In the esoteric tapestry of ancient wisdom, The Kybalion stands as a beacon, its pages echoing the profound truths that underpin the universe. At the heart of this mystical manuscript lies the Law of Mentalism, a timeless principle that beckons us to explore the boundless realms of consciousness. As we delve into the wisdom of The Kybalion and seek to unravel the enigma of the Law of Mentalism, we find not just a relic of the past but a guiding light illuminating the path to self-discovery and modern-day application.
The Essence of Mentalism:
The Kybalion begins its cosmic discourse with a declaration that reverberates through the corridors of time: "The universe is mental." In essence, this encapsulates the profound understanding that all of existence, every iota of reality, emanates from the grand cosmic mind. This isn't a mere philosophical abstraction but an invitation to recognise the inherent unity of consciousness, where thoughts shape the very fabric of our perceived reality.
In modern terms, we might liken this to the power of our thoughts and intentions in shaping our experiences. Imagine your mind as a potent force, a creative instrument intricately connected to the universal intelligence that governs the cosmos. This interconnectedness, this dance between individual consciousness and the vast cosmic mind, forms the cornerstone of the Law of Mentalism.
The Malleable Substance of Thought:
As we venture further into the depths of The Kybalion, we encounter the idea of a malleable mental substance underlying all of creation. This mental substance, responsive to the whims of thought, becomes the raw material for the grand tapestry of existence. Consider it as the very clay of reality, waiting to be sculpted by the hands of your intentions.
In a modern context, this concept finds resonance in the power of visualisation and focused intention. Think of your thoughts as architects, shaping the mental substance into the edifice of your experiences. The practice of consciously directing your thoughts, and infusing them with purpose, becomes not just a philosophical exercise but a pragmatic tool for intentional living.
Unity in the Cosmic Symphony:
The Kybalion whispers another truth — that all minds, both human and cosmic, are threads woven into the fabric of the Universal Mind. Despite the apparent diversity of individual experiences, there exists an underlying unity in consciousness. This revelation beckons us to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all beings, fostering empathy, compassion, and a profound sense of oneness.
Consider the implications of this principle in our modern world. In recognising the shared essence of consciousness, we unlock the potential for harmonious coexistence. The understanding that every mind is a unique yet integral part of the Universal Mind dismantles the barriers that often divide us, paving the way for a more compassionate and interconnected society.
Thought as a Potent Catalyst:
The Kybalion extols the potency of directed thought and energy. Thoughts, when infused with intention and focused will, become dynamic forces capable of shaping reality. This is not a mere metaphysical concept but a call to recognise the transformative power inherent in sustained, focused thought.
In the contemporary landscape, this principle finds relevance in practices such as goal setting, positive affirmations, and mindfulness. Your thoughts become the architects of your destiny, and by consciously directing them, you wield the power to manifest tangible outcomes in your life.
Modern Applications:
So, how do we navigate the realms of The Kybalion's Law of Mentalism in our modern lives? It's an exploration of mindfulness, intentional thinking, and the recognition of our interconnectedness. Picture your mind as a co-creator in the cosmic dance, where your thoughts resonate with the universal intelligence. As you go about your day, be mindful of the energy you infuse into your thoughts, recognising their potential to shape the world you inhabit.
The Law of Mentalism isn't a relic of ancient philosophy; it's a living, breathing guide for those seeking to understand the intricate dance between mind and universe. As we unravel the mysteries of The Kybalion, we find not just a glimpse into the past but a roadmap for navigating the complexities of our contemporary existence. It invites us to be conscious architects of our reality, where every thought contributes to the symphony of the cosmos.
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Amidst the twinkling lights and festive songs, there exists a sacred space within the Christmas season—a realm where spirituality intertwines with the joy of celebration. Christmas, beyond its surface glitter, offers a unique opportunity to embark on a journey within, discovering the profound essence of spirituality.
Letitia
Egret Jewellery
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In the midst of our fast-paced, ever-changing world, finding moments of stillness and peace can feel like a dream. We often find ourselves swept away by the relentless current of obligations, responsibilities, and distractions that surround us. But what if I told you that there is a way to reclaim your sense of inner calm and unlock the power of mindfulness?
Mindfulness, at its core, is about being fully present in the moment, without judgment or attachment. It invites us to cultivate a deep awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations as they arise, allowing us to navigate life with clarity and equanimity.
Imagine sitting in a quiet park, enveloped by the gentle rustling of leaves and the subtle symphony of chirping birds. Your attention is fully absorbed in the cool breeze touching your skin, the delicate fragrance of flowers, and the warmth of the sun on your face. In this moment, the worries of yesterday and the anxieties of tomorrow fade away, and you are anchored in the richness of the present.
Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere, even amidst the chaos of everyday life. Whether you're at your desk, walking in a bustling city, or enjoying a quiet meal, it offers a gateway to a deeper experience of reality.
Cultivating a non-judgmental attitude toward our experiences is a key aspect of embracing mindfulness. Often, we become entangled in self-criticism and negative self-talk, perpetuating stress, and anxiety. By adopting a compassionate and accepting stance toward ourselves, we open the door to self-compassion and a greater sense of well-being.
Through mindfulness, we learn to observe our thoughts and emotions as passing clouds in the sky of our consciousness. We acknowledge their presence without getting entangled in their storyline or allowing them to define us. This practice cultivates resilience and deepens our understanding of the impermanence and fluidity of life.
Moreover, mindfulness offers us the gift of welcoming the simple pleasures that often go unnoticed. It invites us to relish the taste of our food, the touch of a loved one's hand, or the beauty of a sunset. These moments, when fully embraced, become the building blocks of a life lived with intention and joy.
Incorporating mindfulness into our daily lives begins with a commitment to carving out moments of stillness and presence. We can start by taking a moment to pause, allowing ourselves to empty our minds of thoughts. If thoughts come flooding in, we don't need to worry or dwell on them; instead, we can simply let them pass, recognising that they are not who we are. As we bring our attention to the present, we can focus on our breathing, feeling the sensation of each inhale and exhale. We can also tune into our bodies, becoming aware of the physical sensations and the environment around us. It may take some practice, but dedicating a little time each day to these mindful moments will gradually make it easier, and we will be able to extend the duration of these periods of stillness and presence. As we embark on this journey, let's approach it with patience and an open mind. It's not about achieving perpetual bliss or escaping life's challenges. Instead, it empowers us to navigate life's ups and downs with grace and resilience, anchoring us in the present moment.
So, take a deep breath, let go of distractions, and embark on this wonderful journey to inner stillness. Rediscover the beauty of the present moment, embrace your inner calm, and watch as mindfulness weaves its magic, transforming your relationship with yourself and the world around you.
Remember, mindfulness is a lasting practice, not a destination. Embrace it with curiosity, compassion, and a sense of adventure. Your journey to inner peace and self-discovery starts now.
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The Goddess Venus: In ancient Roman mythology, Venus, also known as Aphrodite in Greek mythology, was revered as the goddess of love, beauty, and desire. She symbolised passion, sensuality, and the transformative power of love. When you embrace the Venus Collection, you are not only taking a piece of exquisite jewellery but also connecting with the divine energy and qualities that Venus represents.
Pearls: Symbol of Purity and Femininity: Pearls have long been associated with femininity, elegance, and sophistication. In the Venus Collection, pearls take centre stage, adding a touch of classic charm to modern designs. These lustrous gems symbolise purity, inner beauty, and the hidden treasures that lie within. With their smooth and radiant surfaces, pearls remind us to embrace our own uniqueness and to cherish the beauty that resides within us.
Gold: The Metal of Royalty and Glamour: Gold has always been associated with power, wealth, and luxury. In the Venus Collection, gold takes on a prominent role, adding a touch of opulence and glamour to each piece. Just as the goddess Venus exudes radiance and allure, the gold accents in this collection embody the essence of sophistication and timeless beauty. Adorned with golden elements, these jewellery pieces empower you to express your individuality and shine with confidence.
Big Paperclip Chains and Geometric Designs: Embrace Bold Fashion Statements: The Venus Collection dares to break traditional boundaries with bold and edgy designs. Big paperclip chains and geometric shapes take the spotlight, making a strong fashion statement that captivates attention. These contemporary elements symbolise strength, resilience, and the courage to embrace your unique style. By wearing the Venus Collection, you showcase your confidence, independence, and fearless approach to fashion.
