New Year, New YOU!!

The sun is shining today and makes me feel energized and ready to take action. How do we hear the inner voice that inspires us to really take active steps in the direction of our dreams? For me, I get a visual scene in my mind of how I want to see myself or something that's around me. It appears in my head and I respond by making it a reality. Imagination, invention...whatever it is, it creates a path for me to follow.

Sometimes, I'm on auto pilot gonig through life and sometimes I sit and contemplate what to do next. Most of my actions are directed by intuitive thoughts and I try to pay attention to that inner voice. There seems to be a guidance system within me. If I ignore that "tap on the shoulder" I feel I am likely to miss an opportunity intended for me in order to make progress.

Maybe, that's where regrets come into play. The road not taken, the unfulfilled dream. So many "what if" moments can put a face of bitterness on an older person. Yet, some older people look much younger than their actual years. I think those people are usually doing what they love to do with their time. They make right choices for themselves and follow their heart's desires. They have less stress and their life is an example to show others what it can be like to allow ourselves to live the truth of who we are.

I feel that part of my purpose in life is to inspire others to live their dreams. I see a need for people to give themselves permission to do what they love to do. So many dreams are squashed by disapproval, lack of finances or other circumstances, but a true calling always makes its way to the surface. I want to help clear the way for those callings that are waiting in the wings to appear. I hear the frustration and the deisre in peoples' voices wanting to break free of what is holding them back.

This constant need to express what is unique about each person is a yearning that knows what wants to come out and be part of their reality. My wish for the new year is that people everywhere will find it in themselves to take action and move forward toward their "deepest call." Make 2009 the year that opens the door to new beginnings, right choices and freedom
to take chances! This is YOUR year!!!!

Blessings and Much Success,
Kaye

Helping Children's Miracle Network!

One of the main reasons for starting the company "More Blessed Than Stressed" was to inspire others and to give back to those in need.

Earlier this year, "MBTS" was fortunate to take part in a custom design tee-shirt project for a CEFCO fundraising event in Austin, TX that helped raise money for "The Children's Miracle Network."

In addition, the "MBTS" merchandise site was given a limited selection of the custom tee-shirts and will donate 100% of those sales to

"The Children's Miracle Network."

Since the event was so successful, "MBTS" is seeking other fundraising opportunities to partner with organizations and provide custom shirts or quantities of our own unique products that will help raise money to support the goals of organizations and their fundraising efforts.

When purchasing gifts, it's nice for them to be unique in serving the purpose of inspiration, plus additional support for great fundraising events.

I attend meetings and actively seek organizations for "MBTS" to help with fundraising events. In these tough economic times, it's even more important to find ways that can make your dollars go twice as far during special holidays and all through the year!

Many thanks for continued support and good vibes!! Share the love.

Kaye Pryor

CEO

www.moreblessedthanstressed.com

MBTS Newest Product!!!!

Welcome to the latest edition of "MBTS" products!! We are proud to introduce our own
blends of coffee that are custom roasted in our home town of Nashville, TN.

Everyone is very positive about the rich, smooth taste of our original blend,
"One Happy Dog" and equally excited about the special decaf blend called,
"Don't Bite Me." Both blends are 100% Organic, 100% Fair Trade and are
custom roasted to order, so they are shipped fresh to our customers.

Bongo Java Roasting Co. has been on the forefront of the Fair Trade coffee
movement and is a founding member of the only cooperative of small coffee roasters.
Cooperative Coffees is made up of 24 micro-roaters who join together to buy coffee directly
from small farmer groups around the world.

Bongo Java's original cafe opened in 1993 and is Nashville's oldest, most honored and
most famous coffeehouse. They opened their roasting company in 1996, plus another
cafe called "Fido." In 2000, a third cafe was opened in East Nashville and now includes
the expanded Bongo Java Roasting Co.

Right now we are offering holiday discounts on all coffee orders placed by December 12, 2008.
To see the products and order, please visit us at: http://www.moreblessedthanstressed.net/

Happy Holidays!
Kaye Pryor
"MBTS" Founder & CEO

Cowboy Poetry shared by Woody Woodruff

The following poem was contributed by Woody Woodruff
Poet Cowboy of the year in 2005
Many thanks for sharing!

