Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Sunday's Food For Thought:The Magic of Christmas is Not Just for Kids


As we countdown these last seven days until Christmas I was wondering....
Do you remember what it felt like when you were a child and used to have a particular toy or thing you really wanted more than anything else in the world to see under the tree on Christmas with your name on it? Remember how it felt to have your little childhood heart set on getting it? Nothing could make you stop thinking about it and believing you would actually get it.

My four year old daughter is in that exact place in her childhood right now. She's totally immersed in the magic of Christmas believing she can have whatever her sweet little heart desires. Nothing can diminish her expectation of receiving what she has made up in her mind that she wants and is set on getting  come Christmas day.

She told me at least two months ago about a special toy she saw an advertisement for and decided she really wants, called a Word Whammer by Leapfrog. It's actually a very good choice of a Christmas wish that she picked because it's an educational toy that will help her further develop and improve her spelling, vocabulary, speech, and communication skills. So it's already been mom approved by me. Lol

But she doesn't know that nor does she really care if I approve of it or not. She's four years old remember. So all she cares about is that this particular toy has become her hearts desire. And she is determined to get it for Christmas no questions asked.  So with absolutely not a shred of doubt in her mind she has kept a tunnel vision focus on getting this toy for Christmas.

For the last two months straight, the Word Whammer has been the first thing she talks about with excitement when she wakes up every morning . She tells me about it all throughout the day as she describes every feature it comes with in great and vivid detail. She also ask me several times a day to pull up the video ad for it on YouTube, or the picture of it on the Walmart or Toys R Us website, so she can see it. 


When I do she is overjoyed with excitement from just watching the kid in the video ad playing with as if she already has her own in her possession. It's also the last thing she thinks about when I'm tucking her in bed at night. She's counting down the days until Christmas so she makes sure to tell me every night how many days are left until she gets her Word Whammer. Lol

It's amazing for me to see the level of focus and ability she has been holding the clear vision of getting this toy that is her only hearts desire for Christmas. She's been believing with unwavering faith that it's already hers. And she is right. Because between you and me, I have already bought it and it's waiting in a safe hiding place for her until Christmas day. Lol


That brings me to the moral of this Inspirational Love Notes message and my reason for sharing this story about my daughter with you. Like her, we too, as adults, would do well to reconnect with the child in us that used to believe in the magic of Christmas.

As you read this article, ask yourself, when is the last time you allowed yourself to just dream big about something your heart really desires. Think about that and then get a vision of what you want to see manifest in your life in the coming new year. Then ask your "Divine Parent", the Most High Eternal Loving God, to fulfill that desire of your heart for you. Next, hold on to the vision of receiving it with laser focus, unwavering faith, and an unshakable belief that it's already done....it's already yours.

Just like my four year old daughter did, go look it up on the Internet, in a magazine, on YouTube or find it in the store that sells it. Become familiar with every intricate detail of it. Think about it every morning when you awake giving thanks in advance to God that it's on the way. Talk about it to your close friends who you know will support you in holding the vision for it. 


Lastly, ponder on it every night as you get in bed and fall asleep until it shows up in your dreams while you slumber throughout the night. My point is, no matter what, just like my daughter, let nothing deter you or diminish your expectation of receiving that thing you so deeply desire in your heart, whatever it may be.  Like a little child, let the magic of Christmas remain in your heart while holding the vision for the desires for your life not just at Christmas time but all year long.

Until next time....Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!!! And as always, remember to keep your hearts and your Love lights on!!!


A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright 2016


You can also follow me on Facebook@ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/


Sunday, December 4, 2016

Sunday's Food For Thought:A December to Remember


So here we are....December. The final month of the year. The month that also brings with it the biggest holiday season of the year and all the increased levels of stress and anxiety that comes along with it as well. So for my Inspirational Love Notes, Sunday's Food For Thought message for you this week I thought I'd suggest a few ways you can make this a December to Remember. 

The first way you can make this a more pleasurable and memorable final month of the year, is by not putting so much focus on the commercialism built up around Christmas. Instead, try putting more emphasis on making your new year start off with you feeling good. And the way to do that is by making choices now that will make your future self happy.

So just what do I mean by that? Well....here are a few examples of how you can make choices now that will make your future self happy:


1.) Don't over spend on gifts you really can't afford and will have to face the debt you created later. Your future self will be so happy that you made wise financial choices now that will make life and your bank account much better off for you later.

2.) Don't try to buy gifts for everyone in the family and your friendship circle, the postman, the neighbor next door and co-workers too. That's absurd!!! This year, try only buying for the children in your family who are under 18 years old instead. Or even younger than that if you can get away with it. The adults should understand and be supportive of putting the children first and making it more about them.  Which brings me to my next suggestion.


3.) Be honest with yourself and others about what you can or cannot afford to do. If you are not in a financial position to buy gifts for everyone, or anyone this for that matter, don't be in denial about it. Don't spend money you really do not have just to avoid feeling embarrassed or pressured by family and friends.