Meaningful Symbolism: Uniting Style and Spirituality: At the heart of the Venus Collection lies the belief that jewellery should not only be a fashion accessory but also a meaningful expression of one's inner self. Each piece in this collection is carefully crafted with intention, representing various aspects of love, beauty, and personal growth. From charm pendants that symbolise love and harmony to geometric earrings that reflect balance and symmetry, the Venus Collection allows you to infuse your personal style with deeper significance.
Embrace your inner goddess with the Venus Collection from Egret Jewellery. Step into a world where fashion, symbolism, and spirituality intertwine, and let each piece of jewellery be a reflection of your unique personality and style. With pearls, gold, big paperclip chains, and geometric designs, this collection empowers you to express your individuality and embrace the transformative power of love and beauty. Unleash your inner goddess and shine with confidence as you adorn yourself with the captivating pieces from the Venus Collection.
Letitia
]]>At Egret Jewellery, we're always looking for ways to connect with other bloggers and websites who share our passion for jewellery and spirituality. That's why we're excited to offer you the opportunity to exchange guest posts with us!
Whether your website focuses on fashion, wellness, or spirituality, we believe that our audiences share similar interests and would benefit from exposure to new perspectives and ideas. Our blog features a variety of topics related to jewellery and spirituality, including tips for styling, trends, and the deeper meaning behind certain pieces. We strive to provide valuable content that is both informative and engaging.
In exchange for a guest post on our blog, we would love to write a post for your website that relates to our shared interests. We believe this would be a great opportunity to increase our readership and promote each other's websites.
If you're interested in this opportunity, please contact us and let us know your blog topic and the proposed topic for our blog.
We look forward to collaborating with you!
Best regards,
The Egret Team
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There is no denying the incredible beauty of the sea. Its vastness and colours create a stunning and awe-inspiring environment that is unparalleled in its natural beauty. But beyond the aesthetic appeal, there are numerous mental and physical benefits to swimming in the sea that are worth exploring.
For many people, the sea is a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. The sound of the waves, the smell of the salt air, and the feel of the water on your skin can all help to reduce stress and anxiety. The simple act of being in the water, surrounded by the natural beauty of the sea, can help to calm the mind and soothe the soul.
In fact, studies have shown that swimming in the sea can have a positive impact on mental health. The physical exercise of swimming releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that help to reduce stress and improve mood. Swimming in the sea has also been shown to increase feelings of well-being, boost self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of depression.
Swimming in the sea is an excellent form of exercise, providing a full-body workout that can help to build strength, increase endurance, and improve cardiovascular health. The resistance of the water helps to build muscle tone and strength, while the aerobic exercise of swimming can help to improve lung function and increase circulation.
The minerals and nutrients present in sea water can also have a positive impact on the skin and hair. The salt in the water acts as a natural exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth. The minerals in the water, such as magnesium and potassium, can also help to improve skin hydration and reduce inflammation.
But beyond the physical benefits, swimming in the sea can also provide a sense of freedom and liberation that is difficult to find elsewhere. The buoyancy of the water makes you feel weightless, allowing you to move freely and easily through the water. The rhythmic motion of your body as you swim can become almost meditative, helping to clear the mind and reduce stress.
And then there is the beauty of the sea itself. Swimming in the sea allows you to experience the natural world in a way that is difficult to find elsewhere. The vibrant colours of the marine life, the shimmering light reflecting off the water, and the vast expanse of the horizon all create a sense of wonder and awe that is difficult to describe.
In conclusion, swimming in the sea is not only a beautiful and awe-inspiring experience, but it also provides numerous mental and physical benefits. Whether you are looking to reduce stress and anxiety, improve your physical health, or simply connect with the natural world, swimming in the sea is an excellent way to achieve these goals.
So the next time you have the opportunity to take a dip in the ocean, don't hesitate to dive in and experience all that the sea has to offer. Let the water take you on a spiritual journey that will leave you feeling invigorated, inspired, and connected to the natural world
]]>In our fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with information and stimuli. Our minds are constantly racing, and it can be difficult to find a moment of peace. The power of quieting our minds is something that is often overlooked, but it can have a profound impact on our mental health. In this blog post, we explore the advantages of emptying our minds of thoughts and how it can help with our mental health.
One of the biggest benefits of keeping our thoughts quiet is that it can help to reduce depression and anxiety. When our minds are racing, we are more likely to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. But by taking a few minutes each day to keep our thoughts quiet, we can reduce the amount of stress we feel and improve our overall well-being. Great ways to do this are through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply taking a walk in nature.
Quieting your mind can be a useful tool when you are struggling with depression. When we are depressed, every situation can seem hopeless and our thoughts get stuck in a negative loop. By learning to stop these thoughts we are taking some of our own power back.
Another benefit of keeping your mind quiet is that it can improve concentration and focus. When our minds are constantly racing around, it can be difficult to focus on one task for an extended period of time. By doing this, we can improve our focus, making it easier to complete tasks and be productive.
So how can we quiet our minds? There are many different techniques that can be used, and what works best will vary from person to person. Some people find that meditation is the most effective way, while others prefer deep breathing exercises or yoga. Whatever technique you choose, the key is to find something that works for you and make it a regular part of your routine.
When I try to empty my mind of thoughts I sit in a meditation position, close my eyes and look up. Then I push any thoughts I am having out of my mind. Anytime another thought pops in I push it to the left. keep doing this for 5 minutes or so every day. Another great way to try to keep your mind still is to concentrate on your breathing, this is why Yoga can be a great tool.
In addition to these techniques, there are also lifestyle changes that can help. For example, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can all help to reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn can help with mental focus.
It is important to note that this is not a quick fix for mental health issues. It is a process that takes time and practice, and it may not work for everyone. However, for those who are struggling, it is certainly worth exploring.
Remember, it takes time and practice, but the benefits are well worth it.
Egret Jewellery
Negative thoughts are a part of our every day lives, some people more than others. They can consume us, make a great situation feel hopeless and even make it hard to get out of bed in the morning.
So how can we drown them out? How can we stop the seemingly unstoppable?
Is it even possible? Isn’t it just in our DNA?
Firstly, let’s look at why we have them. Human beings are hard wired to look after themselves. Fear or negative thoughts originated from our fight or flight tendencies, helping us to stay alive and act as warning sign. Now not many of us, in the Western world have to worry about wild animals or whether we will get to eat tonight so our thoughts have evolved into more of a guidance system. Showing us what path we are on and if it is where we want to be.
The problem with negative thoughts is they can spiral. One thought leads to another and another and soon you are gasping for breath and everything around you somehow feels wrong. Even the parts of your life you are lucky to have you don’t see anymore. Everything seems black and there is nowhere to turn.
So, is it even possible to climb out of this hole?
Well, absolutely it is. Thoughts are magnetic, one tiny thought attracts another along the same frequency. So, if it’s negative it attracts more negative but if it’s positive, well that’s a different ball game.
One small intentional positive thought can change your whole day. Thoughts snow ball, they tunnel around your mind getting larger and larger and sucking in all similar thoughts. So, grab onto the great ones. Even if you are not in a place where you can see them. Think of someone you love, a place you love or something you love about yourself.
Hold that thought in your mind for 17 seconds, once you have that more will come.
Changing your mentality can seem really hard, when you are sitting in the dark surrounded by mistakes you made in the past but it really can be so easy when you put your mind to it.
Write a list of the things you love, visualise your happy place. Curve the edges of your mouth upwards and hold onto that feeling.
This world is so beautiful and full of endless possibilities. We just have to reach out and grab them.
Letitia
Egret Jewellery
]]>Smiling can have a profound effect on our mind and bodies, not only do they produce endorphins and makes us feel better but they also make us more attractive and approachable.
Most people believe that smiling is an involuntary response when in fact we can choose to smile as much or as little as we like.
A smile can light up a room, melt away stress transfer from one person to another.
If that’s not enough of a push here are the top ten reasons you should make a conscious effort to smile more every day.
Stress can permeate our entire being, and can really show up in our faces. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed but can actually help reduce stress.
Believe it or not, smiling can reduce stress even if you don't feel like smiling or even know that you're smiling! When you are stressed, take the time to put on a smile. You and those around you will reap the benefits.
Smiling Makes Us Attractive
We are naturally drawn to people who smile. There is a real physical attraction factor linked to the act of smiling.
Not surprisingly, more severe or negative facial expressions like frowns, scowls, and grimaces actually work in the opposite manner, effectively pushing people away. Instead, use the attraction power of your smile to draw people in.
