HEARTSONG, ISSUE 18, SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2007

WELCOME TO HEARTSONG!!!

In This Issue:
Quote From The Heart
A Note From Kim
From The Lighthouse, With Love
Home And Hearth
Prayer From The Heart
Heartsong Reflection

QUOTE FROM THE HEART
In each issue of Heartsong, I will open with a quote, poem or lyric, which I have found inspiring and uplifting. I hope they will inspire you, as well!

"Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

A NOTE FROM KIM
Welcome to today's issue of Heartsong! March is just flying by, and the glorious beginning of Spring is just around the corner. The robins and blackbirds have returned to begin building their cozy nests, the weather is growing increasingly mild, and nature's mood seems quite festive and celebratory at the moment.

Unfortunately, the extremely dry conditions of late have made wildfires prevalent, so it would be wonderful if we could receive some much needed rainfall!

I have exciting news to share with you in this issue! I'm currently completing an inspirational ebook, which I hope to have available for you by Easter and Passover. It includes a thought for the week, prayer and affirmation, for each week of the year. The idea behind this book is to assist us in becoming more inspired, productive and hopeful, while deepening our relationship with God, in whatever way we worship God. I hope you'll be as inspired reading and utilizing it as I have been through writing it! I'll let you know when it's available for purchase. It is my prayer that it will bring you great joy and inspiration, while helping you in improving all areas of your life!

Until next time, enjoy the rest of today's issue, and happy Spring!

Love,
Kim

FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE, WITH LOVE
A lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope in a violent storm. A lighthouse sheds light on our worries and troubles, and brings us joy and peace. Therefore, in each Heartsong issue, I will include an article, which will help to guide you through the dark and troubled times, or lighten and brighten your heart and life in a special way. In today's Lighthouse article, we're discussing ways in which we can become more self-empowered!

A Personal Journey: How to Gain More Self-Empowerment In Your Everyday Life

There are times for each of us when life seems to just drag us down and make us feel pretty terrible. We may experience feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and despair. We may say to ourselves, "I just can't get anything right", or, "I guess it really isn't worth trying anymore."

Well, I have important news for you. I've had experiences like that, too, and I'm here to gently remind you that it is worth it, and, more importantly, you're worth it!

Giving up can certainly feel like the only way sometimes. But when life gets us down, and we feel like just allowing it to drag us into the depths of despair, there is another option. That option is self-empowerment. Now, empowerment means different things to different people, and you may have your own unique definition of what it means to you. But, in my personal opinion, there are a few important qualities that self-empowered people exude. They're confident, and unafraid to face their fears, challenges and obstacles. They know what they want, and take action steps to reach and exceed their goals, dreams and aspirations. They're also at peace... they may even seem to glow with serenity, passion and love from within themselves.

So how can we become more self-empowered, and exude more of these qualities ourselves in our own lives? Well, there really isn't a universal answer to this question. We're each special and unique individuals, each with our own gifts, skills and ways of moving around in the world. However, I can give you a personal tip that I recently discovered for becoming more self-empowered, and I hope you'll find it helpful and useful in your own life.

I'm fortunate in that I've always had a good idea of what I want in life, and I'm pretty good at taking action steps to assist me in achieving my goals. However, until recently there was one huge obstacle holding me back, and I didn't even realize it was there! Up until very recently, I had this idea that in order to get where I wanted to go, I had to be in complete and total control of my life and circumstances. I felt that if I loosened my grip on my life the slightest bit, that everything would fall apart right before my eyes. But, ironically enough, I've recently discovered that just the opposite is true for me. Trying to control everything in my life began to take a serious toll on me, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. I began to feel very tired all the time, I kept running into obstacles that I couldn't find ways to overcome, and I was know longer hearing God's guidance very clearly. I felt anxious, confused and scared. What was I doing wrong?

I finally figured out that trying to control everything was causing me an inordinate amount of stress, anxiety and emotional upheaval. Finally, one night in desperation I cried out to God, "Okay, I get it. I can't do this by myself anymore. Show me how to proceed. I place myself and my life in your more than capable hands." It took a lot of prayer and emotional purging, as it were, to completely give God all the control, but I'm delighted to say that the act of doing that, and learning to live in the precious and sacred present moment, has made me a far more serene, confident and, yes, empowered person.

It's an irony that I actually gained empowerment through giving up a lot of control, but this ongoing lesson and process has transformed my life in fascinating and truly awesome ways! I hope my own experience helps you in some way as you experience your own unique journey towards greater self-empowerment. Good luck!

HOPE AND HEARTH
In this section of the newsletter, I will provide tips to help you to bring your own creativity, spirituality and unique talents into your everyday life, and, more specifically, into your home.

Wearable Inspiration

Here's a little tip that I personally find really helpful in bring more faith, hope and inspiration into my life. As a woman who loves my jewelry, I always try to wear an inspiring piece everywhere I go. That way, if I encounter a situation or person that frustrates or upsets me, I can just remember the inspirational piece of jewelry around my neck or on my finger, and it helps me to put things back into perspective.

Now, you may not be a jewelry lover, but there are plenty of fun ways to carry inspiration with you wherever you go. Keep pictures of your loved ones where you can easily access and view them, carry an inspirational book with you in your purse or briefcase, or wear clothing with inspirational slogans. Many people also have inspirational bumper stickers, tattoos or key chains. You may simply want to think of an inspirational quote, lyric or verse that brings you hope or joy. Find what works best for you. Have fun with it, and try to find a way to carry inspiration with you throughout your days. Enjoy!

PRAYER FROM THE HEART
Each issue of Heartsong will feature a prayer, either from my own heart, one which I hold dear in my own life, or one suggested to me by others. I hope they will speak to your spirit, as well.

Awaken To a new dawn,
I stretch to Infinity 'n reach Beyond the Stars,
In an instant I return,
filling every tissue, sinew, with Joy,
I feed the nectar of life, into each molecule and cell,
The mind and body embrace Divine love
Through the eye of time I see eternity,
Life in life shine bright,
Shine the torch of majestic light,
Find the path to my universal frame,
So I may bask in the wisdom of pure potential,
Guide my hand to write your words.

The Writer's Prayer - Michael Levy © Jan 2002

HEARTSONG REFLECTION
Until our next issue, think about what steps you can take right now to gain further self-empowerment. Remember to be good to yourself, and know that you are a much beloved child of God.

Love, Light and Blessings,

Kim

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Heartsong is a biweekly publication, and is published on the first and third Sunday of each month. All content is copyright Kim Loftis, unless otherwise indicated.
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Have any questions or comments about this issue, or about Heartsong in general? If so, please don't hesitate to email me.   Kim@KimLoftis.com  And who knows? Your questions may inspire an article for an upcoming issue! Your questions and comments help me to make Heartsong as engaging, fun and inspiring as possible, and I thank you in advance!
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To learn all about my compassionate, personalized life and spiritual coaching services, and to schedule your free forty-five minute coaching session, please visit my website:
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I would be honored and delighted to be your coach!

Until the next issue of Heartsong, let your heart sing, and I send you all my love!

Kim