Owner: Harmony of the Heart URL:www.harmonyheart.blogspot.com Join Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2007 18:16:51 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: A blog where you will find inspirational stories, poetry, links, articles, photos and just about anything that makes life more wonderful. Site statistics:Click here
Feature Photo 3/24/07 2007-03-25 00:55:00 CAPTION: This photo was provided courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was taken by Steve Hillebrand. According to a study by scientists from the Canadian Wildlife Service, Polar Bears are having a shortened hunting season and may experience starvation as a result of climate change. To view the entire article click here. To view more photos of polar bears you can go click here. For those of you who are new, every once in a while we post the Feature Photo
, a cool or beautiful photo for everyone to view. We hope that you enjoy this one (above). To view all of the other feature photos we have posted at Harmony of the Heart simply click here. Also, if you are new to the site and want to learn more about us click here. You can also now subscribe to Harmony fo the Heart at the bottom of the site. Read more:Feature Photo
Going Beyond Fear 2007-03-30 00:42:00 CAPTION: "Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army"We all have experienced fear in our lives. For some of us it has had crippling affects. Before dealing with fear it is important to distinguish between fear being defined as a thought or a feeling. In order to deal with fear and uncover what is behind it, it is essential to define it as a feeling.Franklin D. Roosevelt was in touch with how easy it is to create in our mind "thoughts of fear" and how they can so easily paralyze us when he said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."We can very easily add more fear upon fear when we start thinking about the fear relentlessly. So, the first step to confronting fear is to define it as a feeling. For instance we may say, "I feel afraid" or "I feel scared." When we define fear as a feeling it serves as an alarm clock to help us to deal with the unmet need behind the fear. This type of fear is always healthy. It is when we start to think and dwell on the fear and get stuck there that fear become Read more:Going
Reaching for the Impossible 2007-04-06 02:44:00 “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it."Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”David Beckham Read more:Reaching
Discovering "The Gift" in Trials and Afflictions 2007-04-20 03:04:00 No one normally asks for pain, trials and afflictions. Yet, when these rain down on us we can find some comfort in the truth that there is a gift to be found in the pain. For many of us it may be hard to find but if we look deep enough we can usually find the gift.Sometimes when someone is ill and in the hospital families reunite and connect in a way that is special and incredibly heartwarming. Other times someone may ask for forgiveness and a relationship may be restored due to the fact that someone may have only a few days to live.If we look hard enough, we can find that special gift that is waiting to be discovered. Many of my clients, who are participating in the 52 week domestic violence program, start the program thinking that being arrested was the worst thing that could have happened to them. Yet, when many of them graduate from the program they say that having been arrested was the best thing that could have happened to them because they might have done something worse to thei Read more:Trials
Feature Photo 4/26/07 2007-04-26 23:36:00 CAPTION: "Photo
courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net." Welcome to Harmony of the Heart! The blog where you can get your dose of inspiration for the week. Feel free to check out the inspirational stories, articles, poems, photos, great links and more! We encourage you to search through the site because you may just find a post that touches you or that you may want to send to someone else to brighten their day. You also may want to look through our category section and most popular section.For those of you who are new, every once in a while we post the Feature Photo
, a cool or beautiful photo for everyone to view. To view all of the other feature photos we have posted at Harmony of the Heart simply click here. Also, if you are new to the site and want to learn more about us click here. You can also now subscribe to Harmony fo the Heart at the bottom of the site.
