To live a well balanced, rewarding life of our dreams by day and sleep restfully at night.
Three journal writing prompts for this morning
Published May 18, 2013 | 
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~ William A. Ward
Good morning! As the day begins, I offer you a few writing prompts to get your day started:
1. What am I thankful for?
2. What am I looking forward to?
3. Today I am _______ because________……
Have a blessed day!
Debra
Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn’t wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say. ~ Sharon O’Brien
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Little Pleasures… tonight’s 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 in 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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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 | 
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5 Comments“It is not down in any map; true places never are”. ~ Herman Melville (Four journal writing prompts about place…)
Published May 1, 2013 |
Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~ Seneca
A few prompts to get your journal writing started today:
1. What is my favorite place? Why? How do I feel when I am there?
2. If time or money were not at issue, where would I take off to visit right now?
3. I am happy where I am because….
4. What does home mean to me?
No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~ Lin Yutang
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Worrying 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 CommentWhat makes me confident in myself and in my life? Tonight’s journal writing prompt
Published April 15, 2013 | 
If we are confident in ourselves and the direction our lives are taking, we will sleep well at night, guaranteed!
Tonight’s journal writing question is simply this:
What makes me feel confident in myself and in my life?
Then, write away!
Let’s see, this is how I would answer this question tonight….
What makes me confident in myself and in my life:
1. Trying new things
2. Being excited about things
3. Doing something that I was afraid of (I did anyway despite the fear).
4. Sharing with others something I feel enthusiastic about.
5. Sharing with others my gifts and my passions.
6. Having the ability to embrace change
7. Continuing to work on myself and develop new skills
8. Knowing and having faith that God loves me and the universe works with me.
I will stop here, and permit you to start your writing.
Have fun!
In peace,
Debra
If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. ~Vincent Van Gogh
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A morning journal gratitude list
Published April 11, 2013 | 
As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world. ~ Terri Guillemets
It is a great practice to begin and end our day focused on what we feel thankful for.
This is my gratitude list for my journal writing this morning…
I am thankful for:
1. My life
2. My strong and healthy body
3. My loving and supportive husband
4. My sweet daughter
5. My son
6. My cat, Mew
7. All of the help and support that is always there when I need it
8. My friends
9. The doors of opportunity which are swinging wide open for me right now (it is quite exciting)!
10. All of you here who are visiting The Warm Milk Journal. Love, peace, and hugs to all of you!
Your turn… what are you thankful for right now?
Have a blessed day!
In peace,
Debra
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Heart, What Do You Have To Tell Me? (A journal writing exercise).
Published April 1, 2013 | 
Only one book is worth reading: the heart. ~ Ajahn Chah
What is in your heart? What stirs you deeply within depths you didn’t know exist?
That is this evening’s journal writing prompt: exploring the depths of the heart. This may be April Fool’s day, but following our heart is not foolish.
Our hearts our intelligent. What is your heart saying to you? (if you take the time to listen, you may find out).
So, this prompt is simple.
Talk to your heart. If there is something going on in your life that you need an answer to (whether it is career related, family,etc.) ask your heart…
Breathe deeply. Close your eyes. Put your hands to your heart and just sit and breathe. Be still…
When you are ready, open your eyes and write on your journal page:
Heart, what do you have to tell me?…
Then breathe deeply and write when you feel compelled to write. Don’t judge. Don’t edit. Just write.
This one is a bit personal so I will do this exercise in my private journal this time (perhaps I will share with you in a future post though).
Much love to you…
In peace,
Debra
Alas! there is no instinct like the heart… ~Lord Byron
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Five things that make me antsy with anxiety…
Published March 30, 2013 | 
In an ideal life, I am always centered (as in, sitting on a peaceful mountain top all day centered). This is the state of mind I strive to be in but, alas, daily life and my personality come into play once in a while…
We may not be perfectly at peace all of the time but I do find it helpful to know what makes us vulnerable to anxiety. The more aware we are of what I call our anxiety “triggers”, the more effectively we can recognize the anxious state for what it is (a momentary passing state flirting with us) and get on with the business of enjoying our lives (and sleeping restfully at night).
We all have our “triggers” that make us vulnerable to anxiety. I will share with you a few of mine and perhaps you may relate to these (or if you have different ones, please feel free to comment and share)…
Fear is a darkroom where negatives develop. ~ Usman B. Asif
Five things that make me antsy with anxiety:
Photo Credit: Dreamstime
1. When I feel physically run down
2. When I am experiencing some kind of pain in my body
3. When I have too much unstructured time
4. When too many choices are presented to me
5. When I feel like I should be productive but instead I am distracted rather than focused.
There are more but I will stop with these. If anxiety is flirting with me in any of these five ways,
I often find it helpful to:
1. take a walk outside
2. get busy doing something
3. remind myself that this too shall pass
4. help somebody else
5. enjoy a great movie with my family
6. write!
Goodbye, anxiety….with any luck this was a mild passing flirtation and nothing more…
Worry is a misuse of imagination. ~ Dan Zadra
In Peace,
Debra
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Adventures I will have (a fun, spirit lifting journal writing exercise).
Published March 24, 2013 | 
One way I like to use my journal is for times when I feel stressed, anxious, a little run down, or sad. This great exercise immediately lifts my spirits and galvanized my energy to something more cheerful and positive. There is nothing quite like the sweetness of anticipating adventures: big and small.
At the top of your entry, simply write: “I will have these adventures”. *Note, we are affirming these adventures as if they are going to happen (rather than saying “I would like to one day do..”
Then write away. What adventures are in store for you? I find if I write rather quickly, without thinking too hard or editing myself, my heart’s true desires will eventually come out on paper.
Ready to begin? As I often do, I will get my own list started and then you begin yours.
Let’s see…
I will have these adventures:
1. I will explore the charming city of Charleston, South Carolina with my husband. I will stroll the charming streets and tour the mansions and nearby plantations. I will also eat some great food and listen to jazz music.
2. I will take wine tours in the Napa Valley and Tuscany, Italy.
3. I will ride on the Orient Express.
4. I will read a juicy novel.
5. I will try a new recipe out this week.
6. I will go on a retreat! A retreat for writers, yoga enthusiasts, meditation, and one for couples.
7. I will visit Virginia
8. I will go on a class III river rafting trip in North Carolina
photo credit: sunsetfarms.com
This is a great exercise. I feel perkier and excited about my life. I will keep going in my private journal so that you may begin yours.
Have fun!
In Peace,
Debra
Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~ Seneca
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