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you elevate your mood because the physical act of smiling actually activates neural messaging in your brain.
A simple smile can trigger the release of neural communication boosting neuropeptides as well as mood-boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Think of smiling like a natural anti-depressant.
How many smiles have been described as having the power to lighten up the room? While it is certainly a beautiful sentiment, it carries a hint of truth. Smiling not only has the power to elevate your mood, but it can also change the moods of others and make things happier.
The part of your brain that is responsible for your controlling the facial expression of smiling is an unconscious automatic response area. Meaning that smiling can be completely unconscious, particularly when it comes to our habit of mimicking another person's smile. Yes, it is scientifically proven that smiles are "contagious!"
Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling can also boost your overall health. The act of smiling actually helps the human immune system to function more effectively. It is thought that when you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed (thanks to the release of certain neurotransmitters).
In addition to taking precautions like washing your hands, why not try to prevent the cold and flu by smiling?
Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home.
Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
Smiling Makes Us Feel Good
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together these three neurotransmitters make us feel good from head to toe.
Not only do these natural chemicals elevate your mood, but they also relax your body and reduce physical pain. Smiling is a natural drug.
Smiling Makes You Look Younger
Not only can smiling make you more attractive it can also make you look more youthful. The muscles we use to smile also lift the face, making a person appear younger.
So instead of opting for a facelift, just try smiling your way through the day — you'll look younger and feel better.
Smiling Makes You Seem Successful
Studies have shown that people who smile regularly appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and are more likely to be approached.
Try putting on a smile at meetings and business appointments. You might find that people react to you differently.
Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard, isn't it?
Even when a smile feels unnatural or forced, it still sends the brain and ultimately the rest of our body the message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress, and worry by smiling.
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When you show appreciation for all that you have in your life right now you will create more of what you love.
Appreciation is reflected by the way that you think and the way you think can either attract or repel what you desire.
If you are always complaining about the things that you do not have and disregarding all the great things that you currently have; you will be stuck with those same old things because by being ungrateful you are repelling better things from coming into your life.
Anytime that you experience something good in your life; you can create more of it just by being thankful.
Take time out as you move throughout your day to say thank you for all the things that you have acquired thus far.
Sometimes as I drive, I give a quick thank you for all the beautiful things that I see around me.
I say thanks for the beautiful scenery. If I see a pretty bird, or pretty flowers, I give thanks.
I make it into a game and as I am giving thanks; I see more and more beautiful things appearing before me.
When you are giving thanks, it is hard to be negative.
So, for me giving thanks is one of the easiest ways to get myself into a great mood and when you are experiencing joy you are able to release resistance and attract great things into your life.
Another way to keep yourself feeling good, is to create a gratitude journal.
Before you go to bed you can list 10 or more things that you are thankful for that day. It can be something big or small. Such as "my cat did one of her tricks today and it made me smile."
As you appreciate yourself into sleep, you will have a more restful night and you will wake up feeling great and it will transcend throughout your day and you will attract more and more good things.
As you practice this every night you will place yourself into such a great mood. You will notice that people will be kinder to you because of the good vibrations that you are sending out into the universe.
Start everyday by saying thank you for all that you have right now.
Be thankful for all the money that you have even if you feel that it's not much. Just by being thankful you will create more prosperity into your life.
Be grateful for the all the love that you have in your life, even if you feel like it's only your family pet, just by being thankful more loving things and people will show up.
Just try it, and see how good it feels to show your appreciation all day long and watch all the good things that show up into your life, you will be truly amazed.
Sending Love and Happiness,
Shontel
http://www.thesecrettolivingthelawofattraction.com
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In our world filled with social media available 24/7, many have acquired a fear called FOMO - the fear of missing out.
What if we looked at it from a different perspective? JOMO. The joy of missing out. What a beautiful concept. Being able to disconnect from the outside world for a time to just be with yourself. That is the ultimate self-care. No guilt, no shoulda, woulda, coulda's, just time to breathe.
How would you do it? "There is so much to do. It's the Holiday Season."
At Egret Jewellery we make time for self-care.
Make a date with yourself
Set a time in your calendar. When will you be alone during the day? Make it easy to spend some time with yourself.
Spend some time in nature
Go to a park, take your dog for a walk, ride your horse, take a nature walk. Walking and being in nature is great medicine for our body, mind, and soul.
Sit and do absolutely nothing
Sit or lie comfortably. Let all thoughts go for a moment. Don't think about anything and once your thoughts have stopped, feel the peace and love that is left. This opens up space for healing and creation.
Learn something new
Have you ever wished you were better at something? Something that puts a smile on your face? Spend even 5 minutes dreaming about what would give you a happy feeling. Learning a new language? Getting a pet? Learning more about self-care? Developing a yoga or meditation practice? Creating a beautiful relationship?
Volunteer
You will never miss out if you are serving others. Seeing the world the way it really is through the eyes of others.
December 07, 2018
]]>This time of year is packed full of holiday gatherings. There are work parties, get-togethers among friends, and neighbourhood gatherings. Don’t arrive empty-handed to your next holiday cocktail party. Find some creative and whimsical ideas from the list below.
Wine Glass Charms
These adorable wine glass charms will ensure no one forgets where they placed their wine glass. Plus, they’re cute and make fun conversation starters.
Erasable Wine Glass Markers - Even better, let everyone write their own names with these erasable wine glass markers. This set in particular comes in 5 colors. The marker dries in minutes and can be easily washed off with soap and water.
Cookie Mixes in a Jar - You can now purchase these at your local grocery store, but why not make your own? Follow the instructions for this Chocolate Peppermint Cookies in a Jar mix and surprise your host with her own jar of ready-made Christmas cookies.
Personalised Cork Coasters - These are fun and creative way to show appreciation to your host. You can purchase monogrammed cork coasters or make your own quite easily from supplies you can find at your local craft and DIY store.
DIY Herb or Spice Blends - A few glass jars, some recipes from Pinterest, and you have a homemade gift idea that is unique and delicious. Short on time? Wrap up spice or herb gift boxes. You can find various ones for every budget and any occasion.
Board Games - Think Jenga, Sorry, or Clue - a classic game that may bring back some favourite childhood memories. If your host and hostess have children, include a game for them like Candy Land or Headbandz.
Downton Abbey Wine Glasses - This is a perfect gift for that Downton Abbey fan! These wine glasses come in a set of 4, each with a different quote from the beloved character, Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
Personalised Ornaments - Many local craft fairs feature homemade Christmas ornaments that can be personalised, especially this time of year. If you’re crafty you can also choose from one of these ideas and make one specifically for your host and their family.
Which of these ideas would you bring to your next holiday cocktail party? What ideas would you add to this list?
December is just around the corner and we are busying around Christmas shopping and writing endless lists of all the wonderful things we need to buy. The trees have shed their leaves and the early morning frost has started to show itself on blades of grass outside. Christmas is such a wonderful time, the lights hanging from telegraph poles and wrapped around trees take us back to a time in our childhood full of wonder and awe. It’s not surprising that it is most people's favourite time of the year.
Having said that Christmas can be hard for many of us as we can notice the lack of things in our lives more. How, when we want to purchase so many things and want to feel the love that sometimes isn’t there, can we learn to focus on what we have, not what we are lacking? When we are focusing on what we are lacking we are not in tune with the universe and we are only bringing more lacking into our lives. When we are worrying how to afford some extravagant present or worrying “will my family all get along” we are bringing more things to worry about into our lives. It may seem hard but in order to bring more of what we want we must focus on the things we do have. The human tendency to strive for more and always want more can be a fantastic tool when we are focusing on goals but when it makes us focus on what is lacking it has the opposite effect.
Start to intentionally see the beauty that is all around you, look for the smiles on your children’s faces. Revel in their excitement at what lies ahead. Smile at the thought of a full belly and bulging tree even if you have no idea how you are going to get there.
Every time you make a purchase, beam at the casher and secretly say thank you to the universe for the money you have to buy it. Every time you focus on what you do have and send out loving thoughts towards that, you are bringing focusing attention on feeling good about your life.
It can be easy to get bombarded with frightening thoughts about the shopping you have to do, the Christmas cards you must write or even the cleaning that needs to be done. Make short lists of things to accomplish every day and start to tick them off one by one. Every time you buy a gift or achieve something give yourself a tap on the back. Acknowledge how great you actually are.
Whatever you do this Christmas make sure you do it with a smile on your face and love in your heart!
Happy holidays everyone.
]]>The law of attraction is in simple terms. Like attracts like.
