What is Love?

As you know there are many types of love. In my quest to find out about love, I sought the help from Wikkopedia, our online encyclopedia and learned some new terms.   Unrequited love refers to those feelings of love that are not reciprocated. Interpersonal love is most closely associated with interpersonal relationships. Such love might exist between family members, friends, and couples.

Love should not be confused with Lust, which  is the initial passionate sexual desire that promotes mating, and involves the increased release of chemicals such as testosterone and estrogen. These effects rarely last more than a few weeks or months.  Lust is a momentary itch, whereas Love never lets you go. Attraction is the more individualized and romantic desire for a specific candidate for mating, which develops out of lust as commitment to an individual mate forms. Recent studies in neuroscience have indicated that as people fall in love, the brain consistently releases a certain set of chemicals, including pheromones, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which act in a manner similar to amphetamines, stimulating the brain’s pleasure center and leading to side effects such as increased heart rate, loss of appetite and sleep, and an intense feeling of excitement. Research has indicated that this stage generally lasts from one and a half to three years.

Since the lust and attraction stages are both considered temporary, a third stage is needed to account for long-term relationships. Attachment is the bonding that promotes relationships lasting for many years and even decades. The (love) Attachment is generally based on commitments such as marriage and children, or on mutual friendship based on things like shared interests. It has been linked to higher levels of the chemicals oxytocin and vasopressin to a greater degree than short-term relationships.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.” (1 Cor. 13:4–7, The Bible – NIV) (Excellent book– I highly recommend it.)

There is the internal (self-love) component that for some reason determines or limits the amount of love that you are willing to accept from others (external). According to some you can only accept love on a level that you are willing and able to extend to yourself.

I have always thought that the true measure of love is the degree someone is willing to put their wishes and desires to the side in favour of the one they love.  When  your heart flows in love, you naturally feel happier. In the (very good) book, Happy for No Reason, by Marci Shimoff, she states, "You can start your heart's flow by sending lovingkindness to anyone and everyone you see.  It does not have to be dramatic."  Something as simple as wishing others well generates love in the heart.  You begin by creating a strong current of love and happiness because a heart overflowing in love is continually being filled with more love.  Choosing to feel love and think positively cultivates more happiness and love in your life. Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness. 

So, is Love floating on air? butterflies in your stomach? riding on cloud nine? a bouquet of flowers?  

Love is...

Love is not a look or

Something felt at first sight.

Love is not a kiss

Or a hug so tight.

Love is not a word 

Romancing the moon

Or something absurd.

Love is a series of 

Memories shared

Someone to do for

Someone that cares.

Love is the compatibility

Of two through

the good and the bad.

Someone to laugh with and

Someone that wipes 

The tears when you are sad

Love is YOU!

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia from

Lost and Found : LOVE, a book of Love Poems

Purchase your copy at:

www.victoryp.com

Sexy at Any Size

I have had to deal with this problem my entire life.  However, I  have just discovered a new book that all of us full figured ladies need to read. Stella Ellis is the author of SIZE SEXY, How to Look Good, Feel Good, and Be Happy – at Any Size. Stella Ellis was born in Israel, speaks eight languages, has lived, studied and worked abroad and in the United States – and has resided there for over 20 years. She has worked in the fashion industry, TV and modeling.

Stella has gathered some great tips for women of all sizes.  It is time that we dispell  myths about full-figured women, and all head out to the pool with our girlfriends, to the beach with a cute date or to work,despite the scorching heat. 

The important thing is that we accept ourselves. When we accept ourselves, the rest of the world will too. Or they won’t – but that will be their problem. Throughout my entire life, I have been a full figured gal. I will never be a size 4,10, or even a 12, but that does not stop me from looking my best. As the weather heats up, we must grab the opportunity to wear sexy clothing, break out  great summer accessories, and flaunt, with class, our figure in yet another season.

To dress well, we first have to understand our body’s curves and shape–and then learn what looks most flattering on us. Most women are shaped like Apples, Pears, or Hourglasses. Assess your body in a full length mirror and then select a wardrobe that flatters your assets and minimizes the areas that are less trim. Yes, skinny girls have the same problems with accentuating the best and camouflaging the rest.

