HEARTSONG, ISSUE 21, SUNDAY, May 6, 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! Since this is a very special Heartsong issue, I'm sharing two quotes today! Enjoy!

"Most of us are just about as happy as we make up our minds to be."
~William Adams

"Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."
~Joseph Addison

A NOTE FROM KIM
Welcome to today's issue of Heartsong! Heartsong is a year old this month! So I'm calling this Heartsong's "birthday issue!" To those of you who have been with me throughout this amazing journey so far, I thank you! And to those of you who have joined us more recently, I thank you, as well! Each of you is a blessing in my life, and I am so grateful and honored that you're traveling on this adventure with me!

I'd like to draw your attention to a new section of my site, where I recommend many wonderful books and CD's for your personal enjoyment and growth! Beginning in June, I plan to recommend at least one specific product each month that I hope you'll find particularly empowering and transformational. In the meantime, you can check out this new section by going to: http://www.KimLoftis.com  and clicking on the "Kim Recommends" section. Enjoy, and I hope you find products there that will bring you great delight!

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

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, let's talk about ways that we can distress and relax in the hectic months ahead.

The Sensational Summer: How to De-stress and Relax In The Hectic Summer Madness

Ah, the insanity and pleasure of the glorious Summer months will be upon us Americans before we know it. When many of us think of Summer, we get a fabulous mental picture of pristine white sands, long lazy afternoons and plenty of rest and relaxation.

And then... we get a "reality check!" Rarely are the Summer months as luxurious and restful as they are in our lovely imaginings! We always tend to get caught up in the stresses, business and madness of everything we have to do, everywhere we have to be, and all that must be accomplished tomorrow. Suddenly, the idea of rest and relaxation seems quite laughable.

But it doesn't have to be this way! Here are three tips guaranteed to help you to de-stress and relax, even during the craziness of the Summer months!

First... breathe! Sounds silly, doesn't it? But in truth, when our stress levels reach their max and we begin to feel so frantic that we're literally disoriented, it is exceedingly refreshing to take thirty seconds out of your day to enjoy three, long, slow and cleansing breaths. This will re-center, refocus and rejuvenate your mind and body, and then you can continue your day with greater clarity and concentration, and a little less stress! Try it! The results from just taking a tiny time out to consciously breathe will astonish you!

Second is a technique that I like to call "chunking." It's rather self-explanatory... chunking involves taking tasks that are pretty big and time-consuming, and breaking them down into smaller, more manageable increments. I'll give an example from my own life... as you're reading this newsletter, I'll be attending a four-day workshop facilitated by my friend and former roommate, Adrian Deal: http://www.AdrianDeal.com  over an hour's drive from my home. Like many people, I have a great dislike of packing. So, instead of taking a large chunk of time to strategize and plan about what I'll need to pack, ironing my clothes, packing and double checking everything to make sure I haven't forgotten anything important, I'm instead breaking the whole process down into smaller, more digestible chunks. In this way, the process is greatly simplified and definitely cuts down on my stress level! I hope you'll find it beneficial, as well.

Finally, "thirty minutes a day keeps the stress away!" Well, maybe not entirely, but I'm getting ahead of myself here. What I mean by that is, if you can designate thirty minutes out of your busy day for pure, relaxing time for you, time in which you can do whatever you wish, you'll find that your life is far more balanced and your stress is greatly reduced. You can do whatever you want with your designated half hour; sleep, read, watch a much-loved TV show, listen to music, whatever! It's time for you... moments of pleasure for your own personal enjoyment! If you can't take thirty minutes, start with twenty... or fifteen. But start figuring out how to schedule your day so that you can get that thirty minutes or more of you time every single day. The difference it will make on your overall life and well-being will be incredibly profound.

These tips don't only work for the Summer months... they'll work for any and all months of the year. I strongly encourage you to consider these suggestions, and to make them a regular part of your daily routine. I promise that your life will improve in extraordinary ways, and the joys of rest and relaxation will no longer be a dream, but true, beautiful reality!

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!

Tribute to Mom

As a teenager, I use to harbor a lot of angst and hostility towards my mom. I felt that she didn't understand me, that she didn't relate to me, and, frankly, that there were times when we were on totally different planets. Nevertheless, as my adult self looks back o those teen years, I now realize just how much like my own mom I've become, and I'm very honored to recognize so many of her qualities in myself.

With Mother's Day here in the states on May 13, let's take a minute to reflect on all that our mothers have given us. For me, I am blessed to have a mother who exudes grace, love and kindness in droves. I certainly realize that not everyone is that lucky, but even if we didn't learn something positive from our own mothers, we can still take the time to give ourselves a little mothering from time to time, yes?

Mothers Day, for me, is a time to cherish my mother, and to really nurture her and tell her how much she means to me. Obviously, I try to do that every day, but I still think it's nice to have a national celebration of motherhood, and the ways in which our moms shape our lives and our destinies.

How can you nurture Mom this Mother's Day? If she's no longer with you in this realm, how can you remember her with love and honor? And if you don't have a mother or mother figure, how can you mother yourself? Think about it.

I love you, Mom!

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.

"God is most great.
Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty.
Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty.
Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty.
Our Lord, praise be to Thee.
God is most great.
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
God is most great.
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High."

(From the Salat)

HEARTSONG REFLECTION
Until our next issue, take the time to distress, unwind and relax. And take a little time to mother yourself in the process.

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:
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