Every day between now and Christmas I am going to share a Christmas Poem with you. The one below speaks from my heart this Christmas time.
Loved Ones
Christmas is a beautiful time to spend with your family and close friends and this is often a time when you also think about your loved ones who can’t be with you right now and I know you can relate to that, just like me.
This next Christmas poem is all about that and this one is dedicated to my Wonderful Dad in heaven, “I Miss You Forever”.
I Miss You Forever
I miss you forever, forever and a day. But it seems to get harder, when Christmas comes our way.
I think of your smile, I think of your love. When Christmas is with us, And you are above.
Kindness is in the air, All I want to give to you. Is the biggest ever hug, This is what I’d do.
If only Santa Claus, Could make my dreams come true. We’d be putting up the tree, Instead, I’m feeling blue.
But Christmas is upon us, and you are in my heart. Shining like a beacon, Flowing through every part.
I miss you forever, and on this Christmas Day. I love you more than you’ll ever know. And in my heart for you I pray.
Every day between now and Christmas Day I am going to make up a poem for you and share it here on this Clarabelle Blog. If you would like to inspire one of the Christmas poems or better still, if you want create a special Christmas poem for this blog, then please just let me know on the comments section below. Poems can be about anything related to Christmas, for example, you might want one of the Christmas poems to be about a Snowman or Father Christmas or Christmas Candles or Christmas Love….whatever you want, please just let me know. I can’t promise that I will be able to include everyone’s Christmas poems or ideas but I will do my very best to capture what I can. Here is the first one for you:
Christmas Bells
The sound of love, The sound of joy. Giggles and smiles, From every girl and boy.
The sound of hope, The sound of fun. Christmas bells ring, Uplifting everyone.
Treasure this time, Play in the snow. With Christmas jingles, And Santa on show.
Let the tree, Light up the room. Give warmth this Christmas Let the Christmas flowers bloom.
I have been practising singing my original songs before I head up to the recording studio in January to record my very first EP and I am soooooooooooo excited.
Just thought I would share with you some video footage from this, which I am calling my very own “Living Room Gig”, so welcome, I hope you enjoy. I have still got a long way to go before it’s perfect but as they say practice makes perfect and I am certainly doing that.
As special thank you to YOU for your continuous support and encouragement and for visiting this Clarabelle Blog, I have created a “Live Your Dreams” video for YOU.
I have now exceeded 16,000 blog hits and I could not have done it without YOU. In celebration of this amazing achievement I thank YOU with this beautiful video, I hope you like it. Lots of love to you today and always, Clarabelle.
The following poem, which I have recorded on video for you, is one of my favourite poems, it’s about being open to change and moving forward with your life.
Shape Your Future
Focus positively on what you do in the NOW and in what you Think, Feel and Do, because that will surely shape your future and I know you want it to be a good one.
Here’s to the best days of your life, that have still to come.
Love Clarabelle.
The Best is Yet to Come
Goodbye to my past, I’m letting go of you,
Now I focus on the present, this beauty is shining through.
I’ve closed the door to your love and finally have moved on,
Too many sleepless nights, and worry from dusk till dawn.
I didn’t need another, to help me close the book,
I know the early chapters, were always worth a look.
But the best is yet to come, the rainbow is on its way,
It paints a bright picture, of the excited thoughts I hold today.
Each step forward, I dance between the puddles,
Like an umbrella of magic, embraced with joyful cuddles.
Some will join the journey, others will choose to stay,
But I will not forget you, in my heart for you I pray.
Life can turn around fast, but only if that’s your choice,
I say yes to change, by listening to my inner voice.
May I wish a beautiful Thanksgiving Day to all who are celebrating it today. This Thanksgiving Day poem is just for you. Thank you for being here, Clarabelle.
A Grateful Heart
A grateful heart,
is so special and true.
A beautiful moment,
a caring you.
A grateful heart,
brings warmth everyday.
A magical time,
in a meaningful way.
A grateful heart,
is open and heals.
kindness in your soul,
it lovingly feels.
A grateful heart,
on this Thanksgiving Day.
Brings loved ones together,
in a wonderful way.
Created by Clarabelle, 28 November 2013, Happy Thanksgiving Day to YOU
It is with great pleasure that I share the following sample music track with you. This is another one of my original songs, called “I Am The Greatest” and the piano backing track has been arranged and is played by the super talented Gary Stitt from Canada, Gary is also singing the vocals in this sample song track.
Motivational
The song is very motivational and is about making positive changes in your life, going for your dreams and goals in life and truly believing in your greatest potential – I have also included the lyrics below for you.
Please let me know what you think of the music track, I will be heading to the recording studio soon to put my own vocals on it.
Thank you as always for your continued support and encouragement. Clarabelle
You’ve gotta put the hard work in
And let your mind know
In order to catch the falling star
You’ve gotta move and go
Time it will not wait for you
Life moves very fast
So step it up, get going
Live it up, get showing
Say I Am
Chorus
I am the greatest
I’ve changed my ways
I’ve reached the rainbow
Happy sunny days
For I am the greatest
So watch me fly
I am the greatest
This is why
Verse 2
Times are tough I know sometimes
Keep going until the end
To reach the top you have to go
Be real do not pretend
You can be the champion
You can have it all
So live it up, get moving
Play the game, get grooving
Say I Am
Bridge
I feel my heart
I feel my soul
In changing moments
This I know
Chorus
I am the greatest
I’ve changed my ways
I’ve reached the rainbow
Happy sunny days
For I am the greatest
So watch me fly
I am the greatest
This is why
This is why
I will fly
Imagine what’s beyond your dreams, I mean once you have achieved them, visualise that right now, think yourself into that zone of dream achievement, isn’t it such a wonderful happy place?
