Love Love Love

Spiritual Parenting Thought for the Month (SM)

Brought to you by Mimi Doe

February, 2009

V11 #2

Love...Love...Love

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This newsletter is my gift to you in the hopes of empowering children and parents everywhere to live more joyful, connected lives.

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LOVE...LOVE...LOVE

- Welcome From Mimi

- A Loving-Kindness Meditation

- Sending Love Through Prayer

- Loving Words Transform Us

- Parent Check

- Valentine's Gifts for Those You Love

- What's New

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February greetings to you all!

Years ago when my children were young we would save our Christmas cards in a big silver bowl and even after the decorations were put away and the new toys were losing their luster we would keep that bowl of beautiful family photos and shimmering holiday greetings front and center in our living room. Then, as February, the month of love, rolled around, we would try to focus on them one by one. We would put a photo in the center of our kitchen table and at meal time we would offer our prayers and thoughts for that particular family.

Now, I wish I could tell you were diligent about this ritual…but it did come and go. Some years we would get through about five families and that would be it, and some years the loving evening ritual never made it and the cards would be stored away to review again the following holiday season. But, our intention was to thoughtfully reflect on and send out positive thoughts to others each evening. Having an actual photo helped us focus that intention.

What new ritual might you begin with your children to help them look beyond themselves and focus their love on others? It takes practice, as you know, because we are so busy it’s feels like we can barely shower our own family with love. But, giving your child the experience of loving and blessing others, without a tragedy at hand, is a beautiful way to allow them to FEEL the feelings that comes with that outward focus.

So much of our lives with kids is pushing them to achieve to their very best – and this is important – but we also must make a conscious effort to allow them that graceful experience of simply sharing their loving thoughts and gracing others with intentional good will.

Happy February and may your month be full to the brim with unexpected waves of loving joy – both joy you’ve sent and joy you’ve taken in.

Blessings and light from my heart to yours,

Mimi Doe

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Let the good in me
connect with the good
in others,
until all the world
is transformed through
the compelling power
of love.

-Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

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A LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION

Metta meditation is an ancient practice that is meant to help us reach across to others when conflict arises. "Metta" means loving-kindness to "Metta meditation" means the meditation of loving-kindness. Buddhists use this meditation to cultivate openheartedness and centeredness in all relationships.

Say the following words when you wish to transmit love and send light to your child, or to anyone else. The effects are remarkable.

May I be filled with loving kindness.

May I be happy.

May I be peaceful and at ease.

May I be well.

May (child's name) be filled with loving kindness.

May (child's name) be happy.

May (child's name) be peaceful and at ease.

May (child's name) be well.

May we be filled with loving kindness.

May we be happy.

May we be peaceful and at ease.

May we be well.

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Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

- Mother Teresa

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SENDING LOVE IN PRAYER

When we pray, we wrap our words with conscious spiritual intent. All of our words, not just those used in prayer, have powerful effects that we can use as we spiritually parent. Here are a few prayer practices for you to try.

- Words aren't always necessary for prayer. Simply feel appreciation and gratitude in your heart, as if your prayer has already been answered, even if circumstances tell you otherwise. Rather than pray with your head, this prayer is from your feeling modality. Rather than pleading for something or attempting to make something happen, wordless prayer allows you to experience the gratitude for what you wish to come to pass. This can be the most powerful of prayers.

- Asking for prayer from others and offering it in return can be an enormous gift of Spirit. Many times, close friends have held my prayers as their own during times I found challenging. As we include others in our personal prayer life, our children see us choosing to amplify our own connection. And we can certainly invite our children into the process, asking them to remember others who need prayer or offering to hold them in silent, close connection with a loving God. My friend and fellow author Celia Straus left a prayer on her teenage daughter's pillow each evening. Those prayers have been collected in Celia's book for teenage girls, Prayers on My Pillow. Buy yourself a copy of Celia’s beautiful book and begin your own tradition of writing prayers for your children.

- Write a letter to the Source that fuels and guides you. It may feel awkward and a bit strange to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard for this purpose. Think of it as a way to focus your thoughts, clearly express your thanks, release your worries, or ask for guidance. Writing to God can be like talking to a close and trusted friend. It may also be similar to a good journaling session. There is something very soothing and freeing when we reveal our innermost thought and desires in a context that is safe and free from judgment.

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Love was meant to be also a sign, a symbol, a messenger, a telltale of the Divine.... Love is a messenger from God saying that every human affection and every ecstasy of love are sparks from the great flame of love that is God.

- Fulton J. Sheen

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LOVING WORDS TRANSFORM US

Remind your children how much you love them, even when it might be a struggle. They need to regularly hear words of encouragement from their parents. Brianne, age 16, who recently broke her wrist, received some much-needed affirmation at just the right time. "I know that my parents love me because they keep encouraging me through this tough time. It's so hard to get my work done at school but they never force me to do homework when I'm not feeling well. They tell me to do it later or to rest when I feel like resting. The other night my Dad said how proud he was that I was trying so hard."

Words of love can seem like such a small thing, easily overlooked in the daily hustle. Over a lifetime, they make all the difference in the universe. I was blessed to be with my father when death was drawing near. Not a day goes by that I don't think of his description of moving towards the light. He said, "I see now that all that truly matters in life is love. We just need to love each other."

As we strive to move ahead in life, to get it all done and to raise successful kids, think of the parting words of my dad: "Love each other." Love your children, love your partner, love your parents, love your friends, and you will deeply nurture their spirits while enriching your own soul.

