Darkness of Winter Encourages Insights
The darkness of Winter has descended. For many the long stormy nights of Winter and the proverbial dark night of the soul are uncomfortable. In addition to being dark, times like these can feel cold, lonely and boring. Whether the dark makes you feel sad, depressed, confused, uneasy or fearful, you may be quick to counteract your discomfort by searching for ways to create more light, companionship, and activity in your life. Although bringing light to a dark time may alleviate your sense uneasiness, if too much light is brought on too quickly, a magical time of healing and connection is disrupted.
In the long run, you'll see more progress if you learn to work with the darkness rather than deny its existence.The Magic of DarknessBeing in the dark heightens our senses.~~ We hear more acutely. As a result we are more likely to catch messages from our intuition. ~~ We perceive subtle connections more easily because our minds are not cluttered with extraneous details.~~ We tap our creativity more deeply. Poems, paintings, and songs are often crafted by people who are wrestling with some aspect of their life. When you are in the midst of an inner Winter, these are precisely the skills you need to turn your situation around.
Find Comfort in the Darkness If you find yourself disliking the dark of Winter, create ways to enhance your sense of comfort during these times. Gather: ~~ A warm, cozy blanket and some big fluffy pillows to create a safe nest for yourself.~~ A huggable stuffed animal--a big teddy bear that feels like it's hugging you back is a great choice.~~ An array of candles to bring some sacred points of light to your setting.~~ A favorite CD or tape with music that moves you.~~ A notebook and pen for writing your thoughts as they come to you.~~ An evening or day in your calendar that's devoted just to you. The most productive thing you can do during Winter is nothing. That's right. Give yourself the gift of time to be in solitude with no expectations or pressures to "accomplish" anything significant.
Give yourself complete permission to unplug for several hours or several days. Unwind. Take long luxurious naps. Daydream to your heart's content. The Gift of InsightYou really never know how or when the insights will come, so follow your heart and do what feels best in the moment.
Your answers may appear during your retreat or afterwards as you return to your daily life. Don't push. The gift of insight is not something you can demand or force. Insights come when the time is right. Your only job right now is to cultivate an environment and state of mind that encourages new, creative thoughts and ideas to come through.
Be open and receptive to unexpected answers. Be observant and make note of any new thoughts that occur to you. Honor the DarknessWith time, you will come to know when your body and soul need some quiet time. You'll begin to sense when something significant is brewing and gestating. When you feel this feeling, act upon your premonition by creating time and space in your life for some time alone.
Gift yourself with an intentional retreat. Catch the sparks of insight as they appear. Don't rush to conclusions, but allow the outcome to unfold in time as you live your life. May the darkness that surrounds you be full of sparkling insights this Winter season..
Carol McClelland, Ph.D. uses nature?s response to the change of seasons to show people how they can make transitions gracefully and effectively. Her book, The Seasons of Change, is available in English and Spanish. Her free Seasons of Change eNewsletter inspires, supports, and guides people in transition and is distributed eight times a year as the seasons change. To subscribe, visit http://www.seasonsofchange.com carolmc@seasonsofchange.com650 322 866110 Exotic Centerpieces for the Holidays
1. Shoe Magic - Buy gleaming fuchsia (stylish) or red (festive) colored high heeled glass bottom stilettos and fill one of it with flowers of appropriate size for a trendy table top which will set off a trendy, modern theme. You can get a pair at Bobbi's Gift & Leather website. http://www.gift-leather.com/ 2. Quick Centerpiece - Fill a goblet with cranberries and tie a bow at its stem for a quick, festive table top.
3. Candle & Sand - Fill a clear glass bowl with colored sand (available at Crafts stores) and stick red or white or a combination of red-white or red-green candles in the sand. Use about 10 candles and arrange them creatively. Light all of the candles together for a lovely shining effect. 4.
Tabletop Trees - Mini Christmas trees make lovely tabletops. Artificial trees can be bought or crafted. We have some Christmas Tree crafts at our Crafts section. Alternatively, you can also buy a baby christmas tree or...
10 Exotic Centerpieces for the Holidays
Candles > 10 Exotic Centerpieces for the Holidays
10 Exotic Centerpieces for the Holidays
1. Shoe Magic - Buy gleaming fuchsia (stylish) or red (festive) colored high heeled glass bottom stilettos and fill one of it with flowers of appropriate size for a trendy table top which will set off a trendy, modern theme. You can get a pair at Bobbi's Gift & Leather website. http://www.gift-leather.com/ 2. Quick Centerpiece - Fill a goblet with cranberries and tie a bow at its stem for a quick, festive table top.
3. Candle & Sand - Fill a clear glass bowl with colored sand (available at Crafts stores) and stick red or white or a combination of red-white or red-green candles in the sand. Use about 10 candles and arrange them creatively. Light all of the candles together for a lovely shining effect. 4.