Be feminine, confident, sexy, and glamorous! To own our style we must remember self-acceptance and a positive attitude makes us unique, confident, and happy. We are not all born to be or look like super models, but we are all just as sexy beautiful and fabulous.

It is time that full-figured women rule!   There is more of us to love!   We will talk about exercise later.


(A Note to the Men:  The eyes are the windows of the soul.  In them you will see a beautiful woman.  Honest, sincere, an incurable romantic and dreamer, believing  that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is within the person, beyond the skin.  Please do not be fooled, a woman with the perfect body is not everything!)

A POEM TO US

Here is a poem

i just wrote today

not much of a poem

but this I will say:

Funny how we met

online is what we'll say

when friends ask how 

this is what I’ll say:

I wrote him a poem

simple as its seems

the man of her life

the man of her dreams

We shall see

if dreams do come true

but for now my dear

this poem I give you:

I may not be skinny, 

petite or bold

but with my curves 

you have more to hold.

I may not eat like a hummingbird

but I dont eat in the closet,

that is just too absurd.

I will kiss you and hold you

and show you I care

I will love you always

 beyond compare.

So I hope you will see

what’s inside of me.

I have a lot to offer

I’m sure you’ll agree.

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Healthy Heart = Happy Heart

Most of us think of heart health as an exclusively physiological matter.  If we don’t smoke, eat right and exercise enough, we’ll be able to avoid serious and even fatal diseases.  And there’s no doubt that the heart, which circulations about 2,000 gallons of blood daily throughout the body,  is crucial to an healthy and efficiently functioning system.  Says Ballard F. Smith, M.D. of the Bradenton Cardiology Center in Bradenton, Florida, “The circulatory system does not just carry oxygen, it acts as an exchange system where oxygen is given, and waste products are removed ,via the kidney, liver and lungs. Without a healthy heart, this system fails.”

But there’s another reason to get your heart pumping productively:  It will make you feel better emotionally.  Exercise, a key component of a healthy lifestyle, is not only good for your heart, it’s good  for your mind. Experts have found that exercise improves your mood, helps relieve stress, lowers blood pressure, and keeps your energy at a high level throughout the day.

Researchers have even discovered that exercise may be more of a preventive factor than weight in heart disease. A study conducted by Nicole Bairey Merz, M.D., of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, found that a sedentary lifestyle, no matter what weight you are, is a significant risk factor in getting heart disease.

In general, Dr.Smith of the Bradenton Cardiology Center recommends 30 minutes of “moderate physical activity” every day. Of course, you should check with your doctor about what level of activity is exactly right for you and how much of each type of exercise—warmup; aerobic or cardiovascular; strengthening—you should do.

 

Overall, you’ll feel better while you’re exercising (and after you finish!) if you keep an eye on what you eat throughout the day. Dr. Smith recommends eating nutrient-rich foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables, plus sources of lean protein like chicken, will keep you going throughout the day and, unlike high-fat foods, will prevent you from feeling sluggish. (Have you ever had the urge to walk a mile or two after eating the Megaton Combo #3 at your local fast-food joint?  We didn’t think so.) Keep an eye out, too,  for  “empty calories” -foods like potatoe chips, sugary sports drinks that supply a lot of sugar but almost no nutrients. 

                                                                        Plain water is always best.

If you’re like most people, you’ll find it difficult to keep to your new lifestyle at first. Find an exercise and nutrition buddy – the two of you can keep each other on track. And when your exercise seems hard or your food tastes bland, remember how good you’ll look and feel if you stick with it.

That should make you—and your heart—very happy.  (And your partner too!)

Heart Aglow

 The world is full of wonder,

 Of beauty, mirth and whim;

 And I must surely say I know 

 You're definitely one of them!

 You fill my head with happy thoughts,

 My heart with such delight;

 My stomach's full of butterflies,

 Your love fills my soul with light.

 I'm so glad to have you in my life,

 I thought that you should know;

 Just the simple thought of you

 Will set my heart aglow.

From the upcoming  book "Awakening Love"

written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia 2010

Men-Seeking Someone Special

They say that all men are alike.  They only have different faces so we can tell them apart. There are lots of words to describe men - strong, caring, loving -they could all be wrong, but you can still use them.  However, I do believe that there is one out there that may have all these traits and more, just where though, the Lord only knows!  Mars perhaps?  

