Artist, wife, animal lover and friend. I created this blog to spread blessings around the globe. I am spiritual and believe in the power of prayer and intention. I am not claiming to make miracles happen, I just felt inspired to do this based on a 'pay it forward' feeling I had.Hello! This is my first post and wanted to introduce you to what this blog is about.
We are all familiar with ‘pay it forward’ … When something good is done for you as an act of kindness and to spread the positive energy you do a random act of kindness for someone else? I’m sure you are familiar. Well for those that know me and as you get to know me, I am a very positive person whose motto is ‘Blessed’ I am truly most blessed, as we all are, but sometimes we forget to give thanks for all of our blessings.
I wanted to start an initiative, quite crude admittedly, of my own to ‘pay a blessing forward’ and to spread awareness and inspiration.
I have been living in New Jersey all my life and recently have been between Portugal and NJ. I was introduced to Fatima, Portugal. My background is Catholic, but as all who know me, I care more about spirituality, and giving thanks to a greater power than conforming to a strict religious set of rules. I follow my heart when it comes to worship and feel that is the most natural way. When I personally pray I do so to Jesus, Mary and some select saints. I act as a good person who believes in Karma, and do unto others as you have them do unto you. I just wanted to clarify that before I move forward so you see where I’m coming from. As long as your energy and prayer it’s coming from a positive place, religion is not relevant.
Duly, this is not a place to rant about religion and views and who is right or wrong … after all Spirituality is exactly the opposite – NOT to judge.
That being said, my initiative here is to disperse 10 rosaries I purchased in Fatima Portugal, a place where miracles happen and where people come from all corners of the globe to have their prayers answered.
Fatima, Portugal
Personally, I find the most peace when I pray and meditate completely alone than attending a very commercialized place of worship (again, just my personal feelings). I get the most out of my prayers and meditation when I really feel connected to the divine … and even get messages. I’m sure many of you – if you are still reading – feel the same.
As for these 10 rosaries, I will send them to the first 10 requests. All I ask is that you pray on it and pray until you feel you are connected to what you are asking for. Once you have prayed and sent out your request to the universe, this may be a day, week, two weeks, month, or more please mail the rosary to the next person on my list. That’s it!
Rosaries from Fatima Portugal
How this works:
1. Post a comment at the end of this post to receive a rosary.
2. (Updated) After you have posted a comment, Email me as BlessingsGoRound@aol.com with your email, name and address. You will receive an email from me confirming your request. You wil be placed on the waiting list as all of the rosaries are in circulation right now (3/2011). Once one of the rosary beads becomes available, the next person on the waiting list will receive a rosary. I will email you to be expecting the rosary.
3. Once you have received the rosary please email me letting me know it is in your possession and begin your prayer mission.
4. Once you are ready to pass on the rosary please email me and I will send you the name and address of the next person. Please commit to mailing the rosary to the person and address I send you, this may be anywhere in the world.
5. Once you have passed on the rosary please email me with your personal story and any updates and I will blog about it. This can be something you experienced as a result of your prayers, how you are feeling or anything you would like for me to post. ONLY when YOU feel ready, after your experience had time to be digested, and including the information you would like the world to know about, please email me your story.
I would like to chronicle the travels of the rosaries and the lives of people who have received them.
If you have a friend or relative that would like to receive the rosary, PLEASE have them email the request and they will be put in line. It may be possible to give it to them or you may have to send the rosary to someone else and they will receive another rosary. This is the only fair way if there is a long waiting list. Please do not hand over the rosary to someone randomly, I need to keep track. Your observance of this request is appreciated.
This will be interesting and for those that believe in the power of prayer. Pray the actual rosary or however you want; Just hold it and meditate with it, pray other prayers you connect with … it’s up to you. Personally I love doing the rosary it’s calming and gets me into a very connected state. http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm Here is how to pray the rosary if you are not familiar.
This is just the beginning and let’s see where this goes!