Pondering

Today I sat a Pondering
On different things and such
Some things that didn't matter
And some that mattered much
I pondered on the weather
Pondered on the rain and snow
Pondered how as we age
Our ears still steadily grow

I pondered on the chicken
Pondered why he crossed the road
I pondered on some little frogs
Do you really get warts from Toads
I pondered why we have so many words
Words that mean the same
Yet they're spelled with different letters
It nearly drives me insane

I pondered on those we spell alike
While their meaning just ain't so
It's enough to make one wonder
If it was thought up by Curly,Larry or Moe
I pondered on the Thermos
On how it knows hot from cold
I pondered on that darn mirror
And why it makes me look so old

I pondered on how we are born
Only to die in later years
Pondered with my face now wet
That ponder filled my eyes with tears
I pondered how life does change
And not always for the best

Pondered how when our Maker placed us here
He gave us Life as a test
I pondered on the speed of time
How it travels very fast
I pondered the fact we never know
Which day will be our last

My pondering brought more pondering
And left me far less stressed
My pondering finally reminded me
Just how much we're truly Blessed

Woody Woodruff
Sept 10

"Middle Tenn Now" Articles

If you live in Nashville, TN and are out and about you might want to pick up "Middle Tenn Now." It's a very informative, high quality bi-weekly paper that has widespread circulation in the area. I regularly contribute a short article under the "More Blessed Than Stressed" heading and try to provide uplifting insight on various general topics of universal interest.

In addition, I encourage everyone to share their own experiences that might offer a little insight or inspiration for others by visiting my website: http://www.moreblessedthanstressed.com/

Take care, Kaye

Spring is here!!!

The long winter's nap is over and I'm ready for Spring! I can see the Bradford Pear tree
buds opening on the tree in our yard, along with various flowers coming up, plus the grass
is already growing and it will soon be time for yardwork. Wesley's allergy started last week,
so I know that Spring is coming into bloom!

I get excited this time of year when the weather starts warming up and I can sit on the
screened-in porch again... relaxing, reading and drinking a cup of coffee. It only takes a
few little things to enjoy the comforts of home and life in general.

Lately, I've been reading the much talked about book called "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle.
It has opened my eyes to look beyond that voice in the head that does all the non-stop
talking. There is an observer behind that voice that shuts down what the ego wants to
complain about. I think he might be on to something and I am trying this out in my own
life. It's an interesting approach to living a more blessed than stressed life!!

Everyone has to find their own way in the world and so many people seem to be searching
for their purpose and real peace of mind. I don't claim to have answers, but like everyone
else I keep doing what I can to live a good life. Going beyond label identities for myself and
for others takes recognition and observation. That in itself is the moment of reality that
breaks through all the old thought patterns. I need more practice, but I think it might
help make life more stress free overall. Whatever works for anyone is their answer...

"Happy Spring!"

Sabian's All Good

Talk about feeling more blessed... I have to admit I was a little bit stressed
this morning when we took Sabian to get his teeth cleaned and have bladder
stones removed. The procedure was a success and he is back home resting
comfortably tonight. All is well in the Pryor's house and we are SO grateful
for the good results and thankful to have such talented, experienced and
dedicated doctors taking care of our "dog-child."

We also appreciate our family and friends support in sending us good
wishes and thoughts for Sabian's health. It's so comforting to have others
cheering things along at times like this!!

Many thanks to all,
Kaye, Wes & Sabian

March Madness!!!

Wow! It's already the first of March!! Where did February go? It's a warm, sunny day in
Nashville, which is great since I am staying home to take care of our dog Sabian, while
Wesley is on a cruise ship to the Bahamas for Jeff Bates promotion! I would love to be
there with Wes, but our "dog child" rules, so I'm staying here to keep Sabian on his routine and before his teeth cleaning surgery, plus bladder stone removal next Wed. He will also need lots of TLC during recovery time at home. As an older dog on medication, he needs a little extra care.
If you have dog or cat children at home, you know how special they are in your family life and
certainly understand their importance! :)

Anyway, please think some healing thoughts for Sabian...we really appreciate the positive
vibes for him. I have talked to Wes a few times on our cell phones and it feels like I'm
on the cruise with him. He is filming some great footage of Jeff Bates and fans that will
be edited later for future promotion of Jeff signing with a new record label. It's going to
be great stuff!!!!

Also, several Jeff Bates fans have been gracious enough to wear their "MBTS" tee shirts
as they got on board the cruise and you just can't ask for better promotion!!! Wesley
got all of them together around the pool and filmed the whole group! I will post that footage
on MySpace in the near future. I'm so excited and grateful that these wonderful people
are embracing "MBTS" in such an enthusiastic way!! Thank you so much to all of them.
Wes said they were handing out bookmarks and business cards to complete strangers on
the cruise. People were asking where to get the shirts, so it is really amazing how the
response is so positive.

Let's just keep it going and share the love!
Many thanks,
Kaye

Starstruck

In a recent article, by Kathianne Lewis, I was inspired by her words about individual light.
Kathianne wrote, "When the spiritual lights are found within we'll be far less starstruck
by others and more willing to value the light we give to the world."

Our culture is filled with celebrity sightings, reality TV and "Dancing With the Stars," plus
highly paid sports figures and over-publicized criminals that are repeatedly given attention by the news media.

A majority of what makes up news reporting and feature stories contains "fear based" content
that tells us how to avoid some potential diaster or "gloom and doom" in our lives. In reality, as
a society, we are in much better shape in many areas than most would have us believe.

