Do You Take Things Personally?

Do you take things personally?  I used to.  A lot. 

Whether it was a statement by someone that offended my personal beliefs, or a rude comment or attitude made by someone towards me- I'd take it personally. 

I realized I was spending a lot of time passionately being upset at the injustice of how people treated others, or the lack of warmth or tact from people in my life.  I didn't understand how people could be so rude or thoughtless!  After some serious soul searching, I had a realization that there were a few heart issues that were contributing to my inability to let things roll off my back. 

One, I was looking towards others to find my identity, instead of looking at my creator- God!  I was placing the opinions of (what I thought) others thought of me on a pedestal, and somehow lost my own voice and the root of my own value.  This worked out OK when I received praise, but more often than not, made me feel less than worthy at someones tart words or lack of affection towards me.  This thought alone, I believe would help so many of us in the joy and confidence we have in our lives, and lower the amount of time we spend comparing ourselves, or ruminating on what others are thinking about us. 

The second part was realizing that what someone else says tells me something about them, (not me).  Bullying, cold greetings and criticisms always made me feel insecure and lowered my self-esteem.  Working through this toxic thought process allowed me to free myself from this type of assumption in my thinking. 

Are you tempted to think this way?  Are you tempted to base your value on what others say about you (or what you think they are saying about you)?  I truly hope that you realize your true value has nothing to do with what others say, but everything to do with the one in whose image you were created.  That what people say doesn't have to offend you, but can give you valuable information about what that person is going through, or where they are in their journey.  You don't have to take it personally.  What a freedom!

Love,
Anna

Will YOU Help an Author Win a Contest?

Hey Friends!!

So there's this contest....

and I woke up this morning with a passion to win it!!!

Will you help me??

Here's the deal.  I have to have the highest wholesale sales for the month of September out of all the authors with BQB Publishing.  This means, I need YOU and YOUR FRIENDS to buy "Bearful Bear and his new Moves" either online at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com, OR, better yet, ASK for it at your local bookstore!!  There are always baby showers, birthday's, and even CHRISTMAS is coming up!!! 

And here's a little well known fact:

a book is always the perfect gift. 

So, I am rallying the troops for this one!  I can only win this contest with your help!  Spread the word (and this blog) to your friends.  Put Bearful Bear on your child's wish list!  The reward means that Bearful will make his way into more hearts and more bookstores, which means so much to me! 

Let's win this thing, baby!!!
Love,
Anna

Forget Judgment- Learning the art of Noticing

I don't know about you, but lately my Facebook has been...colorful.  Hot topics, people disagreeing- even dispising their opposition.  It breaks my heart as a person whose number one strength is connectedness.  I can always see both sides, and even if I disagree, I can always understand where the others are coming from.  I've actually had anxiety over the past month from my Facebook friends list of far left, far right, north and south and everything in between.  It's a neat mix, but I can't say that it doesn't overwhelm me.  And I've felt it.  I've been allowing judgments to creep in my mind...and I have gently reminded myself of the second blog post I ever wrote called "Noticing."  I feel that more than ever, I need this in my life, and maybe it will help you, too.

I have recently come across the idea of noticing in a few parenting books. It means realizing what your child likes, and instead of making a judgment statement to them, such as, "I love it when you color pretty pictures," or, "I love how well you dance," you should say, "Wow, I have noticed that you like to draw pictures for daddy, " or, "I've noticed how much you love to dance!" A subtlety, sure; but a significant one. One that makes a huge difference on the self esteem of a child. A child who has the freedom to grow up and be what they always dreamed of- not what they think would make some else- especially their parents- happy.

Today as I drove home, it was just beginning to snow, and there was a driver behind me who was clearly wanting to speed past. I started to get slightly irritated since the weather didn't provide clear driving conditions, and I had two babies in the backseat. Before allowing myself to further indulge my feeling to get over and give him a clear and direct point to the innocent children in the back seat and a furrowed brow, I thought of the idea of noticing.

What I noticed was that this man was in a hurry. Period. Ok. Got it. I'll move over for you. What's the problem with that? Am I really going to waste a single moment on some less-than-intelligent (woops, a judgment!) man that feels the need to get somewhere 30 seconds faster than I do? OK, so I won't get upset. I won't judge him. I won't waste time. I'll simply notice. Notice he is in a hurry.

This little idea has such dramatic implications on the happiness, the peace, and the extra moments I'll own thinking of something brighter. It goes beyond road rage. It can be used anytime someone talks about something they enjoy, something they dislike- it's a way to know someone and their values without judging that they are different than you. This is the most freeing thought process, and is, in my experience, the easiest way to get away from judging others! In the end I will be glad knowing that I didn't allow the anger and frustration over someone else's value system to rob me.

Barnes and Noble and Bearful Bear, Friends at Last!

Excitement is one way to put it.  Thrilled is another.  Oh yes, I am pleased to announce that Barnes and Noble has picked up "Bearful Bear and his new Moves" in paperback!!!  Now, this doesn't mean that you will see 10 copies stacked nicely on display at every Barnes and Noble across the country, but what it means is that they have it stocked in their warehouse, and every Barnes and Noble can easily order it.  As they receive more demand for it (by devoted fans asking for it at their help desks), they will eventually start stocking it! 

So now, I'm asking for your help!  When you are looking for a great, personal gift for a new baby, grandchild, donation to a school, etc. Please go and ask for it at your local bookstores!  This is a great way to support new authors, whoever they may be.  As I've said from the beginning, I am so blessed by those of you who have been so supportive of me and my venture of becoming an author!  All of these are mini wins for us, as the publishing industry is one tough cookie to crack!  But, HERE WE ARE, Bearful!!! 

A few practical things you can do to help (if you feel so inclined :))

1. Tell your friends about this blog or the book!
2. Ask for your bookstore to carry "Bearful Bear and his new Moves"!
3. Write a review of the book at www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com

Have I mentioned that I appreciate you?!?!  Thanks for reading- truly...you have no idea what it means to know that someone reads this blog and cares...that I'm not alone on an island with a beautiful book that no one has seen or heard. 

Love,
Anna

And the Winner Is....

                            Barb Perkins!!! 

You won a FREE autographed copy of Bearful Bear and his new Moves!!!  Thank you so much for sharing my teaser trailer on your social media sites!!  Your support is so meaningful to me!! 

Thanks to all of you who shared my trailer...there will be more giveaways, as always...so please keep up with me via this blog, my Facebook author page, Anna Lee Everhart, or on twitter, @AnnaLeeEverhart!  To purchase the book, click here for hardcover or here for paperback!

Thank you so much for your support!!
Love,
Anna