a beautiful Latina radical, the former U.S. Army Ranger eventually finds himself questioning his loyalty to his wife—and his country.

Would you like a sneak peak?

The author has generously placed chapter one on his site, you can read the first chapter of America Libre HERE.

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

A Statement By The Author

Could it happen here?

When I began writing America Libre in 2004, some thought the book’s premise was unrealistic. An uprising by Hispanics? The idea seemed far-fetched, they said. Today, as the rhetoric over immigration grows more heated, the skeptics are no longer so certain. I posed the nightmare scenario of America Libre as a wake up call to the dangers of extremism—on both sides of this explosive issue. Illegal immigration is a hotly debated topic. Yet it is only the tip of the iceberg. Over the next decade, three other factors will prove equally significant. Some of the volatile conditions presented in America Libre have already surfaced. I hope my abilities as a prophet end here. But the potential for a widespread conflict lurks behind every escalation of our current war of words.

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

This book already has the imagination of many readers thinking 'big screen', myself included. The writing really paints the full picture. You feel like you are there. You want to be there! You are yelling at the characters, you are warning them, and this is just with the book! Can you imagine the reactions in the theater? I've read many books both before and after they have become a feature film, with very few did I find myself caring so much about the casting. In this case however, I do.  The author must have anticipated this because there is a chance to play Hollywood Casting agent on the site, allowing you to pick which person in hollywood should play which character from the book. So after you finish this title, head over and vote, play hollywood casting agent for a day HERE. (I've often thought I'd make a great casting agent!)

Now I will say, some of the choices posted so far I can see, others I can't but I do know who should play the character named 'Nesto', anyone who watches the cable television series 'Weeds' will agree that Guillermo Díaz who portrays character Guillermo García Gómez on the show would make a perfect Nesto! If anyone can pull off street smart, wily and with a sly sense of humor, it's him!

I can't get enough of talking about this book, and the book has a very interesting 'Reading Group Guide' I'd love to discuss some of the topics in the guide, and will post a new topic each week!

This week's Topic: Characters

1) Who Was Your Favorite Character? Why?
2) Who Was Your Least Favorite Character? Why?
3) What emotions drove Mano's conversion from loyal citizen to insurgent?
4) Do you think Mano's actions were immoral? Why or Why Not?
5) Under the same circumstances as Mano, what would you have done differently?
6) How did Mano's view of their rebellion differ from the views of Jo and Ramon?
7) What experiences ultimately radicalized Rosa?
8) Do you think Rosa's reaction to her predicament differed from that of a mainstream American Woman? If so, How?

I would love to hear from you! Please post your answers to these questions in this thread. This thread will serve both as a discussion guide for those reading along, as well as the place to leave your entries for the book.

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


WIN IT! - 1 reader will receive an AUTOGRAPHED COPY of the book.

How to Win: You must be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. In addition, please share your impressions of Chapter one of the book which you can read online HERE! Comments that don't follow these instructions, or just say enter me will NOT be entered into the giveaway!

Please leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com), if your blogger profile has your email you can just indicate this in your entry. If your comment name, and your follower name are different, please indicate this as well.

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, so no worries if your comment doesn't appear on the site right away. This giveaway is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike, but you must follow this blog for your entry to count. You have from now until Monday, November 02, 2009 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. Winner will be announced shortly after Thursday, November 5th! Giveaway open to USA only, 18+.

EXTRA CREDIT:

* Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment
* Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment
* Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in a comment. (you can do this DAILY)
* Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment
* Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment
* Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog
* Follow the author on Facebook HERE
* Become a Facebook fan of AMERICA LIBRE HERE
* Follow the author on Twitter HERE
*NEW: Join Ascending Butterfly's Ning Group HERE

* Please vote for Ascending Butterfly on Divine Caroline's Love! This Site Award '09 for the Body and Soul category, you can press into the badge on the upper right hand site of the page or click through here, there is a Vote button right under the description. (it's a one time only, super fast, super easy vote, and here is the best part, people who vote are also going to receive a chance to win a $250 Visa Gift Card just for voting!)

* Please vote for Tracy from Bronx, NY to win in the the Nature Made SAM-e Complete® Good Mood Gig Talent Search! Press HERE (Vote for me purple button right next to the blue butterfly)

*NEW: Please vote for me on the Downy Simple Pleasures Next Scent Contest. My scent is called 'Ascending Butterfly' of course, LOL. You can scroll down to the bottom of this page, and press 'Vote' on the widget below, it's super fast and super easy! (You can do this daily and get credit for voting daily!)