Your future self will respect you for being true to yourself and your financial ability at the time that will support your financial situation later by living within your means. 


4.)  Don't make plans to go out of your way, especially if that means traveling out of town, to spend the holiday season with people who do not make you feel good about yourself when you're around them. Even if it is family(and more often than not it is) and it's tradition that you go home every year it just not worth putting yourself through the unnecessary pain. Forcing yourself to spend the holiday season with people who only make you feel depressed and put down rather than jolly, celebrated and loved does not serve you well.

As an adult you have a right to start your own holiday tradition. And your future self will appreciate and love you more for honoring yourself by no longer allowing yourself to spend the holiday season with people who don't make you feel loved, lovable, or loving. If going around certain family members and friends only brings you down instead of lift you up I say you owe it to yourself to make other plans this year with people who make you feel good about being you.  


5.) Get plenty of rest and don't over eat. December brings the holiday season where we are surrounded by the irresistible aroma's of our favorite sweets like cakes, pies, cookies and other baked goodies. We're also exposed to more than our fair share of foods that are fun to eat during this time of year but are loaded with sugar and high in fat. 

When we over indulge in them we enjoy it in the moment but our bodies pay for it later. So this year, make a conscious choice to eat your favorite holiday foods in moderation. Your body will thank you for doing so later. 

So those are a few suggestions I hope you will find helpful, should you take heed to them, that will make your future self happy after the holiday season has come and gone. But the best suggestion I can offer you that will make this a December to remember is that, whatever gifts you do give, whatever meals and sweet treats you cook, don't forget the real reason for the season. Let all you do this holiday season be done with a spirit of Love.

Until next time....have a wonderful holiday season. And remember to keep your heart open and your LOVE light on!!!  


A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright 2016



You can also follow me on Facebook@ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/


Sunday, October 16, 2016

Sunday's Food For Thought:How Loving Are You?

Most people are familiar with this definition of Love from 1 Corinthians 13 in the bible. But very few people actually follow it or are able to live up to it. I'm sure most of us try to demonstrate the majority of the traits in this definition of love. But let's just be honest, life can often times present situations that are very challenging. And our relationships with other's can be even more challenging at times.

So it is in those times and situations when we are under a great deal of stress or experiencing deep hurt, frustration or disappointment while trying to relate to one another that we miss the mark of displaying the characteristics listed in this biblical guideline for how we should love.

As a remedy to that, a very god reminder and " Love Self Checks and Balances" exercise I do every now and then to see how well I'm doing with staying in alignment with this definition and guideline for expressing love, especially following a situation as I described above, I go to this definition of Love in 1 Corinthians 13, and replace the word Love with my name then read it out loud to see which area's and traits of love I still need to work on. I use this exercise to help me gauge where I need to do or could've done better in a particular situation at expressing love from this higher standard of what love is and how it is demonstrated.

Trust me, it's not an exercise for those who are not able to look themselves in the mirror and face the truth about themselves. It takes a great deal of honesty with yourself as well as spiritual maturity and discipline to do this exercise. Nevertheless, it is a great exercise that will really show you the truth about yourself in regard to your attitude and level of love barometer. So go ahead and give it a try.

I promise you will at first be shocked to find what area's you still need to work on in your expression of love. And in the fast paced world we live in today, for most people that area is the first one....patience. But the good news is you will also become more conscious of how loving you are actually coming across to other's so that you keep doing what you're doing in the area's you have been practicing love well in. And you can get up and practice doing better tomorrow in the area's where you realize from this exercise you have not been doing so well at expressing love in.

Again, the exercise is to take the definition of Love from 1 Corinthians 13 in the bible, which is posted in the image at the top of this message, and replace the word Love with your name. Then read each sentence in the definition out loud.

As you read it out loud using your name, for example, Anna is patient....Anna is kind...and so forth, stop and take notice to the sensations you feel in your body, especially your heart area. Pay attention to if it constricts or expands as you read each line out loud. This will be your best indicator to whether or not you have actually been demonstrating that particular aspect or trait of love well or not.
 


And remember, the key to this exercise is to be honest with yourself so that you can see which area's of love you still need to do more work at expressing better.

Lastly, after you have done this exercise I strongly suggest you pray and ask God to reveal to you a recent or past situation where you missed the mark at being more loving as defined in this definition from the Holy Scriptures. Then after forgiving yourself, if you are inspired by Spirit to do so, it might also be a good idea to call or reach out to that person involved in the situation, whom you have now realized you were not very loving to, and apologize to them as well.

After all, we are created in and of Love, our Divine Source is Love. So our relationships with other's should matter. And nothing should be a higher priority than doing our best to be the purest conduits of love we can possibly be at all times and in all situations more often than not.