I love this quote below by Walt Disney, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” – it says it all to me really. My sister brought me this little bag back from her travels in America this year, she said when she seen it, she thought of me instantly, she said “I just had to get it for you”. It is a real pleasure to share that with you today. Love Clarabelle
I enjoy creating these video poems for you, I feel they bring out the best in the poems and makes them come alive. The video poem below is called “Green is for Go“, I do hope you like it and that you have a green light day today. Love, Clarabelle
Green is for Go
Green is for go, I see it everywhere,
Moving me forward, it’s so special and rare.
The key to the door, the answer to my prayers,
The blossoming of the flower, uncovering deep layers.
The sparkle in the sky, the smile on the street,
An abundance of joy, dancing in my feet.
The seasons have changed, a new freshness is in the air,
Take it easy today, here is one of my beautiful Piano Instrumentals to start your day, relax, enjoy and be happy in this moment now. Thank you for listening – “I Am Here”, remember that too. Clarabelle.
Everyone needs a little bit of motivation and inspiration now and again, it is good for the soul and it can make all the difference in your life at any moment in time.
If you have 3 minutes to spare today, listen to the words of this motivational speech that I created. It contains words from the heart, words to feed your mind and connect with your soul. I hope it gives you a little boost.
Please also feel free to share it if you feel you know someone else who might benefit from listening to it.
Keep going my friend, keep going till you get to the top, because indeed that is where the best view is.
Well I’ve been at it again and if you read my earlier blog post from today you will know that I am in S.F.A.M (Super Focused Action Mode), hence all the wonderful eBooks and Songs I have been creating recently. I am so passionate about this stuff and I am keen and eager to share it with you.
Why a Book on Christmas Poems?
I LOVE Christmas and I LOVE Christmas with the family so I integrated my passion for poem writing with my LOVE for Christmas and this is what you get. Whenever I post a Christmas poem on my facebook page or on here it always gets lots and lots of wonderful likes and positive responses so I know people really love them a lot.
A Family Christmas Poem for Everyday of Advent
If you are interested in purchasing this 34 page self published Family Christmas Poem eBook then please,
The eBook costs, one single payment price of £2.99 and it is delivered in the universally accepted PDF format. As soon as you pay, you will be instantly taken to a secure page on Gumroad where you can download your eBook.
It’s All About Christmasis a 34 Page eBook by Clarabelle
Christmas is such a special time of the year to celebrate with the family.
This eBook created by Clarabelle contains 25 Original Family Christmas Poems,one for each day of Advent leading up to Christmas Day.
***
Festive Family Christmas Poems in this eBook are:
***
1. A Christmas Gift
2. Oh Mr Snowman
3. This Christmas
4. Christmas is Here
5. Father Christmas
6. Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell
7. The Christmas Tree
8. Sweet Christmas Angel
9. Merry Merry Christmas
10. Christmas is Coming
11. A Christmas Wish
12. It’s Nearly Christmas
13. Merry Christmas Everyone
14. My Christmas Life
15. Christmas Is
16. Little Christmas Robin
17. Jump on that Christmas Cloud
18. Christmas is a Happy Time
19. Christmas Merry Christmas
20. I love the Snow
21. Christmas is Special
22. A Happy Christmas
23. Christmas is Here
24. On this Christmas Eve
25. On Christmas Day
***
These Family Christmas poems are loving, heartfelt and make a beautiful start to each day of Advent leading up to Christmas Day.
***
Enjoy with the family and let the magic of these Christmas poems melt your heart with Christmas love and joy.
***
The eBook costs, one single payment price of £2.99 and it is delivered in the universally accepted PDF format. As soon as you pay, you will be instantly taken to a secure page where you can download your eBook. CLICK HERE TO ORDER.
***
Thank you for purchasing this eBook and if you have any queries in relation to the purchase or this eBook, please email me, Clarabelle at claire@murraypeople.com
I have been in S. F.A.M lately, what does that mean?
It means, Super Focused Action Mode.
I feel everything right now is in alignment with where I am going i.e. my mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing is matching what I am becoming and what I am achieving in life.
I can honestly say I haven’t felt as super strong as this for a while, probably in about 5 years, maybe even longer, I don’t know. I feel excited, enthusiastic, passionate, super focused, super creative, full of energy and full of action. I have definitely taken things to a new level and when I really think about it, I am not even sure if I have ever been on this level before and I can honestly say I am LOVING IT.
Can you feel my passion, can you feel my excitement because if I could, I would bottle it and gladly give it out for free. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I do hope this post has inspired YOU into S.F.A.M.
I seem to be getting into the festive spirit already and accordingly to the recent UK weather forecast there will be plenty of opportunity over the next few months to make as many snowmen as we want. I hope you like this Family Christmas Poem below, it is from my latest eBook, “It’s All About Christmas”. Sending you some early Christmas love, Clarabelle
A young Clarabelle, Age 10, (2nd from right) with friends from School.
Oh Mr Snowman
Don’t believe a snowman,
Has no heart inside.
Because he was built,
By a child with pride.
He was a dream,
A vision of fun.
He brought the family together,
And lives in everyone.
Oh Mr Snowman,
You stand still, with a smile.
I could look at you forever,
Come walk with me for a mile.
Oh how I wish,
That could be true.
We’d be dancing and laughing,
Yes, snowballs fight too.
So when the snow comes,
In the big icy freeze.
Your snowman’s heart, lives in you,
Remember this please.
By Clarabelle 21 November 2013
Family Christmas Poems
Please check out Clarabelle’s eBook of Christmas Poems, entitled “It’s All About Christmas” – it contains 25 festive poems for all the family, one for each day of Advent leading up to Christmas Day. Please CLICK HEREfor more information/to purchase. PRICE: £2.99
Here is another video poem for you. This poem was created by me and it is entitled, “Let Life in”. I do hope you like. I have included the words below also for you. Have a beautiful day. Clarabelle
Let Life In
Celebrate, each brand new day,
Let life in and lead the way.
