Valentine Sig Tags 2018

Here are some of my first Valentine sig tags for 2018  featuring the beautiful Garv Girls, Very Many and Spazz

Valentine Sig Tags 2016 Part 3

Valentine Sig Tags 2016 Part 3 featuring the beautiful artwork of Barbara Jensen,  Stan Dudin and Very Many!

Valentine Sig Tags 2016 Part 2

Some more Valentine Sig Tags 2016.  All Featuring one of my all time favorite artist ©Very Many and the scrap kits are by Pink Paradox!  Enjoy!

Self Love vs. Narcissism

If you don't love yourself ...how can you expect anyone to love you?

Contrary to what many may believe, Loving yourself is not an act of selfishness.   That would be narcissism.  Sadly, most confuse self-love with narcissism.   But I am here to tell you that there is a vast difference between self-love and being narcissistic.

Self-love is acceptance of who you are, as you are,  in this moment.  Narcissism detests acceptance of anything that does not meet it's unreachable standards and  is not perfect.

People with Self-love embrace change -- they actually welcome it.   They happily and gratefully accept the changes that occur with our bodies over time.   Self-love has no need to flaunt.  It requires no attention from outside sources as it is self contained and content. Narcissism, on the other hand, lives in constant fear of change.  And is terrified of not being admired and envied.  

Narcissism insists on being the center of attention and is in the constant need of validation and confirmation they are the best, the prettiest and sexiest.  To get that validation and confirmation, admiration and envy, a narcissist  will use every level of shock value it can muster to get it.

People with genuine Self-Love know who they are and require no outside confirmations on any level.
  

 Self-love allows you to be comfortable in your own skin and gives off an energy that attracts others to you naturally.  With self-love comes confidence.   Confidence  in knowing that there is no lack of anything --especially and in particularly -- Love.

Self-love brings peace of mind.  Narcissism brings fear and unrest.  

Once Again For Emphasis

Self-love holds no judgments of anyone.  Self Love accepts and lives by the "as is" policy.  Self Love lives in the knowing that nothing is ever truly lost.  And that all is as it should be

 Narcissism  sees itself as  better than anyone else, judging others as worthless and never amounting to anything all the while living in fear of losing everything and/or being found out.  

Self Love is the ever growing creative whirl of confidence.  Narcissism is the void that creates desperation.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Practice loving yourself each and every day!  

Embracing all that you are and remembering that you are All that there is!

oxoxoxoxox 

Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience. 

In the style of Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All artwork, unless otherwise specified, are the property of the individual artists themselves. The author of these blogs claims no ownership of the original artwork, but only of the sig tags created using said artwork. Each sig tag shown on these blogs include the appropriate copyright information of the Artists and the unique licensure for use.

Reproduction and copying of said work without proper authority is strictly prohibited


Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

All Rights Reserved©™

7 Surprising Signs of an Unhealthy Heart

February is Heart Health Awareness Month!  Here's a great article by Melanie Haiken, Senior Editor at Caring.com on how to Get Heart Smart and Stay Heart Healthy!

7 Surprising Signs of an Unhealthy Heart
By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor

We've all read the signs of a heart attack listed on posters in the hospital waiting room. But what if there were other, earlier signs that could alert you ahead of time that your heart was in trouble?

It turns out there are. Researchers have done a lot of work in recent years looking at the signs and symptoms patients experienced in the months or even years leading up to a heart attack. "The heart, together with the arteries that feed it, is one big muscle, and when it starts to fail the symptoms can show up in many parts of the body," says cardiologist Jonathan Goldstein of Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. Here are seven surprising clues that your heart needs a check. Any of these signs -- and particularly two or more together -- should send you to the doctor for tests.

READ MORE

Here's to YOUR Healthy Heart!!!

What Is Love? A Valentine Message from Antari

The following article was first presented to me back in 2001 by my spirit companion, Antari.

Seeing how St. Valentine's Day is a couple of weeks away, I thought I would repost it! (again)

Enjoy!

*~*~*~*~*~*

What Is Love?

The definitions of Love is as vast as the Universe itself.  It is the only emotion that has it is own Holiday (St. Valentine's day), it is the only emotion that has more songs and poems dedicated in it is name than anyone could possibly count or remember. 

