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Five things I am letting go of now. What would you like to drop, release, and let go of… ?
Published January 30, 2012 | 
Right now, I am choosing to let go of:
1. the need to control or change my husband.
2. being upset when things don’t go as I originally intended
3. self criticism
4. negative images and stories in the media (Just don’t need them!)
5. doubt
What would you like to let go of? Here’s a little secret: we can let go of anything we want in our lives anytime we choose to do so. It is very liberating when we do let go of things, people, beliefs, and circumstances that no longer serve us. It feels very good, as a matter of fact!
So, what would you like to let go of right now?
Write it down in your journal. Do it. Let it go and don’t look back.
Good night.
In Peace,
Debra
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Posted in Happiness, Journal Prompts, Positive living, Self-empowerment | 
journal writing, letting go, release | 
Leave a commentThe Perfect Day: A journal writing exercise
Published January 25, 2012 | 
As I reflect on my day, I feel very thankful for it was a really good day. A big part of The Warm Milk Journal’s Mission is to live the life of our dreams by day (so that we may sleep restfully by night).
I have a fun journal writing exercise for you tonight. It is entitled simply: The Perfect Day.
When you have a little quiet time for yourself I invite you to stretch a bit, breathe, and just meditate on this idea: what is the perfect day? What does that mean for you? You can think of a regular work day that goes exceedingly well, a weekend or vacation day, or a dream day in which if time, money, or any of our daily duties were not constraining us, what would be the perfect day for YOU?
Your journal entry could also be a mix of random things from all kind of different days….perfect days…
Definition of Perfection:
the quality or state of being perfect: as a : freedom from fault or defect : flawlessness b : maturity c : the quality or state of being saintly
Source: www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfection
Are you ready? I know I am… I love to write at the end of my day… or the start of my day. In this case tonight it is the end of the day, so here goes…
The Perfect Day:
1. My students are well-behaved, respectful, and excited.
2. I have a lot of energy and feel well rested.
3. I work out either at the gym, my Bikram yoga class, or take a long bike ride or walk on the beach.
4. I can sleep in
5. I’ve brewed a perfect pot of coffee
6. I have plenty of time to read, write, reflect, and do nothing….
7. I’ve had a chance to connect with my husband and daughter
Your turn. : )
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Friendship: a simple journal writing exercise
Published January 18, 2012 | A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. ~Douglas Pagels
The topic of friendship has come up a lot in my life lately. I have a fourteen year old daughter and her world is full of laughing with her girlfriends at all hours when they come to our house for a sleep over…
I consider my husband my best friend…
I have my “old” friends from my youth, college days, and young mommyhood days that I am still in touch with thanks to Facebook…
In this chapter of my life (I’m a 45 year old schoolteacher/blogger raising two teenagers, a husband, and two cats. Ha!)
Where and how do I fit friends into my busy life now?
Most of us don’t need a psychiatric therapist as much as a friend to be silly with. ~Robert Brault
Here is my journal writing invitation to you this evening (or morning depending on where you live)
On the the top of your journal entry, simply write “Friendship”…. then write down anything that comes to mind.
I find I do well if I just write quickly what comes to mind without editing or critiquing what I am writing…
Just play with the idea and see what happens.
The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium. ~Norbet Platt
The powerful thing about journal writing is that if we get ourselves in a relaxed state long enough, our true selves emerge. That touch of divine and intuition and wisdom comes out.
Let’s try it and see what happens, shall we?
Let’s see. I will begin!
FRIENDSHIP
1. I will always cherish those friends I made when I was a child and teenager. Those were the carefree days when I had time to invest and nurture these friends. Plus, these people knew me when I was just coming of age. How special is that?
2. I value the friendship I have with my husband. He is my best friend. He challenges me. He loves and supports me. He ultimately brings out the best in me.
3. I don’t spend time with friends that much these days for I am very busy working and when I’m not working I have my family..Hmmm….
4. I have my online friends on Twitter and Facebook that I have grown to value and appreciate very much.
5. What can I do to nurture my friends?
6. What friendships are worth investing time and energy in now during this busy chapter in my life?
This is a just a start, but I will finish in my private journal, so that you, dear friend, can begin you entry on…
FRIENDSHIP
Have fun.
Peace,
Debra
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My dream home and other dreams…a journal writing and visualization exercise
Published January 16, 2012 | 
What we focus on grows.