Words have the power to transform. Celebrate your love by practicing the following ideas:

- Be thoughtful with your word choice, tone, and timing. Author Christopher Morley wisely stated that, "If we all discovered that we only had 5 minutes left to say all that we wanted to say, every telephone booth would be occupied by people calling other people to tell them that they loved them." September 11, 2001, proved Morley's point. Tell those you love how much you love them - often.

- Remain attentive to the words you use as you part in the mornings and last thing in the evenings.

- Ask your child what helps him to feel really loved. This is easier with a young child. If yours is a teen, he will probably be embarrassed by the questions, but the simple effort of asking reminds him you care. Our teens are multidimensional, fascinating human beings and, by knowing their likes and dislikes, we learn more about their unfolding personalities. Maggie, age 15, says, "My dad asked me the name of my favorite ice cream. I was pretty surprised he didn't know but he's a busy guy. It made me feel so special when he came home the other night with Mississippi Mud. He nailed it."

- Offer lots of words of praise when appropriate. The appreciated child is far less likely to have an attitude problem.

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PARENT CHECK-IN

Take a moment to pause and recall the times in your life when someone said something to make you feel loved.

What is the first scenario that comes to mind?

What was said to you?

What might you say to help your child feel that same sensation of being loved?

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VALENTINE'S GIFTS FOR THOSE YOU LOVE:

1. Manifesting Change: It Couldn't Be Easier

What a great gift Mike Dooley's CD set would be for your partner, best friend, or sibling -- basically anyone who could use a shot of inspiration coupled with tips and strategies for changing their lives. I endorse the work of Mike Dooley and his Tut daily emails (no cost) lift my spirit each morning. I believe that his simple tools can change the way people think. And, when we change our thoughts we change our lives.

2. Wrap Your Child in Words of Love

I've raved in the past about these uplifting fleece blankets. Words have power and giving the gift of positive words ...words we can wrap around those we love....can be transformational. I gave my older daughter a red LOVE blanket (see the owner of Affirmagy holding it up below) when she left for college.

3. Dream Manifestation Wizard

I'll let the developer of these transformational products tell you about them in his own words as mine don't do justice:

Manifest any goal, desire or life dream with this new award winning audio and software program. A simple and highly efficient process, using the power of your intention combined with images and your own voice, to reprogram your mind for instant and lasting success.

This is an amazing gift of empowerment to anyone on your Valentine's Day list... If someone you love has a dream, this will help them manifest that dream. I spend time each week editing my Dream Manifestor images and lists as my dreams come true almost as fast as I can articulate and put them up!!

4. Books With Loving Light

My favorite gift to give and to get is a wonderful book. Create a Valentine's Basket of loving words...pick out some of your favorite books with positive upbeat loving messages and share that gift wrapped in a big red bow with your spouse, child, mom, best pal, or the person who cares for your child while you are at work. Of course, I'd love you to begin with a book I've written...smile...to help guide any parent on your list. And, I've compiled a list of books for kids I love, check them out.

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~*~WHAT'S NEW~*~

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO THESE DAYS

Lately I've been listening to Steve Halperns OM Zone on my laptop as I work. It transports me to ease and calm. Check out this instrumental CD and I promise you will find a new serenity. What soothing music do you love? I need some new songs.

MIMI BLOGS

Click HERE to visit my Blog. You can bookmark it on Google to receive updates of new posts. Do leave comments and suggestions so we can have a virtual conversation. My daughter is traveling in Africa matching schools out in the bush with schools in the U.S. She's a college junior and devoted to Ghana, where she taught for four months at age 18.

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CREATE A YEAR OF DREAMS

Make ALL your dreams come true with the Dream Manifesto!

For YEARS I have been creating vision boards or treasure maps using poster boards and images of what

I would like to manifest in my life...Literally for about 24 years...

Up until now...

Now, since I'm on my computer so much of the time...I've installed this easy to use software, literally I had it up and running in less than 5 minutes, and my images are scheduled to appear with sound...that I've created...every few hours...reminding me of what I wish to focus upon...

It's crazy cool! In fact, I have had to delete most of the images I first put up as they HAVE COME TRUE. Time for new dreams!

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TREAT YOUR TEENAGERS TO STRESS FREE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS!

If your children are in high school, pick up a copy of my book: Don't Worry You'll Get In: 100 Tips for Stress Free College Admission. I believe that knowledge is power and have created various ways to help make the application and admissions process less stressful.

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CREATE A LIFE LIVED ON PURPOSE IN 2009

Busy but Balanced

Begin RIGHT NOW to craft a more balanced life!

This book takes you through the year, week by week...Full of tips, tools, ideas and inspiration for crafting a family life that is calm, centered, and full of joy!

Start 2009 with a committment and intention to craft a life of calm and ease. Dive into this weekly, inspirational guide for living a more meaningful life.

Your own new semester of sorts.

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Spiritual Parenting Thought for the Month (SM) is written and produced by Mimi Doe and Karen Adolphson. If you have any stories to share, questions or comments, please send them to: Editor@SpiritualParenting.com. We'd love to hear from you!

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Mimi Doe, Author of:
"Nurturing Your Teenager's Soul"
"Busy But Balanced"
"10 Principles for Spiritual Parenting"
"Drawing Angels Near"

http://www.SpiritualParenting.com