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

Thursday, October 01, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Excuses Begone!

My apologies my lovely Butterflies, there were no words of inspiration yesterday, but I fully intend to make it up to you today!

 

Yesterday I had the amazing privilege to join up with Dr. Wayne Dyer's 2009 Live Tour called,  'Excuses Begone! - How to Change Lifelong Self-Defeating Thinking Habits' at the Jacob Javitz center in NYC. 3,000 people in one conference room sharing one purpose, learning how to put an end to the excuses and negative self dialogue in our heads. The energy was amazing!

 

I want to share the Tour Description for a very specific reason, this description contains 7 questions, seven life altering questions, if you will only invest a moment in yourself to answer them. Make answering these questions honestly your moment of inspiration and meditation today. Or use them as inspiration for a journal entry tonight.

 
Tour Description

In these all-new lectures, Wayne will take you through the seven questions that constitute the Excuses Begone paradigm, and show you how it worked for him and how it can work for you. By examining the support system that a person has erected over a lifetime and putting those timeworn thoughts through the seven steps in this paradigm, excuses begin to fade away and are replaced with thoughts that speak fervently, almost shouting, Yes, you can change any excuse pattern, no matter how long or how pervasive the conditioning process has been! Wayne has seen people change from a lifetime of being overweight or addicted to all manner of substances by simply applying the principles inherent in the Excuses Begone approach to life.

During these profound, life-changing lectures you’ll explore the seven questions of the Excuses Begone paradigm shift:

• Is it true?
• Where did the excuses come from?
• What’s the payoff?
• What would my life look like if I couldn’t use these excuses?
• Can I create a rational reason to change?
• Can I access universal cooperation in shedding old habits?
• How do I continuously reinforce this new way of being?

If you are truly serious about changing any long-established habits of thought that have led you to use excuses as your rationale for staying on the same self-defeating path, then you are encouraged to follow the principles and practices presented in these all-new lectures!

Discover a new way of changing old thinking habits!

For being in a room filled with 3,000 attendees, it was a very warm and intimate evening. We learned a great deal about the man behind the books. The Human Being. Or as he would probably prefer, 'the spiritual being having the human experience.'

 

He is a 69 year old father of Eight, who began his life in an orphanage, who over came a tremendous amount of personal battles in his life, yet he always knew not only what he could be, but he would be. He shared a story about having the following words outside one of his homes for many years 'You are going to have an attitude everyday, pick a good one!' It reminds me of the mantra I share with you all daily 'Remember, Attitude really does determine Altitude.'

 

Another exploration, that  of Motivation vs. Inspiration, really stood out in my mind and I thought we'd also explore that here today. Motivation is when You take an idea, and don't let anything deter you from it and Inspiration is when an idea gets hold of YOU and doesn't let you go. So reader, are you motivated or inspired? Which do you want to be? I personally vary between the two at different times. I think most of us do. But is it more fulfilling to be inspired? Are there steps you can take to become more inspired?

 

The Voices In Your Head

 

Right now if I asked you to list what's wrong in your life, you could probably rattle off the list in one breath, almost without thinking right? Wayne gave a very strong reminder last night to 'stop putting attention on what you DON'T WANT. Stop discussing what is wrong. What is wrong in this moment, this day, this hour, this week, this month and this year. Don't give it energy. Don't give it intention. Don't allow it to take hold of you, to take root and to destroy what you are working so hard to build. A better you each and everyday really is possible.

 

Don't Feed The Spiritual Vampire

 

We all have one. That person who drains our energy. That person we least look forward to speaking with on a daily basis. Stop feeding them. Don't enable the negativity by participating in the talk. If you allow this person to drone on about everything wrong in their life, those things gain power, they continue to experience them, and that person's power to suck all the happiness out of a moment will just increase. And Who wants that??

 

Divine Relationships

 

We all want them, but how are we going about creating them? Wayne asked us to 'create divine relationships in our lives by elavating our concept of ourselves to a higher level.' Be what you want to attract. It really is that simple.

 

It would honestly take days to truly dissect the many topics that were covered in just over 4 hours. But I will say if you have the opportunity to see Dr. Wayne Dyer speak in your city TAKE IT. Those hours will be the absolute best investment in yourself that you could possibly make. It will be the biggest and best investment in your happiness and creating the future you truly deserve.

