Magic Shop

Aug

2022

Natural Remedy for Colds and Allergies

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Feeling sick and stuffy often brings to mind your family’s go-to natural remedy for cold and allergies. Some of us also usually resort to over-the-counter medicine. However, there is a natural method that can help alleviate cold and allergy symptoms. This is called nasal irrigation, nasal wash or sinus flush.

The name may sound scary but it is actually a simple procedure. You can do it at home or in the office. It also doesn’t require that many things to do it.

Benefits of Nasal Irrigation

Reduces Allergies – Nasal irrigation helps to remove allergens that you may have inhaled from your environment. In this way, your allergic reactions are greatly reduced or even eliminated.

Removes Bacteria and Viruses – This process helps you to reduce infection in the body by getting rid of bacteria and viruses in your nasal passage.

Removes Mucus – Get relief from your cold by washing away mucus that’s blocking your nostrils from breathing properly. This always allows you to absorb nasal medication better.

Reduces Nasal Swelling – If you have a stuffy nose, nasal irrigation can provide great relief by helping you increase airflow to your nose.

Reduces Dryness and Irritation – Having to blow your nose because of a cold or allergies often results in dryness and irritation. Nasal irrigation provides relief by moisturizing your nasal passage.

Nasal irrigation can also help alleviate a number of respiratory issues including chronic and acute sinusitis.

What to Use

For this procedure, you will need the following:

1-2 cups of clean, warm water (distilled, sterile or boiled)
1/4 – 1/2 tsp salt, preferably non-iodized
Irrigation tool – You can choose from a neti pot, a nasal syringe or a nasal irrigation bottle.
A small cup or bowl for mixing

How to Do It

The steps are quite simple. Be sure to do everything with clean hands.
Step 1: In a clean cup, pour clean, warm water and dissolve the salt into it. Pour the solution into your irrigation tool.
Step 2: Stand in front of the sink and lean over, tilting your head to one side. Make sure that your chin and forehead are level to prevent liquid from going into your mouth.
Step 3: Breathe through your mouth. Insert the spout of your irrigation tool into your upper nostril and let the solution drain through your bottom nostril. Repeat on the other side.
Step 4: Clean your irrigation tool thoroughly after each use.
NOTE: If you have recently had sinus surgery, you must not blow your nose for the recommended time.

Ellana: A Universe Where Beauty Does More

Many people who follow this self care practice have experienced major relief from their seasonal allergy symptoms. Now you can feel free to smell the flowers and not end up with a stuffy nose. Nasal irrigation can also help alleviate a number of respiratory issues including chronic and acute sinusitis.

It is a good practice to keep in mind especially during allergy season but it can be done year round. As a daily practice, you can do this early in the morning. You can also do this an hour before bed to help you relax, and breath better and deeper for improved sleep. Try it today and see if it helps you too.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash.

Aug

2022

Improve Your Health by Grounding or Earthing

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Did you know that you can improve your health by grounding or earthing? The word “grounding” usually makes us think of keeping ourselves safe from getting electrocuted. Grounding is usually part of the electrical system inside our homes and work places. Actually, it has benefits for the human body too.

Grounding, also called Earthing, is a practice that can greatly benefit our health. Unfortunately, in our modern world, we don’t do much of this or none at all. For example, when was the last time you walked barefoot on the ground, or on the grass? Taking some time off to reconnect with the earth is a form of self care.

What is Grounding or Earthing?

Think of the planet Earth as a giant battery that contains an electric charge. This electric charge is subtly transmitted into our bodies through our skin; specially through the soles of our feet. “Earthing” or “Grounding” is being in actual conductive contact with the earth.

There is a comforting, warm sensation after walking barefoot on the grass. We have all felt uplifted after walking along the beach. This is what being grounded means. You feel centered, strong, balanced, solid, less tense and less stressed.

Overall, you just feel good when you are grounded. If you are feeling some pain, you usually feel less pain or even none at all afterwards. When you get off from an afternoon of playing on the sand; you usually feel some soreness from overusing your muscles but you generally feel less pain and are more calm and relaxed.

How It Works

The concept behind grounding is that our bodies has its own electrical network between cells which works as our natural immune defense system. This defense system is naturally enhanced and activated when we connect to the earth’s own electrical field. One of the most noticeable effects of grounding is reduced pain and inflammation in the body. Stress and fatigue are also greatly reduced. People who ground have also experienced better sleep.

