How to Live Gratefully: A Story from Caterpillar to Butterfly

By Maria Boznovska

One evening in the midst of deep despair, I experienced a wonderful revelation that my story and journey has been for a purpose and that is to bring hope to others, to be a beacon of light that shines so bright it motivates others to want to make a change. I do not have all the answers, nor do I want to pretend to be an expert in life matters. In fact, I am still on my own journey of self- discovery. Sharing my story shows my vulnerability and imperfections, my wounds and scars, and Im totally comfortable and accepting of that. My hope is in doing so it gives you strength for what you have faced in your past, what you are facing now, and that it is possible to move past this point so you do not continue to face it in the future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press AU
• Release date: May 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504301237

Maria Boznovska

My name is Maria Boznovska, and I am the face behind Live Gratefully and author of the posts. To all my wonderful new friends whom have connected with me through my Facebook page “Live Gratefully,” I just want to say a heartfelt thank-you for connecting to the messages in my posts and sharing them with your family and friends. I have compiled all these posts in this book as a keepsake to treasure.

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Copyright © 2016 Maria Boznovska.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-0122-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-0123-7 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 04/28/2016

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CONTENTS

About the Author

Dedication

Thank You

In Gratitude

Chapter 1: My Journey

Introduction

The Innocence of Early Childhood

Never Seen, Never Heard

From Young Adult to New Mum

The Pain of a Miscarriage

A Personal Letter of Love

Everything In Between Up to Now

My Grateful Heart: A Renewed Perspective

A Personal Poem: There Is Beauty behind Every Tear You Cry

Who Am I? My Inspiration for My Book

Chapter 2: Self Worth

Love (Part 1): Family Affection

Love (Part 2): God’s Unconditional Love

Love (Part 3): Romantic Love

Love (Part 4): Friendships

Happiness

Truth Is Your Compass Home: Connection to Your Heart

One of a Kind—Yes, That’s You!

Have You Lost Yourself in Motherhood, Marriage, and Career?

Your Value Is Intrinsic: You Were Born with It

Beauty Starts on the Inside

A Confident Woman: Perception Versus Reality

You Are the Fairy Tale Story

True Friends: A Short and Sweet Post

What Is Self Love?

Relationships: Your Posture of Love

True Friendships: A Few Facts

Chapter 3: Strength

Emotional Pain (Part 1): Acceptance and Resilience

Emotional Pain (Part 2): Acceptance and Resilience

The Power of Choice: Own It!

Tree of Life and Love: Is It Luscious Green?

Lioness Arising

Don’t Underestimate Your Courage

In the Midst of Darkness Your Light Will Prevail: Faith

Storms in Life: Never Ever, Ever Give Up

Whatever Your Season, You’re Not Alone

The Person Behind the Mask

Consideration: What Did You Do for Someone Else Today?

Sorry! Just Another Word in Our Vocabulary?

Kneel in the Dark So You Can Stand in the Dark

Are you on the Highway of Regret?

Butterfly: It’s Your Time to Fly

Be Still: Find Your Being-ness

Empowerment: The New Age Buzzword

The Healing Power of Forgiving

Chapter 4: Purpose

What Do You Want to Be Remembered For?

Your Dream Is Your Destiny (Part 1)

Your Dream Is Your Destiny (Part 2)

Happiness: It’s All That Matters

River Flows in You: Endless Love in Your Heart

Are You Waiting for Someone or Something to Bring You Happiness?

What on Earth Am I Here For?

Open Your Heart to Love

Boldness Is Your Place in Life: It’s Your Calling

Knowledge Is Enlightenment

Dreams Are Cultivated in the Right Environment

Ego: An Illusion or Real?

God’s Calling You: Step Out in Faith

To Love and to Be Loved: Is It What We Most Desire?

Ethics and Values: Can They Be Compromised?

Think Helping—Less Selling

To Be Truly Fulfilled, We Need Others

Chapter 5: A Personal Experience

Vulnerability: A Personal Experience

A Child’s Perspective: Uninhibited, Raw, and True

A Child’s Insight: How Blessed

Enduring Love: A Wonderful Story

Chapter 6: Health and Wellness

Your Journey to Health and Wellness Starts Now

Listen to Your Body: Sometimes You Just Have to Be

Have You Forgotten Why You Should Be Happy?

Why Have We Overcomplicated Healthy Living?

Walk and Talk Club: Start Now

Seeking a Makeover to Make You Feel Better?

Health and Wellness Is More Than a Weight Loss Journey

Why You Should Not Skip Breakfast

Naked Perspective: How Do You Really See Yourself?

Imagine

Chapter 7: How to Make a Change

Mindset: Opening the Door to Change

An Awakening: How to Step out of Chaos and into Harmony

How to Get out of a Toxic Relationship with Yourself

How to Be Remembered

How to Get Back on Track to Reach Your Goals

Your Life Is a Blank Canvas: What Will You Paint?

How to Live Gratefully: A Male Perspective

How to Turn Down the Noise in Your Life—To Reveal Your Truth

Your Thoughts Predetermine the Quality of Your Life

Transformation Starts in the Mind

How to Unclutter Your Mind: Unclutter Your Life

Your Smile Is More Precious Than Any Diamond

How to Discover Who Are You

How to Stop Disregarding What Your Soul Is Trying to Tell You

Accept Your Life Unconditionally

Nine Practical Steps on How to Make a Change

Never, Ever, Ever Give Up

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My name is Maria Boznovska, and I am a single mum of four amazing children who give me so much strength and inspiration each and every day.

I live in Sydney, Australia, and look forward to one day fulfilling my dream of travelling the world.

I have a gorgeous Ragdoll cat called Mylo (my dearest friend), who kept me company many late nights as I wrote this manuscript.

I love to keep fit and enjoy being outdoors, connecting with nature, where I love to sit and meditate in stillness. This is my most serene time of being, when I connect with spirit. I believe stillness brings us back to source and connects us with higher power, with our heavenly father, God.

My professional journey has taken me from the corporate sector to health and wellness, and in the process I have discovered an amazing passion to write and express my emotions. My hope is that you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I look forward to hearing from you and encourage you to connect with me should you feel I am able to assist you in anyway. I would be delighted and honoured to read about your story.

Feel free to contact me via email at [e-mail].

Much love,

Maria

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DEDICATION

I have an affinity with lost and hurting women. This book is dedicated to all the hurting women in our society. I want to say to you, whatever your story, your experience, whatever your pain, whatever your shame, whatever your betrayal, whatever your guilt, the numbness that you may feel right now that may have resulted in the loss of your identity and self-worth—I understand it, I get you!

And let