Melting the Frozen Rivers of the Heart 2007-05-11 00:43:00 "It has been said that, 'A work of art should melt the frozen rivers of the heart.' Each one of us in our own unique way is a 'work of art' capable of healing wounds, softening pain, inspiring involvement, nurturing understanding, opening doors to compassion, discouraging discrimination, helping each other face the future with hope and, above all, melting 'the frozen rivers of the heart.'"Bernard J. KleinaCAPTION: Photo provided by www.flickr.com. To link to the original photo click here. Read more:Frozen
, Rivers
, Heart
Happy Mother's Day! 2007-05-13 01:42:00 CAPTION: "Photo courtesy PDPhoto.org." A beautiful African Daisy. Welcome to Harmony of the Heart! The blog where you can get your dose of inspiration for the week. Feel free to check out the inspirational stories, articles, poems, photos, great links and more! We encourage you to search through the site because you may just find a post that touches you or that you may want to send to someone else (maybe your mom) to brighten their day. You also may want to look through our category section and most popular section. Happy
Mother's Day to all those special women who have given so much of themselves for their families and nurtured and encouraged their children to become the beautiful people they are today. Read more:Happy Mother
Filipino Princess 2007-05-12 06:03:00 By Eddie ZacapaWho radiates love and joy,will you walk with me?Your smile lights up a roomand comforts the heartsof men and women and children.Your iron will directs you, with it you can accomplish anything.Your dark brown eyes can burn through lead; you see what others cannot see. The sparkle in your eyes bring peace to the heart, and safety that people only can dream about.Your laugh can calm many oceans; You bring joy to those around you when you dance with glee. Your soft caramel skin invites the touch of others, a hug, a kiss, a caress. You are the epitome of love when you believe in who you are – a princess of love.My FilipinoPrincess
will you walk with me?I want to walk to those places that are still foreign to me in your heart. For when I walk there I will never want to come back.NOTE: A poem I wrote for my wife, a special woman who means so much to her family. To read more poems by various authors click here.
Five Steps to Forgiveness 2007-05-24 18:58:00 PHOTO CAPTION: "Photo courtesy PDPhoto.org." A beautiful view of the Grand Canyon. Forgiveness
is something we many times want from others but have a hard time giving to others. There are some reasons why it may be hard to forgive others. One reason is that sometimes we think that by forgiving someone we are implying that it was okay for that person to treat us the way they did. This is not what forgiveness is implying. Another reason we don't forgive is because we want revenge or for this individual to pay for what he or she did. Yet others claim that to forgive is to open oneself up to being more hurt by this individual because they have assumed that forgiveness means reconciliation.None of these assumptions are correct.Forgiveness is simply about letting go of our resentment towards others. It is for our own benefit that we forgive others. It does not mean we have to reconcile or say that what the individual did was okay. When we let go of our resentment towards others we feel fre Read more:Five Steps
Celebrating One Year Anniversary! 2007-06-08 23:41:00 PHOTO CAPTION: "Photo Courtesy PDPhoto.org."It has been one year that Harmony of the Heart has been around. It is hard to believe that one year has passed by already. We are very thankful to all of the readers and supporters of the blog/site. We hope to continue to inspire people for years to come. Below are some comments that some people have said this year about Harmony of the Heart."Your sight reflects a heart and mind that has been transformed. Very beautiful as well. Thank you for the time and effort." - Paul, www.yshwa4life.com"Outstanding site! Good luck to you!!!" - Connie"Love, love, love your site. Gonna add it to my blog: www.blog.myspace.com/gurlygirldresses. It's the first time i've bookmarked a site. Wonderful!" - Nicole"This is a site everyone should visit. Wonderful inspiring articles. You have obviously put alot of work into this page, and it is done well. Everyone should read Discovering the Gift in Trails and Afflictions, as well as Going Beyond Fear. Thank you fo Read more:Anniversary
, Year Anniversary
Stay A Little While Longer 2006-07-17 03:16:00 By Rachel ZacapaHave you ever encountered a situation where you just knew God had His hand in it?Recently, I had to bring our three-year-old son, Andrew, with me to a doctor's appointment for our two-and-a-half-month-old son, Adam, at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. It was a challenge to keep Andrew entertained while I waited for Adam's appointment to end. And when it was over, I couldn't wait to go home.But as we were heading out Andrew spotted the large screen television and train set in the waiting room at the day hospital (on the first floor) and wanted to stay. The day hospital is where they perform minor surgeries and the patient goes home the same day."Okay," I thought. "The poor guy is probably tired of being dragged around."So we stayed for a bit, which eventually turned into a couple hours. I was just about to start nudging Andrew to leave, when in came a father and son. As the father pushed his son into the room in a stroller, I noticed the son had tubes in his nose