I believe in the power of visualization. If we are clear on what we want we will attract it into our lives. Back when I was an 18 year old college student I can remember journaling about my dream home as a young married person raising a family.
When I was in my early thirties gazing out at my view of Mount Rainier (at the time we lived on a beautiful property in Washington State) I realized that I was living in the home that I imagined many years ago as a much younger version of myself. That day I dug out that old journal and sure enough, I had the house, the tall fir trees, and the mountain all drawn out..
Well, I am enjoying a new chapter in my life now. I am now in my forties with a new husband, two teenagers, and two cats. I live in beautiful North Florida near the beach. Although we love our current residence, it is not our dream home.
I am visualizing that dream home now and writing about it in my current journal.
You can do the same. You can visualize and write about your dream home, dream career, dream partner, dream vacation, or anything else you want in your life.
This kind of journal writing is a favorite of mine because it gets me excited about my life and all the possibilities.
A few things to note:
1. Be as specific as possible
2. Feel gratitude about all the good you have now
3. Be thankful for whatever it is you are dreaming about as if you have it now.
Just play with it and have fun. Write. Draw and sketch. Getting out some paper and paints or magazine pictures and a poster board would be fun as well.
Some good resources I recommend:
Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain
The Secret Of Creating Your Future by Tad James
The Secret and The Power by Rhonda Byrne
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How can I be the most loving person I am capable of being today? A journal writing session
Published January 13, 2012 | 
Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit. ~Peter Ustinov
Sometimes everyday life challenges us and keeps us from being the most loving people we are capable of being. A goal of mine is to live my life with love being my compass. This is not always easy.
This morning’s journal writing session serves as a reminder and a way of focusing on being that loving person that is inside of us.
In your journals, write: How can I be the most loving person I am capable of being today? Then list as many things as you can think of. I love doing this exercise in the morning when I am first waking up. It sets a positive tone to my day. If at first I was leaning towards getting a grumpy start, this exercise is capable of changing my outlook, mood, and immediately around considerably! Pretty powerful stuff for something so simple.
Ready to give this a try?
As I often do, I will start with a few ideas for my own journal entry and then it will be your turn.
Let’s see..
How can I be the most loving person I am capable of being today?
1. Greet my husband with a smile, hug, and kiss when he wakes up this morning and when I see him when I first get home later this afternoon.
2. Forgive his snoring from last night.
3. Patiently listen to my daughter describe her day when she is home from school.
4. Greet every one of my students with a smile as they enter my classroom this morning.
5. Complain about nothing.
6. Be generous with compliments with everybody I encounter today.
7. Love myself by eating healthy food, drinking plenty of water, and working out.
I will stop here and finish in my private journal.
Have a blessed day full of love.
Debra
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What I love… a quick journal writing exercise sure to lift your spirits.
Published January 10, 2012 | 
This is a fun and quick little journal writing exercise that is sure to give you a boost and a smile.
Open your journal and write down as quick as you can a list of the things you love.
Remember,
What we focus on grows!
So why not take a few minutes and concentrate on what we love?
Ready?
Here goes:
What I love:
1. My husband
2. My daughter
3. My cats
4. My books
5. My home
6. Florida
7. The beach
8. My job
9. Working so close to home
10. Great music
11. language
12. Cooking
13. Going out for a nice meal
14. My coffee
15. My bed
16. My soft fleecy green bathrobe
17. Going for walks
18. yoga
I could go on and on…. this is just so much fun. It does not take much time and you do feel great when you think of what or who you love and are reminded of all the blessings you do have in your life.
Your turn!
In peace,
Debra
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Posted in Benefits of Journal Writing, Happiness, Journal Prompts, Love | being happy, journal writing, love | Leave a commentLight and dedication for your life: a journal writing session in honor of the eighth night of Hannukah
Published December 27, 2011 | Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame
Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart
~Hannah Senesh
It is the eighth night of Hannukah tonight. “Hannukah” or “Channukah” literally means to dedicate. In terms of this Jewish holiday the word refers to the re dedication of the holy Jerusalem temple at the time of the Maccabean revolt during the second century BCE.
Whether you come from the Jewish tradition or not, we can all benefit from focusing on what we are dedicated to. If we truly focus and dedicate ourselves on what really matters and is important to us, then we will be blessed with much light in our lives.