Please feel free to post a comment and request a rosary below as well as email me. If you would not like a rosary you are welcome to post a comment of a positive nature. Any negative comments will be deleted … this is not the place for it.
I personally will infuse the rosaries with my best intention for the most benevolent outcome for your requested blessings to come to fruition. This is just my spiritual intent I have placed on them and not through a religious request.
May your life be filled with Joy, Love, Peace, Abundance, Health and Positive Spirit.
Wishing you many Blessings!
~ Anna
My next blog post will be an introduction to the rosaries ictured above that will be the ones sent out. Also, just learning the ropes with WordPress 
Any questions please post in comments. Thank you for reading
Any questions please post in comments. Thank you for reading 
Anna, you truly are blessed by God. I was raised from the cradle as a Lutheran, became Catholic when I was 35. Then, five years ago at age 57, I came to really know Christ as my Lord and Savior. I had known about Him all my life but now I KNOW Him. I have many friends that have many more earthly treasures than I have and are still unhappy. My council to them is to quit worrying about their “stuff” and start thinking about Jesus first, then their friends and family and leave the rest to God. Some choose people and some choose “stuff”.
I believe you are blessed because you know Christ, put Him first and ask His help for others before asking for yourself. I pray God continues to bless you and yours. I have prayed that He blesses your Rosary idea. I believe He will bless that as well.
About churches, I believe that some people are good self starters and can work from home but others need to be in an office where they get encouragement and motivation from others on a daily basis. Applying this analogy to our faith, I believe that a “voice in the wilderness” existence can work for a few very dedicated people but by and large, most of us need the encouragement of our fellow believers. If I find myself in a church where the members don’t encourage each other then I have one of two choices, stay and start encouraging them or leave and find a place where I am encouraged.
For me, that’s not at home. It is difficult for me to spread the Gospel by myself. I, personally, enjoy the fellowship of other Christians on a weekly basis. I like church suppers and outings. I like meeting new people hungry for the “Good News”. I like hearing that someone was able to share Jesus with a group of kids in the Wal-Mart parking lot by giving them “round-tuits”. I like the laughter, the tears, the prayer and all the human emotions that get laid bare when we get “real” with God. But most of all, I LOVE the feeling of the Holy Spirit in the room with us. We invite Him and He comes. It is amazing what God’s love can do.
Matthew 18:20 says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. Jesus is encouraging us to worship and pray together. Sometimes he went off to pray by himself and we should do that. But he also prayed with his friends, and I believe we should do that too.
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Anna, what a wonderful idea!!! I would love to have a rosary!!! My feelings about religion are very similar to yours… I was raised Catholic too, and have felt the love, concern, and strength of prayer from others to me, and would like to “pay it forward”.
A few years back, my mother died suddenly and unexpectedly, on her way to fill her birdfeeder. She collasped, dropping the jar of seed… She died surrounded by spilt birdseed and broken glass.
Immediately after her death, “bird” things started happening to me, and if it were not for the birds, I don’t know if I would have survived the grief. One example: On the first Mother’s Day after her death, I stepped out of the house to walk the dog, and a brilliant yellow finch flew over my shoulder (from behind) so close that I could feel the tips of his wings touch my neck. On the second Mother’s Day after her death, after having seen NO yellow finches in the neighborhood for months, I awoke and came down the stairs… and was greeted by a yellow finch sitting on the window ledge, peering into my livingroom. (This had never happened before, or since.) And as the third Mother’s Day after her death approached, I began thinking about those two previous Mother’s Days, and thinking that it would be unlikely that I would again be visiited by a yellow finch. And again, just before Mother’s Day that third year, there were NO yellow finches in the neighborhood. But on that third Mother’s Day after her death, I stepped out of the house, and there he was sitting on my front lawn waiting for me.