Communication Articles 2007-06-18 23:05:00 Words can either connect us to others or dissconnect us from others. Words are very powerful and can influence situations in a positive or negative way. All of us know the importance of choosing our words wisely but it can be very hard to do in difficult situations. Many of us have experienced the regret and sorrow that comes from having said something that we wish we could take back.Below are some articles that have been written on communication that have been posted on our website. Enjoy them and we hope that they help you to become a better and wiser communicator.A Language of the Heart (Speaking Giraffe) If Animals Could TalkHow To Deal With Difficult PeopleSaying "No" in a Positive WayCAPTION: "Photo courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net." Read more:Articles
Feature Photo 6/25/07 2007-06-25 21:35:00 CAPTION: "Photo
courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net."Beauty is all around us. Whether it is a beautiful sunset, a flower, a majestic waterfall, a volcano, or the millions of stars in the sky, God's fingerprints are everywhere. The question is: Will we take it in and enjoy it? When we look at the next sunset, baby's smile or a bird fluttering away, may we remember to give thanks to the Creator who has given us all of this beauty to behold.To take in more beauty check out our feature photos. For those of you who are new, every once in a while we post the Feature Photo
, a cool or beautiful photo for everyone to view. To view all of the other feature photos we have posted at Harmony of the Heart simply click here. Also, if you are new to the site and want to learn more about us click here. You can also now subscribe to Harmony fo the Heart at the bottom of the site.Are you new to the site? Welcome to Harmony of the Heart! The blog where you can get your dose of inspiration for the week. Feel
Elephant Talk 2007-07-30 23:04:00 Scientists have found that animals are communicating with one another often. Actually, almost all the time! Elephants have their special language of communication as well. Elephants communicate with sounds, touch and movement (body language). For instance, when a elephant is shaking its head from side to side and slapping its ears back and forth against the sides of its face, it may mean it is annoyed. When angry an elephant may kick dust, flap her ears and lower her head as if to charge. This is called a mock charge. When elephants are excited and/or want to play they tend to flap their ears. They may also pile up on each other. Elephants also use touch (leaning on each other, touching each other with their trunks or feet) to express affection and to make sure that young ones are close by and safe. Elephants may not have words but they do have their way of definitely communicating with others. They even have sounds that they make such as songs and rumble noises. Some of their sounds t
Feature Photo 8/4/07 2007-08-04 18:44:00 CAPTION: Photo
provided by www.flickr.com. To link to the original photo and more panda photos click here. For more information on giant pandas click here.Welcome to Harmony of the Heart! The blog where you can get your dose of inspiration for the week. Feel free to check out the inspirational stories, articles, poems, photos, great links and more!For those of you who are new, every once in a while we post the Feature Photo
, a cool or beautiful photo for everyone to view. To view all of the other feature photos we have posted at Harmony of the Heart simply click here. Also, if you are new to the site and want to learn more about us click here. You can also now subscribe to Harmony fo the Heart at the bottom of the site.
Justice in Housing 2007-09-21 17:59:00 PHOTO CAPTION: The beautiful village of Kingsand, Cornwall. Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net. "Justice
in housing, like freedom, is a journey not a destination. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, 'We may have come over on different ships, but we're all in the same boat now.'"On this journey, let us work together to inspire fairness and open the doors to compassion. Let us help America understand the importance of a home free of discrimination. So much of our lives are devoted to simply going home and being with those we love. Home is where we enjoy and store the treasures of life and the memories of our family and friends. It is said that 'home is where the heart is,' and that is true."- Published in National Fair Housing
Alliance 2007 Calendar
Giraffe Mourning 2007-09-06 17:56:00 Making an apology is never easy. It means we accept responsibility for having done something that was unhealthy. We all have done it at some time in our lives. Many times we dreaded doing it and quickly wanted to get it over with. We recognized that we did something to stimulate pain in another and we had a desire to apologize. But what happened next was probably very superficial. We said those two famous words people usually say when they make a mistake, "I'm sorry."Many times that is not enough. People may respond, "that doesn't do me any good" or "it's too late for that now." That is probably because they want more. They want what all of us want when somebody does something that stirs up pain in us. They want understanding, empathy and sincerity. Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of nonviolent communication (sometimes referred to as giraffe language), coined the term giraffe mourning for what he recommends we do when we do something that doesn't serve life. It is called giraffe mo Read more:Giraffe
, Mourning
Feature Photo 10/8/07 2007-10-08 22:05:00 PHOTO CAPTION: A newborn tiger at Everland Zoo in South Korea. "Photo
Courtesy Flicker.com."Welcome to Harmony of the Heart! The blog where you can get your dose of inspiration for the week. Feel free to check out the inspirational stories, articles, poems, photos, great links and more! For those of you who are new, every once in a while we post the Feature Photo
, a cool or beautiful photo for everyone to view. To view all of the other feature photos we have posted at Harmony of the Heart simply click here.Also, if you are new to the site and want to learn more about us click here. You can also now subscribe to Harmony fo the Heart at the bottom of the site.