Until next time....remember to keep your heart open and your LOVE light on!!! ~ Anna MsPoet Hendricks - Your Inspirational Goddess of Love



A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright 2016


You can also follow me on Facebook@ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/



References: Holy Bible, 1 Corinthians 13

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Something To Tuck Under Your Pillow: Be Still And Know...


Hello again beloveds,

How was your day? You know, Wednesday's are called "hump day" for a reason. And if your day was anything like mine, depending on what side of the globe you're reading this from, you're probably just glad it's over now. 

I woke up today with so much weighing on my heart and mind. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't seem to pull it together. And I ended up having a pretty emotional, energy all over the place, difficulty finding my focus, feeling so out of balance kinda day.  

But at the end of the day, after putting my daughter to bed, I finally had a moment to myself. So I used that time to sit down and do my journal writing and have my quality quiet time with God as I do every night. And rather than venting to God about all the complaints I had about things gone wrong or not yet going as I would like, I chose instead to express gratitude for all the things that God has already worked out for me. 

I chose instead to write down in my gratitude journal all the things I could think of that I really appreciated and recognized as blessings that happened throughout my day despite how my day began. And when I finished writing to God my gratitude list instead of my list of complaints I heard this:

"Be still and know that I AM God.....
Be still and know that I AM your true Source....
Be still and know that I AM your true Substance.....
Be still and know that I AM your true Supplier....
Be still and know that I AM your true Supply.....

Be still and know that I AM your true Provider....
Be still and know that I AM your true Peace.....
Be still and know that I AM your true Protector....
Be still and know that I AM your true Prosperity....
Be still and know that I AM the answer and fulfillment
of all your Prayers....

Be still and know that I AM with you....
Be still and know that I AM for you....
Be still and know how much I Love you....
Be still and know how infinitely much you mean to me....

Be still and know that I AM yours and you beloved
will eternally be mine....
Be still and know I will NEVER leave you....
Be still and know I will NEVER forsake you....
Be still and know I will NEVER abandon you....

Be still and know through it all I will always be there....
Be still and know I AM working all things together 
for your good....
Be still and know...
Be still and know....
Be still and know.....All is well."

And after hearing that and writing it down I simply closed my journal and said....Wow....Thank you God!!!

Just a little "Something To Tuck Under Your Pillow" and ponder as you fall asleep tonight.

Until next time...Remember to keep your heart open and your LOVE light on!!! Yours Inspirational Goddess of Love ~ Anna MsPoet Hendricks

A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright 2016


You can also follow me onFacebook@ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Something To Tuck Under Your Pillow


One of my favorite bible scriptures on love is from 1 John 3:18. It says, "My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action." (Good News Bible Translation)

My Inspirational Love Notes-"Something To Tuck Under Your Pillow" message for you tonight is inspired from that scripture and a beautifully written passage I read a year ago about true love, in a book by one of my favorite love story authors (who's books often become great movies as well) Nicholas Sparks. He is the author of the epic love story, "The Notebook, that also became a hit movie."

The book I read last summer by him, that is also the partial inspiration for my message tonight, is from his book called, The Wedding, which is the sequel to The Notebook.

Side note: If you haven't read The Wedding by him already or didn't know he wrote a sequel to The Notebook, I highly recommend getting it from your local library where I found it, or ordering it online. It is definitely a must read if you're a hopeful romantic like me. Okay...back to my message for tonight. Lol :-)

Love, as I have come to learn, is more than three words exchanged with a kiss before bed at night, as Nicholas Sparks also said. But I would like to also add to that by saying, it is also more than three words you say at the end of a conversation before hanging up the phone. Or part of a daily morning routine before leaving for work. 

Love is sustained and maintained by action as the aforementioned biblical scripture in 1 John 3:18 also states. It is a pattern of devotion and commitment demonstrated by things you are willing to do for each other on a daily basis. It is shown in the level of willingness to allow yourself to grow spiritually, as well as emotionally, with each other. That in so doing, you may expand your perception and understanding of what true love is and the emotional capacity to express love for one another unconditionally.

Just a little "Something To Tuck Under Your Pillow" and ponder as you fall asleep tonight. Sleep well beloveds!