Right now I am going through a tough time. Our home was damaged in a flood and we had to replace many things like the hot water heater, clothes dryer, computer, furnace… FEMA only offered us minimal assistance. And our health insurance has changed, and we have a huge deductible. Two of my children have had health problems, and my son just had surgery to repair his nose that was broken in a basketball game. My cat Bo nearly died from a perforated intestine due to complications of IBD, and I incurred a huge vet bill that I have not had the courage to tell my husband about. I have been looking for traditional employment, as selling my art/photography cards does not bring in enough money to cover these great expenses.
My beloved Bo took sick again this weekend, and racked up some more vet bills. At this point his difficulties have been treatable, though expensive, but the anxiety over losing him, paying his vet bill, or having to decide to euthanize him (he’s only 10 years old) is overwhelming. I pray for guidance and direction, for mercy for him, and for me (my anxiety over this situation is unraveling me).
I know that other people have even greater challenges than I. I feel that we are all connected and that in each of our times of need, we DO need each other, and giving each other positive energy has great effect and healing power. I just learned that a friend has cancer and has to have a double mastectomy… which completely drawfs “my” problems.
I am so sad that there is such pain and suffering in this world, and wish that life didn’t have to be this way, though I also recognize that our souls DO grow, and our compassion widens, as we experience these hardships in our own lives.
I have a hole in my heart (from the loss of my mother), that can never be filled… but a flower has sprung from that hole, and the sadness is the impetus for my art (my mother loved owls and cats).
I pray that the Lord does not take my cat Bo… not right now… or at least that he spares me from having to make a decision of euthanasia, or incur any more veterinary bills. I pray that when it is time, he just dies peacefully in his sleep. He has just seen an internist and I am cautiously optimistic that with the right diet and medication, he can live comfortably, hopefully for a few more years.
I have been repeatedly playing a documentary video about “John of God,” the healer in Brazil. Every time the part about St. Francis comes on, Bo starts to purr… I would love healing for my cat, but I suspect that it is I who needs the largest dose of healing.
I am sorry for all who are in pain, all who suffer and hurt. I want the world to be healed… I believe that we CAN have peace on earth, and that we must all work and strive to help one another, and change the destructive ways of society. I think that corporate greed creates much pollution that tarnishes our beautiful earth. Corporate greed hurts animals (factory farming) and people, and the earth, and I hope that goodness and positivity and love are the prevailing forces that overcome all that is bad…
I will use this rosary, with it’s beautiful heritage, to help the world grow in love…
I would love to see some of your art.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/catcanpaint?ref=seller_info That is Cat’s art on Etsy. She is a truly remarkable and talented woman.
Have a most blessed day.
Dennis – thank you for your support & inspiration. I know He hears you
Cat – thank you for sharing your story and having a good perspective on the nature of the hardships surrounding you. As for the loss of your mother – I am sorry and nothing takes the place of losing a loved one. The goldfinch that comes to visit is truly a remarkable sysbol of your mother watching over you! How magnificent a blessing! You are the first to request a rosary and I will be mailing it out next week.
Many blessings to you both. Stay positive and continue to inspire those around you!
When I read the way you feel about religion and being positive, I thought I was reading something that I wrote! I wish more people knew how blessed they are, knew how being positive and being kind will give them much more than they could ever imagine.
I would love to pray on the rosary, share my blessings and then send on to the next blessed person.
Anna,
You are truly an inspirational person, beyond what you could even imagine. Reading your article gave me goosebumps ! Everyday it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget that we are all truly blessed. I am guilty of taking things for granted at times. But deep down inside I am grateful for everything. My problem is, I am someone who always searches for more. But reading this made me sit here and reflect on the amazing things in life I am already blessed with. Thank You for being such an inspiration. I would love to be part of “Blessings Go Round” and pray for others on the rosary. It is an amazing concept.
Lauren & Donna – I am so looking forward ro hearing how your lives have changed through being a part of Blessings Go Round. I hope that the most divine blessings will come to you in abundance! I will be sending out your rosaries shortly
xoxo
Anna- This is such a wonderful idea……..You are an inspiration and I feel blessed to know you.