Grounding works by utilizing the negative electrical energy of the earth. This neutralizes the positive electrical energy in the body which causes pain and inflammation, among other things. Earthing also helps your body discharge excess electricity which helps you to feel more balanced and stable afterwards.

Ways to Practice

We usually go through our whole day wearing slippers or shoes. This means we are disconnected from the natural, electrical charge of the earth so we miss out on its health benefits. The good thing about grounding is that it can be done anytime and for free.

The best way is to spend more time touching the ground with your bare feet. Just stand on the grass or ground in your backyard during the morning when you’re trying to catch some sunshine for a dose of Vitamin D. This way, you also get a dose of Vitamin G or grounding.

You can also ground by submersing in water. You can wade on the beach and enjoy the ocean water. A lake or river or a waterfall is a good way to do this too. Just be sure to observe safety in the water. Another way is to use grounding mats, blankets, sheets, bands and patches as well as grounding kits.

Of course, make sure that you practice grounding under safe and healthy conditions. For example, don’t drench yourself outside on a cold, rainy night just to get some grounding done. Do it while there’s still sun and on dry ground. When stepping on grass, make sure you’re not stepping on ants.

Try to ground yourself at least 30 minutes a day. You can never overdose from grounding and the more you do it, the more health benefits you’ll start to experience. So try doing it as much as you can through the course of the day.

Try asking yourself these questions to assess your physical health. This way you can see where else you can improve. If you are already practicing grounding, tell us your experiences on grounding and how it helped your health.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2019.05.12.
Feature Image: Original Photo by B Pixels.

Apr

2022

You Have The Capability To Heal Yourself

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Do you know that you have the capability to heal yourself? Of course, seeing a doctor is a given. But there are some things that you can do as well to help aid in the healing process and ensure optimum health and wellbeing.

Physical

If you are feeling any symptoms of illness, that is your body’s way of telling you that something may be wrong with your body. If this happens, do not brush it aside. Generally, any serious illness does not develop overnight. It will take some time. And long before it happens, the body will keep on sending signals and it will not stop unless you do something about it.

That is why it is important to boost your immune system. You can do this by adapting some healthy habits towards physical wellness. These habits include:

Exercising regularly
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day
Eating healthy foods
Getting Enough Sleep
Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol
Deep breathing

Almost everyone knows the basics to good health but the question is, are you doing it? Do you have a healthy lifestyle? If you are not yet convinced, there are a lot of people out there who can attest how a healthy lifestyle led them to achieve optimum health.

Mental & Emotional

Have you heard of the mind-body connection? The mind-body connection is the link between a person’s thoughts and feelings and physical health. Because of this connection, sometimes, we do get sick even if we are following all the protocols of a healthy lifestyle. This is because, whether we like it or not; what we are feeling and thinking do affect the state of our physical body. When you feel sick and your medical results indicate that there is nothing wrong with you physically, the doctor says, “it is stress“. That is your cue that you should take a closer look at your mental and emotional state.

If this is the case, engage in activities or practices that promote relaxation and enhance positivity such as:

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Creative Arts
Massage
Prayer and Meditation
Exercises such as Qigong, Tai chi and Yoga

Sometimes, we just have to learn to let go of of the past and other things that are weighing us down. If it is difficult to do it alone, maybe it is time to consult with a clinical psychologist to help us with the healing process.

Spiritual

When you have exhausted all physical, mental and emotional ways of healing and you feel like you are not yet totally healed; then maybe it is time to take a look at the spiritual level. Ask yourself, are you spiritually well?

In spiritual healing, there is a belief that there is a spiritual energy that can heal all ailments. With this comes a realization that you are more than your physical body. You are more than your thoughts and feelings. And that within you resides a spiritual being.

Spiritual energy is often referred to as the Chi or the Qi. In Asian culture, the Chi or the Qi is the vital life force or the path of flow that resides in all human beings. This is the concept behind gentle exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong. It is also the concept behind martial arts practices such as Aikido.

