lists
Listing exercises for our journal writing
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… 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 CommentsWhat can you do to get out of your comfort zone today?
Published May 13, 2013 | 
Pushing our edge and getting out of our comfort zones will benefit us in a few important ways.
We will:
1. Enjoy greater confidence
2. Have less anxiety
3. Sleep better at night
4. Quite possibly be more respected at our jobs or within our professional communities
What can you do to get out of your comfort zone today?
Here are a few ideas to get you started…
1. Wear a different color or style of clothing that you don’t normally wear.
2. Take a different way to work during your commute this morning or on your way home later.
3. Compliment a stranger.
4. Do something bold at work (and don’t ask permission first).
Have a great day!
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 | 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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Tonight’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 CommentsA 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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Thank you for the smiles I received… an evening prayer
Published April 8, 2013 | 
Dear God,
The day is over and sleep is near.
I am thankful for this day.
Thank you for the smiles I received,
the attentive children in my classroom,
the companionship of my family this evening.
I am excited about the new people and opportunities that are
presenting themselves to me.
This chapter is an exciting one.
I so appreciate my life.
God,
Please send your love, guidance, and healing to those out there who feel:
pain,
sadness,
alone,
stuck,
or adrift.
Thank you.
Amen.
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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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This evening, I Am these thirteen things…a wonderful journal writing exercise!
Published March 12, 2013 | 
Making declarations are very powerful and life affirming. They come from a place of confidence and strength.
Once in a while I love to write in my journal and simply declare:” I Am……” and just write and see what comes out naturally and with fortitude and excitement.
This evening I feel compelled to make such a journal entry. Care to join me?….
On this Tuesday evening, March 12, 2013:
1. I Am grateful to be home.
2. I Am a teacher.
3. I Am a writer.
4. I Am a lover of life.
5. I Am in love with my sweet husband.
6. I Am a great cook! I can smell the delicious herb baked chicken I prepared in the oven as I write this…
7. I Am a world traveler
8. I Am a student of the French language and wine…
9. I Am a book person
10. I Am creative
11. I Am free
12. I Am open
13. I Am loved.
So, that is my list for this moment.
Your turn, friends…
Have fun declaring who and what you are, right now. Own it. Cheers! 
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Posted in Benefits of Journal Writing, Journal Prompts, Journal Prompts, journal writing, lists, Positive living, Self-empowerment, Spirituality | being in the now, declaring and affirming yourself, I Am, journal writing, journal writing prompt, making declarations, powerful journal writing | Leave a comment 
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