To live a well balanced, rewarding life of our dreams by day and sleep restfully at night.
Little Pleasures… a journal writing session
Published May 13, 2013 | 
Tonight’s journal writing exercise is a fun one… life’s little pleasures. Not the big stuff (or perhaps the little stuff is the big stuff…), but the little things that truly make life and daily existence worthwhile.
Writing in our journals is a wonderful chance to focus on things we love.
Remember, what we focus on grows.
What we appreciate, appreciates.
Life’s little pleasures is one of those things that just makes it all worthwhile, y’know? I even have a Pinterest Board devoted to life’s little pleasures.
What little things put a smile on your face? Little things that you look forward to? Your guilty little pleasures…? Hmmm? It’s okay. This is a safe place to share.
As always (or most of the time at least), I will start my own entry and then you write too. I invite you all to comment at the end of your post to share a few of your little pleasures. It is fun to share with each other.
Ready to start? I know I am! Let’s see…
Little Pleasures…
1. The sound of the birds singing as I sit here on my back patio writing in the early evening…
2. The smell of my roses interwoven with the honey suckles that are in full bloom right now this wonderful May evening. I am breathing the intoxicating fragrance now as I write this…
3. Going for a walk and saying hello to the friendly neighbors (I live in the South and everybody is so nice and friendly here)!
4. Being out in public and enjoying the babies and toddlers (I remember when my children were that little once and it makes me happy to remember those precious days)
5. Knowing I have a great dinner planned for my family (I love to cook)!
6. My back patio garden.
7. My first cup of coffee in the morning.
8. When we first turn off the light, melting into my husband’s arms and resting my head on “my spot” (his shoulder) that is just right.. and falling asleep…
Your turn, Dear friends. I am not by any means through with my entry. This is a really fun one. Enjoy and remember to share a few little pleasures on your list with all of us by commenting in… don’t be shy now…
Much love and peace to all of you. I am so glad we are sharing a sweet sliver of this life journey together.
Debra
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Posted in Benefits of Journal Writing, Blogging, Family life, Gratitude list, Happiness, Journal Prompts, journal writing, lists, marriage, Pinterest, Positive living | 
falling asleep in loving arms, journal writing prompt, life's little pleasures, the little things we love about life, writing about what we love | 
5 CommentsIf not now, when?
Published May 8, 2013 |
When you are tired from the day,
when you feel daily life is getting in the way
of your dreams…
When you want to say “enough is enough”!
or,” I don’t want to play today…”
Today comes anyway, so what is one to do?
I say, say “hey!” to the day,
I’m gonna get out of my own way,
and do what I am meant to do! Umh-huh
“What is that?”, you ask (as if you are absolutely clueless)..
but deep down in there, where the real you resides…
is a knowing.
And you know what to do with this day and the next,
you just have to do it,
forget about the rest (as in the excuses and the “someday” dreams of the mind that wishes and yearns but does not act)…
You are thinking about this, and I know you are…
If not now, when?
In peace,
Debra
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. ~ Ambrose Redmoon
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Why I love my husband: an important (possibly the most important) journal writing session
Published May 5, 2013 | 
If we nurture the most important relationship in our life, we will sleep better at night, guaranteed.
I invite you to think about your significant other… focus on how blessed you are that they are in your life.
Then just write what you appreciate about them.
Remember:
What we appreciate, appreciates!
What we focus on grows!
Who does not want more love in their lives, right? What is more important when it comes right down to it, hmmm…?
Okay, so my journal entry may look like this. I will begin, then you do your own. Deal?
What I love about my husband is:
1. his optimism
2. his kindness
3. his rugged good looks
4. his smile
5. his flexibility
6. his ability to put up with silly me!
I will continue in my private journal so that you may begin your own entry…
*note: if you are not married or in a relationship right now, you can write about the qualities that you appreciate about your ideal partner (in present tense with feeling as if they are in your life now).
