Saturday, April 28, 2012

Date Nights

With today's rush version of life; it is easy to ignore the important things in life - our loved ones.  There are many cliche's for this wise lesson, but I like simple - whatever kind of relationship you are in; single, or married; make time for date nights!

Jeff and I are budget conscious right now, so many times our date nights are simply us getting dressed up for each other, a nice dinner, and a bottle of wine (or margaritas).  Throw in some romance with music and a movie, and whola you have a successful date night!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Confessions of a blogger -


Psychologists have studied the practices of confession for many years.  Their studies revealed that there is a human “compulsion to confess.”  Moreover, this brings healing to us physically, psychologically, and spiritually.

Research found that when we “open up,” about things we have kept hidden deep inside us, that it can bring great healing to our mind, soul, body, and spirit, as well as create space for repair and reconciliation to broken relationships.

One of the easiest ways to implement our “compulsion to confess,” is through journaling.  You can choose to journal about your daily events, or any specific emotional upsets you are faced with, or journal about a particular crisis you are currently challenged with.  Take this as an opportunity to express the emotions you are feeling without any judgment or condemnation.  This is your time to accept and allow your feelings.  You will find this simple practice can become a channel for you to release and let negative emotions and upset go more quickly.

This activity is a healthy way to keep your mind focused and your emotions balanced. By doing this you can reduce the amount of stress you are feeling physically and feel more connected spiritually. 

Another great tool to consider adding is directive prayer and positive affirmations to bring forth the desired outcome to your current situation.

“It is words that enables us to make some sense of our existence by allowing us to stand aside and narrate it.”
Nobel prize winning author, Toni Morrison.

“Regardless of our particular religious or spiritual beliefs, don’t we all have personal stories of failure and redemption?”  Aaron Murray-Swank – “Clearing the Heart,” The Soul Body Connection.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Open Heart

 I love when something I read, see, or hear, touches me so deeply my heart feels changed by it.  I just had that experience when I read a quote from Ghandi.  Ghandi asked of us" is that we not lose faith in humanity.  Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."  He goes on to ask us, "to be fully ourselves.  "I want freedom for the full expression of my personality."  

When I read this it brought tears to my eyes, and conviction to my soul.  I realized that I indeed have become cynical and have lost my faith in humanity.  I find especially now with the politics in full swing, it is so easy to choose sides, and start slinging that mud, or at least enjoy when someone else does.  

I recently learned that when someone pushes your buttons so to speak, they have shown up to reflect that part of you.  In fact, everyone you interact with is an aspect of you.  This news was very humbling to me, considering all the time and energy spent on complaining about them, judging them, and all the colorful metaphors I created for them.  So the truth is whatever or whoever you are judging, you are condemning yourself.  

The good news here is by having an open heart to truth, and being willing to forgive and let go you can experience peace, joy, and contentment.  Be kind and accept yourself just as you are.  How can you love your neighbor if you cannot love yourself?  

"You are exactly who you need to be in this moment.  Don't begrudge that or justify it."  Jennifer McLean - "The Big Book of You."