The Warm Milk Journal

Rose Colored Glasses

Debra — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:41:39 +0000

Dear Rose Colored Glasses,

Do I dare put you on?

The world may mock me and peg me as idealistic and pollyannish…

For only a fool would see the world through colored lenses that paint one’s world with love and optimism…

It is not wise, “they” who are “wise” would say-

When the world is full of strife and troubles.

“In such times as these we need to wear a sharper lens as to focus on the reality of things”…they would have me believe.

At the end of the day,

whose definition of reality is really my own?

I choose to wear you

Dear Rose Colored Glasses.

For if I don’t I will be just as foolish as one who sees the world only in black and white.

A gratitude journal entry for a balmy February day (yes, balmy! Very mild winter so far…)

Debra — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:43:34 +0000

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

We get to enjoy a variety of roles in a life that is not black and white (How lucky are we!).

Debra — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:17:39 +0000

Variety is the spice of life!

I am not sure who said that but it is true…I love it that I take on different roles as I enjoy my life experience wearing different hats.

I treasure my role as wife, mother, teacher, yogi, daughter, sister, and friend….

Life is a palette of…

different roles,

experiences,

decisions,

relationships and such…

Life is not black and white.

Oh no it is not!

For all the colors and shades that we are offered…

we are very fortunate indeed.

Good night.

Be well.

Peace,

Debra

Life is full of layers: Enjoy the peeling and unveiling of each one

Dear God, Thank you for all the gifts…this morning’s prayer

Debra — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:06:23 +0000

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~William A. Ward

Dear God,

Thank you for all of the gifts I enjoy in my life such as:

Waking up each morning to a sweet cat and husband who makes coffee for me each morning…

The smiles on my students faces when they know they have “got it!” during a lesson…

The beauty of my North Florida home: the unique birds, the trees and flowers, the ocean, the marshes and St. John’s river

The sweet little kiss that my 14 year old daughter gave me on my cheek last night before she went to bed…

All of things and so much more I feel thankful for, God.

I thank you for my life.

I thank you for these gifts.

Amen

Five things I am letting go of now. What would you like to drop, release, and let go of… ?

Debra — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:13:33 +0000

Right now, I am choosing to let go of:

1. the need to control or change my husband.

2. being upset when things don’t go as I originally intended

3. self criticism

4. negative images and stories in the media (Just don’t need them!)

5. doubt

What would you like to let go of? Here’s a little secret: we can let go of anything we want in our lives anytime we choose to do so. It is very liberating when we do let go of things, people, beliefs, and circumstances that no longer serve us. It feels very good, as a matter of fact!

So, what would you like to let go of right now?

Write it down in your journal. Do it. Let it go and don’t look back.

Good night.

In Peace,

Debra

The Perfect Day: A journal writing exercise

Debra — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:39:28 +0000

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. : )

How can we make our home in winter as warm as possible? A journal writing session

Debra — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:39:28 +0000

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

Goodnight, sweet baby…. A Bedtime Verse

Debra — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:12:05 +0000

You can sleep now,

sweet baby…

You are scrubbed clean from your bath

and just as sweet as you can be.

The time is now,

sweet baby…

to close those beautiful eyes of yours

and slip into slumber land

where the world of sweet dreams awaits you.

That’s right,

sweet baby….

You are ready,

yes you are.

Your mommy loves you,

your daddy too.

The whole world wishes you a nighty night

and blessed blissful dreams

to cradle you

until the morning greets you

with its warm, loving light.

Good night, sweet baby…

Three affirmations for your day.

Debra — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:11:59 +0000

Three simple but powerful affirmations to focus on today:

1. I Am supported.

2. I Am loved.

3. I Am enough.

Have a blessed day!

Debra

CLAIM IT! (your joy-filled life that is…)

Debra — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:51:44 +0000

A happy thought: there are no limitations on what we are, what we can be, do, or go……

Just imagine…

What if?…..

The joy filled life is already ours.

So….CLAIM IT!

The Warm Milk Journal

Rose Colored Glasses

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A gratitude journal entry for a balmy February day (yes, balmy! Very mild winter so far…)

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We get to enjoy a variety of roles in a life that is not black and white (How lucky are we!).

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Dear God, Thank you for all the gifts…this morning’s prayer

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Five things I am letting go of now. What would you like to drop, release, and let go of… ?

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The Perfect Day: A journal writing exercise

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How can we make our home in winter as warm as possible? A journal writing session

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Goodnight, sweet baby…. A Bedtime Verse

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Three affirmations for your day.

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