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 | OPEN YOUR HEART |
Open Your Heart
Bring more love into your life
by Lisa Weseman
You are not alone if you want a little more love in your life. Yet you may be forgetting the one person who can fill your whole life with love - you! By opening your heart to life, to others and to yourself, you'll grow love in every corner of your world.
Love life
If you want to get the most out of life, you really have to love it. It's easy to be overwhelmed by challenges and lose site of the beauty and joy life has to offer. But you don't have to let painful issues in your past or present get in the way of happiness. Part of embracing life is changing your expectations and realizing that problems in life are not always able to be "fixed" - but they can be managed. Through therapy, supportive relationships and self-love, you can learn to cope with your problems in a way that makes your life happier and healthier. And once you've learned to overcome your challenges through managing your issues, you can finally begin to appreciate life as a gift and really learn to love it.
Love others
Loving others isn't necessarily about serving soup at a homeless shelter or donating money to your favorite charity. Those things are great, but they aren't the only ways you can love others. Loving others means seizing opportunities in your daily life to be more thoughtful, helpful and caring. It means taking the time to consider how someone will feel before you say or do something. It means being sensitive to people who have different needs than you.
It's also important to find the best way to love our friends and family. Some people like to hear words of love, while others appreciate small gifts as gestures. Others want to see the love expressed in thoughtful action. And still others value physical affection above all. Take the time to discover how they are comfortable receiving love and then make an effort to share it with them in that way.
Yet the greatest challenge really is remembering to be loving every single day. It's sometimes difficult, but you must approach all things with a loving attitude. Whether you're dealing with a stranger who cut you off in traffic or a partner who really hurt your feelings, try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Just as light changes when viewed through a prism, a situation can be completely transformed when viewed through the prism of love. Try to see the world through a prism of love and all aspects of your life will be transformed and made more beautiful.
Love yourself
But before you can really love life and others, you have to start at the center of your world: yourself. It sounds so simple, learning to love yourself, but it's really one of the most difficult challenges of life. Learning to love yourself is not just about treating yourself to an ice cream cone after a bad day - though that's not a bad idea! Loving yourself is being at peace with your flaws and gifts. It's forgiving your mistakes and cherishing your triumphs. It's taking care of yourself for the short and long term.
Loving yourself is the most dramatic way to bring love in to your life forever. When you love yourself, there's always someone who will love you unconditionally: you | | Posted: 3/8/2009 at 11:11:11 AM | Read 127 times | 3 comments | Leave Comment |
| GOOD NEWS UPDATE ON 'worried' | I WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW MY RESULTS CAME BACK BENIGN.IM SO HAPPY I FEEL LIKE DANCING
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imikimi - Customize Your World! HELLO TO ALL MY FRIENDS SORRY FOR NOT BEING ON ALOT BUT THE DOCTORS ARE MAKING ME A LITTLE WORRIED. YOU SEE THREE WEEKS AGO HAD A MAMAGRAM. WELL THE RESULTS ARE A LITTLE SCARRY. THEY FOUND SOMETHING AN NOT SURE WHAT IT IS. SO I HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER MAMAGRAM FROM A SPECALIST AN A ULTRA SOUND.
 
ILL BE SO GLAD WHEN ALL THIS IS OVER. TODAY I WILL BE AT A NOTHER SPECALIST FOR DIEBETIS TEST . THERE WORRIED BECAUSE MY THYROID IS NOT GETTING BACK TO NORMAL. . WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS THEY SAY.
imikimi - Customize Your World!
 
imikimi - Customize Your World!
ENJOY YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST AN ENJOY ALL ITS BEAUTY. BECAUSE ONE DAY IT CAN ALL TURN AROUND AN YOU WONT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
  imikimi - Customize Your World!
 
imikimi - Customize Your World!
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT AN READING THIS AM ASKING IN YOUR PRAYERS AN SUPPORT. YOUR FRIENDSHIP TO ME IS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL ROSE. SO PURE AN DELICATE.
 
THANK YOU , HUGS
SANDY
HAVE RECEIVED MOST OF MY TEST BACK AN SO FAR THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD. ONLY TEST FOR BIOPSY ON BREAST HASNT COME BACK YET. WILL KNOW MORE BY MONDAY. imikimi - Customize Your World!
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imikimi - Customize Your World!
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AN THOUGHTS COULDNT ASK FOR BETTER FRIENDS HUGS | | Posted: 7/17/2009 at 7:04:24 AM | Read 104 times | 4 comments | Leave Comment |
| 10 WAYS TO HONOR THYSELF | 
I DECIDED TO MAKE THIS BLOG HOPING IT HELPS OTHERS AS IT HAS HELPED ME IN MY SADNESS ,
SO TAKE THE TIME AN READ AN YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN.