Love has no desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving. ~ Kahlil Gibran
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Posted in Benefits of Journal Writing, Blogging, Family life, Getting a good night sleep, Gratitude list, Happiness, Journal Prompts, Journal Prompts, journal writing, lists, Love, marriage, Positive living, relationships, safety, security, what I appreciate about my husband | appreciating my husband, gratitude list, Happy Wives Club, journal writing prompt, listing what we love about our spouse | 5 CommentsAs the rain falls this evening, I am thankful for…(how about you)?
Published May 2, 2013 | 
A rainy evening invites jazz music, red wine, and contemplation…
As the rain falls down, I feel happy about my hard-working day and thankful of the fatigue (from this day) that has lifted,
the relaxing evening with my family that is beginning,
the chicken that is baking in the oven,
the sweet cat that is always at my side,
I am also thankful for my teenaged daughter who is working so hard at school and plotting her future…
My husband who is always close by with his support and love (but gives me my space to write and dream…)
In this moment,
I am thankful to have my health and many exciting things that are opening up to me in the business world…
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~ William A. Ward
Friends,
whether it is raining or not where you live… what are you thankful right now? What will be in your bedtime prayers and journal entries tonight?
I think sharing with supportive people is a powerful thing so please feel free to comment in here…
I am thankful for…
Cheers and much love to all of you!
Debra
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If you love social media, join me!
Published April 29, 2013 | 
We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light. ~Evelyn Dunbar
Dear Friends:
I embarked on this Warm Milk Journal journey over three years ago now. In this process I have met so many great new people, shared ideas, and most importantly: found my voice.
I found my voice here at The Warm Milk Journal and on various social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Google+. LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
I have found social media to be so much fun and very powerful. My Tweet others the way you want to be tweeted: 15 lessons I’ve learned on Twitter
post is one of the most visited posts of all time.
With that I wish to share with you my new business. At the end of this school year, I will be working full time on my social media management business and continue to create and grow The Warm Milk Journal.
Here is my invitation.
If you:
1. love social media like I do,
2. wish to improve your financial situation or change careers into something more fulfilling for you (that has unlimited and residual income potential),
3. have experience with sales (especially B2B) or you are willing to learn…
Then I would like you on my team.
If this sounds like you, I invite you to go to my business page, fill out your basic information (at no cost or obligation to you), look at the site, and register for the live conference call with Joe Grushkin and George Gillas. These guys are great. I have already learned so much from them about doing business (the right way)!
Please tell them that Debra DiPietro from The Warm Milk Journal sent you.
You will always be able to call me or email me personally too. I am busy growing this business here in Jacksonville, Florida. It doesn’t matter where you are in the USA or in the world for that matter. You can do this business no matter where you live.
Click on my business link and check this out.
We have been supporting each other in so many ways, why not take it to the next level and join me in this business opportunity that has no limits?
Go to Debra’s business page
now.
If this opportunity is not right for you (and it won’t be for everybody), please just be happy for me. I have found something I am very passionate about (along with The Warm Milk Journal, of course)! 
In peace (and to our living the life of our dreams)!
Debra
Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally. ~ David Frost
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A More Mature Love (Thank God I am Growing up)!
Published April 29, 2013 | 
Photo credit: Mindbodygreen.com
In my younger years, love was magical and it was splendid (as it still is now).
However, as a young woman, I had some less than mature and admirable ideas about love (as we do when we are young).
Thinking back, I can recall attitudes of:
1. “If he loved me, he would…” (a combination of entitlement and wanting my boyfriend/husband to read my mind)
2. “what have you done for me lately”? (keeping tabs, needing constant demonstration and proof that the man loves me, being selfish)
3. Having super high, unrealistic expectations of the relationship (a combination of not wanting to take responsibility for my life and that whole mind reading thing…see number 1).
Many years later, I am 46 years old and (happily) on my second marriage. I am certainly not perfect but I’d like to think that I have learned a thing or two.