 

Aside from reminders to be careful about the influences we allow into our homes everyday, we were asked to take the last 5 minutes of our day everyday and 'assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled'. When we sleep, our subconcious minds have 8 hours to 'marinate' (his words readers!) in the last thoughts we go to bed with. Why not shape those thoughts ourselves? Why not give our minds 8 hours to 'marinate' on the life we want to create. The people we want by our sides, the jobs we want to be working on? Put those thoughts in your mind before bed and change your life from the inside. I began his advice last night. And I will say that I honestly tossed and turned way less than ever and woke up with a new level of excitement and energy. (I'm sure my clients are going to be thrilled!)

 

I highly recommend catching Wayne Dyer live, and there is still time to do so. Here are some upcoming appearances: You can go HERE to buy Tickets:

 
Chicago, IL 10/2/09 Chicago, IL Sold Out
Maui, Hawaii 10/23/09 Maui, HI
Phoenix, Arizona 11/13/09 Phoenix
Boston, MA 11/16/09 Boston Sold Out
Tampa, FL 11/20/09 Tampa

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 change my inner dialogue and put aside all of my own excuses into creating the life I desire for myself.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. There is still time to enter to win a soda-maker!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And you also must include your email in your comment entry, we have to have a way to reach you if you win!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Which of these two are you celebrating?

Today there are two celebrations on the calendar.

1 - Michaelmas - (Also Called Michaelmas Day) -

a) A Christian feast observed in honor of the archangel Michael.

b) September 29, the day on which this feast is observed.

Michael (according to Wikipedia) - is an archangel in Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition. He is viewed as the field commander of the Army of God. He is mentioned by name in the Book of Daniel,  the Book of Jude and the Book of Revelation. In the book of Daniel, Michael appears as "one of the chief princes" who in Daniel's vision comes to the angel Gabriel's aid in his contest with the angel of Persia (Dobiel), and is also described there as the advocate of Israel and "great prince who stands up for the children of your [Daniel's] people".

The Talmudic tradition rendered Michael's name as meaning "who is like El?", - so Michael could consequently mean "One who is like God." But its being a question is alternatively understood as a rhetorical question, implying that no one is like God.

Much of the late Midrashic detail about Michael was transmitted to Christianity through the Book of Enoch, whence it was taken up and further elaborated. In late medieval Christianity, Michael, together with Saint George, became the patron saint of chivalry, and of the first chivalric order of France, the Order of Saint Michael of 1469. In the British honours system, a chivalric order founded in 1818 is also named for these two saints, the Order of St Michael and St George. St Michael is also considered in many Christian circles as the patron saint of the warrior. Police officers and soldiers, particularly paratroopers and fighter pilots, regard him as their patron. He is also a patron of Germany and of the City of Brussels.

Roman Catholics refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael. Orthodox Christians refer to him as the Taxiarch Archangel Michael or simply Archangel Michael. The New Thought Movement refers to Michael as Christ Michael.

Many chose to light a red prayer candle in his honor on this day. (I am among them!)

2 - Confucius Day -

When : Always September 29th

Confucius Day honors one of the world's greatest philosophers. Born in China on October 18, 551 B.C., Confucius is one of the earliest, and perhaps the the first great philosopher. He was also a teacher, a scholar, and a politician. He gave the world many teachings, and gave the world 499 famous sayings.

Celebrate Confucius Day by learning more about this ancient philosopher, and read some of his teachings and sayings.

Note: Over the years, many comical and humorous sayings have been created and referenced as sayings of Confucius, usually titled "Confucius Says". As a rule of thumb, if the saying is humorous, chances are it is not a true saying by this great scholar.

In this economy one of his standout sayings is:

'He who will not economize will have to agonize."  ~ Confucius

Will you be celebrating Michaelmas or Confucius Day? What is your favorite Confucius saying?

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 embrace my inner confucius and make my own words to live by.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. There is a new giveaway for a Select Comfort Mattress Topper!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And you also must include your email in your comment entry, we have to have a way to reach you if you win!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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

Monday, September 28, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Oh, Monday, Monday

I can't beleive we are days away from October! Soon the leaves will change color and pumpkins will grace doorways with their eerie smiles and September will be a memory.

