As promised, today is the announcement of the recipients for the Summer Solstice Gratitude Giveaway. I was so moved by everyone’s shares, but even more so by the energy that was felt during the 11 days and continues. I loved reading how many of you found this to be a deepening for you, in some ways a first, and in other ways how it was inspiring and eye-opening. Everyone expressed their desire to continue it forward and I do hope that you will, as from what I can tell by all that you experienced, it truly has made a difference for you and everyone you’ve touched. For me, reading the gifting part was truly touching and I thank you for all that you gave.

I know that like for myself, sharing gratitude and giving was not a new thing for many of you, but it seems that also like for myself, you found this to be a way to open your senses and eyes even more and look beyond the obvious to find the hidden gifts in everything.

Many of you found it challenging to sometimes find things or to give in different ways, and so that was truly expanding for you.

My own practice over the last couple of months has grown into doing a morning and evening ritual of gratitude for at least 10+ things at each time of day, and continuing this throughout the day as a way to greet and end it. Dave and I also remind each other of things to be grateful for and catch one another if we get in a funk to say that we are grateful and see what is in it to be grateful for. I have also increased my practice of being grateful for things that haven’t happened yet, as a way to create that as a reality.

One fun thing I’ve added is to say that I’m grateful for the good news coming in today, and by golly there has always been some news bringing good stuff through each day. 🙂

We have also increased our giving, as I mentioned before, and are making a bigger practice of monthly giving to organizations close at heart, as well as doing the little things, too, that demonstrate our heartfelt abundance.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a little of my own experiences and how they’ve grown, but back to the Giveaway….

It was wonderful to see how some of you created such beautiful journals and in some cases got super creative with photos and the ideas of giving that were incredible!

The drawing was done randomly for those who did actually enter, as not everyone sent something in and a couple people dropped out.

As mentioned, 11 people will be selected, but that said and in the spirit of giving and surprise – as I love surprises – Astrid and I have chosen 6 extra people randomly, as well, that will receive something too.

The first group of 11 will get the gifts I had mentioned (or other surprises) and the next 6 will get smaller/different ones, but all will be special and meaningful in some way, as it truly isn’t about size and I imagine that in the true spirit of giving the exchange will be a wonderful feeling of reward without the expectation and attachment to how this all should look.

The way the drawing was done was by writing the names on pieces of paper, turning them over so the names couldn’t be seen, mixing them up, and then using my pendulum to choose.

17 names showed up instead of 11, so I went with that, feeling there was good reason – rather than trying to narrow it to the 11.

Once I had 17 (which was more than I had intended) I then had Astrid participate in nosing which would be the 11 group and which would be the 6 group.

So here they are in no particular order starting with the first 11:

1. Mari Braveheart-Dances
2. Theresa Hayes
3. Linette Chance
4. Joe Sehl
5. Susan Christine Mars
6. Mark McCullough
7. Camilla Downs
8. Heather Wilkins
9. Lisa Gonzalez
10. Carrie Groebner
11. Hala Makarem

And here is the second group of 6:

1. Laura Cruse
2. Kathleen Kirshy
3. Tess Knowls
4. Theresa Rose Huff
5. Angela Lataille
6. Deanna Dorner

If you see your name here, please email me at tania@taniamarie.com with your mailing address and sometime this week I will be shipping these off to you. The timing will be a surprise, which will be fun too!

It’s been a very busy week, weekend, and will be this week as well, so I’ll get everything out just as soon as I can.

Thank you to everyone who joined, even if you didn’t officially join, but did it in private, or even if you didn’t end up sending something in, but did it anyway. I know everyone has busy lives – I do too and totally understand! – so I REALLY appreciate everyone who was able to send in their shares. You can’t imagine how wonderful the energy coming off of everyone’s emails is!

And if you don’t see your name here, but did send something, know that I am sending each of you Reiki blessings, love, and gratitude. You are all truly wonderful, loving souls!!!!!!

Keep spreading the light and I do hope that you will continue this forward in your life, as it truly DOES make a difference and you will increasingly see and feel that.

Loving gratitude to all!!!