Gratitude=happy!

Neuroscientists prove  feeling grateful activates the brain stem region that produces dopamine, the neurotransmitter that leads to feelings of being happy.

See articlehttp://www.businessinsider.com/a-neuroscience-researcher-reveals-4-rituals-that-will-make-you-a-happier-person-2015-9

May you have the Courage to Believe a Miracle can Happen to You at this season in which we honor the greatest Miracle of all: Christmas. Whether you can join us for Advent Tea or not, I pray this for you:

You are worthy; God is With Us! 

May you have the Courage to Believe a Miracle can Happen to You at this season in which we honor the greatest Miracle of all: Christmas.

Diocesan Center of Lansing, 12/2/17, 1 – 3PM.

I give gratitude for the God-given inspiration for the Coraggio book series

and for the men and women I have met along the Coraggio presentation paths

who have taught me enormously about courage, faith, and hope.

                 Coraggio Presentation Photos

I am humbled and strengthened by their valor.

I was blessed by Fruzi and Greti who greeted us when we arrived in Hungary this September, spoiled us with a home-cooked traditional meal of soup and stuffed Hungarian peppers, and who kept my mother Julia and grandparents Zoltan and Anna’s memories alive for me and passed to Eric. I experienced profound gratitude that I could once more gaze at the Danube River that flows through Budapest, Hungary with Fruzsi and Greti.

Bridge over the Danube River in Budapest with Fruzsi and Greta

Can you believe that in June I climbed to Castello Brunello in Portofino, Italian Riviera?

Grazie Eric for walking alongside of me and taking this photo as proof of the miracle to walk!

      In Portofino, Italy

I am grateful.

This Thanksgiving weekend I reflect on the 11 months since the surgery to fix my knee prosthesis. I give gratitude to the health professionals who performed a successful surgery and without narcotics.

I thank the family and friends who cared for me through recovery; their love made all the amazing events since then more meaningful. I am grateful to God that I breathe and walk today, for I know these are miracles.

I love waking each morn to discover what positivity boost
Practice Positivity posted for me!

Bravo Vittorio Gigliotti for your superb photography during Cosenza, Italy’s Fashion Week.

My father Pasquale, nephew to your grandfather Giovanni, was a fantastic photographer and your talented photos would make him proud!

Happy Father’s Day to Pasquale and Giovanni!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1586433038042004&id=530342743651044&refid=12

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vgestrophoto/

If ever there was a person who embodied courage despite a seemingly hopeless situation, it is Marilyn Andersen.  

Myasthenia gravis caused weakness in her diaphragm to the extent she was hospitalized and needed a ventilator to assist with breathing. Despite being told she would need a ventilator for the rest of her life Marilyn never gave up her determination to return home and to 100% of the activities that brought joy to her life.  When a visiting nurse told her about a “diaphragm pacer” she didn’t stop until she met with the inventor-surgeon at Cleveland Clinic and convinced him to use it on the first MG patient ever!

Marilyn turned her gratitude for the success of the diaphragm pacer into motivation to tell as many people as possible about the device which acts similar to a pacemaker and stimulates her weakened diaphragm so that the ventilator is not necessary.

The demonstration of Coraggio spirit, to bravely take charge of the aspects of a dire situation you can control, to maintain an attitude of joy and gratitude, and to believe that you can live a positive and fulfilling life, makes Marilyn Andersen a truly remarkable recipient of the 2017 Coraggio Spirit Award.

2017 Coraggio Spirit Award Winner Marilyn Anderson, with Lisa, at the MG-MI Annual Conference in East Lansing

Marilyn with diaphragm pacemaker device-No more ventilator!

…and grateful for an Italian Grandmother’s cannoli recipe, passed on to her great-grandchildren by Aunt Laura. Fresh ricotta from Nino’s Italian store whisked by Michael, secret ingredient orange zest by Madison, shells stuffed by Ryan, and ends sealed in chocolate by Makenzie.