Embrace the moment, take a chance,
Go for it, smile and dance.
For happy are, the enthusiastic ones.
Their passion shines through, hearts beating like drums.
I can’t sleep with excitement, yes, exactly, NOT worry, pure 100% EXCITEMENT because I am making massive progress towards my childhood dreams of becoming a successful Singer/Songwriter.
In this post I would like to share with you a full SAMPLE music track of my original song “In Time We Heal” that I wrote this year. I created the lyrics and the melody and Gary Stitt from Canada has arranged and is playing the piano backing track. Gary is also singing the vocals in this sample and I think he did an amazing job here.
I will be in the recording studio in mid-December to create the final masterpiece and then it’s all systems go, just you try and stop me world hahahah 🙂
Below(highlighted in red) is the SoundCloud link to hear the track, I do hope you like it and please let me know what you think, the words are special, the lyrics are precious, they come from my heart and soul…..hence the title “In Time We Heal” by Clarabelle.
True Magic
Inspire your heart,
Inspire your mind.
Travel the world,
Sweet treasures you’ll find.
Look up to the sky,
Bathe in the sea.
Footprints on the sand,
Destined for me.
Fresh air on my face,
Wind behind my back.
Horizon in the distance,
I’m on the right track.
A mesmerising view,
A friendly warm embrace.
True magic is within me,
I take it to every place.
Created by Clarabelle 18 November 2013 especially for Jerry Nelson’s Journey America Blog
Bio: Clarabelle
About:
By day, Claire Marie Murray is a successful Business Woman, Distinction Accredited Certified Executive Coach, Business Mentor and Professional Human Resources Consultant.
Her business Murray People has been established since 2008.
Outside of the Murray People Business, she is also known by the name “Clarabelle” where she is involved in other creatively talented work such as blogging, writing poetry, photography and her most
Here is a little bit about the truly wonderfully inspiring Jerry (extract from his blog):
Jerry Nelson is an internationally recognized photojournalist.
His work has appeared in a wide variety of publications and news outlets including USAToday, CNN, Huffington Post, Upsurge, CBS, Dream Row, Earthwalkers and others.
He photographs and licenses images for all manner of commercial and editorial use as well as selling through this website.
***
Nelson writes, “I realize the dreams to travel were not mine alone. I have friends that have dreamed of traveling and trekking since the days that we all roamed the woods around Hot Springs, Virginia.
***
I realize that most of those friends will never have the opportunity to journey. Life gets in the way sometimes. But I have tried to share the majesty, intimacy and timelessness of places in my photographs in a way I hope everyone can relate to. I’ve tried to capture the reality of my childhood imaginations and share them with you. I realize that despite having grown up with these dreams, nobody needs to go on trips like I do.
But as we work through the daily routine of life at home, sometimes it helps to know that we could go. That it’s all really there.
Better yet, I hope my photographs inspire a few of you to actually follow your dreams and take your journey. I want to remind everyone that ordinary working people can visit remote places like I have. They do it all the time.
These are not expensive or difficult places to explore if you travel independently and stay with the locals.
And of course, there are endless experiences to be had in the wilderness areas of your own backyard.
You can’t begin a journey if you don’t step out. There is nothing mysterious about a rucksack. All you need are a couple changes of clothes, some hard earned time off and less money than you think.
Snake River Canyon Idaho
Get out there with me and watch the ravens fly through the dazzling glow of a remote slot canyon, watch the northern lights dance over the snows of Denali, walk with the lions and tigers in Lujan, roam the barrios in Buenos Aires looking for the next photograph, stand in the plaza as the Pope gets installed, watch in amazement during the Prayer Dance of the Native Cultural Center in Tennessee, break bread with veterans from the Falkland Islands war, listen for the choppers at the M*A*S*H set in Malibu, drift on The Snake River as we pass The Grand Tetons, stay silent in the Sonoran Desert as we wait for the Mexican drug cartel to appear, break bread with the Shoshone in Idaho, walk a knife-edge ridge in the Smokies and sit around the campfire in the Ozarks with other veterans. Fish for Pirrhana in the Amazon, watch autumn leaves fall in a gentle snowstorm in Patagonia, stand with me as 300 buffalo stampede towards us in Eusick, Washington, marvel at a palm tree swaying dark against a billion stars while camping on a moonless night in the middle of the South Pacific, sail a 16th century ship through the sound into open water, be ’embedded’ with OccupyDC during the winter, live with rugged miners in even more rugged Appalachia and drink Dr. Pepper on the front porch of the old Hatfield homestead in Mingo County.
It’s all there.
And the earth needs people who travel this way, who earn their time with its treasures, and promote its conservation.
***
Time is the most precious commodity we actually own.”
Payette Kayak
Below is Jerry’s Guest Blog Post which he wrote especially for this Clarabelle Blog:
Life Goes On
It grey the morning I stepped outside the door in a small town close to Roswell, New Mexico, on December 17, 2006. I shifted the backpack on my shoulders and walked to the end of the drive. Adjusting the straps again, I stepped into the street and walked to the corner. Looking back one more time, shifting the pack again, I walked down the street, through the town and across America.
I’m a Vietnam Veteran and while I didn’t see as much stuff as some others did, I was affected by the war and its aftermath. After keeping feelings, emotions and nightmares bottled up for years, I was admitted to a psychiatric hospitel in Staunton, Virginia where I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Ten days in the psych ward with nothing to do but read ended up being a blessing.
I came across an old issue of National Geographic that had an article about hiking the Appalchian Trail. That was what I needed to do. That’s what I wanted to do. Get out in the woods, get away from everything and everyone I knew. Alone with just my thoughts and the Creator for company. It never happened. Sometimes life gets in the way and for years there was always a reason not to pursue my dream: my wife she…my bills they…my job it… Well, you know how it goes.