It's true there is always room for improvement, but that space filled with just a few statistics can allow us to become convinced that the sky is falling around us! We think we need help and we look at others to compare how we measure up when in fact, we already possess talents and gifts that others might find helpful or even inspirational.

I wonder how much progress as individuals and as a society we can make if we consider
the idea of sharing our unique selves with the world. Unafraid of rejection and willing to spread our creative wings, each of us has the ability to move toward our highest potential. Taking action one step at a time pushes fear to the side and energizes the determination to succeed. In spite of hesitation, there is something bigger inside that says "go for it" and that's when the journey of a lifetime begins.

One of my songwriter friends loves to sing "This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine."
What a perfect song to support the idea of being a unique individual in the world. I believe
all of us are here for the purpose of sharing the light of our soul with the world. We are given
the gift of life and it's our discovery and illumination of the self that says we are grateful enough to use our gift to give back and brighten our surroundings.

Wherever you are... let it shine!!!!
All is well, Kaye

To Be or Not To Be...Healthy!

It's winter cold and flu season for sure. You've had the crazy stuff or you know someone that
has it. I've taken antibiotics and I'm still trying to get rid of the cough. My husband, Wesley,
has had the flu all week, but is starting to get better and I know so many other people that
are "fighting the good fight."

It's so miserable to struggle with illness and you just want to feel better. It really makes me
appreciate good health and having the energy to enjoy the day. That feeling of health and
energy is something to feel more blessed than stressed about. Sometimes it's easy to forget
what a great thing it is just to "feel good."

I hope others are making it through this season and thinking positive thoughts to feel good.
I'm taking the weekend to rest and recover and look forward to feeling healthy and strong. I wish the same for everyone trying to get back on their feet and just feel like themselves again!

Hang in there,
Kaye

To Be or Not To Be...Happy!

Today, I saw three different news programs report on a study of happiness among different
age groups. People in their 20's & 30's and 60's & 70's are reportedly happier than those
in the mid life age, especially those in the 40 age range. According to their survey, the
40's is that period when reality about goals and life sets in and people start to get depressed
when they haven't met their own expectations in life. The pressure to "be happy" is just
too much.

That survey and results might ring true with a lot of people. It's very possible to be somewhat
disappointed and regret that certain goals were not reached. As people get through that period,
the survey notes that individuals learn to accept what they can't change and let go of what no
longer works in their lives. That release is an open door to try something new and move forward.

The "MBTS" Project is really about living one's reality instead of hiding behind rose-colored
glasses. I don't skip around going "do-te-do" and thinking everything is great. The point is
to acknowledge that life can be tough, but look it straght in the eye and make a choice to
make things better. It's an attitude of gratitude for what IS working in your life. In this way,
it's easier to face challenges and keep moving!

Yes, life does include stress, but the blessings are greater by far!
Now that's a reality check...

All is well, Kaye

Good Vibes!!

It's a crazy world out there and we seem to face negative news in the media on
a daily basis. There needs to be a balance and I would really like to provide a
space for people to visit and get a dose of "good vibes" when they need it.

I want this blog space to be an interactive location where people can give a smile
to others and also get a smile for themselves. I invite everyone who visits to
make their own contribution about something they experienced or observed or
maybe heard about that falls into the category of kindness, helpfulness, or a general
"feel good" moment to share with others.

It's simple, easy and quick to add your "good vibes" and maybe share a smile with
someone else...
Return to the "MBTS" website and click on "Submit your MBTS Story."

Thanks for taking the time to particpate and I look forward to giving others a chance
to share some "good vibes" we could all use!!

Thanks,
Kaye

Meeting of the Minds!!

Can't believe how much momentum is building to spread the word about
"MBTS." The marketing team is coming up with new ideas and their are
fun things in the works.

Also, I got an email this week from a friend in New York that I hadn't heard
from in a long time. I just happened to mention that I am working on a new
project and included the link to our "MBTS" website. I got a great response
about the concept, plus an order for a tee shirt and coffee mug!!

I really like when people "get it" and relate so well to the vision that we have
to support individuals in their ability to make choices that empower their lives.
That is fabulous!

All is well,
Kaye

Welcome!

Hi and welcome to the "MBTS" blog!!

I think 2008 is going to be a fun year! We are pleased to announce that "MBTS" is now
working with a marketing team in Nashville to move our company to the next level.
New products are in the works and creative marketing ideas are in motion to help spread the word about us.

In addition, the "MBTS" website is being updated and expanded to include stories from
our customers. We will be encouraging people to share their "MBTS" moments with us
to help inspire others.

I will continue to add comments and updates via this blog space, so stay tuned for the
latest news and inspiring stories to read and share with your family and friends.

All is well,
Kaye