Housing Project to Help Homeless 2007-10-05 16:22:00 Every so often there are city projects that reach out to those who are in need and make a radical difference in people's lives. The Housing
Authority of Santa Barbara has been involved in one of these type of projects.In Santa Barbara many homeless have been assisted in such a way that can empower them to make some healthy choices to better their lives. Approximately, one year ago many homeless moved into comfortable new studio apartments. The city's Housing Authority constructed studio apartments with the goal to assist the homeless to obtain stable housing and to move up the socioeconomic ladder. While residing at the studio apartments the residents will have access to support services (substance abuse counseling, vocational training and on-site mental health care). Over 60 volunteers decorated the individual rooms as if they were their own before the residents moved in to the apartments. They used donated items to decorate the rooms. How great it would be if other cities could mod Read more:Project
Animal Stuff 2007-10-18 17:48:00 CAPTION: "Photo Courtesy of Farmgirl Fare." To view this photo at Farmgirl Fare click here.This section, Animal
Stuff, will be a place where you can find information on anything related to animals. All the posts on Harmony of the Heart that are related to animals will be found here. This is also a great place to share interesting animal facts, information and links with kids, family and your friends. Make sure to check out the posts below:The Penguin Post - A post where you can find links to get information on penguins and view live penguins on a video camera at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Baby Skunks - Two photos of baby skunks. Beluga Whale Blows Bubbles - Links to where you can see a Beluga whale blow bubbles. Also links to get more information on Beluga whales. Elephant Talk - An article on how elephants communicate with one another. Giant Pandas - Links to photos and information on giant pandas.Polar Bears - Links to photos of polar bears and a link to an article on how climate cha
Operation Christmas Child 2007-11-02 16:48:00 Operation Christmas
Child is about giving to children who are in the midst of desperate circumstances. This year why not give something of value that brings hope to those in despair and reminds children that despite what they are going through God loves them?This project sponsored by Samaritan's Purse, a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham, allows individuals and families to fill shoe boxes with toys, schools supplies, hygiene items, clothing, jewelry, watches, flashlights, and a personal note. You can pick a boy or girl to give the box to and all you have to do is provide $7.00 to cover the cost of shipping.To get more information on how to prepare a shoe box for a needy child click here. The deadline for collection for this year is November 19th. You may also want to check out samaritanspurse.org to view volunteer opportunities.To read testimonials click here. Read more:Operation
Parenting Without Promoting Fear 2007-11-05 23:20:00 When I was a young boy (about 8 years old) I received a King Kong action figure for my birthday. At that time I really liked King Kong and this gift was very special. While playing with my toy I soon found out that my little brother (around 5 years old) was scared of my King Kong doll. So like a good big brother I ran around the house scaring him by showing him the doll and by roaring like King Kong.My brother, of course, would run and tell my parents. My parents would take my doll away and then gave it back with the condition that I not scare my brother. This process happened many times. One one occasion they even told me that if I did it again they would burn my King Kong doll in the fireplace.Well, I could not resist the temptation to scare my little brother one more time. I grabbed my doll and roared like King Kong once again and he started running and crying. But he did something that I will never forget this time. He ran as fast as he could right into my father's leg and hung on Read more:Parenting
Little Boys Do What Big Boys Do 2007-11-09 23:35:00 PHOTO CAPTION: "Photo Courtesy Flicker.com."Little boys do what big boys doLittle girls do what big girls do.So when we get mad at little peopleWe should really be mad at me and you –They do what we do.When little people see big people using power and controlThey can’t always tell the difference.Movies, TV, and cartoons are a reality to five year olds.So the causes of their violent behaviors aren’t that mysterious.The culture of violence must change.Love has to take the stage.Change will not take place if there’s no honesty.Our society rejects honesty because it means living in reality.We must face the reality that the future is very grim.Then we can make the future better for them.We need to create a new breed of role models.Something real for children to follow.There’s nothing more real than family.Why we don’t see each other this wayIs a real puzzle to me.Sure for thousands of yearsWe’ve raped, beat, cheated, and neglected each other.But after thousands of tearsWe’ve