In September 2005 my wife of 31 years filed for divorce. I didn’t want it so I sat on the paperwork hoping she would have a change of heart. She never did, and in April 2006 I signed the documents and handed them over. Later that year some friends who were living in New Mexico invited me out to spend the holidays with them so I wouldn’t have to be alone. With nothing better to do, I went. I got there on December 16 and that night felt the God of my understanding say I could take my walk.
I got to Washington DC on June 30th, 2007. Since then I’ve continued to travel, write and take pictures. You can see my work on my website, www.JourneyAmerica.org. I’m always encouraging people to follow my travels and challenging them to take their own journey. If you do, the people you’ll meet are amazing.
People like Omar in a Dallas ghetto who dreams of going to medical school so he can return and care for his neighbors and “Ms. Mamie” in Jackson, Mississippi who went back to school at 80 years old.
The spiritual life-lessons learned on a trip like that stay with you through life and become a guiding force and you learn that:
Life goes on and no matter what you’re going through I encourage you to “Join the Adventure”
Thank you Jerry for sharing a part of your story with us today here on this blog, it has been a real pleasure having you on board and you are most welcome anytime. If you would like to read more about Jerry and his adventures please head over to his blog http://www.journeyamerica.org I challenge you not to feel inspired.
If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger on this Clarabelle Blog, please let me know on the comments below or send me an email to claire@murraypeople.com
Thank you for being here, thank you for reading and thank you for your comments.
I know a lot of you regular visitors to this blog have joined me on my musical journey and I am very very grateful to you for that. It is with great pleasure that I share with you the release of my first musical piece: Piano Instrumental, for my original song “I Am Here”, arranged and played by Denis Kilty, http://www.deniskilty.com
Here is a complimentary 30 second sample of the piano instrumental for you to listen to:
This is such a very beautiful musical piece and if you would like to purchase it, you can do so now by clicking on the link below. The track costs one single payment price of £0.99 and you will be taken to a secure payment page on Gumroad where you will receive your instant download in mp3 format.
I have been working with some amazing Artists from all over the world and I am so excited to share my first Music Album with you, “The Becoming of Me”, which will be released in early 2014.
Watch this space my beautiful friends, the sound of my heart is coming to you.
I want you to think about moving out of your “comfort zone” today and into your “learning/stretch zone”.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable and see where this takes you.
Life is an adventure
Life is a challenge
Life is to be lived
Life is to be loved
Life is for learning
Life is for creating
Life is for embracing
Life is for YOU
Learning/Stretch Zone
The best way you can achieve the above experiences is by doing things that will take you into your “learning/stretch zone”. I’m not talking here about pushing yourself so far that it makes you cry with terror from within, as being in the “panic zone” will NOT serve you well. I believe that by staying in your “comfort zone” you are not just standing still, you are actually going backwards, as other people move forward into their “learning/stretch zone”.
One Thing
What one thing could you do today that would move you out of your “comfort zone” and into your “learning/stretch zone”. Go on, seriously think about…..actually don’t just think about it, DO IT!!
Don’t make this a lazy day, make it a LIVELY day and you’ll definitely feel the difference.
I started this blog up in April 2012 to originally share my own poetry with you. I remember looking at all the hundreds of poems I had written but had never really shared them with anyone, hence the idea for the blog came about.
It’s quite funny because this blog wasn’t planned, it wasn’t on my list of things to achieve and wasn’t a specific goal I set out to do at the beginning of year. It was something that just came over me that day, I remember having a quiet solitude moment to myself and in popped the idea.
I had started a blog prior to this one in 2009 which related to my Murray People Coaching Business but I wasn’t consistent with my blog posts and therefore that blog then became redundant.
Something about Clarabelle
But…. and I mean a BIG BUT HERE, there is something about this Clarabelle blog that I just, quite simply, love. I think I am in love with it hahahahah. 🙂 I know this because of how excited I am to write blog posts almost everyday.
If you’re a regular visitor to this blog you will now know that I don’t only share my poetry, I share my thoughts on topics around self help, personal development, coaching tools, songwriting, songs, guest bloggers, interesting conversations I have, road running, birthday celebrations, eBooks, quotations, affirmations, photography, music etc….basically anything that I feel passionate about writing.
So why am I sharing all this with you?
Well, I really really do value YOU for visiting this blog and I feel it is important for me to give you a voice and tell me what you like about this blog and what you don’t like. Please feel free to note your responses on the comments section below or email me at claire@murraypeople.com. I will use your valuable feedback to make this blog even better because I am committed to it and I am committed to give YOU more of what you really like.
So, beautiful people, open up your voice box and let me know what you really think. Thank you and I look forward to hearing your feedback.
Question for YOU: What do you like/dislike about this blog and why?
Thank you for visiting the page for my latest eBook, “It’s All About Gratitude”. If you are interested in purchasing this 65 page self published eBook then please,
The eBook costs, one single payment price of £8.50 and it is delivered in the universally accepted PDF format. As soon as you pay, you will be instantly taken to a secure page where you can download your eBook.
It’s All About Gratitudeis a 65 Page eBook by Clarabelle
Special Features of “It’s All About Gratitude” include original:
Stunning Photography from Scotland, UK
Poetic Verses on Gratitude and Being Thankful
Powerful Gratitude Affirmations
Highly Imaginative and Practical Gratitude Exercises
Beautiful and Meaningful Image Quotations
Discover The Science behind Gratitude and its relationship with Happiness
Details on How to Practice Daily Gratitude and so much more!!
Table of Contents includes:
Introduction Section 1:
“Why Gratitude?”
