gratitude

From Us For You: Inspiring Stories of Healing, Growth and Transformation

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Twenty-five women (aged 30 to 80) tell stories of how they endured or navigated a variety of struggles and emerged having grown and transformed. Their desire is to share lessons learned to provide you with inspiration, hope, and encouragement. Writers describe experiences like altering limiting mindsets to recognize the value of self-care, listening, and manifesting; escaping emotionally or physically abusive environments and emerging stronger; stripping away restrictive expectations of others and creating authentic and passionate lives; and overcoming life-threatening illness through determination and taking charge. Others claim enough and intentionally discover and pursue more fulfilling careers; face harsh labels and inadequate language to become more compassionate; and find unexpected joy in mentoring and uplifting others. Their stories are important to learn from as they help us be more aware of the complexities of other people. Everybody has a story. Everybody. You will be touched by the resiliency and bravery of these writers as through their words you’ll find reasons to uplift your own life. Net profits from From Us For You book sales will be donated to a designated non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and assisting women.

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Meet Diane M. Dresback

Diane M. Dresback’s passion for storytelling drives her career as an author, screen- writer, and director. When Diane is not writing books, she’s making films. Diane is a past recipient of the Arizona Filmmaker of the Year Award. Find her at:
dianedresback.com (author) mindclover.com (film)

Abby The Crabby Tabby Discovers Gratitude

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“A funny feline tale about gratitude and happiness“

Join Abby, the always-crabby tabby, on a journey of discovery as she learns that happiness isn’t something that happens to her, but is something she can create within.

Every child can identify with Abby’s hilarious list of complaints, will see the lonely results of her crankiness, and will eagerly watch as she uncovers the secret to her happiness.

Lane’s rhythmic story shows how a grateful heart can take everyday frustrations and turn them into opportunities to experience and share joy. And through gentle humor and delightful characters, children and adults alike will be inspired.

A Synopsis of Abby the Crabby Tabby:

Abby is a gray-and-white-striped tabby living a life of luxury. But all this finicky feline can do is complain.

Abby is fed the finest people food–such as fresh salmon, ice cream, and French bread. She has cat toys aplenty, and sleeps on a poufy pet bed. But Abby is still a crabby tabby.

Mother Mabel waits on Abby hand and paw, but it’s never enough. The tabby pouts that her food is late (and no longer warm!), and her cat toys are boring. Even Abby’s fur-sister, sweet Olivia Kathy, can’t cheer her up.

Abby finally runs away to find a perfect life, but the pampered pet is in for some frightening surprises: a tomcat bully steals Abby’s food; a terrifying neighbor dog chases her up a tree; and the tree branch breaks, dropping her onto the firm ground of the real world.

Bruised and confused, Abby realizes that maybe her old life wasn’t so bad after all. Sister Olivia Kathy was right! Abby should be grateful for the things she does have–and not complain about the things she doesn’t.

Abby discovers that the secret to happiness is gratitude.

Now Abby is one happy tabby.

Meet Andrea Lane

Georgia author ANDREA LANE was inspired to write her children’s book, Abby the Crabby Tabby Discovers Gratitude, after discovering the power of being grateful.

To share this lesson with her two young sons, and inspired by her beloved tabby cats, Lane decided to write a picture book which combined her values of gratitude and love of all animals.

“I hope to offer all children a fun way of thinking about gratitude,” said Lane, “plus a light-hearted way for parents to talk to their kids about it.”

Expressing gratitude for all you have is one of the principles of Reiki, a Japanese form of energy healing. Lane, who credits Reiki with changing her life, is a certified Reiki master.

For several years Lane worked as a public policy advocate for animal protection. She continues to support organizations that work for the humane treatment and protection of all animals, from cats to cows. A percentage of the proceeds from Abby the Crabby Tabby sales will benefit a different nonprofit each month. The May recipient is Furkids, the largest no-kill shelter in the Southeast. Abby the Crabby Tabby will be released on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day – April 30th.

In addition to a BA in political science from Georgia State University, Lane holds a JD from Emory Law School. She is also the founder of an interior design firm and co-founder of the jewelry line, Chatwal Lane.

Lane lives north of Atlanta in Johns Creek, where she writes whenever she has time in her “office” (her bed.) She is grateful for the life she shares each day with her husband, two children, and three entertaining, inspiring tabbies.