10 Ways to Honor Thyself
10 Ways to Honor Thyself
Take the self-love challenge and discover the beauty within.
document.write(curPage.Body);By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
"To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness." - Robert Morely
Love is one of the most powerful energies on the planet. We are born with love in our hearts, and it lives within us all. But some of us put so much focus on finding love and approval "out there" that we never get a chance to truly develop it within ourselves. We look for it in the external world--from parents, partners, friends, bosses, new people we meet, people we admire. If any one of them disappoints, devastation follows.
How many times have you been hurt because of someone else's opinion of you? When we experience self-esteem only through the eyes of others, one unkind word or a bad mood in another can shatter our sense of self.
Are you feeling the love? If not, it is time to take our self-love challenge--10 tips and techniques to help you enhance your life by cultivating love from within.
Learn to give yourself the love you deserve.
Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is an interfaith minister, wedding officiant, and love coach. She is widely known for marrying couples in unique and personalized ceremonies, and for her work in helping people get ready for soulful love. She is moderator of The Soulmate Project on Beliefnet and author of 12 books, including The Goddess Pages: A Divine Guide To Finding Love and Happiness (Llewellyn, Nov. 2008), Wedding Goddess: A Divine Guide to Transforming Wedding Stress Into Wedding Bliss (Perigee, 2005) and the e-course, Find Your Spiritual Soulmate. Visit her at www.LaurieSueBrockway.net.
Create a Self-Love "Curriculum"
 Lack of self-esteem can grab hold in times of stress and challenge, and self-loathing is fueled by exhaustion and hopelessness. Self-love can be reborn by making a commitment to add life-affirming activities to daily life. It is crucial that we nourish ourselves--body, mind, and spirit. This does not mean going to a spa every few years. It has to be blended into our lifestyles and treated with as much importance as a doctor's appointment or worship service.
Many of us are very generous with those around us. We give of ourselves to friends, family, coworkers. We twist ourselves into pretzels to accommodate the needs of others. But when it comes to ourselves, we can be stingy.
The First Step: Chart a course to improved self-image that stimulates all the senses. This will fill you with a sense of hopefulness and potential! Make a list of 10 things that will enhance your feelings of self-esteem. Incorporate everything from meditation and prayer, to taking yourself out on dates, to activities that bring you joy, and enhance your well-being on all levels. Above all, "follow your bliss"!
PAGE3,
Replace Self-Defeat with Self-Love
 Being kind to yourself is a healthy habit to get into. Work to release feelings of regret, angst, fear, and anxiety, and instead fill up with love, joy, possibility, and spirit. For example, does your current morning meditation include sipping coffee while berating yourself for a goof-up at work, worrying about something that happened between you and a friend, or giving yourself guilt because of that chocolate cake you ate? If someone else were beating up on you the way you beat up on yourself, you'd fight back. In this case, you have to learn to fight the urge to defeat your own purpose in life and replace repetitive, negative thinking with that which uplifts you heart and soul.
The First Step: Begin with a prayer to be filled with Divine Presence and possibility--positive, hopeful thoughts and ideas. Create a new intention that if you slip into negative self-talk you will switch your focus. Try a special mantra or affirmation that can redirect your energy. Some possibilities to get you started: I am one with God. I am a good person. Light fills my being. I radiate good energy and thoughts.
Continued on Slide 4: Open Your Heart »
PAGE4,
Open Your Heart
 We may say we want love, success, and happiness, but we don't always back up our dreams with self-honoring actions. Without self-love, we have no foundation to uphold or contain love, self-esteem, and true potential. Someone can love you with more heart than you ever imagined, but where will it go if you have no internal mechanism for recognizing pure love? The universe can shower you with opportunities, but you will miss the best plums on the tree because you won't think you deserve to reach for them.
The First Step: Take 10 to 20 minutes every morning to meditate to a piece of music that feels heart-opening to you. One that I like is this moving and soul-stirring chant, "Open My Heart," by Ana Hernandez and Ruth Cunningham, from their CD HARC: Inside Chants. Hear more at http://www.myspace.com/anahermusic.
Continued on Slide 5: Write a New Mission Statement »
PAGE5
Write a New Mission Statement
 Loving ourselves can be a learning process for some of us, and we all learn best when the topic we are dealing with is presented to us in plain language.
The First Step: Craft a "Self-Nurturing Mission Statement" for your life. The statement should put forth the intention and vision for a fulfilling life in which honoring yourself is key. Your mission statement might look like this:
I am a beautiful person, and I have so much to share with the world. Honoring myself and my needs is my first priority. My life is enhanced daily by simple acts of self-nurturing, and my world is in balance. I have excellent boundaries, and I wake up each morning with a deep sense of self-love, self-esteem, and the knowledge that I deserve good things in my life. It is my birthright to be happy, successful, and loved.