The Feeling of Gratitude
Here Comes The Science Part
Gratitude Quotations Section 2:
“Be Grateful for….”
“Give Thanks”
“When You Are Grateful”
“Be Grateful for the Raindrops. . . .”
“Be Grateful for the Blooming . . .”
“Be Thankful for. . . .”
“Be Grateful for the Opportunities. . .”
“Be Grateful, Be Happy”
“Take a Walk in Nature. . .”
“Be Grateful for the Beauty. . .”
Poems of Gratitude Section 3:
Gratitude is in my Heart
Thank You
The Beauty of Gratitude
Gratitude is a Song
Thank You For All
Forever Grateful
Believe in Gratitude
Sparkle With Gratitude
Happy to be Thankful
My Heart Shines
Gratitude Affirmations Section 4:
I Am Grateful
I Am Blessed
Beautiful Heart
Beauty of Love
Inspires My Soul
Thank You
Happy Heart
Life’s Treasures
The Beauty of Life
Loving Relationships
Practical Gratitude Exercises Section 5:
Declaration of Personal Commitment
Gratitude Drawing
Gratitude Letter
The Magic of Music
Gratitude Penny Jar
Walk of Gratitude
The Colour of Gratitude
Pay a Poem Forward
Gratitude Cloud
Gratitude Candle
Memories of Gratitude
“Practising gratitude invites joy into our lives….. it’s life changing.”
(Professor, Dr. Brene Brown)
“Gratitude is Gold”
“Gratitude saved my life.”
“Gratitude has kept me happy”(Jane Ransom, Coach/Speaker/Author)
The Purpose of this eBook is to inspire YOU to invite the power and practice of gratitude into your daily life.
When you are grateful in the moment you benefit in so many ways and when you practice the gratitude exercises within this eBook:
Your mood will instantly be uplifted.
You will feel much happier from within.
Important relationships will be improved.
You will feel so amazing with life right now.
Your energy will be raised to a higher level.
You will be inspired and motivated.
You will feel more abundant in life.
Your general wellbeing will be improved and so much more!!
“Experiencing gratitude is one of the most effective ways of getting in touch with your soul.” (Deepak Chopra)
Author of “Thanks, How the new science of gratitude can make you happier”. “Gratitude I believe has the power to do 3 things to heal, to energise and to change lives.” (Professor of Psychology, Dr Robert Emmons)
Gratitude is such a powerful force which will enhance your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others around you.
This eBook contains a variety of original gratitude poems, affirmations, quotes and practical exercises created by Clarabelle.
This eBook encourages and guides YOU to be mindful everyday of the blessings that you already have in your life.
It is a beautifully presented and yet practical guide for your own use or to give as a special gift to others.
The eBook costs, one single payment price of £8.50 and it is delivered in the universally accepted PDF format. As soon as you pay, you will be instantly taken to a secure page where you can download your eBook. CLICK HERE TO ORDER.
Thank you for purchasing this eBook and if you have any queries in relation to the purchase or this eBook, please email me, Clarabelle at claire@murraypeople.com
It is with great pleasure that I introduce this next Guest Blogger to you. Her name is Debbie Hollingsworth and she is a wonderful friend of mine and Strategic Business Partner. Debbie is an outstanding Executive Coach and Leadership/Management Trainer but she also has a special talent for writing poetry, which I only fairly recently found out.
Debbie Hollingsworth, Business Mentor and Professional Coach
Here is a little more about Debbie (extract from her Website):
What should I know about you?
I have been a professional coach since June 2006. I work with executives, business owners and their teams. I also work with private coach clients in aspects of their personal lives.
What did you do before you were a coach?
I ran my own travel business, before that I managed other peoples and before that I travelled the globe as a sales executive and trainer.
How did you become a professional coach?
The story how I found out about the coaching world is a little long to tell here, but if you want to know I will share that with you sometime!
I have been a professional coach and trainer since 2006. I trained with a global business coaching franchise and also as a life coach. I left the franchise in 2009 to focus on developing my own business and products.
Why are you a coach?
Being a coach is my way of making a difference in the world. I have never experienced job satisfaction in anything I have ever done to the same extent that I get from coaching people. Nobody ever came up to me when I sold holidays and said “Debbie, that trip to Barbados changed my life”. But they do say that about the work I do with my clients now.
What life experiences have you had?
I have been impacted by adoption, been married, divorced and remarried, faced infertility
issues, failed IVF, started two businesses and coped with more changes in my life than most before the age of 40!
What is your mission?
When working with anyone, whether it is 1-1 clients or groups, it is vital to me that change happens and there are positive results.
Not all results are tangible, as some are behavioural changes that must happen first of all. I have a mission, that as many people that I can influence, awaken to themselves and all that they are capable of being, doing and having.
To help people take full ownership of their lives and responsibility for their outcomes. That we focus only on what we can influence, not on what we cannot. That we realise that anything is possible.
My role is to help others to become aware of their obstacles so that they may be worked with and around, not always taken away but sometimes so.
As I said above, Debbie also writes beautiful poetry and below is one of these poems:
Debbie and her Dog, Sam
The Girl With Cornwall Hair
Who is she? Her over there, running free, running wild
Who is she? That girl in the flowing skirt, with roses in her hair
Who is she? She runs with the wind, without any care
Who is she? Sand between her toes, a smile, a laugh, a giggle
Who is she? Spinning like a wooden top, time standing still for her
Who is she? Her long, curly locks billowing behind her in the cool breeze
She is me, though I rarely feel her, see her, know her or be her
She is the girl with Cornwall hair.
Copyright Debbie Hollingsworth, 2013
Thank You
I would like to personally thank Debbie for sharing her wonderful creative talents with us here on this Clarabelle Blog, I am delighted she wanted to share her work with us.
