Thursday, October 23, 2008

Smells Like Home

My daughter has keyed into her father's use of the Glade plug-in scents. I just read that Ohio State University is looking at the health benefits of aromatherapy. The jury is still out on whether scents have quantifiable physical measures (or positive effects) on stress hormones, heart rate, pain, or immune-system activity. Psychologically, after an hour, testers note:

  • Citrus scents to lift mood
  • Chamomile to soothe irritation
  • Lavender for relaxation and to increase deep sleep
  • Fresh-cut grass or pine to remind of summertime and childhood
  • Ylang-ylang, jasmine and patchouli to calm down
  • Rosemary, sandalwood or bergamot to relieve fear and exhaustion
  • Roses or lilac blossoms to alleviate anger and anxiety
Pharmacist Jim Avedikian at the Phoenix Wellness Center recommends, "Peppermint oil rubbed on the forehead and gently massaged into the temples can relieve migraines." If I do hang something infused with bergamot essential oils around my neck (burn candles or incense), can he guarantee happiness?

Friday, October 3, 2008

Crayon Colors

Last weekend, I listened to the unabridged audiobook version of The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Having won the parent lottery and having been blessed with intellectual muscle, he was extremely grateful to have achieved his childhood dreams. He counts being a mentor to up-and-coming recovering jerks a great purpose in his life. Randy espoused his love for crayons and requested parents to let their children paint their bedroom walls as a favor to him.

So looking at our vanilla walls and oatmeal world, here's some color meanings to ponder:
  1. RED gets one excited, raising blood pressure and heart rate.
  2. ORANGE imbues living spaces with warmth and energy.
  3. YELLOW captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness.
  4. GREEN is considered the most restful color for the eyes.
  5. BLUE relaxes, bringing down blood pressure and slowing heart rate.
  6. PURPLE is associated with luxury and creativity.
More mood enhancers can be found at _____________

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Marvel Super Hero

ELEKTRA is driven by tragedy and versed in the ancient ways of the ninja. This mysterious femme fatale kills for hire, loves for thrills and brings destruction to all who are foolish enough to cross her path.

Hmmm, what is to marvel at?

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Fatalism

Death is as imminent as taxes and rising gas prices. Christopher Miller, in his analysis of Kung Fu Panda -- takes note that fatalism is not biblical.

http://outofthemiryclay.com/2008/06/27/kung-fu-christian-lesson-1-there-are-no-accidents/

Overcoming Life Crisis

Jerry White in his book entitled I Will Not Be Broken suggests:
  1. Face Facts. Respond to your new reality. You cannot turn back the clock; it only moves forward.
  2. Choose Life. Don't let the situation define you. Choose humor, hope and love so that you may start living again.
  3. Reach Out. Isolation can kill you. Humans are social beings and need community support to heal.
  4. Get Moving. Passivity achieves nothing. Work matters.
  5. Give Back. Giving back turns your perspective of life and death around. It forces you to share and inspires others to heal.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Figures

Angelina Jolie says, "Love one person, take care of them until you die. You know, raise kids. Have a good life. Be a good friend. And try to be completely who you are. And figure out what you personally love. And go after it with everything you've got no matter how much it takes."

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Tomorrow is not promised.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't ' anymore.' No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more 'just one minute.' Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say goodbye, say 'I love you.'
So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage ...And old cars .. And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what. Life is important, like people we know who are special. And so, we keep them close! Who are those people who are 'keepers' in your life? Suppose one morning you never wake up -- do all your friends know you love them?
Today I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said. Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case GOD calls me home -- I LOVE YA!!!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Taken to Heart

Declares the Lord, "for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me that all your heart. I will be found by you."
Jeremiah 29: 11 - 14


Yes, when confusion paralyzes my actions, I turn to God.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Gratitude

I am grateful for being alive today. It is my joy and pleasure to live another wonderful day. I balance my life between work, rest and play. They all get equal time.

Hmmm. Cycle the Pasadena trail on November 16?

I am the only person who has control over my eating habits. I can always resist something if I choose to. Water is my favorite beverage. I drink lots of water to clean my body and mind.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Banking On...

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent? Of course!

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against tomorrow. You must live in the present on today's deposits.