Spiritual healing meditation is kind of a holistic energy healing technique that taps into the inner vital force of human beings. Its basic principle is that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. it addresses not just the physical body but also the emotional and spiritual aspects of the person. It is a belief that if the energy flow gets fixed, the person will get healed. Examples of energy healing techniques include:

Pranic Healing
Reiki Healing
Crystal Healing
Quantum Healing
Qigong

There is a life-force within your soul, seek that life.
– Rumi

Feauture Image by Activedia by Pixabay

Jun

2021

Unlock The Magic In Your Life

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Life does not need to be sad, boring, monotonous and depressing. It can be fun, thrilling, exciting and full of magic. It . Magic here means the realization of the impossible and the experience of something new. It is going on new adventures and trying out things you have not tried before. Yes, magic can happen in your life but only if you are open and willing. Here are ways on how to unlock the magic in your life.

1.Dream

Do you remember when you were a child? What was your dream then? What did you want to be when you grow up? A dream is a desire for something new in your life. Many people got trapped in making a living that they forgot their childhood dreams while others are simply scared to dream for fear that it might not come true. But in order to achieve the life that you want, you need to start with a dream. A dream is like a seed that you should plant first in order to succeed.

Nothing happens unless first we dream.
– Carl Sandburg

Start dreaming. Get a piece of paper and start redesigning your life through a bucket list.

2. Live with a Purpose

Everyone has a purpose in life. Your purpose in life is your reason for existence. Having a purpose creates meaning in our life because it influences your behavior and decisions. A purpose also gives you energy everyday. When you wake up in the morning, you know right away that there is something that you need to accomplish.

How to find your purpose? Well, your purpose has something to do with your genius, the unique talents and gifts that you are born with. Unleash the genius within you and you will find your purpose.

3. Try Something New

When was the last time you tried something new? By trying something different, you are going out of your comfort zone. It helps build confidence and boosts creativity. It also helps break the monotony of your otherwise boring life.

Trying something new does not only pertain to crossroads in life. You can also apply it in the little things like trying out a new restaurant or ordering something new on the menu. It can also mean listening to a new genre of music, watching a different show or trying a new activity. This can also be helpful especially when you travel. Going to new places will help you expand your world. It is all about new experiences.

4. Spend Time with Nature

In a world full of worry and stress, spending time with nature can help you recharge. It gives temporary refuge and offers peace and calmness away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It boosts creativity and productivity. A walk in nature is good for both mental and physiological health.

Spend time with nature. Go to the beach. Walk barefoot in the sands. Practice grounding. Climb a mountain. Go to the forest. Play with animals. Watch the sunset.

5. Have Fun

Do you take your life too seriously? When was the last time you had fun? Having fun releases happy hormones like serotonin and endorphins. You will feel good. It relieves stress. It also leads to better relationships with others. Have a good laugh, read and watch happy stuff. Eat good food. Play games. Add fun into your life.

6. Love

Have you ever been in love? When you are in love, you can’t help but think of the other person all the time. You grin absentmindedly. Suddenly, the world seems to be a great place to be in. That’s the magic of falling in love.

There is nothing more magical than love. Nothing.
-Ymatruz

So, what are you waiting for? Put magic into your life. Open that magic shop.

Feature Photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels

Jun

2021

Always in Style with The Little Black Dress

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Be always in style with a little black dress or LBD in your closet. This basic closet must-have is one of the legacies of Coco Chanel. Depending on the accessories and footwear, it can be worn for different occasions. If you haven’t got one, be sure to look around for an LBD that suits your style.

One is never over-dressed or underdressed in a little black dress.
Karl Lagerfield

The LBD comes in many styles to choose from, not just “little”. You can also choose one with a longer hem instead. This dress can match or change with your personal style or mood. There are many advantages to having a go-to LBD in your wardrobe.

It’s Practical

Need to go from board room to dance floor? A little black dress is a practical garment that you can wear to almost any occasion. It is very versatile and can take you from day to night; from office to party place just with a change of accessories, or none at all. You can dress it up for parties or tone it down for formal functions. You can use scarves, belts, jewelry; even handbags and shoes! You can change your accessories for every event or for every mood. Your LBD can help you dress for success!

It’s Discreet

Buying a dress for an unforeseen party or formal event? Go for the little black dress. Did you buy it cheap from a thrift store? No one will really notice. An LBD can help make you look expensive even on a budget. Black can hide imperfections in tailoring as well. It can save you from worrying about stains showing up. if you spilled your wine or some soy sauce on it, no problem. Enjoy the occasion and worry about the washing later.

