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A gratitude journal entry for a balmy February day (yes, balmy! Very mild winter so far…)
Published February 2, 2012 | 
I Am thankful for the things I have now in my life such as:
1. The Atlantic ocean and a beautiful beach just blocks away from my home. This evening I enjoyed the pastel pinks and blues of the sky and on the water as the sun went down. The Florida birds were fun to watch and I enjoyed my walk and doing my Bikram yoga poses on the shore…
2. The nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon that I am enjoying right now.
3. The productive day that I had with my students today.
4. My home which is clean, comfortable, warm, and a fun space to live in.
5. My husband whom I absolutely adore. I still get butterfly flutters when I think of how much I love him.
6. My adorable daughter who is smart and ambitious and ready to take on the world at age 14.
7. My parents and brother who are always there for me.
8. My ex whose friendship and mutual caring for our children I tremendously appreciate.
9. My beautiful Merlot red 2009 Honda Accord. It is the greatest car.
10. Being safe and healthy and alive.
Now it is your turn, Dear friend…
What are you thankful that you have in your life right now?
In Peace,
Debra
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Posted in Family life, Gratitude list, Happiness, journal writing | 
being happy, gratitude journal | 
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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How can we make our home in winter as warm as possible? A journal writing session
Published January 23, 2012 | 
Even in the heart of winter, our lives can be filled with light, warmth, and most importantly love.
How do you make your home a place of warmth, peace, and refuge?
What do you do that makes you happy to be home?
Peace – that was the other name for home. ~Kathleen Norris
Tonight’s journal writing exercise is entitled: warm home in winter
I invite you in your journals tonight to do two things:
1. Write down all of the things that you are thankful for about your home, and..
2. Write down ideas on ways to nurture your home and its inhabitants. In other words…
How can we make our home in winter time as warm as possible?
The light is what guides you home, the warmth is what keeps you there. ~Ellie Rodriguez
I will get us started just a little bit and then it will be your turn…
1. Right now, I Am thankful for my home because…
I am thankful for my home because it provides me:
1. shelter
2. A place to rest
3. I have people and pets in my home that I love and who love and accept me with all of my imperfections
4. comfort
5. A place to have fun
6. A place to garden, cook, hangout with family, blog….
7. Proximity to the beach and my job
8. A beautiful little back patio with a view of our pond and wildlife (and my little garden)
9. Safety and security
10. A happy living space
11. A big comfy bed!
2. How can we make our home in winter time as warm as possible?
Although I live in Florida, we do have some cold days (I live in North Florida)
What comes to me the most this January evening:
1. Start the day and end the day with greetings, hugs, and appreciation for loved ones.
2. Keep our home clean and uncluttered.
3. Add some color! (We painted the interior of our house right before Christmas and what a difference. Color really warms a space up)
4. Good smells! Clean smells. Cooking smells. Candles. Hot baths. Flowers. Potpourri smells ( I love to simmer on low heat cloves, cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and citrus slices).
5. Make love rule the house (instead of critcism, judgment, or petty selfishness)
Your turn now, sweet friend…
Where thou art – that – is Home. ~Emily Dickinson
Goodnight,
Debra
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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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“I Am an original because…” A journal writing exercise
Published January 8, 2012 | Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings
Definition of original: Not derived from something else; fresh and unusual (from TheFreeDictionary.Com)
In your journals, write on the top of the page “I Am an original because:”….
Then write a list of all the wonderful unique qualities that make up YOU.
Ready?
Let’s see, I would like to try this tonight as well..
I Am an original because…
1. Who sings silly love songs to her cats the way I do? ; )
2. I have a way with language and write with a voice that is all my own.
3. I whip up things in the kitchen that are truly my own creations (no recipes, thank you very much)
4. I excel at games such as Jeopardy and Scrabble yet I have a mechanical disability and I find it difficult to put together the simplest of things.. (they had me in mind when they invented the dumb blond screw in the light bulb jokes. Ha! lol)
5. Nobody has my smile or
6. My way with children
I will stop here for I feel fantastic, tall, confident, and happy about the unique qualities that make up ME.
Your turn, sweet friends..
a blessed night to you all!
Debra
I DON’T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR BEING MYSELF
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Do these 15 things to receive the gift of a good night sleep
Published December 30, 2011 | 
To sleep well in 2012 and beyond, do these 15 things:
1. Be active during your day.
2. Take frequent time outs/mental health breaks during a busy work day.
3. Spend time doing things that are important to you.
4. Say no to anything that does not serve you well.
5. Say yes when your heart wants you to.
6. Invest in high quality mattress, pillows, and linens: your back and a good night sleep are worth every penny!!
7. Keep your bedroom uncluttered and aesthetically pleasing.
8. Keep electronics and work out of your bedroom.
9. Stretch well through out your day and especially before bed.
10. Write in your journal any worries that you have, any questions that you have, or anything that gives you comfort.
11. Read something that spiritually inspires you right before bedtime. Poetry is excellent.
12. If you have a partner who snores, gently explore options on dealing with the issue. Wax earplugs work pretty well and they do not hurt the ears.
13. Limit caffeine, heavy foods, and liquids a few hours before bedtime
14. Wear socks
15. Turn off the light and think about all the things you are thankful for.
Good night!
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Light 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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