As I mentioned on your facebook page this year has had it’s ups and a huge down for me. On January 29th I lost my grandmother, Harriet. Harriet was an amazing and strong woman. Her strong will to live allowed us to enjoy her for 97 years. The last couple of years she was not the same person I grew up with as she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It is such a heartbreaking disease…..I’ll never forget the day she no longer knew who I was….I cried because I knew things would never be the same again. My mom and dad took care of her day in a day out and made many scarafices to make sure my grandmother was well taken care of and comfortable. They are amazing people and can’t thank them enough!
A few days after her passing it was my mom’s birthday. I went down to spend the day with my mom. We were sitting downstairs at the kitchen talbe when we heard a crash upstairs. We both looked at each other and said what was that? I said I have no clue. My mom went up stairs to see what it was……she let out a yell and I went upstairs to see what had happened. The photo of my grandmother on the wall in the hallway fell off. We both looked at each other is shock. I said grandma is stopping by to say Happy Birthday to you and that she is settling in in Heaven. We both cried for a moment and then smiled. I feeling of peace came over me knowing my grandmother was still very much around.
I will pray on the rosary that is given to me that my grandmother is enjoying her “after party”…….and that my mom and family will continue to have the strength to work through our loss.
Many blessings to all….
Christine, sorry for the delay to reply to your comment. This is such an amazing account of how real spiritual energy is. We are never alone, but it is from within we have the power to make miracles happen.
God Bless
Anna, I am inspired by you and your great love of people.. You have made a difference in my life.. Even though I have only known you a short time, I feel connected to you.. This blessings go round is the perfect way to pay it forward. I look forward to getting the rosary and seeing the power of prayer..
God Bless you my friend
Cora – it’s not my great love of people – just trying to make the world less screwed up! LOL Just kidding!
Thank you so much! You are such a wonderful soul!! God Bless and welcome to the initiative xoxo
Anna – I am fondly amazed by your attitude of gratitude. Your “blessed” motto is truly one to inspire to hold within oneself. I find your idea here very inspiring and think that whenever the opportunity presents itself to pay-it-forward, we should!
I’d be happy and honored to participate in your blessings-go-round idea – I think it’s fabulous and we all can use a blessing or two now & again. …even though we’re really surrounded by so many blessings every day we’re blessed with.
Looking forward to being part of this amazing initiative! ….especially during this lenten season when I think it’s really about making changes and doing good versus giving up.
You truly are an inspiration!
Thank you Jennifer and I am honored to have you supporting the mission and have your positive spirit aboard! Welcome & Many blessings to you
Hello Anna. Thanks for the being God’s messenger to me today. I’ve been raised as a Catholic and the rosary has been a real part of my youth. When I started to have kids of my own though, I’ve slowly lost the habit. Last January, I’ve had the inspiration (calling) to start praying it again. The intention was there but for some reason I never found the time or the commitment to start. Reading your post today has given me some “push” to finally pray the rosary. I would love to join you.
Thank you Rozelyn. Mission accomplished! Glad I have inpired you & honored to have you participate in Blessings Go Round’s mission. I know you will continute to be guided to divine blessings through faith. Have a blessed day and thank you for joining us
What a wonderful idea! What a blessing you are! Count me in.
Sometimes you stumble upon things because you were meant to see it at the right moment in your life. That just happened. I love everything I just read and apparently I needed to be inspired. Thank you for impacting my world today…I would love to be part of these blessings.
I agree
Thank you Lauren and Pam. Now – if we could do this over and over and over – pay it forward. Think of all the blessings that will be generated! I am honored to have inspired you
Have a blessed day ladies!
Count me in! I love this site because it is not only positive but spiritual!
Thank you so much for putting this together and for sharing…I will spread the word to others that I know will be blessed…thank you, thank you, thank you…
Thank you very much! We need to spread the word to spread the blessings
God bless!!