But do you, as an individual, really comprehend and fully understand the true definition of Love?

Love can be found anywhere and everywhere.  And best of all,  when you least at expect it!

There are different levels of love such as love for your spouse,  your boyfriend, your girlfriend , the love you have for your parents and your assorted relatives and siblings; the love for a child, a pet or a dear close friend. All of these are the varying levels of Love.  And while each of these levels go from one degree to another, they all have one vital thing in common ...  it exists in our lives. 

But what is Love?  Really?

Love is energy in its purest and most concentrated form.  It is the most powerful energy in the entire Universe. In fact, it is Love that created the Universe itself.  And it is Love that binds it together.

Throughout human history all the way to this present moment,  obsessions and addictions, pain and abuse  have been, and continues to be, equated to (and with) Love!

In fact, the number one emotion that has been and continues to be equated with Love is ... fear.    It is the only emotion known to humankind to have this claim to fame!  

I would wager you did not even consider that now did you?

How many of you reading this right now (and be HONEST) have equated your obsession and/or addiction to Love?

I shall  make it easier for you by asking you the following questions:

• Do you find yourself not wanting to let go of a person?  

• Do you find yourself saying, "I can't let them go, I've tried!"? 

• Do you find yourself with this seeming "need" to hear their voice, even if it is only a recording, i.e., voice mail?  

• Do you find yourself with this seeming "need" to see them ... if only from a distance or a photograph?

• Do you go out of your way to just "happen" to be somewhere, be it in a store, out on the street and/or online, somewhere you know they are going to be so you can just "casually" run into them?

This is not Love! It is an addiction which often leads to becoming an obsession.  (And in some states, the above is considered stalking! 

But even if it is being done on the most innocent of levels, if you find yourself doing these things ... you are in a state of addiction/obsession and not in the state of Love. 

Love, true and genuine Love, is Freedom for all  parties involved.  It is the Freedom of being.  It is the state in which you are truly happy whether you are with the one you love or not.  Love does not cling or hold on to another.  Love does not need anything to feel complete and whole.  It just IS.

Namaste Beloveds!

What is Love? Channelled message from Antari

It's hard to believe this was all done in 2009!  Five years!  Wow!  Enjoy!

~*~*~*~*~*~

Greetings and Namaste One and All!

Just in time for St. Valentine's Day comes a wonderful message from our dear friend, Master Guide and Teacher, Antari! During the course of our work, Antari has stipulated (on more than one occasion) that reminders must be provided to us all in order to grasp things fully. Reminders of Love is no exception! At least that is what he tells me! *lol* 

Below is part of what my Beloved and most cherished friend shared with me today. And it gives me great pleasure to share it with all of you! 

Happy Valentine's Day

What is Love? 

Channeled message from Antari

You all have heard about the many facets of Love throughout your lives. But truly, do you really grasp and hold on to Love's true meaning? Do you live by the words and deeds of Love? Or do you just give Love "lip service"? Only you as an individual can answer those questions. Now, as you already are aware, the definitions of Love is as vast as the Universe itself. It is the only emotion here on planet Earth that has it's own Holiday (St. Valentine's day); and it is the only emotion that has inspired more songs, poems, plays and movies than anyone could ever possibly count or remember. 

Love can be found anywhere & everywhere. And best of all ... when you least at expect it!

There are different levels of love, such as love for your spouse, your boyfriend/girlfriend; the love you have for your parents and your assorted relatives & siblings; the love for a child, a pet or a dear close friend. And while each of these levels go from one degree to another, they all have one vital thing in common ... it exists in your lives. But what is Love? Really? Do you, as an individual, really comprehend and fully understand the true definition of Love?

Breaking it down, Love is energy in it's purest and most concentrated form. It is the most powerful energy in the entire Universe. In fact, it is Love that created the Universe itself; and it is Love that binds the Universe and all it's inhabitants together.  Love is ever flowing and constantly moving. Love cannot be forced.Love cannot be contained or held captive. As pure energy, Love demands space to move about freely, otherwise it becomes dormant and lifeless. Love, true and genuine Love, is FREEDOM. Freedom to just BE. 