If you wish to contact Debbie, you can do so, as detailed below:
If you would like to be a Guest Blogger on this Clarabelle Blog then please do let me know on the comments below and we will discuss it further. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you are a regular visitor to this blog you will know that I have been working away behind the scenes on my own original music. This creative process takes along time but I am very pleased to say that I am certainly making progress. I have a great team of professional musicians behind me and it makes the whole process a whole lot easier and make the songs better too.
The Youtube video below was recorded by me 2 days ago and it is the first live recording of me singing my original song “Yes You Can” to the guitar backing track which was arranged and played by Shako from New York. I am sure you will agree that Shako did an amazing job with the backing track. Things are certainly not perfect, keeping it real here for the moment, but I just wanted to share with you the progress that I am making.
Dream Come True
I feel very proud of myself because this is a dream come true for me. Next step is to take the tracks to the recording studio to be professionally recorded with the assistance of an expert sound engineer, this is in my current planning.
Yes You Can
The song “Yes You Can” has very inspirational and motivational words and I do hope it empowers you to “keep going” with whatever YOU want to achieve in life.
Thank you so much in advance for taking time to watch the video and please let me know what you think because I really do welcome your feedback.
A very special thank you to YOU for visiting, following, liking, sharing and commenting on this Clarabelle Blog.
When I began this blog in April 2012 I never imagined such interest and I am so delighted with the blog’s progress. I know I have said this before, but I honestly really do LOVE posting to this blog, I just love, love, love it, it really is an extension of who I am and what I am all about.
Thank you beautiful people for continuing to inspire me to “keep going” and share with you the wisdom and whispers of my heart and soul. I am forever grateful. Thank YOU.
I want to tell you about one of the gratitude exercises I have been carrying out over the last few weeks from my new eBook, “It’s All About Gratitude”. The gratitude exercise is called “Gratitude Penny Jar”. The eBook explains the full process on how to do this, but basically, in summary, when you have carried out this daily gratitude exercise you will have a full jar of “Gratitude Pennies” at the end of it to give away.
Gratitude Pennies
I was so excited the other evening because my Gratitude Penny Jar was full to the brim and I knew exactly who I was giving the Gratitude Pennies to. So I enthusiastically emptied the jar onto my living room floor and counted out the Gratitude Pennies. Here are some photos below:
402 Things That I Was Grateful For
All in all I had collected 402 Gratitude Pennies, I felt so good because that equated to 402 things that I was grateful for in my life over the last few weeks and now I was going to give these Gratitude Pennies away to someone who needed them more than me.
At the beginning of this Gratitude Exercise I already knew who I would give my pennies to because I often passed this homeless lady on the streets of Glasgow City Centre, no matter what the weather, selling “The Big Issue” Magazine, which is sold by people who are homeless. I counted out exactly £8.50 in one pence and five pence coins and I bagged them up all nicely and noted the amount on the outside, see photo below:
The Gratitude Walk
I was so excited the next day as I headed into Glasgow City Centre for work, as I really wanted to give the older homeless lady the Gratitude Pennies. As I turned the corner towards the Street she normally sits, I could see her about 100 metres ahead….this was the best feeling ever and I am now going to call this experience here “The Gratitude Walk”. I honestly felt like I had a million pounds in my bag to give the lady and even though it was only £8.50, these were special pennies, because these were “Gratitude Pennies” and every gratitude thought was from me with always her in my mind.
Thank You Lady
I smiled as I approached the lady and I handed her the white bag with the pennies in it, she looked at me in surprise, opened the bag and…..well let’s just say I’ll never forget the look on her face, she was so happy, so grateful and so loving with it all. “Thank you lady, thank you lady”, she said, to which I gave her the biggest smile, touched her on the shoulder and wished her a good day. I immediately filled up with tears because I know that little amount of money would have made a big difference to that lady and the expression on her face said it all.
Best Day
I had the best day that day, I felt so good and I paid my “Gratitude Pennies” forward to someone who needed them more than me……..there are no words to describe the feeling I felt……no words at all.
I want you to experience “The Gratitude Walk”, just like I did, and pay your “Gratitude Pennies” forward – not only will you feel amazing but the person you give them to will also feel so good.
It’s All About Gratitude
You can find out more about this Gratitude Exercise and other gratitude exercises, affirmations, poetry and quotations in my new eBook, “It’s All About Gratitude” which was published yesterday evening. Please click on the image below to access.
Please click on the link below or the eBook image above, if you are interested in purchasing the eBook. You will notice that the price of it is £8.50 – exactly the amount that was collected in my first“Gratitude Penny Jar” – yes, I’ve already started my next one!!
You have a beautiful heart, let it shine today, let it radiate amongst others and cultivate happiness within you. This next poem is for you, for you are indeed so very beautiful. Love Clarabelle
Where is the Beauty?
Where is the beauty?
Where does it go?
Here comes the dancing,
Here comes the show.
Open your eyes,
Let the world in.
Open your heart,
And forever you’ll win.
Time is so precious,
Treasure it well.
Believe in your talents,
They’re a magical spell.
For the beauty is in you,
It goes with your heart.
I want to say a very special thank you to two fabulous Artists I have been working with on the backing tracks for my original songs.
Firstly, I would like to say thank you to Denis Kilty from Ireland, www.deniskilty.com for his wonderful piano arrangement on my original song “I Am Here”, he did such a beautiful backing track for me. Below are some samples of Denis’ work from his YouTube Channel:
And in my own YouTube video for my new Ebook, here is the piano backing track that Denis arranged for me:
Thank you Denis you truly are super talented and I look forward to you working on some of my other Album tracks.
Secondly, I would like to send a special thank you to Shako Khiskiadze who I have been collaborating with from New York, another amazing talented Artist who has arranged a wonderful guitar backing track for my motivational and uplifting song “Yes You Can”. Below are some samples of Shako at work from his YouTube Channel. Thank you Shako.