Basically, it means we attract whatever we are or whatever we think about on a regular basis. Just imagine yourself as a large magnet. Whatever you are putting out into the world you are pulling back to you with force.
Quantum physicists have proven this theory, for more info look see: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-quantum-physics-bridges-science-and-spirituality.html
Quantum physics has proven that our thoughts can indeed influence matter.
The law of attraction is a wonderful law because we can control it. We are constantly wondering around believing that things just happen to us when in fact we are happening to the universe. Is it constantly pulling towards us what we think we want.
Now if you are not ready for this information you will probably just dismiss it as rubbish, but if you are like me and are fed up of not being in control of your own destiny then this is wonderful freedom with this information. When I was first introduced to it the information hit me like a ton of bricks. Oh, my goodness, I can change all the things happening to me in my life by just changing the thoughts and feeling I give out.
Easier said than done, right?
I have spent years studying it and reading and re-reading information to constantly program my brain to work the way I want it to. But since the day I was first introduced with it I have never again suffered with depression. Yes, sure I have down days but I no longer go into a deep could of depression living and re-living all the awful mistakes I’ve made over and over again. It has inexplicably changed who I am as a person for the better.
Every day we have a choice, do we wake up today feeling grateful or feeling sad. Do we smile or do we shout? Is today going to feel like a success or a failure?
It is your choice. When we put ourselves in a great state we see the world differently. If we stub our toe it’s Ok the pain will wear off. If we are met with anger when we drive along we brush it off. But if we are in a bad state those few little bits and pieces can really hurt us.
When we are feeling happy or grateful we see our lives differently. We see all the things we should be happy about. When we are in a bad state everything seems wrong. Even if we have great things in our lives we don’t notice them. They just fall into the background. And the absolute worst of it is when we are in a bad state all we are doing is attracting more of what we feel bad about. Have some cues, write a list of all the ways to get yourself into a good state when you start to feel your body turning downward. Think of things that make you smile. Put some music on that you love. Call someone who always makes you feel better.
Do whatever you can to change your state and your life will change beyond recognition.
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So, Autumn is here again, the summer with its endless nights and days at the beach has been and gone and the crisp air of change returns to us once again. It’s long been pondered upon by greater minds than mine why we love this season so much. Many a great poet has written musing of its beauty. It seems to be a great source of inspiration to us and it’s hard not to see why.
Autumn is a wonderful time to inspire creativity, it has a romantic air about it. Bringing you back to memories of your childhood helps to inspire creativity. When you are child you are not bound by the same rules that apply in the adult world.
For me it symbolises great change, the world doesn’t look the same as it did a few weeks ago. It’s like looking at a painting of a place I recognise but no longer remember. Stepping out of the door, wearing a warm jumper and ankle boots, into a new world. Psychologists have often wondered why the season has this effect on people and the conclusion seems to be comfort.
There is comfort in wearing that big fluffy jumper, something wondrous about the smells. The shorter nights giving us more reasons to be at home with friends and family. The sound of the crunching leaves beneath our feet takes us back to the time when we were children, taking away our stresses and worries that so often accompany us into adulthood.
I find autumn interchangeable. You can quickly move from chilly mornings into bright sunny afternoons. Shedding the warm coffee, books and blankets for an ice cream, t-shirt and jeans as we wonder through the woods. I like the interchangeability, we are not stuck in one season or another.
So, this autumn why not utilise the inspiration and do something you have always wanted to do? Get outdoors, let your footsteps trace along the winding paths underneath the array of colours hanging just above. Walk along the dirt ridden paths kicking up leaves as high as they will go. Maybe you can document the shades of the world you see around you by taking pictures, with your phone or, dare I say, a real camera. Paint, muse over poetry, fly! Whatever it is you choose to do, enjoy the Autumn for the sense of change, of deep and rich colour and be inspired by the creativity around you provided by nature itself.
Letitia
Egret Jewellery
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“Financial goals. Family goals. Academic goals.”
With so many milestones to cover, our lives have turned from peaceful journeys to rat races. We find “happiness” in accomplishing what our peers have accomplished. And with all that pressure, we can feel overwhelmed with mental issues such as anxiety and depression.
With the rising cases of mental illnesses, the use of drugs for these conditions has also increased. The balance is obviously lost and things are not the way they should be.
When our minds are stressed, our body system does not relax, wearing out the body at a much faster rate, and making us age faster than we should be.
How to escape the rat race
Let’s face it – you cannot leave your job. You do need money to survive, after all. What you can do instead, is take breaks every now and then, but before you take a break, you’ll need some financial freedom. If you’re living from pay cheque to pay cheque, this will not be possible for you.
Audit your expenses and see where you’re spending the most. Make some savings so you could take at least 30 days off in a year.
Benefits of escaping the rat race
How do you plan to spend the break you’ve taken? Travelling? Gardening? Whatever it is – make sure it’s worth it. If you’ve taken the weekend off so you can garden, don’t spend it sleeping. Make it worthwhile. Plant the tomatoes you always wanted. Or begin the pruning project you’ve been delaying.
This will give you a sense of fulfilment and will ease the stress off. And don’t set milestones in your “break activity.” You don’t have to plant 50 tomato plants in one weekend. Just relax and do what pleases your heart.
When you start taking breaks you’ll feel happier and more confident. This will also reflect in your professional life. So the 30 days you take off each year won’t exactly be counterproductive. If you start giving better output in the remaining days, it will be beneficial for your finances too – especially if you run a business or are a freelancer.
There are immense mental and physical benefits of escaping the rat race. You’ll start feeling less stressed, your health will improve, and you’ll rely less on drugs.
You’ll see your blood pressure being more stable and your ageing process will decelerate. You’ll be less prone to heart-related diseases and you’ll feel general mental well-being.
The list is endless. Experts believe that most modern-day diseases are caused by stress. When you're stress-free, your chances of falling ill will reduce. Your immunity will be better and your body will gain natural strength to fight diseases without any drugs.
While taking a break is easier said than done, you’ll need to step out of your comfort zone to do it. And trust me, you’ll love the results!
Happiness is the best anti-depressant you can take. So step out once in a while and smell the flowers. Get high on life. It will make life easier and better.
Letitia
Egret Jewellery
]]>One thing which isn’t often considered is jewellery, and there are many ways the right piece of jewellery can change your life for the better. You don’t need to spend a whole lot of cash on it either – there are plenty of affordable pieces out there which look just as beautiful as those which cost ten to one-hundred times as much.
Here are five ways a simple piece of jewellery can change a person’s life.
It is all too easy to fall into some bad habits, whether it be related to your daily routine, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, or the people you hang around with and, when you have these habits, it is hard to break them.
When you identify these problems, however, they are a lot easier to fix. A piece of jewellery is a simple way to change the way you look without having to take any drastic action, and mixing up a few different pieces can make you look and feel like a whole different person.
Confidence and self-esteem are important; the way you look at and feel about yourself has a huge impact on your happiness. By investing in some nice jewellery and trying to look nice, you can improve the way you see yourself and can resonate through your overall personality.
You don’t need to be on-trend to boost your confidence either – do your own thing. Spontaneity and independence work well when it comes to picking and wearing jewellery.
When you get stuck in a routine and are trying to break it, the unfamiliarity and change can be scary. As much as we humans crave familiarity and comfort, going outside your comfort zone and expanding your boundaries with jewellery is a great way to improve your long-term happiness and find comfort in something new and exciting.
Even if you feel that a certain piece of jewellery is not right for you or would look better on somebody else, so what? Just go for it!
New pieces of jewellery give you a unique opportunity to express yourself, whether you have changed a lot or a little. Confidence, openness, and a willingness to express your unique character are all attractive traits which improve your happiness and make people gravitate towards you.
This is where a few pieces of nice jewellery can have the biggest impact on your life; you never know who the next person may be to ask you a question about that necklace you’re wearing… jewellery makes for great conversation and enables bonding.
On the note of bonding, nice jewellery really works wonders when it comes to starting interesting and thoughtful-provoking conversation. Each piece of jewellery has a story and there are always people willing to hear about it.
Jewellery can quite easily change your life by putting you at the centre of conversation. Whether it helps you build acquaintances, friendships or more, the bond-building potential for jewellery is the area of life where it has the biggest impact.
The way jewellery changes your life may be marginal or they may be huge, however, they are there, even if these changes are not immediately obvious.