Continued on Slide 6: Redefine the Word 'Selfish' »
PAGE6
Redefine the Word 'Selfish'
 What if Selfish became self-ish? Try taking this word, which has a negative connotation, and giving it a positive spin. It is time to be a little more self-ish!
The First Step: There is a kabblistic tradition taught by Rabbi Joseph Gelberman that tells us to take each word and imbue each letter with a new, fuller meaning. Try this on for size:
S Nurture your SPIRIT.
E ENJOY moments alone.
L LOVE yourself.
F Keep FIT and FEEL good.
I Make your unique needs IMPORTANT.
S SHOWER yourself with gifts.
H Be HAPPY and open-HEARTED.
Continued on Slide 7: Email Yourself Love Notes »
7, Email Yourself Love Notes
 Send yourself an email every day (for at least 30 days) with a new message of encouragement and love. Think it's goofy? Think again. If you were falling in love with another person, how would you feel if he or she emailed you some loving words of encouragement every day, just because they care? You would feel high on life, happy, whole, and thrilled. You would feel like something magical is happening. You would be uplifted and empowered because someone had chosen you and was honoring you by constantly letting you know how they feel about you. In this case, you are creating all the same feelings--by yourself, for yourself.
The First Step: You can write anything you choose. Some examples to get you started: Tell yourself how beautiful you looked today; give yourself laurels for any job well done; thank yourself for all the good things you do for others in a day; write yourself a romantic note extolling the virtues of...you!
Continued on Slide 8: Literally Bathe in Self-Love »
8,
Literally Bathe in Self-Love
 We all need to recharge and regenerate ourselves. And there is nothing like giving yourself some "me time" in a warm, wonderful bath. Use it as a way to clear your mind, reclaim yourself, heal, and transmute blues and blahs.
The First Step: Draw a bath. Play relaxing and sensual music. Slip into the warm water, daydream, and allow yourself to bask in the energy of love. It truly creates an impression in your own mind and spirit that you are someone who deserves royal treatment and who is willing to receive it! You can power your bath with your own special salts and scents, or use these special formulas:
1. Basil Bath--Just a tablespoon or two boiled in a tea holder and poured into the bath promises a sense of well-being. Studies show that basil relieves stress, and the Hindu culture used basil to stimulate fertility and good fortune.
2. Rose Bath--Using rosewater and fresh rose petals, this is a bath the ancient Romans used to evoke the love goddess, Venus.
3. Salty Sea Bath--Conjure the healing of the ocean with one or two cups of coarse sea salt, which will restore your electrolytes. Feeling achy? Use some Epsom salts too.
Fully immerse yourself to clear your energy field. Dunk nine times and say a prayer with each. At the most primal human level, a nice warm bath gives you a chance to get a new perspective on life.
Continued on Slide 9: Put Healthy Things into Your Body »
9,
Put Healthy Things into Your Body
 We all know by now that certain foods, chemicals, and substances like alcohol can work against us in all areas of life. It is time to truly acknowledge that your body is your temple and treat it as sacred. If you are having any kind of imbalance or dis-ease--depression, illness, self-hating blues--see if you can find an external "chemical" cause for it. Start with what you are eating. Then look at what you are drinking, as well as chemicals you are taking in. For example, sugar, wheat, yeast, processed foods, certain carbs, and alcohol can all add together to make an I-Don't-Feel-Great stew and a grumpy you.
The First Step: There are many things we can do to lighten up and alleviate the cause and effect of the things that may make us cranky, ill, and feeling hopeless--which can all add to lack of self-love and self-esteem. Experiment with eliminating different potential trigger substances from your life. Delete things from your general diet that cause you to turn on yourself. Make a choice to find out what foods empower your well-being--perhaps more fruits and veggies, or your body might need more lean meat to keep your head clear--and add in the things that help you feel great.
Continued on Slide 10: Perform a Self-Love Ceremony »
10,
Perform a Self-Love Ceremony
 When I teach relationship readiness seminars, I have people look into a mirror into their own eyes and recite vows to themselves.
The First Step: The following is an abbreviated sample ceremony, just to get you started:
1. Light a candle and bring light into the room.
2. Say a brief prayer: Divine Spirit of all there is, please fill this place with your sacred presence. Support me in my efforts to express my love for self. Help me see my own divinity. Amen.
3. Sit down and meditate on the qualities you most honor in yourself.
4. Write down three vows that are personally meaningful to you: " I adore you...I love your strength and wisdom...I will promise to love and honor you..., etc."
5. When you feel ready, look into the mirror and connect with your own eyes and read the vows to yourself. It may be uncomfortable at first, but you can transcend that. Your self-love vows will send a powerful message to your subconscious mind.
6. Celebrate your union with self with a sip of something sweet.
7. Play celebratory music.
8. Dance...and feel the love.
Need a shorter version? Every time you pass a mirror, smile and look deeply into your own eyes.