I am so excited to be working with the above talented Artists and I look forward to sharing my Album tracks with you here on this blog, they have been a long time coming, but worth the wait I am sure.
Thank you for reading this blog post and joining this creatively inspiring journey with me.
I have always wondered that why we are not satisfied with what we have? what triggers our desire level? whats the result of the desire? Is there any way to control our desire and lead a life in harmony? Yes i do got a teacher to enlighten he was none other than a footwear engineer who’s has his shelter below the sheet metal and working hard for his survival.
It was a week before I was on my way to my home from a temple which is almost 8 Kms from the place of my residence. One such fine morning while returning to base after having some divine revelation from the almighty I happen to notice a man who was sitting under a tamarind tree and was busy with his business, I approached him to get my footwear done, Since my footwear needs bit of servicing I have approached…
It’s my lovely Mum’s birthday today, she is 71 years young and looks wonderful on it too. 🙂 I love birthday celebrations, lots of smiles, hugs, fun and laughter……and of course, yummy birthday cake too!!
Below is a little poem I created this morning, which I will write on the inside of the birthday card I give to my mum today. Looking forward to celebrating this special day with my mum and the rest of the family.
Happy Birthday to my Beautiful Mum
Happy birthday,
to my beautiful mum.
You’ve always been,
my number one.
So lovely and caring,
a heart made of gold.
Your hugs warm me up,
when I’m feeling cold.
Such a loving touch,
and engaging smile.
Your words of wisdom,
walk the happiness mile.
So may today,
be so special for you.
I love you mum,
May your birthday dreams come true. 🙂
I am doing a lot of research for my new “It’s All About Gratitude” eBook on the scientific studies of the relationship between gratitude and happiness and I am wonderfully amazed by the findings. Below is a Greater Good Science Centre, www.greatergoodscience.org YouTube video of Sonja Lyubomirsky, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, in which she talks about one of those gratitude studies, “Count Your Blessings” – I am sure you will find it very interesting indeed.
My own preference is most definitely carrying out the practice of dailygratitude because I know this 100% works for me but everyone is different and as the study explains maybe doing this once a week is enough and will have a greater impact for you.
May today be a “Count Your Blessings” day today for you and may it bring you a deeper sense of happiness and contentment into your life. Love Clarabelle.
I am enjoying doing these video poems for you and it is wonderful to hear from you that you like them too. This video poem below is called, “Language of the Heart”, I do hope you like it. Speak with true love in your heart today, speak it, feel it, live it, do it. Clarabelle
At the beginning of every month I pose a question for you to reflect upon and answer for yourself, I also provide you with my own answer to that question.
This month’s question links to the contents of my new eBook, “It’s All About Gratitude”, coming soon!! The answers that are posted in the comments section of this blog post will contribute to a section within the eBook and I will also link this blog post to it. It means that if you do choose to comment, which I would really really love, then your comments will be linked and can be accessed by the readers of the eBook and hopefully they will also visit your own blog, I will certainly encourage them to do that.
So this month’s question relates to “Gratitude“, I bet you guessed that one already!! 🙂
Question:
What does the feeling of “Gratitude” feel like to you, i.e. how does “Gratitude” make you feel?
My Answer:
When I am truly grateful for anything I have in life, it makes me feel so wonderful, I feel happy inside, I feel inspired, I feel motivated, I feel energised, I feel at one with myself, I feel I want to help other people, I feel of real value, I feel in harmony and in balance.
Feeling grateful is such a beautiful feeling for me and sometimes words cannot nearly describe what it really feels like. Feeling grateful makes me feel like I am meant to be here, it connects me to my purpose in life and makes me want to take inspired action.
Gratitude makes my heart smile inside and it touches my soul……it’s a bit like feeling the feelings of love, true love. When I am grateful I feel connected to a higher purpose, I feel good, I feel loved, I feel so thankful for being alive, right now, in this very moment.
When I feel grateful I want to sing, I want to dance and I want to share my happy feelings with others.
I practice daily gratitude and this is why, because it makes me feel so so so so good.
I would really really love to know what it feels like for you?
As you know I am a massive fan of daily gratitude, it is such an important value to me, I just love the feeling of feeling grateful, it makes me feel so good…..and with my daily gratitude exercise, I feel happier and happier every day. I totally believe in the power of gratitude and that is why it has been a joy to me to write an eBook on Gratitude.
What Science Reveals About Daily Gratitude
In this YouTube video below, Jane Ransom, Coach/Speaker/Author/Professional Hypnotist, shares at a TEDxTalk some of the benefits of gratitude and what science reveals about the practice of daily gratitude.
Jane states, “When you practice gratitude correctly you tap into neuroplasticity , brain plasticity, that’s the discovery that we can restructure our physical brains by using our minds to create better brain cell connections. Today, neuroplasticity reveals how a consistent gratitude exercise works to physically remap the connections amongst our brains cells to literally reform the subconscious mind.”
Jane shares that she is living proof that daily gratitude works for her in her life and I am also living proof of that too……I honestly cannot say enough good things about the practice of daily gratitude and my eBook, “It’s All About Gratitude” will provide you with exercises on how to do that….coming soon!!
Below is an updated version of the YouTube video which relates to the eBook I am currently creating entitled “It’s All About Gratitude”. The eBook will be available to purchase on Amazon Kindle soon and the video shares extracts from the content of that eBook.
The backing track has been updated on this latest YouTube video. The backing track piano instrumental is from my original song “I Am Here” and I will be in the studio very soon recording it for my up and coming music Album, “The Becoming of Me”. The backing track you hear playing on this YouTube video was arranged and played by Denis Kilty, http://www.deniskilty.com and I am so grateful to Denis for arranging this piano backing track, he did such an amazing job.