It’s Flattering

We all know that black can make you look slimmer. Flowy fabric can hide some curves in the wrong places. The little black dress can serve as a perfect canvass to highlight your makeup or your favorite accessory. Got a statement necklace you want to show off? The LBD will give you the right background to make it more noticeable. Wearing an LBD can also boost your confidence as you get compliments from people around you.

It’s Classic

Finally, the LBD is a fashion essential that will never go out of style. It is the most common go-to dress for many people; from celebrities to office workers. From past Hollywood celebrities to new pop sensations; the LBD has never been left behind. Fashion designers and stylists always have an LBD in their style collections and seasonal staples. There are many fashion trends that make a comeback each year. The little black dress on the other hand, has never gone out of style.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 07.02.2018.

Feature Image: Original Image by Peter David from Pixabay.

Jun

2021

Use The Power of Compound Interest to Get Rich

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Have you ever been to any of the seven wonders of the world? They are so-called the wonders of the world because of their beauty and perfection. They were created by mankind in the past that are now revered in the modern world. In the world of investing, there is a principle that is dubbed as the 8th Wonder of the World. Albert Einstein called it “the most powerful force in the universe”, and that is compound interest. Anyone can use the power of compound interest to get rich.

Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it.
– Albert Einstein

What is so nice about it is that anyone can use it to their advantage, regardless of age, gender, social status and educational background. It can create millionaires even for ordinary people.

What is Compound Interest?

Compound interest is the interest on loan or deposit. The interest is then added to the principal amount and accumulated through a period of time. Simply put, it is interest on interest.

To illustrate, for example you start saving $100 a month from the time you are 20 years old until you become 65 years old for your retirement fund. Let us say the fund gives 6% interest per annum compounded annually. By the time you retire at 65, you will have $475,471.46 in your account.

Compare the $475,471.46 with $66,000 which is the total amount you would have saved after 55 years of saving if you have decided to put your money under the mattress. That is the power of compound interest. Use it to your advantage, and it will work wonders for you. It is the key to wealth.

To take advantage of this principle, you need two things.

1. Investment

The first one is investment. For your money to earn interest, you need to invest first. Your piggy bank or your mattress will not give you compound interest.

There are many kinds of investment vehicles available out there from stocks, bonds, options, real estate, mutual funds, insurance, jewelries, antiques and many others. You just need to find one that best suits your personality and risk tolerance.

2.Time

The second thing that you need is time. As a general rule, the longer you have been saving, the more money you can expect to make. In short, more time means more opportunity for compounding.

Two-Edged Sword

However, compound interest is a two-edged sword. True, it can help you get richer but it can also help you get poorer; or worse it can even lead to bankruptcy. How? Through bad debts most especially credit card debts.

Most credit card companies use the power of compound interest to their advantage. This means that the interest incurred is applied to your principal amount each time you decide not to pay your total credit card amount due in time. What is more alarming is that compound interest is not added annually but rather to the balance amount to the end of each day.

Thus, compound interest is very beneficial but at the same time very damaging for you. In order to avoid this, make sure to pay the total amount due of your credit card on time. If you don’t have enough budget for it, practice delayed gratification.

Make compound interest your best friend not your worst enemy!

Feature Image by Pexels

Jun

2021

Does An Apple A Day Really Keep the Doctor Away?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? You must have heard of this familiar expression. Notes and Queries magazine was the first one to publish the original quote:

Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.

But is there truth to it? The answer is Yes and No.

Yes to Different Fruits

Yes an apple a day can keep the doctor away as it is a nutritious fruit. But it’s not the only nutritious fruit around. Think of an apple as the first fruit you can easily add to your diet and then add more fruits from there. You should aim for 4 to 5 servings of fruits a day (for adults).

A medium apple is a great source of calories and carbs for energy, fiber, vitamins and minerals. In particular, it has vitamin C which helps to lower risk factors for many health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. In this way, adding more fruits to your diet can help support weight loss, and improver your overall health.

Also, if you want to clean your mouth and teeth but don’t have a toothbrush on hand, eating an apple will do the trick. They’re also more effective than coffee to help you stay awake and alert.

No, Not Just Apples

There’s no excuse to eating an apple a day. Also, eating an apple a day wont’ probably harm you. However, eating only apples might have negative side effects. Remember that too much of a good thing can be bad. Also, you would need to eat way more than one apple a day to get the same nutrition from other fruits. So why not eat a variety of fruits instead?