Tabletop Trees - Mini Christmas trees make lovely tabletops. Artificial trees can be bought or crafted. We have some Christmas Tree crafts at our Crafts section. Alternatively, you can also buy a baby christmas tree or...
10 Exotic Centerpieces for the Holidays
Candles > 10 Exotic Centerpieces for the Holidays
School Band Fundraisers
Music is magic and fills our lives with joy. School bands help add this magic to our lives and make many special moments unforgettable. School bands like any other school team require funds. School band fundraising allows band members to pay for band trips, uniforms and incidental band activities. Not all school band programs are well funded enough to accomodate these requirements.
School bands usually hold fundraisers on an ongoing basis.
There are literally hundreds of Internet websites that can help school bands with their fundraising endeavors. If you are responsible for making the decisions for your band consider the benefits associated with visiting a site like Fundraisingzone.com. Here you will find all kinds of fundraising ideas including scratch cards, candies, and chocolates sales. These seem to make the best profits and are the most popular. Attractive products like perfumed candles, sports gear, flowers, planting bulbs, skin and body products, bath products...
School Band Fundraisers
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A Sex Shop Without Pornography Or Power Tools - Launch of Red Ambrosia, The First Upscale Sensual Boutique
When thinking about the typical American sex shop, pornography, power tools and plastic-coated toys inevitably spring to mind, even in mainstream, woman-centered adult retail.
Red Ambrosia is challenging this trend by introducing an online boutique that eschews x-rated films and power tools in favor of refined pleasures to inspire and arouse the senses.
By promoting a broad range of sensual accessories that are focused on more than just direct sexual stimulation, Red Ambrosia aims to help people tune into their senses of sound, smell, sight, taste and touch as a means of enhancing arousal, romance and intimacy.
Owner Aimee Vorhaus says, "Viewing pornography is a personal preference.
But I believe it is numbing on a cultural level ? it's dulling our senses.
Sensuality can be so much richer and more satisfying; so much lovelier."In lieu of pornography, Red Ambrosia offers seven categories of fine sensual goods:? Arousing Art ? includes sensual...
A Sex Shop Without Pornography Or Power Tools - Launch of Red Ambrosia, The First Upscale Sensual Boutique
Candles > A Sex Shop Without Pornography Or Power Tools - Launch of Red Ambrosia, The First Upscale Sensual Boutique
End Embarrassing Bathroom Odor Before It Starts
(ContentDesk) September 7, 2005 -- With The DROPS, there is no longer a need to be concerned about embarrassing bathroom odors."Just add a few drops of The DROPS to the toilet bowl water before using and there is no odor," says William Edwards, owner of Toilex, LLC, manufacturers of the product."Our patent pending formula is scientifically formulated to neutralize foul toilet odor before it begins," according to Edwards, who also invented the product. "The DROPS attacks the source of the odor and eliminates it rather than masking it like the standard air fresheners and candles."Since a bottle of The DROPS is small enough to fit into pocket or purse, it can be taken anywhere there is a toilet, he says. "It's handy to use anywhere that people are in close quarters, such as dormitories or recreational vehicles."Contractors have also found it a convenient product to use when they work in other people's homes," Edwards says.The DROPS is portable and discreet and contains enough product for...
End Embarrassing Bathroom Odor Before It Starts
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Local Entrepreneur Carves an All-Natural Niche In Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, CO (ContentDesk) May 22, 2006 -- Local entrepreneur Kristina Banks, in partnering with Linda and David Zielski of Seaside Naturals LLC, a family run operation and soon to be west coast based operation, will introduce My Home Eco" -- a pilot store at the forefront of all things natural and environmentally friendly -- at this years Boulder Creek Fest.
The store, which will carry all-natural cleaning and home products, promises all-natural solutions for health and home and plans to open sometime this year in Boulder.
Boulder consumers are looking for ways to incorporate natural and environmentally conscious products into their lives, says Banks, who runs her own all-natural, non-toxic cleaning service.
My Home Eco" will be your one-stop shop for all things non-toxic and natural.
The store will cater to everything from bodies -- featuring soothing candles and essential oils -- to babies, with non-toxic products for newborns and toddlers...
Candles > Local Entrepreneur Carves an All-Natural Niche In Boulder, Colorado
Birthday Gift For Mom
It comes once a year, and it is truly special. A mother's birthday is not to be ignored, and thankfully there are many products available to help us select a gift. Research shows that books, flowers, toys, jewelry, personalized plaques, jewelry, pens, clocks, wristwatches and gift baskets are favorite gifts to give to mom.
Red Envelope, Ever After, Love is a Rose, Personalization Mall, Things Remembered, Limoges Jewelry, Patagonia Gifts, Generous Gems and JC Penny have beautiful,...
Candles > Birthday Gift For Mom