HEARTSONG, ISSUE 19, SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2007

WELCOME TO HEARTSONG!!!

In This Issue:
Quote From The Heart
A Note From Kim
From The Lighthouse, With Love
Hope And Healing
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! To open this issue's Heartsong, here's a bittersweet, beautiful and insightful poem from one of my favorite poets, Wordsworth. Enjoy.

I heard a thousand blended notes
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What Man has made of Man.

Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower,
The periwinkle trail'd its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopp'd and play'd,
Their thoughts I cannot measure,--
But the least motion which they made
It seem'd a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature's holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What Man has made of Man?

Written in Early Spring -- William Wordsworth

A NOTE FROM KIM
Welcome to today's issue of Heartsong! Happy Spring!!! It's certain that Spring has taken root here, and my heart is very glad of that, I can tell you!! I have a particular adoration for Spring; perhaps it's because I was born in early April, or perhaps it has to do with the festive mood of rebirth and renewal that is part of this sweet season. Whatever the reason, Spring delights my spirit, and I hope you're having a delightful start to your own Spring, as well! And of course, to those of you in the southern hemisphere, I hope you're having a marvelous start to Fall!

I don't have any new news to share today, but I do hope to have my book ready for your enjoyment by Easter, or by the time you receive your next Heartsong, at the latest. I hope you'll love it!

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

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, I'll tell you how you can gain a peaceful night of sleep when counting sheep just doesn't cut it anymore!

Kim's Note: I actually wrote this article about a year ago, and since I find Spring to be a particularly busy, hectic and often stressful time for many of us, I wanted to share it with you in this issue. It's lengthy, but I hope it provides you with some helpful suggestions!

Completely Exhausted but Still Can't Sleep? Ten Proven Tips to Drift You Off to Dreamland

Does this ever happen to you? You go to bed after a stressful day, feeling so tired you're certain you'll fall asleep immediately when your head hits the pillow. Then, as you snuggle under the covers, all the worries and anxieties of the day begin to plague your mind. You think about what you didn't get accomplished today, things you should have done or said differently, and of all the people you need to see, things you need to do, and calls you need to make, tomorrow. You toss and turn, and sleep refuses to come.

When you feel this restless and this stressed, not only are you losing a night of valuable sleep, but you are also causing other adverse health effects. Lack of sleep can lead to confusion, moodiness, increased stress, a shorter attention span, and fatigue throughout the day, as well as other unwanted symptoms.

Here are ten proven tips guaranteed to help send you off to the land of Nod.

1. Preface bedtime with a long, hot shower or relaxing bubble bath. This will help to relax tired muscles and prepare your body for restful sleep. For added benefit, why not add some pure grade essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile, to your bath water?
2. Do not eat anything for at least half an hour before going to bed. Those late-night trips to raid the fridge can be mighty tempting, but it's better to avoid them right before bed.
3. Play some soothing music just before going to sleep, and perhaps even while you're attempting to drift off. No Rolling Stones or dance music... try something calming and gentle. This will put you into a peaceful, restful frame of mind, and help sleep come all the more quickly.
4. Turn your cares and worries over to a higher power. Many of us were told to say our prayers as children. Prayer can be just as powerful and beneficial to us as adults. Turn the cares of the day over to your higher power to handle on your behalf.
5. Journal. Just before going to sleep, why not right down what's on your mind? This assists you in getting all those nagging worries and ideas out of your head and onto paper. Writing helps you to clear your head and align your thoughts.
6. Take a walk. Even if you just walk around your back yard, this is helpful in dispelling excess energy and reducing stress. Watch the stars twinkle in the sky, listen to the crickets sing, or count the cars as they go by. This will help the day's problems to dissipate.
7. Laugh. Watch a good comedy, read the funnies, or watch a cartoon. Laughter is one of the best tools to make that stress melt away.
8. Meditate. There are all sorts of wonderful meditation resources out there. Meditating can be as simple as concentrating on your breathing. It's a wonderful way to calm the mind and relax the body.
9. Remember that tomorrow is another day, as Scarlett O'Hara reminded us. If you didn't get a project accomplished today, chances are you can complete it tomorrow. If you had an argument with a friend or co-worker, you can clear it up tomorrow. But for tonight, why not put the thoughts aside and catch some sleep?
10. Count your blessings. Sure, sheep are great, but why not count all the blessings in your life? You may be blessed with a warm and safe home, a nice car, loving friends and family, a puppy, a great job, or other people, circumstances or objects you cherish. Think about these when you go to bed, and most likely, not only will you forget your worries, but also you'll fall asleep with a grateful heart and a smile on your lips.

So, the next time you're too restless or too stressed out to fall asleep, try some of these tips, and you'll be drifting off to dreamland in no time at all!

Good night. Sweet dreams.

HOPE AND HEALING
All of us need to take the time to be gentle with ourselves. Therefore, in the first issue of each month, Heartsong will include tips with which you can nurture, pamper and transform all aspects of your life. Enjoy!

Enjoying The Season

Ah, Spring has finally arrived! At last we can open our windows wide to the sun's warmth, get out in nature without wearing half a dozen layers of clothes, and breathe in the fresh and fragrant Spring air. This can prove to be a busy time for many of us. After Winter's chill, many of us long to get out, get moving and stay active. Spring is a time of rebirth, rejuvenation and new beginnings!

What is trying to be born within you in this new season? Is there a dream you've been putting on the back burner for years that you want to bring out, dust off and see where it may take you? Now would be an excellent time to do that! This is a joyous season, and I encourage you to channel that joy of Spring into all of your dreams, and give them the opportunity to come true for you! Have fun dreaming and creating, and I'd love to celebrate your successes with you!

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.

Dear God, thank you for this wonderful new season of Spring. Thank you for all of the many blessings in my life, and assist me in always remembering to be grateful for all the abundance and joy that has been bestowed upon me. Help me to remember the sacredness of my dreams, and assist me in knowing how I may best pursue them in this season of rebirth and new beginnings. Thank you, God. Amen.

HEARTSONG REFLECTION
Until our next issue, reflect on all the wonderful things that you can accomplish in the days, weeks and months ahead. Be grateful for all of your accomplishments. Know that you truly can make a positive difference in the world. What inspires you to accomplish your goals, and make your dreams reality?

Love, Light and Blessings,
Kim

***************
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.
***************
Thank you for being a Heartsong subscriber! Please tell your friends, family, and anyone whom you feel would be interested, about Heartsong. They can subscribe right on the "newsletter" page of my site.  http://www.kimloftis.com/news/news.htm 
Or, anyone can also subscribe just by sending a blank email to: kimloftis@aweber.com 
It's quick and easy, and it's free to join.
***************
Feel free to pass this newsletter on to others, as long as nothing is altered and all notices are kept in tact. If you would like to reprint any of my individual articles, you're welcome to do so. Please credit me by including the following notice with my work. "Copyright Kim Loftis, All rights reserved. Kim Loftis is a certified life and spiritual coach, devoted to assisting her clients in leading happier, more peaceful and more fulfilled lives. Please visit Kim's website for her comprehensive list of coaching services, upcoming teleclasses, free inspirational newsletter, and much more, at: http://www.kimloftis.com. Kim would be delighted to assist you!" Also, please send me a copy of the publication where my work is reprinted. Thanks!
***************
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!
***************
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:
http://www.kimloftis.com 

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