Our first 'green-themed' giveaway came to an end this weekend, and our winner was Ascending Butterfly reader 't42vek20', join me in wishing her a hearty congratulations! You can see the full winner announcement here. And don't forget to enter our two current giveaways, (look for the 'WIN HERE' box on the upper right hand side of the page) one for a Soda Maker and one for a Mattress Topper! Just remember you must be a follower to enter all giveaways and if your profile doesn't have an email address you must include it in your entry comment for your entry to be processed. If you don't see your entry on the contest page, it means you missed a step.

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 welcome in a new week with joy in my heart.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. There is a new giveaway for a Select Comfort Mattress Topper!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed. And you also must include your email in your comment entry, we have to have a way to reach you if you win!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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

Your Songs - Harry Connick Jr CD Review

Your Songs - Harry Connick Jr CD Review

When the One2One Network reached out to me and asked me if I would be interested in listening to Harry Connick Jr's new CD, Your Songs I didn't hesitate one second in saying YES, YES, YES!!!! Now they never did confirm whether or not I will be able to offer a giveaway, I truly do hope so and will keep you posted here when I get the final answer. Don't hesitate to write in and let the folks at one2one know that Ascending Butterfly's out there want a chance to win the CD too!

I love Harry's voice and his music and consider myself a long time fan! I also enjoy his acting. Everyone that knows me knows I love horror movies and I have to admit Harry truly creeped me out in Copycat, he played a killer just a little too well, LOL! (1995 thriller, you can get it online or rent it at your local video store). Odd to be attracted to someone and creeped out by them at the same time, lol!

Harry's voice immediately conjures up certain images for me, specifically a glass of wine and a bubble bath are the top two, because that's how I usually enjoy his music! This new album was no different. I immediately tore it open and went into the bathroom to listen, I mean solely for the great acoustics and all.....

The first track is Frank Sinatra's classic 'All the Way' and Harry wraps his voice around it like a hug. It's one of my favorite tracks on this album of standards. Another standout is Harry's rendition of Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile'.

Now I will admit I tend to always end up preferring the originals to a re-make, and there are two tracks on this album that were better left to their original artists, one is 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You'. I don't think anyone will sound sexier than Elvis crooning that track. And as a Latina I have to admit that Harry also falls short on 'Besame Mucho' (a song written in 1940 by a young girl named Consuelo Velázquez before her sixteenth birthday, According to Velázquez, she wrote this song even though she had never been kissed yet at the time. She was inspired by the aria "Quejas, o la Maja y el Ruisenor" from the Spanish 1916 opera Goyescas by Enrique Granados.). Besame Mucho was first performed by Emilio Tuero with notable covers by Cesaria Evora, Javier Solis, and others.

This album is like coming home in every other way though, it's familiar, it's comfortable, it's the places and the people you know. It's the perfect accompaniment to a romantic dinner or a night in with your sweetie.

Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):


All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho (Emilio Tuero)
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

Harry’s Upcoming TV Appearances:


9/28 – Today Show
9/29 – The View
9/30 – Imus in the Morning
9/30 – Letterman
10/1 – Today Show
Week of 10/5 – Rachael Ray


Other links:


Behind the Scene look at ‘Making of’ the album: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m22XB2WJ5NXPVL

Harry’s website: http://www.harryconnickjr.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/harryconnickjr

Winner Announcement!

Congratulations to user 't42vek20' the winner of Ascending Butterfly's Activeion Giveaway!

Winning Entry:

I learned that the water is flat and the nanobubbles connects with the ions of the dirt and the repel each other, and break apart so that it can be wash away. If you use it for a year, it's like taking 2200 cars off the road! Green is Clean!!! Yeah!

t42vek20

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, Activeion, for an amazing giveaway, we look forward to working with you again!

Don't forget to check the box that says "WIN HERE: Today's Butterfly Featured Sites of the day!' on the upper right hand side of the page, that is where you will find our current giveaways! Readers asked us to make the giveaways faster and easier to enter, and your wish is our command!

---Ascending Butterfly's Editorial Team


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

Select Comfort Mattress Topper Review and Giveaway!

This Giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to Ascending Butterfly 'ElKaye' (we post our winner's username instead of full name, which is why we put it in quotes!)  Don't forget to enter our current giveaways listed on the upper right hand side of the page where it says 'WIN HERE'.

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

Select Comfort Mattress Topper Review and Giveaway

There are various reasons that many people find it difficult to fall and stay asleep, fluctuations in our body temperature is one major culprit! The Outlast In Balance Mattress Toppers by Select Comfort helps your body regulate your sleeping temperature so you are comfortable throughout the night. Less tossing and turning and more quality sleeping, how cool is that?