Egret Jewellery
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Meditation is a great way to do this. It teaches us to quiet our everyday thoughts and push back the bombardment of overthinking, anxiety and negativity. This has not only been proven to be good for our health but also for the universal consciousness. We get between 50,000 and 70,000 thoughts each day, a jumble of random musings, stress, anxiety or wonder and awe. The idea of trying to silence the torrent of images is hard enough when it’s time for sleep let alone block them out whilst sitting on a cushion, cross legged on the floor.
So, what is meditation and why do people do it?
Meditation, in short, is the art of silencing the mind. It is a skill that helps to reduce stress and improve cognitive function, bringing us back to our true self whilst giving us a generally a sunnier positive attitude. So how can the average person, moving around in their busy day, start to perform this impossible act?
Simple, with practice.
Meditation, as with most great things in life, takes practice. Many people find it hard to start with so they start small. Here’s a guide to get you started:
Now we’ve looked at how, we need to explore the position to meditate in.
Meditation is traditionally done in a seated, crossed legged yoga position. With your pelvis rocked forward, back straight and heart and head stacked over each other. Hands resting gently on the knees, turned up. Having said that, the only real important part is that your back is straight. If you find it more comfortable in an upright chair then go ahead. The same can be said for lying down, although be careful not to fall asleep.
Another good idea is to try not to do it on a full stomach as that can also be a recipe for sleepiness.
The health benefits of meditation
Stress reduction is one of the most common reasons people choose to meditate.
Meditation gives us the space in our mind to figure out what are valid demands and what are not. Helping us to stop stressing over the small things and get some perspective.
Anxiety is a real problem today. Lots of people are living with constant fear and stress. When we learn to control our thoughts, and get another view point it allows us to relax more. Anxiety is caused by a loss of control. Once we learn to control our thoughts everything else falls into place. Less stress equals less anxiety.
Meditation has also been linked to improved emotional health. It supports restoring the link between mind, body and spirit which leads to improved self-image and a more positive outlook on life.
Meditation is known for aiding in developing a stronger understanding of yourself, your needs and your desires. Getting to know yourself is the first step in growing into the best possible version of you.
With a deeper and better connection to spirit comes a deeper connection to others and the world around you. Through meditational practices you encourage the development of kinder thoughts and feeling to yourself which in time extends outwards.
Mediation teaches mental discipline. Self-discipline can help to break dependencies by increasing self-control and a wider awareness of which triggers to look out for.
7. Aids Sleep
Nearly half the population will struggle with insomnia at some point. Meditation is one of the most useful aids we have in combating this. Learning to sort through your thoughts and listen to your inner self brings about an ease in your own skin and a deeper relaxation.
It has been proven that your perception of pain is connected to your state of mind, this means it can be elevated in stressful conditions and decrease when you are feeling calm and relaxed.
In this wonderful world of ours there are many things in life that are beyond our control. However, it is possible to learn to control our own states of mind – and to change them for the better. Personal sorrows, anxieties and fears are besetting our heads, however with the cultivation of a calm and positive state of mind, we can step out of the shadows of these insecurities and into the light we possess within.
Namaste
Letitia
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If you, like me, are a firm believer in the Law of Attraction, then you will understand the phrase, “You are what you think,” and you truly believe that life flows from your thoughts.
Some people find this easy, they seem to breeze through life living in the positive and attracting to them everything they want or need. While other people are in a daily battle, constantly trying to manage their thoughts and slipping in and out of negativity.
If you are one of the people continuously caught in a never-ending battle trying to push away negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones, you might find this blog useful. Whilst positive thinking is very important it is almost impossible to keep a constant check on the 60,000 thoughts running through our heads each day, so it is important to remember that we cannot purely rely on them. We must also speak our thoughts out through words and eventually change those words into our actions in order to truly manifest our intentions. This means we have to be very careful with our words. Making a conscious decision to try to speak words that only bring good things to us.
Affirmations are a great way to do this. They help us to filter our thoughts and reorganise our brain so that we can truly begin to believe nothing is impossible. The word affirmation comes from the Latin affirmare, originally meaning “to make steady, strengthen.”
Affirmations help us strengthen our core beliefs around whatever we would like to attract. If we say it out loud we start to believe what we are saying on a sub-conscious level. When we say our dreams and ambitions out loud we become empowered and start to truly believe them which brings them into reality. Affirmations are a proven method of self-improvement because of their ability to aid in re-wiring our brains. Much like exercise does, they increase the level of feel-good hormone and push our brains to form new connections and clusters of positive thoughts.
Affirmations are really important. If there is anything you are struggling with in your life, any area you would like to improve they are a great way to help you focus on what you want and stop concentrating on what you don’t.
We all have unconscious negative thoughts, it’s part of our fight or flight instinct. Instincts embedded so deep within the human sub-consciousness we aren’t even truly aware they are there. As part of our evolution we have lost the survival driver, but we are left with the constant niggling thoughts which lead to anxiety and stress. A great way to deal with this is to repeat daily affirmations. Through a sequence of thoughts-speech-actions, we can program our brains to drown out the negative thoughts and negative speech that eventually lead us into negative cycles.
There are plenty of places to find wonderful affirmations on the internet but if you would like to write your own try using these few steps.
Learning to master what we say is absolutely critical to crafting the life we want and these 8 affirmation creating techniques are a great way to start. We are moulding our universe with every word we say and thought we have. Little by little we become what we focus on, what we think about most. So, start to focus on the person you will become, not the person you are trying to leave behind. Make it your intention to wake up early, jump out of bed and start saying your affirmations. Just by doing this little thing you will see a dramatic improvement within a few weeks. Whatever affirmation you choose it is really important to craft your own conversations with the universe. Say it with conviction, say it with love and say it in your own unique way. For the universe is always listening.
Letty
Egret Jewellery
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There is no place that calls to me more than being near the sea. As soon as the sun comes out and the days get warmer my body starts to crave it. I dream of wandering across the smooth sand, hearing the rhythmic sound of the waves and feeling the warm touch of the sun on my face. Just being near to the ocean can have a positive impact on your health. In fact, doctors have been prescribing trips to the sea shore from as early as the 18th century and recent studies show a link between the ocean air and health.
What are the benefits?
Relaxation
Researchers have found that the sound of waves alters brain patterns, which instantly put you into a more relaxed state, rejuvenating body and mind. This has a hypnotising effect on us, which is great for bridging the connection between mind and body. Allowing us to really be present in the moment.
Exercise
The seaside encourages physical activity, even if it's simply a walk along the beach.
Swimming in the sea gives you a full body workout, increases circulation, and strengthens your immune system. Studies have shown that the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in seawater produce natural antibiotic and antibacterial effects that promote immunity. Additionally, swimming in seawater helps to activate the body's natural healing mechanisms to fight conditions such as asthma, arthritis and inflammatory diseases, as well as normal aches and pains.
Skin
The seaside is also great for your skin. Scientists have linked the magnesium in seawater to increases in skin's elasticity, hydration and improvements in appearance. Salt and potassium chloride, which are naturally found in seawater, are great natural healers. Alongside the natural minerals in seawater a certain amount of sun can be good for some skin complaints such as psoriasis. This is because a small amount of ultra violet radiation from the sun's rays helps dry the skin and promotes healing.
Stress
Ocean air has health benefits too. The negative ions in sea air accelerate your ability to absorb oxygen and balance your serotonin levels, a body chemical linked with mood and stress. Which is why you feel more alert, relaxed and energised after a beach holiday.
Being near to the ocean greatly affects mental wellbeing. As you sit on the beach listening to the roar of the waves, feeling the ocean breeze blow through your hair and enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin, you feel inner peace and revitalised all at the same time. This seaside buzz is known as "thalassotherapy", a term coined by Hippocrates.
The rhythmic sound of the waves pounding the shore brings forth a meditative state. The benefits of meditation are far reaching: stress reduction, deep relaxation, increased happiness, peace of mind and heightened creativity. Meditation has a real way of helping you connect to the inner you, listen to your thoughts and help you find an inner peace that a day in the office will never do. At the beach, the endless horizon of the sea is so large, you can almost perceive the curve of the earth. The visual stimuli your brain receives from this view literally opens your mind to new opportunities and experiences.
While you're sitting on the beach pondering the meaning of life, the heat of the sun is working away at your endocrine system, enabling it to secrete endorphins – the body's feel-good chemicals. The salt in seawater also aids your mental wellbeing by preserving the melatonin, tryptamine and serotonin levels in your brain, which fight off depression.