Continued on Slide 11: Choose a Personal Theme Song »
11,
Choose a Personal Theme Song
 We all need a self-love anthem, a song that makes us feel good about ourselves and snaps us into a state of higher self-esteem and hopefulness immediately.
Some people come alive when they hear Frank Sinatra. Some relate to an awesome gospel song or religious hymn. Others connect to anything by Natasha Beddingfield, such as the song "Unwritten."
The First Step: Pick a personal theme song that makes your heart sing and always brings a knowing smile to your face. Music has the power to lift our deepest spirits as well as our self-esteem.
Ultimately, the more we love ourselves, the more love we can share with those around us. And the more love we bring to our families and friends, the more love we add to our world.
| | Posted: 2/10/2009 at 5:06:32 PM | Read 113 times | 1 comment | Leave Comment |
| Both Sides Now | THIS STORY WAS SO TOUCHING IT MADE ME CRY,
I THOUGHT EVERYONE WOULD ENJOY!
When my father died, I was overcome with guilt that I hadn't been with him. Then he came to me in a dream...
After my mother passed away, my dad tried even harder to stay healthy and active. Each morning, until the weather turned too cold, he swam in the turquoise pool in the complex where he lived. Each day--no matter how he felt--he swam one more lap than the previous day, just to prove there was always room for improvement. Every few days he reported the new number of laps to me, pride edging his voice. I would answer truthfully, "Golly, Dad, I don't know if I could still swim that many!"
By his late seventies, in spite of swimming and working six days a week, my dad had noticeably dwindled in strength and energy. By age eighty-one he was in poor health and had to retire. He pretended he didn't need to lean heavily on me for support as we walked slowly, and I pretended not to notice. His mind was clear, but congestive heart problems and disabling arthritis had worn him down. One day he said, "In case of an emergency I do not wish to be kept alive by any extraordinary means. I've signed an official paper to this effect." He smiled his wonderful, broad grin and said, "I've been blessed to have had your mother as my wife and you as my only child, and I'm ready to go."
Less than a month later he had a heart attack. In the emergency room, he again reminded his doctor and me of his wishes, but I couldn't imagine - in spite of this latest crisis - that he wouldn't always be saying, "Have I told you yet today that I adore you?"
He was miserable in intensive care; tubes seemed to come from every opening. But my dad still had his sense of humor, asking me, "Does this mean we can't keep our lunch date tomorrow?" His voice faltered.
"I'll be here to pick you up and we'll go someplace special." I answered, a lump in my throat.
Dad refused to look at me for the first time in his life and turned toward the blank green wall next to his hospital bed. There was a painful silence between us. He said, "I don't want you to remember me like this. Promise me you won't, darling! And please go now - I'm so miserable."
That night, back at the hospital with my husband, the attendants wouldn't let us in to see him. "He's having a little problem," one said. "Please wait in the visitors' lounge and we'll call you as soon as possible."
I sat holding my husband's hand for about ten minutes. Suddenly, a jolt shook me and I felt my heart stop beating. "Oh, honey," I said. "Daddy just died. I felt it!" I jumped up, rushed down the hall to intensive care and began knocking on the door. "Let me in to see him," I begged.
"He just died a moment ago," one of the nurses answered. "Please go back to the lounge and we'll come get you in a few minutes." They blocked the door so I couldn't rush in.
It had seemed to me that this beloved man could never die. He had been such a solid, loving presence in my life. In spite of what the nurse had said, my heart refused to believe he died so suddenly. I raged inside, believing I had let my dad down by not being at his side, holding his hand and telling him of my love as he had passed on. That's the way it should have been, my inner critic scolded. You should have told him how much you loved him, as he had always told you. You should have been there for him. It would have meant a lot to him. That's what you should have done! And I felt the relentless heaviness of guilt mingled with grief.
Knowing I'd been an attentive and loving daughter wasn't enough as the months and years wore on. Nothing made a dent in my stubborn conviction that I hadn't been there when he'd needed me the most.
Now a dream has set me free.
After a dozen years, my father came to visit me in a dream and tell me his side of the story:
You know I worked long past retirement age, and when my knees just couldn't carry me anymore, I felt disgraced by being so weak. Most of all, I never wanted you to see me as a helpless old man dying in a hospital bed. It would have hurt too much to have you there. So I'm telling you the truth, my darling daughter: I know you loved me as I loved you. And I did not want you there at my death, and I did not want you holding my hand when I died. That was what you wanted, not what I wanted. My death was perfect, just the way it was. There are two sides to everything - even death.
| | Posted: 12/3/2008 at 6:20:01 AM | Read 133 times | 1 comment | Leave Comment |
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| SANDY | | 
"LOVE OR BE LOVED " |
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