After I shared the last blog post, it inspired me to write this poem. True friends will remain in your heart forever and ever and ever and ever. Say hello to your true friends today.
The Path of Friendship
There is a road,
that’s never long.
It’s full of joy,
where friends belong.
A path so wide,
a trail so open.
Full of love,
and future hoping.
The path of friendship,
is a happy one.
It’s full of energy,
it’s full of fun.
Hold your friends,
dear to your heart.
Today they maybe here,
tomorrow they may depart.
But their soul will always,
dance with you.
Their laughter will sing,
to help you shine through.
Friends are special,
one of a kind.
You are my friend,
and always on my mind.
I love this image above, it was given to me by my friend who has recently moved away from Scotland……I think it is a very beautiful message of love and happy friendship.
Be mindful of the wonderful friends you have in your life today, maybe you will want to give them a visit, phone, text or send them a letter after reading this post……maybe just maybe you were supposed to read this right now, yes I believe this message is for YOU.
Wishing you a beautiful day today filled with and abundance of love and happy friendship.
The video below shares with you the poem that inspired the “Clarabelle” logo with the blue butterfly and the Scottish tartan background. For those of you who are not familiar with the Clarabelle logo, here it is below:
It was created by my friend Jennifer, who is a fabulous Graphic Designer, after we had a deep and meaningful discussion about what I wanted.
I wanted to keep the logo quite simple with the following:
The “Clarabelle” name,
A butterfly, representing change/transformation and free spirit,
The colour “azure blue” which I really love and was so drawn to at the time (this is also the colour of my car) and which I didn’t know at the time, this is the colour for the communicationchakra…..how apt.
I also wanted a connection to my Scottishroots, I think that was Jennifer’s idea and I really liked it.
At the time of our initial discussions Jennifer handed me a piece of paper and asked me to sign the “Clarabelle” name, I then went back to her with some other ideas about the butterfly having a heart (I later decided not to use this), and she did the rest, and what an amazing job she did.
Jennifer originally provided me with the following wonderful examples for the Clarabelle Logo:
Feedback
I then used the above sample designs, to ask people I know and work with which was their favorite logo and why, this was to help me make the final decision on which logo I finally went with. I must say that the white/hearts butterfly logo above, came a very very close second. 🙂
Thanks again to Jennifer for creating this logo, every time I see it I think of this poem that inspired it.
I do hope you enjoy this video poem below, “I Wish I Was A Butterfly” that inspired the logo:
I Wish I Was A Butterfly
I wish I was a butterfly, dancing in the air,
Sparking in the sunshine, so wonderful and rare.
The beauty is in the detail, the colours so bright,
I watch you fluttering, in the magical sunlight.
You are on a journey, now you are free,
To move in the moment, like a honeybee.
Fragile in my hands, strong in the mind,
I’m mesmerised by your life, it’s one of a kind.
Sweet, sweet, butterfly, where do you go?
A soft breeze under your wings, only you do know.
You’ve awakened my soul, the world is your own,
You’ve come through the stages, developed and grown.
I look in the mirror and to my surprise,
A butterfly is on my shoulder, I can’t believe my eyes.
You represent free spirit, inside of me,
You whisper the truth, of what I’ve always wanted to be.
Today I am here, with my dreams in my heart,
The suitcase is ready, waiting to depart.
The destination is exciting, I’ve waited so long,
Now I am ready, I know where I belong.
Patience was a virtue, so evident and true,
Babysteps forward, from the back of the queue.
I’m next in line, a new chapter awaits,
As I close the door behind me and enter new gates.
Life can go so swimmingly well and then crash, down comes the biggest wave you’ve ever seen, you didn’t expect that one and it takes the wind out of your sails. But hey, this is what you’ve got to do, you’ve got to get back up again, get back on track, baby step after baby step and when you look back, you will have surely come along way. This next poem is inspired by just that. Say “Yes, I Can Do This”.
“Yes, I Can Do This”
You’ve got to push yourself,
as much as you can.
Even though you don’t feel it,
it’s a sure good plan.
No lying on the couch,
thinking so low.
You’ve got to get up,
no matter how slow.
The mind sees red,
and gets tangled inside.
To loosen the knots,
get out, don’t hide.
I know it’s hard,
I know it’s tough.
It’s the last thing you want,
when feeling rough.
But you’ve got to move,
you’ve got to believe.
Don’t waste your talents,
You’ve so much to achieve.
Look in the mirror,
and shout out loud, “Yes, I can do this”
Shout it loud and proud.
Life can be scary sometimes, a bit like the first time you hear the huge roar of thunder in the stormy skies. Think about this though, thunder never lasts that long, it soon passes and usually what comes after it is a feeling of pure calmness and lightness in the air. If it feels like it is thundering in your life right now, I want you to hold onto the thought that underneath all that darkness and noise is a beautiful bright sunny day filled with happiness and joy for you. It is there now……I see it and I hope you can see it in your mind and feel it in your heart too. This next poem inspired by just that.
I Know You’re Scared
I know you’re scared,
I see it in your eyes.
I hear you tremble,
Like thunder in the skies.
I feel your heart,
beating so fast.
Thoughts of what happened,
in your past.
Believe this time,
it won’t be like that.
Have faith and trust,
choose to wear that hat.
I see you moving forward,
all of the time.
I see you celebrating,
and all is fine.
I see the rainbow,
shining all around you.
Every step you take,
it will see you through.
For you are a good person,
you light is full of love.
Your smile is brighter,
than every star above.
The rain may fall,
when the clouds appear.
But today, let your mind,
be pure and clear.
You are special,
like no other one,
You have true beauty,
now let in some fun.
For life can be tough,
if you see it that way.
Change your perspective,
and you’ll feel happier today.
Clarabelle Online Magazine 