Most importantly, unplug your devices and reap the benefits of the negative ions in the air. In today's society – thanks to computers, television and electronics – we are surrounded by too many positive ions (free radicals). Shutting down your gadgets and increasing your exposure to negative ions will enhance your immune system, increase alertness, improve your concentration and encourage a deeper sleep.
Letty
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Yoga is absolutely wonderful. It is not only an amazing way to keep your body healthy and feeling great but if you connect to it a little deeper it can become a whole lot more. Yogis seek to experience the spirit or the energy all around us, when we are connecting to this energy we are helping to balance out our inner emotions and learning how to harness them.
Yoga in its truest form gives us time to quiet the mind and truly listen to our inner selves, really feeling the flow of energy all around us. Yoga encourages the synchronisation between body, mind and the spirit, through meditation, breathing and physical postures, allowing us to form a deeper connection to our inner selves and the world around us.
Yoga is definitely physical and if you practice regularly you develop stamina, strength and flexibility. The postures really challenge the body but it is also a mental exercise. Yoga helps you to work though emotional stress and psychological challenges. Being aware of your own thoughts and feelings is critical to the performance of Yoga. Therefor awareness is a large part of your spiritual practice. Pushing yourself through the hardest physical postures can allow your body to become exhausted allowing your mind to quiet and giving you inner peace.
The Spiritual Laws of Yoga promote both physical health and emotional wellbeing. Some of the benefits for the body are:
Get to Know the Eight Limbs of Yoga
Pranayama’s calms down the mind. With the regular practice of yoga poses, you will see that clarity dawns right away, body balance and flexibility improves, and makes you healthy, strong and alert.
Learning to breathe through difficult postures gets brought with you and helps you breathe through difficult times in life.
Stretching in the yoga poses to your limit without comparing to another, leads to an attitude of always doing your best in a situation. This attitude is helpful when overcoming stress.
Being physically flexible can lead towards mental flexibility. At the same time, being mentally flexible (for example: 'I can do it' attitude) leads to physical flexibility.
Though many people think of yoga as a fitness exercise, it actually is a comprehensive life philosophy that originated more than 5,000 years ago in India.
Although yoga has been around for centuries, reaping its rewards doesn’t take long at all: Just a few minutes of practice at the end of a long day can help stretch and relax sore muscles. Practiced regularly, yoga can be a powerful way to relieve anxiety and cope with everyday stress. Over time, it also can transform your body, building stronger muscles while it improves flexibility, joint mobility and leaving you better equipped to overcome life’s many obstacles.
Letty
Egret Jewellery
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Life is a wonderful gift so make the most of it! Wake up happy for what you have, go to sleep being grateful for the day, even if there wasn’t much to be grateful for and your life will change immeasurably. We are meant to thrive not survive! So, go out there and grab onto life with both hands!
]]>Easter is a wonderful time of year. The birds are singing, the flowers are growing and we are finally seeing the beginnings of Spring. Everything seems a little lighter, a little brighter and somehow it feels like a weight has been lifted. The dark oppressive nights are slowly coming to an end and we can finally breath again. Don’t get me wrong winter can be amazing, the magic of Christmas, the white snow that covers everything in a veil of brilliance. But it’s just about now that winter is finally taking its toll and we are craving a little more.
It’s a great time of the year, a time for new life, a new sun, a new feel in the air and literally a spring in our step. The birds are finally flocking back and the hibernations are over. There are baby rabbits everywhere and new life on the trees. The months of cold weather and rain are behind us and it starts to feel great to get outdoors again. There is so much to be seen and experienced. As we walk along the mud filled paths under bare trees with just a touch of new life beginning to show though. It’s a time for celebrations, where the children sing their happy Easter songs and the churches ring their bells. It’s a time busy mums and dads are planning Easter egg hunts and chocolate lines the shops.
We really do live in extraordinary times, just looking at things a little deeper can give you a magical perspective and help you to see the wonder that is all around us.
So, put down your phone, turn off your TV and really take a look. For seeing the world through a different light may surprise you.
Letty
]]>What if the constant cravings for more is merely a lie, subtly imprinted into our minds from an early age? The biggest lie of our generation?
Every day we are exposed to images of beautiful people with bigger houses and nicer clothes constantly thrust in front of us through social media and television. We watch our neighbours, best friends and families and find ourselves in an endless battle of comparisons all the while relentlessly putting our-self down.
Persistently craving more and feeling of constant want is not only detrimental to our health but it actually brings the opposite into our lives. Whatever we focus our energy on we attract more of and when we are focusing on lacking in some area all we are doing is creating more and more situations of lacking and bringing them to us. We need to feel happy now, be happy now. Feel the gratitude radiating from us for the things we have in our lives. The love we have, the roof over our heads, the money in our banks. We all know that living in the western world puts us financially above 70% of the earth population. So why is it we are feeling so empty and what can we do to put it right?
1: Being alone with our thoughts. In today’s world, we have lost a lot of our connection to spirit, we are slowly losing the ability to think and listen to what we are saying on the inside. With the technological advances, there is always something to stimulate our minds. Something to distract us from what is really going on inside us. We need to make time to be alone with our own thoughts and to connect to the world around us.
So, how do we rectify this? Start by putting down the phone and going outside for a walk. Stretch your legs, feel your feet connecting with the Earth. Meditate or practice Yoga, whatever it is make sure you really take the time to listen to your inner self. Life is amazing, taking just half an hour a day to get to know you and start to understand your dreams and goals is imperative. It is this ability that lets our minds wonder and come up with an action plan to help sort through the mess in our heads. Having time to process thoughts leads to better sleep, stronger mental health and higher productivity.
2: Gratitude. We need to feel grateful for what we have. When we fuss and worry about all the things we don’t have, we bring about more thoughts and experiences of lack. So, stop focusing on what you are missing and start being grateful for all that you have, even when you feel you don’t have anything! When you start to look for the good, more and more things to be grateful for appear and you start to notice them. This practice of gratitude not only makes you feel better instantly but also brings an abundance of things to you to be grateful for. Gratitude is one of the most powerful practices in the world and can literally transform your life.
3: Visualise. This is the process of getting a clear picture in your mind of all things you want in your life. It is loads of fun and the perfect excuse for your imagination to run wild. Plan out your day ahead. Think about all the wonderful things that are going to happen. Visualise where you are going to be in the future, where you want to be in a year, in 5 years. When you do this, you are formulating a plan, setting goals and getting a clear picture of where you are heading. Don’t just let life happen to you, make sure you happen to life. The universe is working at all times to bring you what you want but if you haven’t formulated a plan you are not creating anything. Be clear with what you want and the universe will move mountains to bring it to you. “If you can see it in your mind you can hold it in your hand”.
4: Exercise. Take time to look after your body, exercise releases endorphins that are natural anti-depressants. Start adding an exercise regime into your daily ritual. Make sure once a day you do something to feel stronger and look better. When you exercise you can incorporate the first 3 steps above. Whilst you are running, walking or practising yoga start to make it a habit of feeling grateful and visualise at the same time. You only need to spend half an hour a day to start seeing huge results in your life.
Implementing these 4 steps into your day will can have a dramatic effect on your life. So, no matter how busy you get or how much you think you still have to do, always make time for yourself. Because when you look after yourself you automatically have more to give everything else around you.
It is so easy to get sucked into believing that we are not enough. That we need more to feel happy and fulfilled when in fact we have it all right at our fingertips. All we need to do is start by implementing these 4 simple tips and we will see a dramatic change in our wellbeing.
To feel fulfilled we need to stop searching for things on the outside and start looking inside ourselves. For we are all we truly need.
Letty
]]>The history of using crystals as a form of healing goes back as far as the historical records themselves. The Mayans for example were known to have used crystals for both physical and emotional healing. They are rich part of our history and even with all the advances in modern science, remain popular to this day. There is something mysterious and wonderful that surrounds gemstones. Not just their beauty but their magnetism too, there is just something about them. Throughout our history we have just not been able to leave them alone.
Having been interested in crystal healing from a very young age I have always been fascinated with the different feeling we get from holding different stones. You can feel the power emitting from them. Your hand pulses with the presence of this presumed lifeless stone. It is one of the first instances that I experience what I can only describe as magic.
The Opal is the birth stone of October and also the stone for celebrating the 14th wedding anniversary year. 95% of the worlds Opals are found in Australia although they can be found all over the rest of the world.