Hi anna,
I just saw your post on twitter and clicked on it right away. I agree with Lauren when she said “Sometimes you stumble upon things because you were meant to see it at the right moment in your life. ” When I started reading all about the ‘Blessings go round’, I became so touched.
I am still struggling with the loss of my Mother, my best friend, my business partner. It’s been 4 years but she died so sudden and unexpectedly that I am still having a hard time. I’ve tried to resume business and I think she is with me and encouraging me, but I’m still not feeling peace. I am also Catholic and pray the rosary and I would love to be a part of this blessing.
Thank you and God bless you!
Thank you Cheryl for taking the time to visit. I am glad that something inspired you to join us. The ups and downs of life are difficult. Loss and suffering can always be eased with the fond memories of those we love who have moved on. The reality of functioning without them is difficult but made easier as we grow strong in spirit and know they are in a better place, yet always with us. Many blessings to you & welcome divine spirit!
All I can say is WOW! How I stumbled upon such a moving and wonderful commitment to others. I Rarely if EVER read a blog I know nothing about, especially on Twitter. I’m always too busy marketing myself and others.
I have always been a true believer in the power of sharing with others and I truly commend your efforts.
I am in a very difficult period in my life. My partner of 4 years has told me he is in love with another, although we were planning marriage he would always tell me “In my eyes and the eyes of God we are already married” My spirit is broken as is my heart. I must leave the home that we have been sharing and start anew. I Just want to let you know that this gave me a bit of hope in my time of need. I can not accept your gift but your message came through and perhaps I will start meditating on my own. Blessings to all, Reana (I have no idea where I will be in the next few months, but I’m sure it will be in a good place)
Reana – I am so sorry to hear about this situation. I know what it is like to be betrayed. As you have pointed out , you will become better and have a better life ahead of you. Clear away the ‘debris’ from you path and it will be clearer and you will be stronger to trek it. I know with your inner strength and gratitude to have this happen sooner than later will just bring you closer to a more blessed life. I do thank you for to randomly popping in and getting a grass blade of inspiration from Blessinsgs Go Round. God bless
Anna
Thank you so much for your comment and support Niftic!!! I hope to have you back often and inspire you during your time of issues. Please continue to post your comments we want to know how you are doing. Many blessings to you and your future as you move through this situation – it’s all about positive energy that God provides – Just receive and be grateful and pass it on to others. You will come out stronger xoxo
How kewl is that to have rosary from Fatima! Thank you for the opportunity. I actually am a beader, and have made malas myself.
I feel exactly the same way as you about following a specific “religion”…I much prefer to investigate, ask questions, and integrate what I’ve found into my own Way of sitting/being with the Divine, Goddess influenced, thank you very much.
Well, that’s about it from me. Hope to be hearing from you soon.
Thank you for the support Kerry and WELCOME to the mission!!
I see by the many request posted i am to late to recieve a rosery. I am a Lutheran but I have a neice, Mindy who is Roman catholic whom I would of given the roaery. Last Wednesday, her husband cmae into their home and found her on the floor unresponsive, medics, ambulance came took her to a local hospital after working on her for several hours they took her by a\hellicopter to a city hospital ECMC in Buffalo NY. She is still unresponsive, they are THINKING, pnemonia and heart attack. I took her in communion from church < Easter Sunday and she seemed to know what was happening, Mindy looked at me, when asked if she knew who I was she nodded yes. I have been asking everyone to pray for her. The dear sweet neice is 48 and has 2 grown girls and 2 grandchildren. But I do want to thank you for the offer. God Bless you and all those you love.
Anna,
You are truly blessed
I am so happy I put News 12 NJ on that one summer day and saw your shirts and the rest is history. I believe with all of my heart in the power of prayer and can not wait to see the history behind each rosary. You’ll be able to write a movie when your done 
God Bless you xoxoxoxo
Anna, I have lost touch with you. I have one of your Rosaries and have not gotten any response from my emails to you. Are you ok?