I am a night owl by nature, but when it's time to sleep, I want to reduce tossing and turning as much possible! And for allergy and asthma sufferers you want to keep your mattress as clean as possible, and a mattress pad that you take off and wash frequently is a great way to reduce allergens in your sleeping environment. Sneezing and wheezing are definite sleep robbers!

Our very patient friends at Select Comfort, who gave me more than ample time to truly review this product, are generously offering up an Outlast In Balance Mattress Topper, to One lucky Ascending Butterfly reader!

I love that it comes with a 10 year warranty, wide bands to hold onto corners so it won't slip off, 100% cotton cover, antimicrobial filling, and of course it is machine washable. I am in the market for a new mattress and after trying the mattress topper, I can only imagine how great a Select Comfort Mattress must be! (feel free to share your testimonials!) OUTLAST® fabric technology is designed to reduce the temperature swings that can cause restless nights-to help you sleep more comfortably each and every night. 300-thread-count, 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton top, 100% cotton bottom. RELY™* polyester fiberfill features an antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of fungus, mold, mildew and the odors they cause. Hypoallergenic. Logic™ Label system takes the guesswork out of where to start making your bed. This topper is intended to lay over your current mattress pad and it is secured to your bed with anchor bands in the corner. Machine washable, made in the USA and comes with a 10-Year Limited Warranty!

When conducting giveaways, your privacy as an Ascending Butterfly reader is very important to me, and  I only use your email address to contact you if you are the lucky winner. And for those who subscribe to Ascending Butterfly emails you are opting in to receive our daily words of inspiration in your inbox! Select Comfort in giving away an In Balance Mattress Topper wants you to know that when you enter this giveaway, you consent to let Ascending Butterfly share your email address with Select Comfort, which will sign you up for Sleep Number deals and tips via email (you can always unsubscribe if the emails don't interest you).

WIN IT! - We like to save the best for last! Thanks to our friends at Select Comfort, you have the opportunity to win an In Balance Mattress Topper! (Depending on your mattress size this is a $119.99 TO $179.99 value!!!!) There will be 1 winner.

How to Win: (1) You must be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differ from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2) please visit Select Comfort and tell me your favorite SelectComfort product, and what mattress size you would select if you win. (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). Please follow the 1, 2, and 3 steps to winning!

Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "i want this or I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Saturday, September 26, 2009 until Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:59 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. Winner will be announced shortly after Wednesday, October 28th!

EXTRA CREDIT:

* Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment

* Follow me @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment

* Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in a comment. (you can do this DAILY)

* Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

* Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

* Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

* Follow Select Comfort on Facebook HERE

*  Follow Select Comfort Twitter Customer Service HERE

* Follow Select Comfort's Sleep Number Sara on Twitter HERE

* Please vote for Ascending Butterfly on Divine Caroline's Love This Site Award '09 for the Body and Soul category, you can press into the badge on the upper right hand site of the page or click through here, there is a Vote button right under the description. (it's a one time only, super fast, super easy vote, and here is the best part, people who vote are also going to receive a chance to win a $250 Visa Gift Card just for voting!)

* Please vote for Tracy from Bronx, NY to win in the the Nature Made SAM-e Complete® Good Mood Gig Talent Search! Press HERE (Vote for me purple button right next to the blue butterfly)

* Please vote for me on the Simmon's I REALLY want my BeautyRest Mattress contest here, I am a finalist thanks to the voters (thank you!) this is the last leg and I really need your help readers, vote HERE

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

Friday, September 25, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

TGIF

This week has flown by and I will admit to being very happy it is finally Friday! The week shot by so fast that I haven't even finalized my plans yet!

For me when a week just passes so quickly it literally brings new meaning to the expression 'in the blink of an eye', it makes me just want to take the weekend real slow. My inner butterfly could really use a massage! (Any New York City Day Spa Owners out there reading this! LOL)

Although, what ends up happening is trying to squeeze in as much fun as you possibly can in two days! So in an effort to follow my own advice, I plan on giving myself some time for meditation upon rising on Saturday morning, I hope you'll consider doing the same. (Even if it turns out to be Saturday afternoon for you). A sort of 'slow down' so you can 'speed up' later kind of thing.

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 make the most of my weekend, not just the 'best of it'.

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER TO WIN AN ACTIVEION PRO ($299 RETAIL VALUE), ENTER NOW

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed.

