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Ten things that I am happy about. What makes you happy? A journal exercise
Published April 7, 2011 | 
To be happy: is this a good goal in and of itself or do we experience happiness when we are immersed in other things and happines is the wonderful result?
Whatever the answer is, I know that when I focus on things that make me happy in my life, I feel better. When we are putting our attention on positive things we have less time to feel anxious, grumpy, tired, etc.
Tonight’s journalling exercise is a simple one: What makes you happy?
Write a list of as many things as you can think of. I will bet that you will be smiling by the time you put your pen down.
My list this evening looks like this:
What makes me happy right now:
1. I am home
2. I have the most wonderful husband in the world.
3. I am learning new things every day.
4. I am healthy
5. My family is healthy
6. We are currently enjoying a wonderful historical mini-series we ordered from Netflix.
7. I have a nice glass of Merlot to enjoy as I write and in a little while cook dinner.
8. My job challenges me and is rewarding in many ways.
9. The sun is shining.
10. I feel safe.
I can think of many more things that are making me happy right now but I will finish my list in my private journal so that you may begin yours.
In Peace,
Debra : )
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The Three As: Acknowledging, Accepting, and Appreciating All of the good in your life for happier days, peace, and better sleep
Published April 6, 2011 | 
I’ve said it before but it is worth repeating: what you focus on grows. Be attentive to what you give your attention to. I find that I am so much happier and enjoy greater peace (and yes, a good night sleep!) if I do these five things:
1. Set a positive intention for my day first thing in the morning when I am waking up.
2. Find something to like and appreciate about my job.
3. If I don’t like something I try to remember that all things are temporary and impermanent.
4. I keep a gratitude journal.
5. I bless and appreciate my loved ones, my health, my paycheck, my car, my country, etc.
Acknowledge, Accept, and Appreciate All the good in your life.
Do this and bask in the light by day. Restore and rest at night.
Simple, yes!?
Debra ; )
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Ten ways to enjoy a quality life: The Mew Way
Published March 24, 2011 | 
Living a high quality life the Mew Way:
1. If life gets stressful, take a nap.
2. Drink water from the sink rather than the water bowl.
3. Never be a doormat. If you get stepped on, by all means yowl!
4. Stretch frequently.
5. Interact with nature.
6. Be a good friend.
7. Never skip a nap or a meal.
8. Don’t fuss over the little things.
9. If it’s warm in the house, sleep on the bathroom tile.
10. If it’s cold, cuddle with loving companions.
Mew wishes everybody a great day!
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Counting your blessings: a Monday morning journal writing exercise
Published November 1, 2010 | 
If you have the time this morning, get out your journal and write down all of the many ways that you are blessed in your life. I guarantee you will feel great as you set off to start your day…
Let’s see, my list would look something like this:
My blessings are many and they include:
- I have a wonderful man whom I am engaged to be married to. I adore him. I love our life together.
- I have two beautiful children who are growing up so quickly right before my eyes. They will not be children for much longer.
- I am healthy. I can’t remember the last time I had a cold or I was sick.
- I am enjoying a fantastic cup of hot coffee.
- I have a job.
- My job is not just any job. I am a teacher and will have sixteen little shiny 7 and 8 year old second graders bursting into our classroom ready to spend their day with me.
- My cats Patches and Mew are healthy and beautiful companions.
- We have terrific neighbors.
- I have a beautiful home.
- I live in sunny Florida. Here it is November now and the weather is still incredibly beautiful (after living in Seattle for 15 years and Oklahoma for 8- I really appreciate this climate).
I will stop here for I want you to take the time to write your own blessings down.
You are an incredibly blessed person. Make it a great day.
Debra : )
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When are you most in the flow? A journal writing exercise
Published October 25, 2010 | 
Being “in the flow” means to me being present. I am not aware of the clock. I am so happily focused on whatever it is I’m doing that time is of no consequence. I am alive. I am being creative. I am producing something I value.
In your journal, write down times when you are most in the flow. What we focus on grows. Being in the flow is a very desirable state to be in. I believe we can only reach our full potential in life if we are in the flow.
My journal entry for this exercise tonight would look something like this.
I am most in the flow when:
- I am writing
- I am exercising, especially riding my bike, swimming laps in a pool, or walking on the beach
- I am cooking, listening to great jazz music, and drinking red wine
- I have high energy and I’m teaching an inspiring lesson to my second graders that is just working: they are getting it!
- I am dancing.
- I am making love.
- I watch Jeopardy: sometimes the answers just kind of leap out of my brain. It is very intuitive. I don’t think much at all. This is very fun.
- Spending time outdoors: on the beach, in my back yard, on a nature trail. Just being outside doing nothing.
- Taking a “Sunday drive” with my sweetie and having a conversation with him about something I feel enthusiastic about. There is something about being enclosed in an automobile with him that gets me talking…
- Taking an exam. I actually thrive well when under pressure. I perform well when I have to (when I don’t I have a tendency to procrastinate). Exams and deadlines are good for me. Gets the adrenaline going…
- Drinking my first morning cup of coffee and reading the paper or writing in my journal.
- Sipping my evening glass of wine and writing in my journal.
- Listening to beautiful music as I read something inspirational or browse my cookbooks…
- Gazing into my beautiful cat’s eyes and just drinking him in and loving him.
I have to say that this is just pure bliss thinking of activities and times in my life when I am “in the flow”.
I could keep going but it is now your turn.
When are you most in the flow? Close your eyes. Breathe deep. Then write your list. I promise you will end up feeling fantastic ( I do!) and probably have a delightfully rich restful night of sleep tonight.
