I love Google Alerts ... it lets you know when people are 'talking' about you on the Internet. Got an alert today which brought my attention to the "Comeback Blog" where JS had some lovely things to say about Thank You Power. Among other things he said, "...here's the bottom line: if you're grateful for what you have, instead of grieving for what you don't, you're going to change your brain chemistry. More effectively than with Prozac or any of the other drugs on the market.

Hats off to Deborah Norville for reminding us of this simple and powerful medicine available to everyone without Rx and without charge: gratitude. Let's all try it together for 21 days....and make it a habit.....

JS said a few things he didn't get in the book (like the shoe thing with Kim -- you are right, it's a 'girl thing!' And he wondered why I didn't address the old Today Show story and the Inside Edition comeback (did that in Back on Track), but his review is greatly appreciated! So Thank YOU! You can read it yourself by clicking HERE.

Win a FREE Trip to New York City!

This is for real! You can enter to win a FREE TRIP! to New York City ...which will include a visit to the set of Inside Edition and a chance to sit in on a LIVE taping of the show! All you have to do is log on to participate in a video web chat coming up on THURSDAY. Wanna know more??? Read on ...

This was set up through my publisher Thomas Nelson and the folks at GodTube.com -- probably an opportunity for GodTube to market itself -- (and for me to 'flog' my Thank You Power book -- but what the hey? It's a free trip to NYC. Click HERE to learn more!

Forbes Magazine Review of TYP

Just received a copy of the March 10 issue of Forbes Magazine and should appear on page 20, but a review of Thank You Power! they liked it! Entitled "READERS WILL BE GRATEFUL," the article says "Norville's book is chockablock with helpful suggestions ..." and ends by saying, "Thank you, Deborah Norville, for what will become an ever needed classic."

Wow! What a great way to start the week! And thank YOU, Forbes Magazine, for the kind words!

Thank You Power Down Under

"G'Day Australia!" They're hearing about the power of Thank You down under, as Thank You Power has just been published in Australia. This morning, I was on the radio with Joanne Traeger of Australia's Heart 1032FM! (That's Joanne's picture) It's a bit of a logistical challenge trying to schedule press interviews with folks on the other side of the world, but where there's a will, there's a way! Thanks to Joanne for a great interview -- and to Ian, the Thomas Nelson publicist in Sydney who made it happen. I am hoping to hear from readers in Australia as the book gets circulated!

Thank You Power Goes International!

Thank You Power has left the country! Check out this picture ... it's from a Korean reader who emailed me a shot of Thank You Power which has hit the store shelves in South Korea! Thanks to Seun, who wrote to me, "Hi. I"m your Korean fan. I bought TYP Korean edition yesterday. This book give me a lot of help."

Well, Seun, YOU give me a lot of help by letting me know the message of the power of Thank You is spreading!

UPDATE: Looks like TYP is getting even more play: They want to talk to me for a one hour special on Thank You Power on Korean television!

Back in my Hometown

It's intimidating to be asked to speak in your hometown. These people know you ... your family will hear what the 'gossip' is about you after you leave. It's much easier to talk to millions on TV than 400 people from home. Thursday, I was back in Dalton, Georgia -- my hometown. I was asked to come down and give the talk at the Chamber of Commerce "Share the Vision" breakfast. For me, it was a chance to publicly say 'Thank You' to so many people who were an important part of helping shape who I am. I had no idea it was going to turn into Deborah Norville Day! Complete with a key to the city! Wow! The Good Fairy in the Wizard of Oz got it right when she told Dorothy: There's no place like home. Read on ...

Flying down, I kept thinking of how my life is like a quilt -- lots of patches brought together. It's really more of a chenille bedspread, though. Each tuft ...seemingly disconnected ... that together form an interesting pattern. It's an apt analogy for me being from Dalton, cause the tufted textile business was centered there...all thanks to the perfection of the tufted stitch and later the multi-needle tufting machine -- the backbone of the carpet industry and the lifeblood of Dalton.

I talked about scout leaders, my fourth grade teacher, the Jaycees who sponsored the Junior Miss pageant that pointed me toward the TV path. I talked about what it was like growing up in a town where everyone knew who your daddy was... and consequently one behaved as a result. I reminded the audience that my hometown was a place where we celebrated other's achievements and figuratively hugged one another during the disappointments. I tried to publicly thank individuals who, all these years later, I still recognize as having a positive impact on making me the person I have become.

I also shared the message of Thank You Power and how its capacity to enhance one's thinking skills could be useful at this time in Dalton. The mortgage crisis has had a direct impact on the carpet business and times are very tough.

I was delighted by the applause and the standing ovation was gratifying -- especially since my dad and all three of my sisters, the lady who helped run the family office, the mother of my first boyfriend, my dear friend from high school, the man who headed the Jaycee's Junior Miss competition, the man who pointed the spotlight during the show, my scout leader's husband, the lady I used to babysit for, my high school pal's dad, and my backyard neighbor growing up were all there. I didn't expect what happened next!

The Mayor gave me a key to the city! The mayor used to be the boy whose backyard backed up to mine. The County Commissioner named it Deborah Norville Day in Whitfield County and gave me a proclamation! The head of the Chamber gave me a bunch of goodies. He's with the law firm that does the family's law work. And the Spirit of Vision award was given to me by my friend's dad -- himself one of the town's most successful businessmen -- who reminded the audience of how his daughter Susan and I struggled to try to wear contact lenses when we were in high school. She was better at it than I was! Then to top it all off, the Dalton High School Band came and performed all the old fight songs we used to play at football games. I was in the flute section and a flag twirler.

What a day!

What a beautiful reminder that we all come from somewhere and we all have someones -- plural -- who cared about us when we were little and are proud of us when we get big. And what a joy to say Thank YOU to the people who knew me 'way back when' whom I have certainly NOT forgotten now.

Guideposts Article

The new issue of Guideposts magazine just landed in the mailbox with me on the cover. It's a nice article I wrote ... which kind of takes me full circle from the last time I was on the cover of Guideposts. The reaction I am getting from folks in just the first few days of days of the magazine being out is pretty amazing. To see the article and to see what people have emailed me to say about it, read on ...

You can click here for a look at the article. And these are some of the comments I have received:

I just finished reading the article in the February 2008 Guideposts about Gratitude. It couldn't have come at a better time for me. 2007 wasn't exactly the best year for my family. I lost both my grandfather and father within six months - only six weeks later my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 61. (My father was only 63). I have struggled with all of this - but not being grateful for all of the good memories and thoughts I have of my family. I just wanted to thank you for reminding me, like the Scripture says, "In everything give thanks."

I just read your article in Guideposts magazine. I watch you on television, but feel like I know you personally now. Thank you for reminding me to be grateful for everything. I try to be because it does make me feel better. I have a 9 month old grandson that is the light of my life and I am truly grateful for that gift, as well as a wonderful husband, daughter son and son-in law.

Spreading the Word

Nice mention of Thank You Power in Mary Hunt's Everyday Cheapskate column. Click here to get a link to it!

Gratitude Cake How To

Lot's of you have emailed me asking how to make the Gratitude Cake I showed on the Rachael Ray show recently. Click HERE to access a printable PDF instruction sheet.

Rachael Ray Show - Deb's "Gratitude Cake"

On Friday, I was a guest on the Rachael Ray show ... she's not a baker, but I am, so I decided to fix up a "Gratitude Cake" on the show. It's a great dessert for gatherings with family and close friends -- and the magic ISN'T in the cake -- but in the messages you tuck inside.
Someone just emailed me a link to a YouTube clip that someone posted -- so here it is: Watch it and maybe you'll get some ideas!