The name, “Opal,” comes from the Latin word, “opalus,” which translates to, “precious jewel” and it’s not hard to see why. They have hidden depths of a beautiful array of colours from blues, pinks and green to even black. The fascination with this stone comes from its snow crystal like appearance, Opals are wonderfully sparkly and have an iridescent look to them. They make beautiful pieces of jewellery with their glittering colours, smooth edges and the way they sparkle in the light. There is a melody of colours in the Opal that make it an unusual and strikingly beautiful gem.
Opals are said to have the power to steal the breath away from anyone who beholds them.
The Opal has a rather checkered past. The ‘queen of gems’ has not always been the popular gem of today’s society. Although romans believed it symbolised hope and purity. It fell from grace in 1829, with the help of sir Walter Scott’s novel, Anne of Geierstein. This is the story of the lady Hermione who wore an enchanted opal in her hair. It would reflect the colour of her moods in the colour of the stone. If she became angry it would flash red and it would sparkle with unparalleled beauty if she was happy. She was accused of being a demoness and dies after a few sprinkles of holy water were splashed onto the opal causing it to lose its sparkle and for Lady Hermione to later be discovered in a pile of ashes under the gem in her bed. Because of this story, Opals gained a wide and mythical reputation for bad luck.
Queen Victoria is well known for helping to reverse the bad press surrounding the Opal. She wore them throughout her reign and even gave them as wedding gifts to loved ones.
In the late 19th century Spanish-kind would sully the reputation of the Opal even further. Alfonzo XII fell madly in love with a beautiful aristocrat named the Comtesse de Castiglione. The Comtesse reciprocated the King’s affection, but months before the pair were to wed the faithless Alfonzo married another woman, the Princess Mercedes. Vowing to get even, the Comtesse sent the couple a wedding present in the form of a magnificent Opal set in a huge ring of the purest gold. The princess was immediately smitten by the gift and insisted that her husband slip it on her finger. He obliged, and two months later the princess mysteriously died. After the funeral Alfonzo gave the ring to his grandmother, Queen Christina, who almost immediately thereafter also expired. After that the ring passed to Alfonzo’s sister, the Infanta Maria del Pilar. Maria died as well, apparently victim to the same strange illness that had taken the other two women. The ring was up for grabs yet again, and when Alfonzo’s sister-in-law expressed an interest, he let her have it with the usual result. Deeply depressed by then, the King decided to end it all by slipping the ring on his own finger, just as Cleopatra had embraced the asp to terminate her own misery. In little over a month, the ring did to Alfonzo what the snake had done to the Egyptian Queen. The ring was finally attached to a gold chain and strung around the neck of a statue of the patron saint of Madrid, the Virgin of Alumdena. That put an end to the incredible chain of tragic circumstances.
Despite the superstition the Opal had in its chequered past it has been redeemed in the 20th century and is today an absolute favourite gemstone. Opals are used to absorb and reflect light and in doing so can also be a wonderful aid to absorb thought and feelings. An Opal has a unique power of being able to bring out its wearer’s traits, good or bad, and bring hidden characteristics and desires to the surface. The Opal is an intensive stone, it is seductive and exaggerates emotional states whilst releasing inhibitions. Opals can also be used to enhance memory, imagination and creativity because of its ability to bring down our barriers it has the power to ignite passion and has strong associations with healing and love.
Opals are known for providing a cloak of invisibility. Enabling the wearer to move about unnoticed. And allowing them to fade into the back ground if necessary.
Opal promotes a calm and centered mind for prayer and meditation, allowing one to connect with the Earth and her spirit, and to experience the elemental joy of the natural world.
Pliny, the Roman scholar, wrote of the Opal: “There is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald - all shining together in incredible union.”
Whatever your belief around the Opal it is impossible to deny their beauty.
Letty
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Chrysocolla is a powerful healing crystal, it carries with it the influence of nature and the promise of deeper communication with the world around us.
The first sight of the Earth from space is an image that is ingrained into all of our minds: the rolling blue of the sea twinned with shards of deep green jutting out. It is iconic and holds a profound response for all of us. Chrysocolla, with its hues of greens and blues, can’t help but remind us of our own planet and its healing properties mimic that of the Earth’s. Much like the feeling we get when we are staring out across a sandy beach, it brings with it a deep calming effect; a sense of inner peace only usually achieved when utterly at ease. It has the power to relieve anger and calm a jealous mind.
With peace comes tranquillity and a deeper connection to spirit. Chrysocolla holds a profound attachment to the Earth and Mother Nature. Holding a piece of it in your hand while you meditate can let you connect more freely with spirit and carries an intense relationship to the environment around us. It has a deeply calming effect and it is considered to be the perfect gemstone to release your feminine side. Wearing a piece of Chrysocolla close to your skin encourages you to let the goddess loose within and increases the capacity for self-love and love of one another. Deeply connected to the Earth, it vibrates with the purest energy of all; love.
Chrysocolla is a fantastic stone for communication, it carries forth the power in our words and actions and helps us to use them for the empowerment of ourselves and others. It is a wonderful teaching aid, bringing out our highest level of knowledge and teaching us to express it in a way that inspires others. This can come in the form of offering insights, helping to guide a loved one, or standing up in front of a room full of strangers. Chrysocolla helps us to choose our words wisely whilst making the biggest possible impact when using them. Because of its communication properties it is a wonderful aid for musicians, writers and artists, letting the wearer truly express themselves in a way that can inspire others and speak directly to them. It’s very essence is devoted to expression, teaching and empowerment. It allows you to fully connect to yourself and listen to the inner voice inside of you, bringing forth your compassions and inner strengths.
A strange property of Chrysocolla is its ability to make the wearer want to stay at home. It is often used by monks, diminishing anxiety and depression caused by staying in one place. This is a great aid for someone who has a wandering personality, always on the move and never able to stay still. It can help lessen the need to feel free and allow you to remain happy in one area.
If there is one stone that embodies the very essence of the Earth it is Chrysocolla, its captivating colours and broad range of healing properties makes it perfect for jewellery or meditating with. Whichever way you choose to use it, Chrysocolla will make a perfect addition to your healing crystal collection.
Letty
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The snow has this uncanny ability to wash away all things unclean and make everything look pure and light. Its magical in its appearance. I love waking up at daylight and staring out across a snowy garden. Or the peace and quiet of an early morning walk through the woods, before footprints have disturbed the ground,
before anyone else on earth has been there, when the world is still and quiet. The snow still has this magical effect on me, it comes from somewhere long before the pressures of adult life took over. An excited little child waking up before a sea of white. The possibilities of the day ahead, how everything can change in an instant. It makes me wonder how one tiny thing can make such a huge impact? A once mundane scene of cars and houses can be transformed into a tranquil paradise from just a change in weather.
The snow makes me question my own thoughts. If with a simple a shift in perception we could change our day to day impressions of our lives. Could they be altered by layering over the top of them with a coat of positivity? Because after all what really has changed? It’s still in the same house, I’m still the same, my garden is the garden I saw last week. The one I knew I needed to clear up before the summer. Where I looked out with dread at how much work was to be done. Now I’m staring out with this longing to be in it, I want to be part of the cascading white that goes on forever. Is It possible to cover up our negative thoughts like this? Bring down a veil of white across our lives? Only see the best of what we have, the best of what’s right in front of our faces? To wake up each morning with a sense of never ending excitement for the day ahead.
In swopping one thought for another we have the ability to do this. The mind is our most powerful commodity and we possess the ability to change it. To focus it on what is good, on what we want and what we love instead of dwelling on the negatives. When we do this our whole world changes right before our eyes and we wake up every morning with excitement and hope, just like that child inside all of us.
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Black is the colour of strength and authority, with the absence of light it is the king of all colours. Working with force, it inspires leadership and inner power, pulling up strength from deep within the wearer. Formal and elegant, it is a popular choice of Shamballa bracelet, inspiring the user to seek out knowledge and self-mastery. The black Shamballa bracelet works on calming the mind and keeping you focused on the task ahead.
With the white Shamballa bracelet comes light and purity. It brings clarity, peace and happiness to the wearer. Increasing the flow of life-force and aiding in healing of the physical and mental body. Wearing a white Shamballa bracelet is said to encourage openness and kindness, making it the perfect colour to wear if you are embarking on a new beginning, whether that is traveling to far off places or a journey from within. The white Shamballa bracelet brings enthusiasm, inspiration and spiritual guidance. When worn it is said to connect us to the goddess of nature, leaving you open and able to bond with the spirit world. They are also a wonderful tool to help clear your thoughts for use when meditating. The colour of innocence and truth, it is a great aid when talking to your inner self.
