FOR THAT HARD-TO-BUY FOR PERSON, PERHAPS?  READINGS STARTING AT $40.  CALL/TEXT ANNETTE TO PURCHASE.  978-239-3586   HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

CAPE ANN MEDITATES HAS CHANGED LOCATIONS!  STARTING MONDAY, NOV 26TH FROM 6:00-7:15PM WE WILL BE MEETING WEEKLY AT THE CAPE ANN POWER YOGA ANNEX,  76  ROGERS ST, GLOUCESTER (DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM BUILDING CENTER). PLEASE WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES AND BRING A CUSHION OR PILLOW TO SIT ON.  CHAIRS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. ONLY $5.00 PER PERSON.  ALL ARE WELCOME.  FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL/TEXT ANNETTE AT 978-239-3586. BEAT HOLIDAY STRESS!  SEE YOU MONDAY!

FOR THAT HARD-TO-BUY FOR PERSON, PERHAPS?  READINGS STARTING AT $40.  CALL/TEXT ANNETTE TO PURCHASE.  978-239-3586   HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Establishing this once-a-week-guided meditation group practice leads to less stressful, anxious moments during your work week.  Try it and see. Only $5.00

All levels . Beginners encouraged.

JOIN US ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 15TH FROM 6:00-7:15PM.  FEEL THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION IN A GROUP.  NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.   I WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE ENTIRE SESSION. 

WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES.  CUSHIONS, MATS AND BLANKETS PROVIDED.  ONLY $5.00.   FEEL FREE TO SHARE!!  IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION CALL ANNETTE   978-239-3586.    SEE YOU THERE!

YOU….ARE…..SPECIAL.                  – Mr. Rogers

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

Has anybody ever told you you were crazy? Did you ever feel like the odd one in the crowd? Have you always had the sense that, compared to everyone else you were just, say, kind of unusual?

Take a look at yourself. The good news is that it’s quite likely you have a lot of unique gifts and talents to offer to the world. The bad news is that in our western society you would find more comfort and support if you fit in better.

Case in point… check out social media.

From early on, society teaches us that being a person who is relatable, easy to compartmentalize and who conforms to the norm is preferred. But let’s assume you happen to be none of these.

Let’s say you show up to the party a little different from everyone else. You are guaranteed to get some sideways looks, “hush-hush” remarks and questioning from folks who might be a bit more comfortable if you would just fit in.

This is all well and good if nature has equipped you with a strong and resilient character. The trouble, though, is that so often people who are not the norm are often the more sensitive to rejection. The sense of being lost in a largely rigid and methodical world can hurt, and hurt deeply.

Take heart. Artists, writers, musicians, inventors that have shaped our culture have and continue to be geniuses and above average IQs. But they were far from being like everyone else!

The saying about “dancing to the beat of a different drummer” is true. These types of people seem to get their information and data from an entirely different source from the rest of society.

And that is what is so interesting. That is where life itself gets interesting. Can you imagine the world without great art? Without amazing music? With no great literature? With no spiritual inspiration? With everybody conforming to just one way of being and no variations?

Consider this. The world’s most famously influential people are some of the “strangest” ones.The majority of them have had many many challenges when it came to fitting in. They usually broke the mold. And many who are still with us continue to do so.

To name a few: Steven Spielberg, Walt Disney, Richard Branson, Justin Timberlake, Anderson Cooper, Beethoven, Winston Churchill, George Washington. The list goes on and on.

So, guess what? If you are “special” you are in great company!

The next time someone reacts to how crazy or unusual you are, maybe you can step back and take it completely as a compliment. Something to be proud of and grateful for!
Maybe you don’t fit in because in the Grand design of things you weren’t supposed to fit in! And THAT, neighbor, is what makes you awesome.

Take it from Mr. Rogers.

HE knew. 😉

Annette Dion is a Spiritual Counselor, Author and musician, committed to helping people find their deepest joy!

For a reading/counseling sessions call/text or email: 978-239-3586
annettedion7@gmail.com

Annette’s practice is at 114 Main St., Suite 207, Gloucester, MA.

Join us for weekly
“Community Meditation Mondays” 6:00-7:15 at Gloucester Yoga Collective,
114 Main St., Gloucester.  $5.00. No experience necessary.

Look for Annette at the next Main St. Block Parties,  Sat, Aug 11th and 31st,  6-10pm.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Sent from my iPad

HAPPINESS:  FACT OR FICTION?