Until next time...Remember to keep your hearts open....and your LOVE light on! ~ Yours truly, Anna MsPoet Hendricks - Your Inspirational Goddess of Love



A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright 2016


You can also follow me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/





Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Something To Tuck Under Your Pillow


Hello again Beloveds,

My Inspirational Love Notes, "Something To Tuck Under Your Pillow" message for you tonight is on four of my favorite words....Love...Honesty....Truth...and Respect. They are my four favorite words because I believe they are also the four key cornerstones to having a lasting relationship of any kind. The latter three of them being equally as essential as the first one...Love. Why? Because HONESTY....TRUTH....AND RESPECT are the seeds AND the soil that cultivates and gives birth to LOVE.
But this only works when there is a mutual exchange of these four words in the relationship expressed not in words....but through actions. Bottom line, Honesty....Truth... and Respect are the oxygen to Love. Yet, the four of them working together and mutually exchanged between two people is the life force energy that keeps any relationship alive. 
Without them, the relationship is absent of the strong foundation it needs to build anything lasting, and of quality, and of high value on. Which means if you're continuing to invest in a relationship that lacks Honesty, Truth, Respect, and Love you are essentially making a very bad investment of your time...energy...and emotions.
Just a little "Something to Tuck Under Your Pillow and ponder as you fall asleep tonight. Rest well beloveds!
Until next time....Remember to keep your heart open...and your LOVE light on! ~ Yours Truly ~ Anna MsPoest Hendricks - Your Inspirational Goddess of Love 


A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright 2016



You can also follow me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Sunday's Food For Thought:A Prayer Poem For World Unity & Peace


Dear God,

We're in desperate need of your help.
Here our prayer's and answer us speedily Lord
Order our steps. Show us what's right and correct all wrongs.
Here the call of your people and show yourself strong.

Let the darkness that has cast upon the earth soon pass away,
like the heavy could's that dissipate's after a long stormy day.
Save your children Lord. Deliver us all from ourselves and each other.
Help us to see that in your eyes we are all one human family...
sister 's and brother's.

Heal our hearts from all the hurting,
mend the scares and wounds.
Most importantly Lord, put a stop to all the violence.
Let it be over soon.

Fill this earth with your peace Most High,
the peaceful calm of a dove...
Align our minds with your divine mind Lord,
And raise our thoughts from hate to Love.

Until next time....Remember to keep your hearts open...and your Love light on!!! ~ Anna MsPoet Hendricks - Your Goddess of Love



A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
copyright 2016

You can also follow me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/












Thursday, July 7, 2016

Keep Your Heart Open To Love:Don't Let Your Ex Stop You From Loving Who's Next

If you've ever truly loved, chances are you have also been deeply hurt at some point along your love and relationship journey as well. To keep your heart open and trust again once this has happened is not an easy task to do.

To truly love another requires allowing yourself to be totally vulnerable with that person. When someone you invest this level of trust in abuses that trust the wounds can run deep and last long. It takes time to heal and get over it. And in some cases you never really get over it.

Trust me...I know. I've been there...experienced that....got the Tee shirt and can even write a book about it it's happened to me so many times. But truth is....when you close your heart and resolve to never love again....never trust another person like that again....and never let love back in....you are giving your power away to that other person that caused you the original pain.
You are allowing them to win by moving on with their life while you remain stuck and paralyzed by the pain they caused you. And like emotional quicksand, it does nothing but continue to pull you down and get in the way of you living your life fully the same way the person who hurt you is off doing with their life.

The other thing holding on to the hurt and closing off your heart to love again does is that it, literally over time, causes you to spiritually and emotionally die while still physically living. You see, we are more than mere mortals. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. We are all children of the same Divine Creator, that I refer to as, The Most High God. Yet, regardless of whatever name your spiritual or religious practice calls this Divine Holy One, we are all created in the image and likeness of our Divine Creator, which means our true nature is to love. Because the true heart and essence of God is Love.

When you close your heart off from giving and receiving love again because of a hurt man caused you, you over time begin to feel dead inside because, in so doing, you have also closed your heart off from your connection to your true Source of love....your Divine Source....your Holy Creator....God. The one, I promise you, loves you always...in all ways...unconditionally...and infinitely more than any man (or woman) ever can or will.
Being raised in a family of strong and deep spiritual roots, I have understood this truth on an intellectual level since my youth. Yet, like many of you, it has been a long, painful, and arduous road emotionally learning this lesson. After all, if you are a sensitive soul type, like me, you understand me when I say...my love is genuine...my love is deep...my love is patient...my love is strong...my love is big....my is loyal...my love endures. All the elements love should be and is when it's really true love you're giving.
So when I love another, I take it very seriously. I also feel deep levels of disappointment when someone takes my love for granted and fails to uphold their end of the relationship agreement to show reciprocity by making the same level of emotional investment in the relationship, and me, that I've been investing in the relationship and in them. I totally understand how wounded such an experience can leave you feeling. In fact, to be completely honest with you, I am still healing from my own recent experience of this kind of heartbreak as I write this to you. So you are definitely not alone although it may feel that way sometimes.
Still, no matter what some one else did to cause you emotional hurt or pain, remember that you are God's beloved, precious child, in whom He is well pleased. God created you of His love to love and be loved here on earth. Don't allow someone from your past, who didn't get the memo on how special and awesome you are, and therefore failed to appreciate and cherish you as you deserve, to hold you back from the blessing of being loved by the person God has before you now or on the way in your near future. 
I'm a firm believer that God has someone in mind for each of us to be our true beloved. This means, no matter how many times you've been hurt in the past, there is someone out there just perfect for you to give you a love so supreme like the child of God you really are in truth deserves. Don't let them past you by out of fear of being hurt again. More importantly, don't make them pay for the sins of your ex.
That person who hurt you and left you is now your ex for a reason. It means they weren't equipped with the emotional heart space and capacity to love you back to the same degree you were able, willing, and had the capacity to love them. It also may be Gods way of saying, "the purpose I brought them into your life for is complete. Now hold on dear child...I have someone better in mind for you". So take a bold stand with me as you read this. Choose to be better not bitter. And no matter what, keep your heart open to love. Don't let your ex stop you from loving who's next. 

