To live a well balanced, rewarding life of our dreams by day and sleep restfully at night.
Ten things to keep in mind to keep a peaceful state of mind.
Published May 16, 2013 | 
The prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
A peaceful state of mind will lead to less anxiety and restful sleep most nights.
How do we on a consistent basis be in that peaceful state of mind?
I suggest we keep the following in mind:
1. The past is the past. It does not have any power over us unless we allow it to.
2. The future is not yet here. Why sacrifice today by fretting about something that may or (more than likely) may not happen?
3. Find your allies! Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who love and care about you.
4. Have faith in yourself,
5. Have faith in others,
6. Have faith in life,
7. have faith in God.
8. Circumstances and other people can not hurt you if you don’t let them.
9. At the end of the day, say, “I did my best”. Breathe. It is done.
10. In the end, what is truly important? So much of what we permit worry us or upset us if just fluff. Let it go!
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith. ~ Author Unknown
In peace,
Debra
Montreat, North Carolina August 2012
For a treat, listen to
Time To Say Goodbye Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.flv
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May you not take anything personally today…
Published May 15, 2013 | No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Good morning,
May the sun shine for you,
when people or circumstances tempt you to question yourself,
may you look beyond them and not take anything personally today.
It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else’s eyes. ~ Sally Field
In Peace,
Debra
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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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What 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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If 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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Sleep Yoga (a.k.a. Yoga Nidra) A guest post by Aryn Youngless
Published May 6, 2013 | 
Photo credit: studioserenity.com
I used to teach these two lovely ladies once a week at 6:30 in the morning. Every week, they would show up like clockwork, them and them alone. My morning class went from that of a general open level setting, to a very friendly, and personal semi-private – to the point we carried our friendship off the mat, and out into the world. Every now and then, when the weather was terrible, or someone had worked too late the night before, I would receive a text that said, “Sorry, Aryn. Today we’ll be practicing sleep yoga.”
photo credit:thewell.spafinder.com
Now, they were just letting me know they were going to sleep an extra hour, and they would see me at my next class, but in the realm of yoga – sleep yoga does actually exist. Yoga Nidra is a style of yoga that helps you glide into a sleep like state, by means of guided meditation. By concentrating on our breath, and following the instruction of a Yoga Nidra teacher, Sleep Yoga can helps us, simply, let go of the stress and tensions of every day life.
Benefits of Yoga Nidra include: Improved concentration and focus, a clear mind, and improved performance at work and in other areas of life. According to The National Sleep Foundation it also helps improve menstrual problems, and even helps relieve post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD).
Personally, I love yoga nidra. It is something I do at least once a week to help ensure I am getting the amount of sleep that I need. As the Dalai Lama said, “Sleep is the best meditation.” But remember, sometimes meditation is the best way to get a full nights sleep.
~Namaste
Aryn
Bio:
Aryn Youngless:
I’m Aryn, a mother of one born in Ohio, living in California. I love ice cream, but I don’t eat it and couldn’t even if I wanted to, and I hate popcorn. I love carnivals and summer, the beach and ocean, I love yoga and to live every moment the best that I can with my family, and I really, really love to write.
You can find Aryn at her wonderful blog Weekly Adventures. Ordinary Girl.
or she is quite active on Twitter at @ArynYoungless
A special note from me to to Aryn:
Aryn,
From the very beginning of my blogging journey (about three years ago now) you have been there. You are someone I can always share things with about my writing, my yoga practice, and life. Thank you for being a guest blogger here at The Warm Milk Journal and
most of all,
thank you for being my friend.
Debra
A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world. ~ Leo Buscaglia
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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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“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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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 Comments 
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