Colors of Summer

The hottest of summer days can make it tough for kids to enjoy a nice day outside… Some water play, time at the pool or even being near the waves can be difficult when it’s simple THAT hot. Time to break out the paints! For kids , and adults,  a good old finger painting session can be fun, and even relaxing. The texture of the paints, the combination of beautiful colors… No need to worry about doing it “right” – because there is no “right” when it comes to finger paints!  Make blobs, funny figures and shapes, or , no shapes! Get the feel of the colors in your fingers, toss the brushes – or use them for parts of your new, messy , creation! Get a little paint on your shirt or bare feet! You can wash it off – it’s just paint. And when your creations are ready – hang them proudly in your home!

Creative Yoga Styles

Take a look at this great piece on yoga styles from Omega Institute (I LOVE it there!) – if you’ve never been, any time is a GREAT time to take a visit. They have some amazing classes, or , simply, a wonderful place for some rest, breathing and space….

Mini Meditations

Check out this great piece on incorporating simple, relaxing and meditative practices into your every day!

Article excerpt:

In her book Self-Meditation: 3,299 Mantras, Tips, Quotes and Koans for Peace and Serenity , bestselling author Barbara Ann Kipfer offers a wealth of inspiration for practicing kindness and breathing in the beauty of daily moments and the miracles that are our lives.

1. Let small chores act as a stop sign to “breathe, relax and experience peace.”
2. Sit down and “become a human still life.” Don’t do anything. Just breathe.
3. When you’re driving, focus solely on that experience. “Feel the steering wheel, the pedals, the seat.”
4. “Listen for the quietest sound.”
5. Focus on your sense of smell. Take something you’d like to smell, such as a flower or food, and put it up close to your nose. Notice the changes in the aroma. Focus on the sensations in your body as you inhale and exhale. Then try to focus on other fragrances around you throughout the day.
6. Focus on your sense of touch. Focus on the sensation of your hands touching each other, “your clothes brushing against your skin, and the air moving across your face.”
7. In the beginning of the week, pick an activity you normally do on autopilot, such as washing your hands, applying makeup or getting into your car. Pause for several seconds before starting the activity. Then perform it with your full attention.

Click here for the link to the full piece found on Stumble….

 

Universal Energy

 

*be peace

*grow in grace

*cultivate love

 

Have you hugged your pet today?

It’s 3pm, have you hugged your pet today?

If you recall some TV ads from the early 1980’s – they sounded a bit like the above line, but had nothing to do with pets and everything to do with children. However, be it 3pm or 3am, the idea of hugging your pet is a good one.

You’ve had a long day. You’ve had a great day. You’ve had a stressful day. You’ve gotten a lot done today. All great reasons for hugging your pet! The fact is you have a furry friend (or two, or even more) waiting for you at home, wanting your attention. That little hug or even a few nice pets between the ears or on their shoulders can mean a lot – and not just for your pet. By simply spending just a few quite moments with your pet, you’ll find a sense of relaxation and calm – for the both of you. If this isn’t the case it could mean that your pet is picking up on some stress and doesn’t want to relax with you. Your fuzzy little cat or dog could actually be telling you to slow down by not curling up with you for some hugs.

If the idea of hugging your pet, or just carving out some time to be with your pet, sounds a little “out there,” you may want to simply consider why it is you have a pet in your home. They may have fur, but they still want for attention. Pets are much like young children. The rewards of having a pet can also be greatly beneficial too.

All too often we take our pets for granted. Couples spend countless hours with their pets then have children and find that their best furry friends have taken a seat in the back, there’s less time for them, and less attention. It’s a very common situation which can be easily cured. Make the time for your pets, just like you did before life took some changes. Try the “one pet hug a day” experiment and make sure to give your dog, cat, or rabbit a nice little hug or pet each and every day. It doesn’t have to be hours of play time at the park, just a few special moments every day can prove to be true therapy for you, and your pets.

For more information about pets and the benefits of being a pet owner check out: Pet Therapy Holistic Online and Animal Reiki Source