Until next time....Remember to keep you heart open and your LOVE light on!!! 
~ Anna MsPoet Hendricks ~ Your Goddess of Love.


You can also follow me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/




A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright 2016




Please Note: The poster image used in this blog article was shared with the public on Facebook by Bishop Dale C. Bronner. However, it is unclear and was not noted when he shared it whether or not it is his original works. Therefore, by no means is any copyright infringement intended here by my use of it as well for this blog post.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Sunday's Food For Thought:True Love Is Friendship On Fire


Most people are looking for or say they desire to be married to someone who is also their best friend. Well I actually have several people in my personal circle who have found and are married to someone with whom they share that kind of connection. And what I have come to learn from each of them, and my own life experiences too, is that you have to first become that which you desire to have.

In simpler terms, each of those married couples, in my family and friends circle, who also share the true love of their best friend, had to first learn to be a best friend to themselves before the universe attracted them into each others lives to become the best friend, lover, spouse and life partner to each other.

So while you're praying for...and waiting for...your true love to show up in the form of a best friend and marry you, practice the art of being a best friend to yourself first. Which means loving yourself enough to nurture and care for the needs of your own heart the way you're expecting and looking forward to your true love and life partner to do when they arrive.


Until next time...Remember to keep you heart open and your LOVE light on!

~Anna MsPoet Hendricks-Your Goddess of Love




A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright 2016

You can also follow me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes/

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Something To Tuck Under Your Pillow:Forgiveness is Loves Breath of Life


Forgiveness is the breath of life that allows Love to live;

but you cannot have what you're unwilling to give.


Just a little something to tuck under your pillow and ponder as you drift off to sleep.

Until next time....I surround you in Love & Light! Sleep well and have a peaceful night!
 ~ Anna MsPoet Hendricks


For more of my Inspirational Love Notes messages and poems I invite you to visit my archives for this blog. You may also follow me on Facebook by visiting my Inspirational Love Notes fan page at: https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes  and check Like.


A One Love Production
By Anna M. Hendricks
Copyright 2015 

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Something to Tuck Under Pillow:The Love You Seek Starts Within


What I have come to learn about love is likened to what I have also learned about happiness. Everything you seek is not only seeking you too...it STARTS with you. 

As adults we have all, at some point, experienced deep hurt and disappointment in our relationships with others. I'm sure we all have stories we can share where we have loved deeply and hard. Only to find the object of our affection did not see reciprocate the same level of love we gave. When this happens once or twice we find a way to recover. And in most cases we try at love again.

However, when we have repeatedly given our hearts fully and found our relationship experiences to be a reoccurring theme of disappointment we tend to develop a fear of loving again. When then close our hearts in order to protect ourselves. Yet in truth, the fear we feel is not really a fear of loving again. Rather,  it is a fear of being hurt again. But True Love doesn't hurt you...people do. 

The fortress you have built around your heart to protect you is really a false sense of security. It not only blocks love, or anything else, from getting in. It also blocks love from getting out. This creates a self-imposed prison you now are living in that serves you no good and blocks you from all the wonderful blessings that TRUE LOVE can  bring. 

And so it is that when you become truly ready and courageous enough to do the spiritual work within that is necessary to remove all the barriers around your heart you have built, your heart will naturally begin to open up to love again like a beautiful flower welcoming the falling rain.

When this natural process of healing happens, the Holy Spirit will answer your call to heal ALL your wounds from the past. As you become realigned with the vibrational energy of love again, Love will begin radiating from every fiber of your being. And as you allow genuine love to begin pouring forth again THROUGH you...you will also begin to see all that is in perfect alignment with genuine love attracting to you. It is the Law of the Universe in which we live that EVERYTHING you seek, including Love, starts within. 

This is just a little "Something to Tuck Under Your Pillow" to ponder as you drift off to sleep tonight. 

Until next time...I surround you in Love & Light! Sleep well and have a peaceful night! 


If you haven't already please LIKE my Inspirational Love Notes Facebook fan page. I also invite you to visit my Inspirational Love Notes archive on this blog for more of my original full length inspirational articles and poetry.