Two questions for your journal writing to ask this December evening, the eighth night of Hannukah:
1. What brings light into your life?
2. What are you willing or wish to dedicate yourself and your life to?
I can not wait to begin my entries..
What brings light into my life?
Let’s see…
1. My family
2. My marriage
3. My job: working with children and helping to instill the love of reading, writing, and learning…
4. The natural beauty of my home state of Florida, the sunshine state!
5. Friends who hang in there with me..
6. Supportive colleagues
7. My yoga class and gym
8. Beautiful music
9. Meals cooked with love
10. My cat
11. My garden
What do I wish to dedicate (or rededicate) my life to?
1. My marriage
2. My children
3. My students
4. My health
5. My spiritual growth
6. The Warm Milk Journal and supporting people from all around the globe to live a well balanced life by day (free of anxiety) and sleeping restfully at night (free of anxiety)
Your turn, Dear Friends!
Here’s to a light-filled, radiant life filled with dedicated purpose.
Much love to you and as always…
In Peace,
Debra
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A list of new things to try for the New Year! A journal writing session
Published December 18, 2011 | 
We are not meant to be stagnant creatures. Doing and learning new things keeps our brains active and our bodies and spirits more youthful. Trying new things also gives our self esteem a boost and as a result we experience less anxiety and more restful sleep at night.
How’s that for some significant benefits?
As we end this year and move into the new year, let’s do a little brainstorming, shall we? Let’s conjure up some fun new ideas for us to do this coming year.
In your journals today write down a list of things that you would like to try this coming new year. These ideas can be anything! They can be work related, ideas for you and your spouse, or just ideas for yourself.
I am very excited about this journal writing entry and so I am going to get started on my list right away! Let’s see…
New things I want to do and experience in my life in 2012:
1. Read more fiction (I tend to read a lot of non-fiction self help type of books)
2. Start a wine club with my husband and other couples who are interested in getting together, learning about wine, and sharing in good food and conversation.
3. Discover new music
4. Visit a city I’ve never been to before (New York City comes to mind…)
5. Try different yoga and fitness classes that my gym offers.
That’s a good start. Now it’s your turn, dear friend. Have fun!
Debra
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Five journal writing prompts to get your creativity flowing!
Published December 4, 2011 | 
For your journal writing tonight I offer you a few prompts to get your writing juices flowing:
1. What was the most vivid dream that you can remember having?
2. What does peace feel like?
3. List three things that you can take OFF your to-do list right now?
4. Who or what makes you smile?….. ; )
5. What are you really good at?
Have fun!
In peace,
Debra
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Ten circumstances when I am most prone to anxiety
Published November 27, 2011 | 
A leading cause of insomnia is anxiety. In my experience, anxiety has been caused by many factors, including:
1. When I have slept poorly the night before (this can be a spiraling, circling problem)
2. When I have experienced a lot of change in my life.
3. I am in a new situation.
4. I am hurting myself with negative self talk.
5. I am around negative people.
6. I read the newspaper or watch tv too much.
7. I am working too much.
8. I don’t spend enough time outdoors
9. I question, analyze, judge, worry and over think everything too much.
10. I have too much unstructured time on my hands.
I can think of more causes of my anxiety over the years but this is a pretty good list.
If you are somebody prone to anxiety and it is affecting your life through: loss of sleep, your relationships with others, your job, and general well-being… you may want to look at getting help.
A good first start you can do on your own is write a list like mine in your journal. Being aware of some “anxiety triggers” for you can be quite beneficial. I believe the key to most healing starts with awareness.
Next, I recommend talking to someone you trust and if necessary, your medical doctor.
Anxiety does not have to rule your life and affect your sleep night after night. There are medical and non medical treatments available.
I am not a doctor and this site is not intended to diagnose or offer treatment for you.
I do want you to know that here at The Warm Milk Journal you are not alone. Many of us share these common issues. You have friends here.
Feel free to comment and share anytime here. You may visit our Facebook page too.
In peace,
Debra
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Posted in anxiety, Benefits of Journal Writing, Depression, Getting a good night sleep, Good Health, insomnia, journal writing, lists, Positive living, Self-empowerment, stress, The Warm Milk Journal, Tips to help insomnia, worry | anxiety, anxiety causing insomnia, causes of anxiety, insomnia causing anxiety | Leave a commentAdvertise Here!
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