Greetings my fellow spiritual seekers! Our topic for today is:                                                   HAPPINESS! So much has been said about happiness. Happiness is “where it’s at.” There are countless products and services that claim to be the cure for an unhappy state: nutritional supplements, Botox, positive thinking, meditation/mindfulness, dating sites, diets, to name just a few… So, out of curiosity, do you remember where you first learned about happiness? For me, I remember the concept being introduced at a young age in children’s books and Disney movies. Take The Cinderella story, for example. Here an innocent, orphan girl is forced to clean cinders by the fireplace and scrub the floors by evil stepsisters and a horrific stepmother! Oh my! Eventually, by some serendipitous turn of events, which includes a magic Fairy Godmother, Cinderella ends up at the Royal Ball and finds herself dancing with none other than the illustrious Prince Charming! In a mad rush to make curfew, her shoe falls off and is left at the establishment. Mr. Charming finds the shoe and sets out to look for her. He finally tracks her down, the shoe fits, and Voila! ALL of Cinderella’s problems are instantly solved! The final page/scene shows some version of them riding off into the sunset, alluding to something about them living “happily ever after.” All needs taken care of, no more worries or being “relegated-to-being-the-cleaning-servant” for Cinderella. Nirvana. Bliss. Perfection. Perhaps you had similar fairy tales and stories poured into your mind at a young age? There are so many. Is anyone with me here? Do we really still think this is TRUE? Are we kind-of in agreement that life just ISN’T REALLY LIKE THAT? Nowadays, we are in a kind of a subliminal, or perhaps obvious, competition with others on social media. Although I personally enjoy Facebook, I can see why some schools of thought say that it isn’t healthy for morale to constantly look at how perfectly “HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER” everyone else’s life can appear to be. This is especially true during those times when we do not particularly enjoy how we ourselves are feeling. Although it is wonderful to celebrate people’s victories, it is important to also be reminded that even the most “fortunate” of folks regularly go through “stuff.” Nobody, except perhaps some enlightened masters, is happy ALL OF THE TIME. If you have children (or if you can imagine it), could you see yourself telling them that if they are not happy that you would have a real problem with that? Good parenting includes teaching your child how to cope with less-than-optimal feelings in any situation and at any given time – and, ideally, that you help them to accept and love themselves no matter what. Tony Robbins, Master Life Coach, says that the most successful people in life have learned how to master their “state.” That means, when they are in a state of NOT feeling positive and energized, they pro-actively use techniques like exercise, affirming self-talk, connecting with others, to bring themselves to a better “state”. I find this to be extremely valuable advice, especially since it acknowledges the reality that we are naturally not-always-happy. We CAN get to happiness, with a little attention and work. The next time you are faced with a negative emotion, like fear, for instance, do your best not to fight with it. Do not berate yourself for not being in a state of bliss. That really only compounds the problem! Try this process: Take a deep breath. Calm yourself. Be in the present moment. Do a little talking-to-yourself: “Okay, Self, it seems we are not liking this feeling that is happening here. Let’s take a look at what is going on.. is it truly a disaster? Is it just growing pains? Is there an opportunity for some healing here?” And be PATIENT. Is there really THAT big of a rush to get back to being “happy?” (And.. if so, WHY?) Not being happy all the time is okay. It shows us that we are human. We are vulnerable. We are not perfect. The next time somebody, perhaps on Facebook, posts a picture of total happiness – just recognize that it’s a moment in time, and NOT a constant state. Denying our real feelings and pretending to be happy when we are not delays our true opportunities for those precious, happy moments. For it is through processing and clearing away the negatives that happiness can emerge. Let us make a way. To schedule an appointment, and for more information, call or text Annette at 978-239-3586 Annette Dion is a gifted Spiritual Counselor, author, musician and creative person! Her new office is located at 114 Main St., Suite 207, Gloucester MA. Phone sessions are also available. ************************************ UPCOMING Gloucester Block Party: Saturday, AUGUST 11, 6:00-10:00pm. Main St. Mini-Tarot Readings! $20 for 12 minutes. (Best deal of the year!). Stop by and say hello! Meditation Mondays: starting on Monday, July 30th at Gloucester Yoga Collective, 114 Main St. (across the hall from my office in Suite 207). 6:00-7:15pm Guided meditation for all levels.  Beginners are especially encouraged. Only $5 per person ************************************