A One Love Production
By Anna M. Hendricks
Copyright 2015

Friday, December 26, 2014

Something to Tuck Under Your Pillow: The Fruit of the Spirit



There's an old adage that says, "you can catch more bee's with honey than vinegar." I'd like to add to that by saying, you can get cooperation from others better with kindness than coldness.

 In the Holy Bible, Galatians 5:22-23 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

Most of our relational discord and disharmony is due to the result of lack of self-control over our emotions. When we allow our emotions to run amok, provoked by fear thoughts of not getting something we want to go OUR way, we tend to have knee jerk reactions that leads to saying hurtful things that cannot be retrieved, forgotten or easily forgiven.

It also leads to negative behavior and reactions that lack wisdom which only ADDS to the problem rather than promote peace and cooperation toward finding a solution that's truly in the best interest of all. In addition, you still don't end up with the outcome you want. Along with the added consequence of the other person(s) involved becoming even less likely to have a positive response or spirit of cooperation to your desired request from them than before.

But when you learn to be led by spirit more than ego by practicing patience, KINDNESS, and emotional self-control, you will come to find that all the other fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness, will follow suit. You will then see the situation miraculously transformed and brought into Divine Order by the Holy Spirit.

Applying the fruit of the Spirit as your method of addressing any area of issue in your relationships will not only increase your power of influence toward getting a spirit of cooperation from those involved, it will lead you to a solution that's in the best and highest interest for ALL involved. It will also result in an outcome that is lasting and proves far better for everyone than behaving in a callous, cajoling and controlling manner in effort to get the outcome YOU want.

So next time you have a sticky, sensitive or difficult situation where there is strong opposition involved give this new approach a try. And remember, no matter how big or small the situation is or how long it has persisted, you will always have better interactions and outcomes in your relationships when you ask for spiritual guidance and practice applying the fruit of the Spirit. Then allow God's will not YOUR will to be done in His perfect way and time.

Until next time...I surround you in Love & Light! Sleep well...and have peaceful night! 


For more of my Inspirational Love Notes I invite you to also follow me on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes



A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright December 2014



Monday, December 1, 2014

A Special Inspirational Love Note:From My Heart to Yours




With Thanksgiving now behind us, and the Black Friday shopping madness kicked off this weekend as well, the holiday season is now officially in full effect. Part of my Thanksgiving was spent in quiet reflection, prayer and praise for the many things I am grateful for this year. Among my long list of things I gave praise and thanks to God for was you. Yes...YOU!!! 

Allow me, if you will, to share a little of my backstory of the last four years since Inspirational Love Notes first began with you. It will give you a better understanding of why I started doing this and how by doing so has brought me to appreciate all of you so much.
 

I created this blog in August of 2010. It was a Spirit inspired Divine Idea and a life rafter from God. I say that because I truly believe the idea to create Inspirational Love Notes was God's way of giving me something to float on and keep my head above the turbulent waters of life, I felt like I was drowning in, at that time. The idea to start this blog came during a time I felt life had blind folded me and tossed me into the middle of the ocean with no warning or swimming lessons. And I was desperately trying to find my way back to shore mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

If you live here in the United States I think it goes without saying that 2010 was a rough year for most Americans. We were still in the thick of our struggling economy and almost everyone in our country was being hit badly by the recession....including me.  I was experiencing my second lay-off over a two year time period that summer. On top of that, our Government was going through a lot of conflict with President Obama during the second year of his first term. And for some reason, still unclear to me, they decided to put a freeze on distribution of all unemployment funds, which was the only income for thousands of laid-off Americans...again, included me. T
hat decision resulted in many Americans, myself included, suffering for months without receiving unemployment benefits at a time when finding new gainful employment was nearly impossible.

As if that wasn't enough to endure, that same dreadful year, my Father made his transition from this life unexpectedly. So, despite the fact that I was going through a serious financial hardship situation at the time, I had to figure out a way to get back to my home town in Michigan and be with my family as we laid my Dad to his final rest. That was in June 2010. Then just six months later 
following my Father passing my Spiritual Mother,whom I had a very close relationship with, made her transition from this life as well in December 2010

She was my anchor, my "go to" person, my confidant, my spiritual teacher, mentor, life coach and very dear friend. She was the first person I always went to for comfort, love and wisdom to help get me through all the other challenges life threw at me over the twelve beautiful years I had known her. There was no one in my life at the time who could compare to the bond I had grown accustom to sharing with her. Needless to say, I was devastated by the news of her transition from this life. Yet, I am grateful that I was able to be there by her side during her final days.

However, at the time of her passing, I was also going through a personal health situation that resulted in me having an out-patient medical procedure. So I wasn't even able to attend her funeral because my medical procedure was scheduled for the same day as her funeral service. Losing my Spiritual Mom, especially on the heels of losing my Dad, was the blow to my heart that hit me the hardest. It was also the breaking point of my emotional pain tolerance. It was the worse of everything else I had already endured that year. Because she was the first, and main, person who would have normally been there to help me overcome the other series of devastating events that unfolded back to back all within that same year.