Contrary to some beliefs, Love is not blind! In fact, Love sees all, knows all, and Understands Everything.  Where there is Love there is always freedom to just Be. To be yourself and to allow others to be themselves. Love does not need outside influences to make and keep it happy and content. Love does not cling or hold on to another. Love does not need anything to feel complete and whole. Love does not fear being alone. Love is the state in which you are continuously truly happy whether you are with the one you love or not. And for those who are of the belief that they need someone outside themselves to feel Love and to be Loved they are missing out on the greatest Love of all . the Love that comes from within. For how can one possibly hope To find Love & To Be Loved if they do Not Themselves Love? 

Love never becomes prideful or haughty. Love does not seek to criticize. Love is constantly building and uplifting. It never seeks out to destroy or tear down anyone or anything. Love fills us up and sustains us every second of every moment of every day. Love is a creating force.ever moving, ever flowing, ever present.  Love is always with us all. It never abandons us or leaves us alone. Even when you think and/or believe you have no Love in your lives . it is always present in some form, in some way. Love is always there with us!  And in order to really see Love, feel Love, Experience Love in its genuine form, you need only to be open and accepting of Love's true ways. Love is a great and powerful magnet that attracts and draws more Love in unto itself. If you Love yourself, then that Love magnetizes and brings more Love to you.

It is just what is. And it is how Love . true and genuine Love . works.  Please always keep in mind that Not for just today . but every day . 

You are Loved! You are Love Itself!

Namaste Beloveds!

*~*~*~*~*~*

Julia K. Cole aka The Empress is a psychic reader and medium who works closely with her spirit companion, Master Guide & Teacher Antari in bringing forth reminders from "Home". The above channelling is an excerpt from their current work entitled "Interview With a Spirit Guide". 

What Is Love?

The following article was first presented roughly seven years ago.   Of course, I had a little help from my spirit companion ... Antari!  :-)

Seeing how St. Valentine's Day is less than a week away, I thought I would repost it!

What Is Love?

The definitions of Love is as vast as the Universe itself.  It is the only emotion that has it's own Holiday (St. Valentine's day), it's the only emotion that has more songs and poems dedicated in it's name than anyone could possibly count or remember. 

But do you, as an individual, really comprehend and fully understand the true definition of Love?

Love can be found anywhere & everywhere.  And best of all,  when you least at expect it!

There are different levels of love such as love for your spouse,  your boyfriend/girlfriend; the love you have for your parents and your assorted relatives & siblings; the love for a child, a pet or a dear close friend. All of these are the varying levels of Love.  And while each of these levels go from one degree to another, they all have one vital thing in common ...  it exists in our lives. 

But what is Love?  Really?

Love is energy in it's purest and most concentrated form.  It is the most powerful energy in the entire Universe. In fact, it is Love that created the Universe itself; and it is Love that binds it together.

Throughout human history all the way to this present day 21st Century,  obsessions and addictions, pain & abuse  has been, and continues to be, equated to (and with) Love!

In fact, the number one emotion that has been and continues to be equated with Love is ... fear.    It is the only emotion known to humankind to have this claim to fame!  Bet you didn't know that ... did you?

How many of you reading this right now (and be HONEST) have equated your obsession and/or addiction to Love? 

Ok, I'll make it easier for you by asking you the following questions:

• Do you find yourself not wanting to let go of a person?  Do you find yourself saying, "I can't let them go, I've tried!"? 

• Do you find yourself with this seeming "need" to hear their voice, even if it is only a recording, i.e., voice mail?  Do you find yourself with this seeming "need" to see them ... if only from a distance or a photograph?

• Do you go out of your way to just "happen" to be somewhere, be it in a store, out on the street and/or online, somewhere you know they are going to be so you can just "casually" run into them?

This is not Love! It is an addiction which often leads to becoming an obsession.  And by the way folks, on some levels and in some states, the above is considered stalking! 

But even if it is being done on the most innocent of levels, if you find yourself doing these things ... you are in a state of addiction/obsession and not in the state of Love. 

Love, true and genuine Love, is Freedom for all  parties involved.  It is the Freedom of being.  It is the state in which you are truly happy whether you are with the one you love or not.  Love does not cling or hold on to another.  Love does not need anything to feel complete and whole.  It just IS.