© Personal Ad...

Hopeful woman 

and 

optimist who believes in love,

is looking for her prince charming.

I know you are out there somewhere,

Let’s harmonize feelings and

show that we care.

I am tired of kissing a lot of frogs...

© I am looking for

someone to talk to and discuss daily news

someone to walk with and check out the views 

someone who is honest and will not lie

someone who likes good ole apple pie!                    

someone to love me like there's no tommorrow                      

someone to share all the joys and the sorrow                                                       

someone that will make me laugh day after day                   

someone to be with me to go out and play

someone for dinner and dancing so fine

someone romantic rain or shine

someone to give me a Valentine

someone to ask, "will you be mine?"

I am loving, sincere, patient and kind

I will greet you with joy and let you unwind

I will set you aglow from head to toe

and always be your best friend,  your “amigo”

I am seeking that special someone that will wipe away the blues

I am looking for a special someone is that someone YOU?

©These and many more can be found in my book,  "Awakening Love"

by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia www.victoryp.com

Heartfelt Wisdom on Love

Are you having a glitch in your love life?  Are you feeling a little down? Sometimes it is helpful to review some affirmations on love. Remain healthy by maintaining a simple diet of pure feelings, good wishes and positive thoughts.   Your emotional and physical health must come first.  Replace negative thoughts and feelings with images of beauty.  Cleanse your heart, mind, body and soul. Embrace your loneliness.  Most importantly, be patient; love will come again, and soon enough you will experience the complete fullfillment of love between a man and a woman.

Finding You 

Life can be hard and lonely, this is true, 

Until someone like me, finds someone like you. 

We found each other amid gold laced dreams

and shimmering hopes stitched with silver seams.

A love made of jewels plucked from the evening sky

adorns this universe with the gleam from your eye.

Together we are everything I dreamed we could be

I am so glad I found you and you found me. 

Throughout my years, wishing to find, 

Happiness, Joy and Piece of mind, 

Although we are apart, in miles and in space, 

Nothing can stop us, in the whole human race. 

Together we'll be happy, I know this is so, 

For the two of us have found each other, and we'll never let go. 

So for now this is as much as I can say

My love for you grows with each passing day.

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

From the Book Lost and Found: Love, a book of love poems

Purchase through www.victoryp.com

My Friends

Friends come and go, through the seasons
and for different reasons.   However, when I make a friend they are always in my heart regardless of whether or not I am still in theirs.  I value my friends and hope that they will remember me with a smile.  For all who have touched my life: 

You are on my list...

I have a list of folks I know ...

all written in a book,

And every now and then ...

I go and take a look.

That is when I realize these names ...

they are a part,

not only of the book they're written in ...

but taken from the heart.

Although you're not aware ...

of any special link, just knowing you,

has shaped my life ...

more than you could think.

So please don't think my greeting ...

as just a mere routine,

your name was not ...

forgotten in between.

   

For when I send a greeting ...

that is addressed to you,

it is because you're on the list ...

of folks I'm indebted to.

So whether I have known you ...

for many days or few,

in some ways you have a part ...

in shaping things I do.

I am but a total ...

of many folks I've met,

you are a friend I would prefer ...

never to forget.

From the book Lost and Found: Love

by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

To get your copy go to:

www.victoryp.com

Feel Better My Friend

An Offering From the Bottom of My….

A little girl was in church with her mother when she started feeling ill. "Mommy," she said, "can we leave now?"

"No," her mother replied.

"Well, I think I have to throw up!" exclaimed the girl.

"Then go out the front door and around to the back of the church and throw up behind a bush," said her mother.

After about sixty seconds, the little girl returned to her seat. "Did you throw up?" her mother asked.

"Yes," the little girl replied.

"How could you have gone all the way to the back of the church and returned so quickly?" her mother asked.

"I didn't have to go out of the church, Mommy. They have a box next to the front door that says, 'For the Sick.'"

Feel Better Soon

I heard from a bird

that you were not well

so I made you a basket

to make you feel swell.

I put it together with loving care

it was easy and fun

for me to prepare.

“Stuffy and tired,” says your body?

Well, what you need is

a delicious Hot Toddy!

This is one thing that you should not share

So I am happy to help with your health care.

Feel Better Soon!

©Yolanda Pacheco Garcia