Needless to say, I was drowning in an ocean of emotional turmoil and despair. I've always been a deeply spiritual person of strong faith. But I had never experience that much, or that kind, of loss, hurt, disappointment and pain all at the same time in my entire life. I desperately needed an outlet, a place I felt emotionally safe to express what I was feeling at that time and allow my heart to heal. 

Then I remembered, my spiritual practices have taught me that the best and fastest way to receive from the universe what you're most in need of is by giving that very thing away. So after countless nights of endless crying, grieving, and constant prayer for healing I was led in spirit to create Inspirational Love Notes for the following several reason. 


First, I created it as a means of using my talents and gifts in a way that would honor God through service to others while waiting for my personal prayers to overcome my intense grief, restore my broken spirit, and heal my severely bruised heart to be fulfilled. Secondly, since my childhood, I have asked God  to use me in a way that allows me to be a source of inspiration to other's. And to allow my unique talents and gifts to touch somebody else's life in a positive way. 

Lastly, I created Inspirational Love Notes because I wanted to help others who may be going through some of the same painful experiences I went through in 2010, or worse. I wanted to encourage others to hang in there and keep the faith when life gets rough. More importantly, I wanted to do my part to ensure that no one going through such painful and difficult times in their life as I did, in 2010 and other times in my life before and after that dreadful year, to ever feel like they're gong through it alone. I wanted to help other's heal their wounded places within and in their relationships with others by awakening the love light that is innately in all of us and has the power to heal all things.   

So, I started this blog and named it Inspirational Love Notes. My intention was for this to be a spin off of my radio show, Love Notes, that I created, produced and hosted here in Atlanta, Georgia in 2003-2004, that had the same concept of encouraging and inspiring others only through music rather than the written word.

Without a doubt, I have gone through and overcome a great deal of painful experiences over the last four years since I created this blog and began sharing  my Inspirational Love Notes with you. Yet, as the scripture says in Romans 8:28, "...we know that all things work together for good to those who love God."  This is one of my favorite scriptures that has stood the test of time. And it has proven true repeatedly in my life. I have come to realized that none of what I went through in 2010, the last four years since then, or my entire life, has been in vain. Nope...None of it! Because all of it has led me right where I need to be and prepared me for what I now realize I've been called in Spirit to do. All that I have gone through has brought me to this moment in time sharing the wisdom and lessons I have come to learn from it all with you. And for that I am so deeply grateful. 

Sharing my daily inspirational messages with you has allowed me to inspire others while heal my severely wounded heart and soul. It has allowed me to give my gift to the world by doing what comes to me so naturally. While spiritual growth is an ongoing process, I can say with great certainty, that since I started this blog and began sharing my daily inspirational love notes with you, I have received in return, the blessing of evolving spiritually and seeing my talent as a poet and writer grow as well in ways I never imaged. And for that I am also deeply grateful.  

I never thought when I began sharing my daily messages of love with you on my Facebook Group, Inspirational Poetry & Love Notes, that I would have the positive response from so many people as I now do. But it has  been a two way street. 

You all have been just as much a blessing and source of inspiration to me as many of you have let me know I have been to you. Your feedback is important to me. And many of you have shared with me how my positive articles, poems, and quotes have been so helpful to you while coping through your own personal life struggles you are working to overcome. So this Inspirational Love Note is a special dedication to you to express my heartfelt gratitude for letting me know we have been growing and healing together. 

As a result of your continuous support, by sharing my daily Love Notes with your Facebook family and friends, I am excited and delighted to share with you that I now have followers on my Facebook Group, Inspirational Poetry & Love Notes, from all over the world. For this reason, the time has come for me to expand the way I share my Love Notes with you. I have recently created an Inspirational Love Notes Page on Facebook that allows me the ability to reach more people.

With that said, I salute you and thank you for your continued support over the last four years. I look forward to continue growing with you and serving you. Most importantly, I look forward to continue being a source of light, love, and inspiration in your life and to the world through each and every one of you who read my daily messages and share them with someone else. Together we can heal hearts all over the world...one Inspirational Love Note at a time. 

So rather you're a new follower or already an established member of my Facebook Group, please click the link below and Like my new Inspirational Love Notes Page on Facebook to continue following me. 

https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes

Until next time...I surround you all in Love & Light! 




A One Love Production
By Anna MsPoet Hendricks
Copyright November 2014

Friday, November 14, 2014

Something to Tuck Under Your Pillow: Two Keys to a Peaceful Sleep


Ephesians 4:26 gives us two very brief, clear and direct instructions regarding how to handle our anger each day.

1.) Do not (sin) by allowing your anger to control you.

2.) Do not let the sun go down while still holding on to whatever caused you
      to become angry.