Debra : )
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14 Random Reasons Why I Am Happy Tonight
Published October 23, 2010 | 
I am happy tonight because:
- It is Saturday night
- I am getting married to the most wonderful man in the world in March.
- I tried on a wedding dress today that made me feel like an absolute princess.
- The Oklahoma Sooner game kicks off in about a half hour. Go Sooners !(I went to law school there).
- I just came in a short while ago from a walk and I felt so good that I did a little sprinting down my street (I am 44 years old with knee issues). It felt good to get my heart pounding and work up a little sweat. The cooler fall air is sure nice.
- I bought myself a beautiful new notebook this afternoon at our local Books a Million store. I felt it was time to start a fresh new journal for this chapter of my life. : )
- The Warm Milk Journal is growing. It won’t be too long now before we have 1000 followers on Twitter!
- I have recently started a “sister” site to the Warm Milk Journal, The Warm Milk Prosperity Journal. I will tell you more about it a near future post. I am very excited about it.
- My kids are healthy.
- My cats are healthy.
- I have a beautiful home blocks from a gorgeous Florida beach.
- Everybody in this neighborhood is so friendly. I feel like I am part of a real community.
- We had a nice dinner with friends here in our home last night. It was a delightful meal with terrific company.
- I will be visiting my parents in Oklahoma City in a few short weeks…
I will stop here. Your turn. Get out your journal and write down a few reasons why you are happy tonight.
Cheers,
Debra ; )
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How much did you complain today?
Published October 18, 2010 | 
When things are not going our way or when we are stressed, it is easy to complain. We want some relief! We are miserable and the whole world should know about it!
The occasional venting is healthy, but complaining can become a habit. Complaining is a negative, angry kind of an energy. When I indulge in it I usually end up feeling worst because what we focus on grows. We focus on our “problems” and source of our grievances and they will most assuredly expand (not exactly what you want, is it?)
I set out this morning with a commitment not to complain today; to have a true “moan free” Monday. It wasn’t easy all the time but over all I did pretty well. As a result I ended up having a good day with my second graders and coming home with some energy left (many days I just come home and collapse).
Tonight or in the morning set yourself an intention to be complaint free. You can do it in baby steps. Don’t complain for ten minutes, an hour, a day, etc. They say it takes 21 days to permanently change a habit. If you can go 21 days without complaining you will have changed your life around to a much more positive and happier direction.
Good luck!
Debra : )
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Posted in Positive living, Self-empowerment, stress | 
being happy, complaining, negative energy, setting an intention | 
1 CommentFeeling thankful will lead to better sleep
Published October 5, 2010 | 
Getting into a state of gratitude is a great way to get out of ourselves a bit: shift away from our grievances, annoyances, the stresses of the day… and tap into something very special: the good things that are there, that have always been there, and that will always be there if we only choose to notice, acknowledge, and focus on them.
Tonight, I highly recommend that you enter this graceful state. Feel thankful for all that you have. You are truly blessed in many ways.
How is your journal writing going? A good practice is keeping up a gratitude journal. List down things in your life that you are thankful for.
Remember,
WHAT WE APPRECIATE APPRECIATES
My entry in my gratitude journal tonight would look something like this:
Dear God/ Universe, I am so very thankful for:
- My fiancee John who means the world to me. It is so incredible to have someone to love and who loves me!
- My children who never fail to inspire me, challenge me, and remind me that life is precious and that children bring out the best, worst, and the deepest recesses of our souls out into the open.. what a gift to live a life where we are responsible for something much bigger than ourselves.
- My job. I am a school teacher and I have the opportunity on a daily basis to teach and inspire my second graders. What a responsibility. What a sacred honor.
- My home. I live blocks away from a gorgeous Florida beach. I am surrounded by old oak trees and palm trees. The people in my neighborhood are warm, caring, friendly, and loving.
- My cats. If I need company, someone to take a nap with, cuddle, or just gaze at something truly adorable I have my cats, Patches and Mew.
Your turn….
By the way, if you get into this gracious state of feeling thankful for the blessings in your life, your benefits will include:
- Feeling happy
- Feeling loving and loved
- Feeling calm
- Feeling peace
- Feeling centered
- Enjoying your evening
- Looking forward to tomorrow
- Sleeping peacefully tonight.
Good night and sweet dreams to all.
Debra : )
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I Am Happy Because….
Published August 3, 2010 | 
I am happy because:
- It is summer
- It is sunny.
- I am alive and healthy.
- My daughter is happy.
- My daughter found good books to read at the library today.
- My cat Mew is sleeping away contentedly on his spot on the bed.
- I creating.
- I am meeting new people this summer.
- I am excited about new challenges and opportunities in my life.
- I choose love as the primary directive in my life.
Now it’s your turn:
What is currently making you happy? Think about it or write a list down in your journal. Smile.
Debra : )
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Don’t complain unless you absolutely have to : a life lesson from my cat, Mew
Published August 2, 2010 | 
No worries here!
My cat is an inspiration to me. He is so sweet and knows how to enjoy life. He is good at going with the flow of life without much complaining. When we complain we are screaming out to the universe: “give me more of this!” If we don’t want more of what we are complaining about then it is best to be like my cat mew: hold our tongues, change our thinking into something more positive, and only complain when we absolutely have to.
For instance, it is okay to complain if:
- You are getting stepped on.
- Your food or water dish is empty.
- Your litter box is dirty.
- Your owners are going on a trip and you are about to be abandoned.
- You are being treated roughly.
- Someone is making a lot of noise (such as a hammer or vacuum)
If these six scenarios above are not currently applicable to you, then don’t complain and enjoy your life!
Debra : )
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Posted in Humor, The Mew Way | acceptance, being happy, cat behavior, don't complain, law of attraction | 1 CommentJoin the fun!
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