The red Shamballa bracelet stands for passion, emotion and motivation. Wearing the red bracelet increases feelings of security and pushes back anxiety and fear, helping you strive forward without apprehension. If you are lacking enthusiasm or interest in any areas of your life, the red Shamballa bracelet is for you. Stoking the fires within, it digs deep inside of you, bringing out your inner hunger and enthusiasm. It is also associated with boldness and bravery making it the perfect tool for someone who is introverted or suffering from shyness. Encouraging the user to overcome inhibitions by increasing courage and openness.
The orange Shamballa is the colour for emotion, intimacy and sensuality, it is the perfect colour for anyone starting out in a romantic relationship. Wearing an orange bracelet increases feelings of desire, affection and creativity. They make a wonderful gift for partners, encouraging and enhancing long-lasting love, forgotten passions and strengthening the bonds between lovers. They are also a fantastic means for relieving stress and balancing out the emotions of the wearer. The orange Shamballa can also be used for releasing blocks when trying to manifest things into your life.
The Yellow or Gold Shamballa is the colour of personal power, optimism and self-confidence. This colour is all about the wearer, leaving you feeling like you could conquer the world and bringing a deep sense of inner peace all at the same time. Wearing this Shamballa bracelet can increase intelligence, clarity and logical thinking. They help to limit negative thoughts and increase the connection between mind and spirit. It is the perfect bracelet for anyone struggling with depression, by harmonising the mind and spirit it can help you feel more stable and grounded whilst inspiring positivity.
The blue Shamballa bracelet is amazing when trying to expand the mind, allowing the wearer to see more clearly by inspiring wisdom and spurring on creativity. They are a fantastic tool for anyone who is experiencing a creative block, opening up the mind whilst at the same time leaving you calmer and with a deeper sense of purpose. Nurturing and healing, the blue, much like the ocean itself, brings tranquillity, peace and relaxation, leaving you encouraged to sit back, relax and take it all in. This bracelet is also associated with trust, planning and organisation.
The green Shamballa bracelet is linked with nature. As with the effect nature has on our bodies, the green Shamballa increases the balance and harmony between mind and body. This bracelet gives us a strong feeling of serenity, bringing forth calm and a renewed sense of direction in life. It encourages acceptance, love and forgiveness, balancing emotions and bringing us back to our pure state. Green is also the colour for luck and abundance, it is a wonderful aid for manifesting wealth and financial growth. Try using the green Shamballa bracelet when visualising to help in bringing forth your financial goals.
Dark Blue or Indigo is the colour of imagination, intuitive thinking and the promotion of self-realisation. It is a fabulous bracelet for inspiring confidence. Indigo encourages you to stand tall and believe in yourself. If you are struggling to find your true identity, this bracelet can really help when learning to listen to your inner voice. It inspires you to trust in your own instincts whilst bringing out the confidence to shine the brightest you can be. The colour of the midnight sky, Indigo is deep and commanding. It works by intensifying the mood you are in, making it perfect when looking for spiritual realisation but to be avoided if you are in a depressive state.
Violet is the colour of royalty and ambition. This bracelet works by encouraging the extravagant side of your nature. If you are lacking in purpose and drive the purple Shamballa is the bracelet for you. Stirring up a whirlpool of dignity, creativity and grandeur, it is a seamless mixture for someone lacking in motivation or trying to find their calling in life. Like the lavender growing in the fields, its healing properties are wonderful for treating insomnia and aiding in relaxation. It has great powers to help with all manner of physical ailments, emotional issues, and in energy healing and chakra balancing. The violet Shamballa can be used in the curing of nightmares and insomnia, encouraging a calming, restful night’s sleep. It is a versatile bracelet, stimulating and soothing the mind all at the same time.
Pink is the colour for fun, playfulness and love, teaching the wearer to always look for the thrill in everything. The pink Shamballa represents eternal love, both in our minds and the wider universe. It works by restoring trust and harmony into relationships whilst encouraging excitement. The pink colour purifies and opens the heart at all levels, it promotes self-love, friendship and a feeling of inner peace that can only come from being totally at ease in your own skin.
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Comparing ourselves to others is one of the fundamental flaws of the human psyche. Why is it we constantly paw through social media judging our lives by another-persons standards? Or lay in bed at night going over and over how much better someone else’s life is than our own? It is a flaw hidden deep inside all of us, the instinctual human nature of fight or flight negatively gnawing away at our brains. If we don’t monitor and control our thoughts they tend to move towards the pessimistic.
Instead of wishing our lives were like someone else we should be finding inspiration in them and letting their achievements spur us forward, not wallowing in self-pity. We need to strive to become the best possible version we can be, work hard, take care of our bodies physically, emotionally and spiritually. Commit to growing bit by bit each day.
Learn to celebrate your own special achievements, rather than finding flaws in yourself by making comparisons to someone else.
Why do we continuously put other people on a pedestal and beat ourselves up so relentlessly? Comparing yourself negatively to anyone else is a mistake. No-one else has followed your path and there is not another person on this planet that has the exact same values, beliefs and attitudes as you do. It is your personal journey and the only one you should be in competition with is yourself.
When we have the courage to look inside, and become who or what we are meant to be our whole world changes. So, put aside the constant comparisons and learnt to be grateful that you are who you are and where you are in life.
Letty
]]>Love is a universal language. It is a language we all understand at an instinctual level – it speaks to us in a way that can navigate great distances through time and space. It is the life force of our beautiful planet and without it we would cease to exist.
Maybe we don’t understand it fully but we can all recognise it, it is the feeling we get when we stare up into those big brown eyes of the person we love, that feeling of deep connection when we hold our child for the first time. Or the boiling over of giddiness when you catch someone’s eye and hold onto their gaze, realising that some-how we are one consciousness.
Valentine's Day comes around every year and is celebrated on February 14. It originated as a feast day honouring Saint Valentine. Valentine was a catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century. At the time of Valentine’s life, many Romans were converting to Christianity, but the emperor Claudius was a pagan and created strict laws governing what Christians could, and could not, do. The emperor believed that all Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome, therefore he passed a law preventing them from marrying. Valentine began to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies and so his reputation for believing in the importance of love began. In the end, Valentine was exposed. Initially jailed for his crimes against Claudius, he was later executed. His day of execution was 14 February in the year 270 AD.
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated across many Western cultures as a day to express love and admiration to one another. Every year on February the 14th, couples from all over the world send flowers, chocolates and gifts to express how much they love one another.
Some people may scoff at Valentine’s Day. Another attempt by Hallmark, Clinton and their like to extract more cash from us to keep their profits rolling in at an otherwise bleak point of the year. My inner boho girl wants to trample over such a consumerist and cynical grab for my affections and ignore Valentine’s Day for the marketing sham it could be.
But…
I can’t help having my spirit lifted up by those around me that I love and love me in return. I want to be able to take the time to show them just how much they mean to me and Valentine’s Day seems as good a day as any to do this. Sure, we could all do this every day and we should as it energises us and brightens up the world of the people around us. Unfortunately, sometimes we forget and tend to take the people we love most in the world for granted. I believe every now and again we do need a little nudge. So, let’s take out the consumerism, competitiveness and narcissism of it all and take a minute to treasure those around us who light up our world and show them how much they mean to us!
Love speaks through eternity over vast distances in a way we don’t fully understand. Have you ever had a sinking feeling deep down in your stomach only to realise a loved one is in pain or you think of someone and suddenly they call you on the phone? How can you tell that something has deeply hurt your child emotionally before they even say a word, just by a feeling? Love is the answer to all those questions. Love is strong, powerful, meaningful and binding. It is one of the few things on the planet that has the power to lift you up onto cloud nine or have you writhing around on the floor in pain. It binds us all together and gives us a reason to get up in the morning.
So why do we need to show love? What was Valentine fighting for? As human beings, we need to love to live, without it we would shrivel up and die. Although almost no-one can agree on its definition, most people agree that love plays a significant role in both physical and psychological well-being. Various studies show the benefits of love. Love’s role in mental health is wide-ranging, but some examples include:
So, if there was ever a day to show someone how you feel, let Valentine’s Day be that day. Love is a physiological need like breathing or water. We all need it to survive. Saint Valentine showed us that against all odds, love can prevail. Maybe it’s even worth dying for?
When we give love, we get it back, that is the universal law. So, whatever you do this Valentine’s Day, make sure you do it with love.
Letty
Egret Jewellery
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