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Heart Times

The winter has gone; Spring has come.
The frost of your heart has shattered, and the Light has sprung forth for the flower of love to blossom and bear abundance.

I AM the Vine-dresser and the fruit you bear cannot be bruised or plucked; but will be rooted and grounded in the soil of my love for you, and all those who take shelter in you.

What are you thinking?

I could also title this, “Are you listening?” 

Are you one of the many that find your mind is constantly turning; as if you were the hamster running fast on a wheel going nowhere?

Do you find yourself constantly judging everything, and find yourself listening to yourself?

How often do you find at night your mind keeping you up with lists to do, and replays of the day, or fast forwards of tomorrow?

Congratulations you officially have monkey mind!

I was relieved to recently find that this effects nearly everyone, and I am not alone in this struggle. I was even more relieved to hear that these thoughts are really the program that has been downloaded in us since childhood, and all the judgments and projections we have taken on.  Why is this good news?  Because once we become aware of this, we can make a choice to choose what we believe by our free will of saying yes or no to it.

Becoming aware of our free will and how important our choices are becomes the first tool in detaching ourselves from our limiting beliefs and judgments against ourselves. 

It is this simple- the truth exists whether you believe it or not.  Lies on the other hand only exist by your emotions.  Lies thrive on drama, reaction, and emotional poison, this is what keeps them alive.  Moreover, the truth feels light, and lies feels heavy. That is why it is called “enlightenment.”  Now ask yourself does this feel light to you or heavy?

Here is a simple exercise to try - Next time you have a thought, pain, or emotion come up, ask yourself, “Who does that belong to?”

Science has proven that by doing this for 3 days you can eliminate up to 85% of that monkey mind or constant chatter. 

If this feels light do it, and let me know your results.

In His Love,

Debarah :)

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!

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.

New Years Resolutions

I have to tell you that I am not one to make new year resolutions.  The simple reason is, from experience I have found that it is the end of something that counts and not the start of anything.  This is fantastic news to anyone whose year has not been so promising yet!  

With that being said, this is the first year that my husband and I have jump started this year with Pilates.  It all started with a Groupon - from there we became addicted to it.  First of all we love working out together, and it makes your body feel SO good when you are done with the 50 minute workout.  You feel stretched out in your body, and peaceful in your soul.  In the past I have been one for the aerobic and strength training, but I have to tell you that the claims for long, lean, muscles through Pilates and Yoga are all true my friends!

My first suggestion to you would be encourage your mate to work out with you, it is fun to be supported in whatever activity you engage in for better health and fitness.

Let me hear what you have started new in this year by leaving your comment below.  To be part of an ongoing thread, subscribe by the RSS Feed button on the right.

Catch Up

Thank God for new beginnings and second chances!  It seems after about two years of tumultuous transition due to marriage and becoming a partner in my husbands photography business, my writing ceased to a halt.  

The truth about the beach portraits and wedding photography business is it is seasonal here in Florida; which means it is feast time in spring and summer, and famine time in fall and winter.  Unless you are storing away the nuts you make in feast time, you starve in famine time!

But the good news is, I now have time to catch up with my passion, which is writing.  I have begun to re-vamp the sequel to "In His Love" and it will leave readers chomping at the bit at its suspense and mystery.

I also would like to invite you to visit me at my new blog site that will feature my photography highlights and inspirational thoughts.  It is my intent to have it an interactive blog which I would love to hear your comments and thought thread on any subject I am led to start.

Until next catch up, journey with love my friends!

Visit me at http://visionsandviews.weebly.com
Also find me at facebook - Deborah Patrick, In His Love

New Beginnings

Perhaps the first revelation I had when I began reading "The Four Agreements," by Don Miguel Ruiz which teaches us Toltec Wisdom is that 'Wisdom' is God and the teachings are based on the Word of God; illustrated for daily application.  I appreciate that it is presented in a different package, for simple application.

While I am incorporating these agreements to improve myself and my relationships, I have implemented daily prayers to compliment the new agreements.

1.  First Agreement - "Be impeccable with your word"- May I speak truth and show forth righteousness. Proverbs 12:17

2.  Second Agreement - "Don't take things personally"- Help me Lord to resist offense and abound in the love of Christ.  Phil 1:9-10

3.  Third Agreement - "Don't make assumptions"- Help me Lord not judge myself or others, but seek truth, and follow peace.  Show truth, mercy, and kindness to me and my family.

4.  Fourth Agreement - "Do your best always" - May I stand strong in your grace, covered in your favor as a shield.  For I am nothing apart from you and can do nothing without you, but can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.