If you choose to be obedient to the guidance and wise counsel of this scripture, written by the Apostle Paul, I think you will find it to be highly beneficial to getting a more peaceful, restful, sound sleep at night. Not to mention, these instructions will also get you through the day with far less stress and anxiety that so many people bring home to their beds at night. 

So before going to sleep tonight save the message in the above attached image along with the aforementioned scripture. Tuck it under your pillow as a reminder to control your anger during the day. Then release and let go of any and every perceived offense that may have caused you to become angry throughout your day before going to bed each night.
 

This will not only make a major difference in you experiencing a more peaceful sleep...but also a more peaceful life. Sleep well...Good night!

Until next time...I surround you in Love & Light!

For more of my Inspirational Love Notes I invite you to also follow me on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/InspirationalLoveNotes


A One Love Production
By Anna "Ms. Poet" Hendricks
Copyright November 2014

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Attitude is Everything


Let's face it! We all have situations we experience from time to time that feels unpleasant, frustrating, throws us off balance, and disrupts our ability to stay focused on other task, projects, or goals we deem important to us. Life is always going to throw us a curve ball every now and then, that's just the way it is. 

While it may be a fact of life that we have no power or control over the unexpected interruptions to our life goals and plans; we do however have enormous power and control over the attitude we hold in response to what comes on our life path. 

Attitude is everything! And I have come to learn, from my own personal experiences as well as observing the attitudes of people in my professional and personal relationships, that much of the cause for our (meaning most humans ) unhappiness is not so much what happens to us as it is the attitude we have in response to what happens to us.  

I have found this to be especially true on social media. It is so heavy latent with negative comments and messages people post. In fact, social media has become so inundated with people complaining and having such negative, critical, judgmental, condemning attitudes that I'm starting to find it worse than watching the nightly news. 

Which is why I began my Facebook group page, Inspirational Poetry & Love Notes,
where I post daily positive messages like this. All of the post I share here and on my Facebook group page are intended to be a source of inspirational, uplifting, encouraging messages that infuse people with positive energy and love rather than jump on the negative energy and attitude band wagon.

There's a lot of people out there hurting while silently praying and searching for a way to be relieved of the great deal of pain they are in. I also know first hand that many people have been walking around carrying that hurt and hiding their wounded places within for so long that it's now spilling over into their attitude toward life in general. 

Unfortunately their anger and frustration with their own life is being projected in their interactions with others. Especially those closest to them who love them most, like friends and family.  

I am not exempt from having such a human experiences from time to time. Yet, when I'm feeling overwhelmed by life's stresses to the point of needing an attitude adjustment, I have found that looking for the good in everything, even the things that don't feel good, helps to ease my emotional pain and lift the fog of frustration. 

The most effective method I've used and found to be the quickest way to help me realign my thoughts, shift my perspective and adopt a more positive attitude is by making a gratitude list.

So here's a gratitude challenge for you. Starting today complain about nothing and be grateful for EVERYTHING. No matter what the situation, whatever unexpected twist or turns life throws at you, or how your day unfolds, look for the good in it.  If you need help putting this into practice read Romans 8:28, which says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God..."

For the next seven days, every time you find yourself having a negative attitude about anything, complaining or thinking and speaking negative, critical, judgmental, condemning thoughts or comments; stop yourself and go make a gratitude list. Write down at least seven things that you are grateful for in your life.

Here are a few suggestions to help you get started in case you can't think of anything:

Waking up this morning, still breathing, able to walk, talk, sit down and have the sound mind and physical ability to write a gratitude list are seven things to be grateful for right there.    

Also, while doing this gratitude challenge for the next seven days, refrain from complaining on social media and in your personal life relationships. Fast from reading, or engaging in any negative news or conversations. Either excuse yourself from the conversation and walk away or change the topic of conversation by sharing something positive. 

Another way of expressing gratitude is by letting your spouse, mate, children and true friends know how much you love and appreciate them. 

Everyone likes to hear words of affirmation. We all like to know that we are important to those we're closest to and love. Verbally expressing gratitude and appreciation to them for all they do and the role they play in your life will reassure them that you do not take them or the relationship you share for granted. 

Bottom line, a poor attitude of criticizing, complaining, and focusing on the negative will only attract to you more things to criticize, complain and be negative about. Yet, keeping a positive attitude by appreciating the blessings you've already been given while looking for the good in everything that is and expecting greater good to come, will attract your miracles and blessings to you much faster.  

This occurs because in most cases it's our own negative, critical attitude and energy that's blocking the manifestation of miracles and blessings that we're praying for and waiting to receive.  

Remember, to complain may be human...but an attitude of gratitude is divine. 

Until next time, I surround you in Love & Light! 


You can also follow me on my Facebook group page at:
www.facebook.com/groups/InspirationalPoetryandLoveNotes/ 


A One Love Production 
By Anna Ms. Poet Hendricks
Copyright September 2014