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

Check out our review of Tiara Minerals Makeup HERE

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

I am a Minerals Virgin No More!

I knew that title would catch your eye! Now that we have established your desire for evening titillation is strong . . .

I was approached with the opportunity to try Mineral Makeup for the first time and I will admit I was quite reticent about it. I'm not the biggest makeup person, I have a pretty streamline daily routine, but on certain occassions where I know I need to be my most 'photo ready' self, I will usually go for my tried and true favorite liquid foundation coverage.  I always thought mineral makeup would add more time to my routine.  More time? Who has that?? (not me!)

The good folks at Tiara Minerals knew something I didn't, that mineral makeup doesn't have to be complicated and is very good for your skin. They challenged me to try something new and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have done so.

I spread everything out on my bureau and will admit I felt like a little girl again raiding mom's makeup! (Hope you are not reading this mom!) The colors were amazing! Then a brief moment of worry crossed my thoughts. Latina skin tends to be difficult to match foundation for as many a countless beauty counter makeover debacle will attest to. Most brands tend to make our skin appear very yellow, and that's the last thing you want, especially during a moment where photo opps are possible.

I decided I'd try it all out first for a brief run around the neighborhood for errrands. Hopefully no paparazzi at the bank or supermarket right? LOL

I first went to buy a Lotto ticket (you have to be in it to win it right, scoff if you'd like, but that mega millions is MINE all mine I tell you) and the folks behind the counter all remarked I looked nice today. I smiled a knowing smile and was off to my next errand. My favorite teller at the bank asked if I cut my hair, LOL, again I smiled a knowing smile and was off to the supermarket. Everyone knew something was different, and everyone LIKED it! FANTASTIC!

Then I decided Tiara Minerals would get it's next test. The Real Test. A New York City event in a cramped venue, with way too many people and not enough air conditioning. I'm pleasantly surprised to report that the entire line held up to the biggest test a woman can give her makeup, the SWEAT test! Tiara Minerals passed again. They passed the two biggest tests I have with makeup, will it stand up to sweating, and will it yellow me out?

Now it's time to share what I tried:

Tiara Minerals UnderEye Concealer
Tiara Minerals Summer Concealer
Tiara Minerals Natural Concealer
Tiara Minerals Beige Foundation - see photo above post
Tiara Minerals Warm Beige Foundation- see photo above post
Tiara Minerals Silk Mineral Veil
Tiara Minerals Blushing Rose Blush
Tiara Minerals Blackberry Passion Wine Shadow and Liner Set - pictured immediately above

I can't speak highly enough about the quality, the colors, the service and lasting wear of these products. I highly recommend Tiara Minerals, 5 Natural Ingredients, eco friendly packaging, it doesn't get better. I wasn't able to get a giveaway for us today, but hopefully will have the opportunity to work with Tiara Minerals again in the future to host a giveaway here with Ascending Butterfly.

Tiara Minerals can also be found on Facebook HERE

They offer a Monthly Sample Subscription I highly recommend:

Receive 10 Sample Baggies Every Month for only $12.95! (Blushes, Shadows & Liners)

This gives you the chance to play with a wide variety of colors and then pinpoint which ones you love the most so you can get those in a full size once you run out.

Thursday, September 24, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the economic, cultural, and social contributions of the more than 47 million Latinos residing in the U.S. The dates of Hispanic Heritage Month were selected to include the Independence Day celebrations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile, as well as to incorporate Día de la Raza—a holiday celebrated in Mexico on October 12 observing the colonization, exploration, and multicultural heritage of the Americas.

The National Council of La Raza has a great calendar of events on their website of activities taking place during the celebration HERE.

We sometimes lean on our occupation, culture, socio-economic status or our labels within our family structures to help us identify with who or what we are. At best, it's a mixture of all those things. And as a very proud Latina, I enjoy looking for ways to share community with other Latinos especially during Heritage Month.

Whether you are of Latino Ancestry or not, each and every day is a good day to look internally and figure out what you identify with being. Identify the WHO in who YOU are.

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 identify and unify all the disparate elements that make up who I am into one whole and healed being.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier.

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed.

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

SUN IN LIBRA

Today the sun is in Libra! The sun's entrance into Libra marks the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Libra is the sign of teamwork, partnership and relationships, which will be the focus through the next few weeks. I love when the sun is in Libra, collaborations always turn out better for me. And since my life is surrounded by those under the Libra zodiac sign I have many birthdays to celebrate in the next few weeks too. (Happy Birthday to all Libran friends and family!) Must control urge to eat all the birthday cake! oops that was a note to self.....