A more mature love consists of:
1. Focusing on what you can give to your partner.
2. Communication and asking for what you want (men need and appreciate some direction especially when it comes in the form of a neutral request rather than from a silent pouty state or angry state because they did not read our minds).
3. Seeing the good in your spouse and remembering why you fell in love and married him in the first place (even on those bad days)
4. Deciding your relationship is more important than being right.
5. Be supportive, give feedback, listen a lot, and do not criticize (guard your mouth and words that come out dilligently)
6. Make your marriage top priority over anything else.
That about wraps it up. Oh, be sure to laugh regularly. Break up routines, have adventures and date nights (especially important if you have kids). Keep the fun and passion alive.
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Posted in Family life, Happiness, marriage, Peace, Positive living, relationships | Happy Wives Club, marriage, mature love | 8 CommentsWorrying a lot? Get busy doing these ten things.
Published April 28, 2013 | 
I find that during times when my mind is stuck in a worrying pattern, it just may be I have too much time on my hands. There is nothing like getting busy and working at a task (getting in “the flow”) that makes the worrying monkey mind go away.
Here are some ways to get busy and say good bye to worry:
1. Hit the gym and have a good work out!
2. Try a new fitness class at the gym.
3. Do something creative: write, paint, draw, sculpt, dance…
4. Do some volunteer work
5. Set a few goals that are important to you and take action on them.
6. Get lost in a really good book.
7. Join a new club: Toastmasters, a local French club, Book club, etc.
8. Organize something: your closets, your bookshelves, that junk drawer you have in the kitchen, your files, email inbox, or photos on your computer
9. Write thank you letters to anyone who has made a difference in your life.
10. When all else fails, call mom or cuddle with your cat.
In Peace,
Debra
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Posted in anxiety, Happiness, worry, worry journal | getting busy, getting rid of anxiety, getting rid of worry, stress | 1 CommentTonight’s list of all-time relaxing things
Published April 26, 2013 | 
photo credit: Dreamstime
Here is this night’s list of all time relaxing activities:
1. Savoring a glass of wine in the early evening
2. Listening to jazz on Pandora while enjoying glass of wine (see above)
3. Reading beautiful poetry and spiritually inspirational books (Rumi, Marianne Williamson come to mind).
4. A hot lavender bath
5. Playing Yahtzee or Scrabble with my husband or daughter
6. Cooking (while drinking wine and listening to Jazz on Pandora).
7. Walks on the beach
8. Spending time in nature
9. Afternoon bike rides
10. Morning cup of coffee and writing in my journal
11. Blogging in the early evening.
12. That afternoon cup of tea and watching the wildlife in my back patio.
13. Cuddling with the most special person in the world…
In Peace,
Debra
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Posted in Family life, Happiness, lists, marriage, Positive living, security, Ways to relax | cuddling, jazz, list of relaxing things, relax, wine, Yahtzee | 2 CommentsHow can you not smile when these five things are happening…
Published April 24, 2013 | 
How can you not smile when…
1. The squirrels in your back patio knocked over the bird bath off it’s pedestal again.
2. The sun is shining,
3. the almost full moon too…
4. You think of all the good people in your life,
5. and you focus on all the good you have coming your way such as: a new career, a tax refund check, a vacation, a date with your spouse this coming weekend…
Cheers! (and smiles)..
Debra
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Posted in Depression, Happiness, Positive living, Self-empowerment | being happy, focus on good, smiles, smiling | 2 CommentsA Memo to Monday Morning
Published April 22, 2013 | 
Monday morning,
you have arrived.
A blustery day (so far)…
I need to find a way
to turn you into something worthwhile.
Perhaps I will remember to:
smile,
be thankful for the little things,
and disassociate from people and experiences that
do not serve my happiness and well being.
Yeah, Monday morning…
As you turn to afternoon,
may you mellow a bit and treat me kindly
as I soon embark upon your trail this A.M.
In concert with you, Dear day,
I will find a way to
peace,
an armor to deflect the stress…
and eventually rest so that I may welcome in
Tuesday with promise.
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