Little Boys Do What Big Boys Do 2007-11-09 23:35:00 PHOTO CAPTION: "Photo Courtesy Flicker.com."Little boys do what big boys doLittle girls do what big girls do.So when we get mad at little peopleWe should really be mad at me and you –They do what we do.When little people see big people using power and controlThey can’t always tell the difference.Movies, TV, and cartoons are a reality to five year olds.So the causes of their violent behaviors aren’t that mysterious.The culture of violence must change.Love has to take the stage.Change will not take place if there’s no honesty.Our society rejects honesty because it means living in reality.We must face the reality that the future is very grim.Then we can make the future better for them.We need to create a new breed of role models.Something real for children to follow.There’s nothing
Parenting Without Promoting Fear 2007-11-05 23:20:00 When I was a young boy (about 8 years old) I received a King Kong action figure for my birthday. At that time I really liked King Kong and this gift was very special. While playing with my toy I soon found out that my little brother (around 5 years old) was scared of my King Kong doll. So like a good big brother I ran around the house scaring him by showing him the doll and by roaring like King Kong.My brother, of course, would run and tell my parents. My parents would take my doll away and then gave it back with the condition that I not scare my brother. This process happened many times. One one occasion they even told me that if I did it again they would burn my King Kong doll in the fireplace.Well, I could not resist the temptation to scare my little brother one more time. I grabbed my Read more:Parenting
Operation Christmas Child 2007-11-02 16:48:00 Operation Christmas
Child is about giving to children who are in the midst of desperate circumstances. This year why not give something of value that brings hope to those in despair and reminds children that despite what they are going through God loves them?This project sponsored by Samaritan's Purse, a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham, allows individuals and families to fill shoe boxes with toys, schools supplies, hygiene items, clothing, jewelry, watches, flashlights, and a personal note. You can pick a boy or girl to give the box to and all you have to do is provide $7.00 to cover the cost of shipping.To get more information on how to prepare a shoe box for a needy child click here. The deadline for collection for this year is November 19th. You may a Read more:Operation
Animal Stuff 2007-10-18 17:48:00 CAPTION: "Photo Courtesy of Farmgirl Fare." To view this photo at Farmgirl Fare click here.This section, Animal
Stuff, will be a place where you can find information on anything related to animals. All the posts on Harmony of the Heart that are related to animals will be found here. This is also a great place to share interesting animal facts, information and links with kids, family and your friends. Make sure to check out the posts below:Baby Skunks - Two photos of baby skunks. Beluga Whale Blows Bubbles - Links to where you can see a Beluga whale blow bubbles. Also links to get more information on Beluga whales. Elephant Talk - An article on how elephants communicate with one another. Giant Pandas - Links to photos and information on giant pandas.Polar Bears - Links to photos of polar be
Feature Photo 10/8/07 2007-10-08 22:05:00 PHOTO CAPTION: A newborn tiger at Everland Zoo in South Korea. "Photo
Courtesy Flicker.com."Welcome to Harmony of the Heart! The blog where you can get your dose of inspiration for the week. Feel free to check out the inspirational stories, articles, poems, photos, great links and more! For those of you who are new, every once in a while we post the Feature Photo
, a cool or beautiful photo for everyone to view. To view all of the other feature photos we have posted at Harmony of the Heart simply click here.Also, if you are new to the site and want to learn more about us click here. You can also now subscribe to Harmony fo the Heart at the bottom of the site.
Housing Project to Help Homeless 2007-10-05 16:22:00 Every so often there are city projects that reach out to those who are in need and make a radical difference in people's lives. The Housing
Authority of Santa Barbara has been involved in one of these type of projects.In Santa Barbara many homeless have been assisted in such a way that can empower them to make some healthy choices to better their lives. Approximately, one year ago many homeless moved into comfortable new studio apartments. The city's Housing Authority constructed studio apartments with the goal to assist the homeless to obtain stable housing and to move up the socioeconomic ladder. While residing at the studio apartments the residents will have access to support services (substance abuse counseling, vocational training and on-site mental health care). Over 60 volunteers de Read more:Project
Justice in Housing 2007-09-21 17:59:00 PHOTO CAPTION: The beautiful village of Kingsand, Cornwall. Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net. "Justice
in housing, like freedom, is a journey not a destination. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, 'We may have come over on different ships, but we're all in the same boat now.'"On this journey, let us work together to inspire fairness and open the doors to compassion. Let us help America understand the importance of a home free of discrimination. So much of our lives are devoted to simply going home and being with those we love. Home is where we enjoy and store the treasures of life and the memories of our family and friends. It is said that 'home is where the heart is,' and that is true."- Published in National Fair Housing
Alliance 2007 Calendar
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