I read a passage today by Holiday Mathis that I'd love to quote here:

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX: The sun's transit into Libra has been celebrated by ancient and modern cultures alike. The imagery of Libra's scales and the theme of balance are inspired by the equality of nighttime to daylight. It's also a turning point, since the nights increase in length in the weeks to come. This is traditionally a time to pull together our resources and connect with loved ones to harvest the bounty around us and store up for the colder months. Since very few of us are actually farmers in this age, our harvest is of a different nature. What, besides the basics of food, water and shelter, will sustain you through the winter? And who helps you get it? For some, it's love and romance that add passion to the season. For others, it's special projects or art. For still others, it's intellectual growth, physical fitness or the satisfaction of a family well cared for or a job well done. Give some thought to what you have in your life that makes it great. Think of a way you can show the universe and the people in your life that you are grateful for the abundance of the past season as a way of getting ready to greet the new one.

When you feel blessed, and you are filled with gratitude for those blessings the Universe just seems to WANT to bless you more!

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 am receptive to the powerful opportunities for collaboration that are coming my way.

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier.

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed.

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Merry Mabon!

There just hasn't been time to breathe today! Is is just me or is Fall racing to become winter? September is almost gone already!

Today is Mabon -This Wiccan holiday marks the fall harvest and the preparations for the coming of winter. Mabon is celebrated on the autumnal equinox. Some call it 'Harvest Home Day'.

What do you do to prepare your home for the coming winter?

 

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 prepare my home and mind for the changing season'.

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Please let us know what you think!

NOTE 2: Twitter followers: please remember you must also follow Ascending Butterfly using Google friends connect on the upper right hand side of the page for your entries to be processed.

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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

Monday, September 21, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Know Your Spirit - Awaken Your Inner Mixologist

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Dewars Discovery Event. While the tasting was a huge component of the event, the history behind the product and the chance for attendees to mix our own Scotch was one of the highlights. At first it reminded me of science class, there were beakers set up on the tables and within each beaker was a 'note' or essence of what you find in the final blend, separated out so we could learn to identify them individually.

And while they may not seem like similar experiences on the outset, the night brought me back to a trip to Mexico where I visited a very small museum. I went through the exhibits at the museum relatively quickly and right before I was ready to leave, the Museum's Docent stopped me and asked me questions I could not answer about the exhibits. Exhibits I had just seen! He led me through again, asking questions about each piece that were not only incisive, but very much reminded me that it's important to be more observant about what I see and experience.

This weekend was more than an opportunity to 'know my spirits' so to speak, it was reminder to observe and savor what life has to offer.

While I do enjoy a fine Scotch particularly in winter, I never really stopped to think about the flavors and notes of it. I never really stopped to truly appreciate it. (Although I will admit I did stop to appreciate it's ability to warm me up when it was freezing outside! LOL)

Today I urge you to savor the beautiful things, the beautiful experiences and the beautiful people that surround you.

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 'Today I observe the nuances, I see the small things and I enjoy the beauty my life has to offer.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Please let us know what you think!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, September 20, 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.

This week, I am grateful for:

1) Ascending Butterfly has been nominated for the Divine Caroline's Love! This Site Awards '09 For the 'Body and Soul' category! I am absolutely floored. I have been a long time reader of The Divine Caroline Website and consider them one of my daily sources of inspiration. My heart was certainly filled with gratitude to find out we were nominated. And more meaningful still, to find out it was an Ascending Butterfly reader who nominated us! Thank You! If you would like to vote for us, please click HERE!

2) I am grateful for Ascending Butterfly sponsors who have this made this whole summer special, and there is certainly more great stuff to come! We moved the 'Today's Butterfly' feature to the very upper right hand side of the page, making it easier and faster to enter our giveaways. And bringing our great and generous sponsors to the spotlight!

3) I'm also grateful for Ascending Butterfly's wonderful readers. This week many of you shared your gratitude list and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to peek into everyone's world. Many readers missed the gratitude last week, and we are happy to say it's back! :-)

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 inspiration. 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 This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and TWO giveaways! - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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

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

Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day feature, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier.

