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

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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.

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Adults Night Out!

Social interaction is good for our health too – Join us for an all adult night out on our pool deck!

LIVE MUSIC (Brick House will be in the house!)
LIGHT APPS (Finger food because we like to eat)
DRINKS (At our poolside cafe)
DANCING (The night away)
RAFFLES (Because everyone loves free stuff!)
+ MORE! (We might surprise you with some other things, but we’re not telling)

$10 cover per person – collected at the door

Come mingle with members or bring a friend! Open to the public.

Your RSVP is helpful so we can plan for enough food and drink for all – let us know if you’re coming HERE

Barre at the Bar – Summer Series!

Join us for a series of poolside barre classes from 6:00 – 7:00 PM on the outdoor pool deck, followed by a social from 7:00 – 8:00 PM!

LAST CLASS: Thursday, August 16th with Andi + Laura

$20 Per Person, Per Class
Cost includes fee for class, (1) glass of wine or beverage of choice, heavy appetizers, raffle ticket and goody bag!

Open to members + the community – Bring a friend!

Call 978-526-8900 to sign up!

– Class limited to 15 participants
– Participants can purchase additional glasses of wine after glass included in cost of event
– Fee for event charged at time of sign-up
– Cancel up to 48 hours for full refund

Gymazing

Need a date night? Friday’s are MOVIE NIGHT in Gymazing!

5:30 – 8:00 PM every Friday
$10 per child – ALL AGES!
Pizza and a snack provided
Fun guaranteed (for you and the kids!)

OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS! View more info HERE

BoSoma Dance @ MAC

• Back to school? We have special training rates for students! Check out our pricing HERE
• TRX for college athletes 8:00 AM with Ron
• Weekly MAC BBQ Recipes! Posted weekly on our Facebook page
• Explore our outdoor workout space!
• Back to School Drive! We will be collecting notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, stickers, and other school supplies until September 5th

• The club will be getting a thorough cleaning on Saturday, August 4th, after 2:00 PM. Please schedule your workout accordingly!

MACATHLETICS.COM

Not sure if CFCA is right for you? We offer a 14 day trial membership for $65 so you can test the waters before fully committing to improving your health/fitness and life!  Trial memberships start with a private intro session with one of our coaches. The intro will give you an opportunity to check out our facility, learn more about our program, watch an actual class in progress and learn some of the basic movements that we use on a regular basis. More importantly, it’s a chance for us to get to know you… (your goals, athletic background, previous injuries) and address any questions or concerns that you may have. This session generally lasts 40-60 mins. Once you have completed your intro… come to class as much as you want for the next 14 days! Get a feel for our workouts, our coaches and our supportive community. When the 14 days are up… let us know if you think CFCA is the right fit for you. Email us get started! info@crossfitcapeann.com

For more information: www.crossfitcapeann.com

We’ll be on the water for about 2 hours. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the start of class so we can get all your gear sized up. Can’t wait to see you!

Cost: $40 Includes all rental equipment including board and paddle NOTE: If you have your own equipment, email amanda@treetopyoga.com to receive rental discount PRIOR to registering.

Please NOTE: Pre-registration is required for this event as it takes place off site.

Class is limited to 10 so sign up in advance to save your space! REGISTER HERE

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 ************************************