NOTE: To our Twitter Followers, you must join Ascending Butterfly via Google Friends connect and then follow the contest instructions regarding your entry comment to be entered. You are NOT automatically entered into the giveaways solely by following on twitter. Please follow ALL contest/giveaway instructions CAREFULLY.

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

Friday, September 18, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Happy New Year!

This weekend is Rosh Hashanah and I just wanted to wish our readers who will be observing this religious holiday, a new year filled with prosperity, health, happiness and abundance!

The website, chabad.org has a wonderful very easy to follow 2009 Rosh Hashanah Calendar, the direct link can be found by pressing HERE.

While it may not be the New Year for those of us not observing, every day can be a day of inner renewal. By being more conscious of your inner dialogue and the way it does you harm. Do you find yourself reacting negatively to deadlines and stress? Do you put yourself down in your mind instead of using inner dialogue that can boost your self-esteem instead?

Make today the begining of your 'Inner New Year' by changing your inner dialogue. Just like you are quick to praise friends, family members and even co-workers for a job well done, do the same for yourself. Start as soon as you wake up each morning. Instead of focusing on the things that bother you, focus on one thing each day that you love about yourself. When a negative thought is threatening to creep in, don't claim it, get rid of it by using the focused breathing techniques and affirmations you learn here. Change your thoughts, Change Your Life. Yes it really can be that simple. If you choose to let 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 'Today is the first day of my inner New Year.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Please let us know what you think!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thursday, September 17, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

CH CH CHANGES

We interrupt your regularly scheduled words of inspiration to inform you of a feature 'move'. Readers have asked us to make entering the contests and giveaways, faster and easier. Your wish is our command! We have moved our 'Today's Butterfly - Featured Site(s) of the day feature, which is where we host our giveaways, to the upper right hand side of the page. It will be located here from now on to make entering the giveaways faster and easier. Please let us know what you think!

Many people are currently discussing the Mercury Retrograde (which is in effect until the 29th of this month)and blaming it on the problems they are currently experiencing in their communications both on and offline. While it very well may be playing a major part, it is our reactions to change both internal and external that make these communication 'snafus' worse. How well do you embrace change? Do you welcome it? Do you go with the flow? Does 'change' bring you anxeity and frustration? Do you fear it?

I will tell you, sometimes the boat really does need to be rocked for good things to happen. Change allows us to experience something new, and that in turn allows us to grow.

Don't let the mercury retrograde trick you into thinking that flying off the handle when someone cuts you off in traffic is OK because the planets are out of whack. Change is in the air. That change is only as good as you MAKE it. Remember most people fear change, and their negative reactions or in some cases over-reactions, should only set you back temporarily.

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 embrace change.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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!

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

NOTE: Today's Butterfly has MOVED! Look on the upper right hand side of the page to enter all current giveaways!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - Today's Words of Inspiration and TWO giveaways!

Rest In Peace

Ascending Butterfly just wanted to take a moment to send our Deepest and Heartfelt Condolesences to the family (including his beautiful wife of 34 years, Lisa Niemi), friends and fans of actor Patrick Swayze who lost his very valiant battle with Pancreatic Cancer yesterday.

I have lost family also to Cancer and know first hand that is not an easy fight. So our 'Today's Words of Inspiration' will become an open forum for those who want to send Condolesences to the family or for those who just wish to share their favorite Patrick Swayze memory or their favorite role he portrayed. I definitely enjoyed 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Ghost' and thought he was awesome in 'To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.' as well.

I also take loss as an opportunity to reach out to friends and family and tell them just how much they mean to me. Do it, before it's too late. Today I urge you to hug someone you love. Tell them how much they mean to you. Because yesterday's affirmation rings true today, I will ask you to repeat it again.

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 remind those that I love just how much they are worth to me.'

Spend some time each day enjoying focused breathing AND soul guided meditative visualization, in doing so, you can bring about amazing, profound and powerful changes in your life.

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(s) of the Day - And TWO Giveaways!

1. Enter to win an Activeion Pro HERE (a $299 Retail Value!) This giveaway ends on September 25th, so get your entries in TODAY, and don't forget you MUST be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to enter this and ALL giveaways!

2. Enter to win the SodaStream USA Penguin Starter Kit - Your very own Soda Maker! Enter HERE (a $199 retail value!) This giveaway ends on October 12th, so get your entries in TODAY, and don't forget you MUST be a follower of Ascending Butterfly to enter this and ALL giveaways!

Our September Book Club Title 'America Libre' by Raul Ramos y Sanchez will be launching shortly!

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