Different fruits have different nutrition profiles. Eating different fruits means that you have a better chance of getting optimal nutrition. This reduces your risk of developing a mineral or vitamin deficiency.

Starting with an apple a day is a good way to start adding fruits to your diet. Don’t add them all at once. Your body will need to adjust to your new diet. Otherwise, you can have negative side effects. For example, a sudden influx of fiber from eating so many fruits at once can cause bloating and may even give you stomach pains.

So an apple a day can really keep the doctor away but only if you eat with other fruits and vegetables, consistently, and in moderation. Also, try to get organic fruits so you can get the most nutrition without the added pesticides. Or have a look around your community and see if there are neighbors who naturally grow their own fruits and veggies.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Александар Цветановић from Pexels.

Jun

2021

Why Buy Antique and Vintage Items

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Why buy antique and vintage items?

My interest with anything antique and vintage started more than a decade ago. We just moved into our new house then. We needed to buy all the necessary appliances and furniture to make it livable. Unfortunately, we had to do this on a limited budget. Thankfully, a friend of ours was moving house and her family were trying to dispose of some of their old furniture, one of which was a 1920’s Art Deco dining table made of narra. For those who are unfamiliar with narra; it is a type of hard and heavy wood endemic to Southeast Asia, North Australasia and islands in the west of the Pacific Ocean.

They sold the table to us for about $200 US dollars. Anyway, to cut the long story short, we used that table for 5 years. Imagine my surprise when after 5 years of using it, we were able to resell that table at US$500, which was more than twice the original amount. In a world where furniture is considered a depreciable property, obviously, this is not always the case. There are furniture out there that can actually appreciate in value over time.

You might probably argue that we got the table for a bargain because we bought it from a friend. That may be true, however, during the course of time, we were able to duplicate this scenario not only with furniture but also with other antique or vintage items such art works, jewelries, luxury watches and even classic designer items that we have purchased since then.

Antique vs Vintage vs Retro

What is the difference between antique, vintage and retro? While all three items are considered old, the main difference among them lies in the age of the items. To be considered an antique, that item needs to be at least 100 years old.

Vintage items are generally much younger. Any item more than 30 years old is already considered vintage. Since different decades have different characteristics; normally, the year always has to follow when describing something as vintage. For example, my car is a vintage 1953.

Retro on the other hand are those out-of-date items or something just from the recent past.

Generally, the older the item, the more expensive it is. That is why collecting antiques is a luxurious hobby that only the affluent can afford. The wealthy almost always include antique and vintage items as part of their investment portfolio. For those who are just starting to invest, vintage items are a good starting point.

And this leads us to the first reason why you should buy antique or vintage items.

1. Investment

If you can afford to buy antique items, then do so. For those who are just starting to invest, vintage items are a good alternative. A carefully chosen item can turn into a treasured heirloom. If you own it long enough, there is a big probability that you will receive big money for it in the future. Thus, a great number of people buy it as a form of long-term investment.

As opposed to buying new items or furniture that will depreciate in value over time, why not opt for something that you can not only use but also appreciates in value ? The value of a piece depends not just on quality but also its exclusiveness and rarity. New items can always be produced by demand but that is not the case for antique and vintage items. There is always an unmet demand.

Aside from the investment component, there are other reasons why you should buy antique or vintage items.

2. Authenticity

We now live in an era where counterfeit goods are everywhere. Almost all products such as food, watches, medicines, cosmetics, and leather goods have counterfeit versions. In fact, according to the latest report of the International Chamber of Commerce, counterfeit goods are now a US $2.3 trillion industry.

Just to keep up with the Joneses, more and more people are now buying fake goods. Although tempting because they cost less than the original, these goods are inferior in quality and sometimes harmful. With antique and vintage items, you are sure that what you are buying are authentics. So, why settle for a reproduction when you can have the real thing?

3. Craftsmanship

In the old days, there were still no cellphones, no TV, no ipad, no internet, etc…so people had a lot of time on their hands. So, they take extra care in creating something beautiful. Attention to detail is highly valued. Most of these items are carved, cut and polished by hand and not made by machines. Thus, they are considered works of art. Focus on items then is on quality rather than quantity.

4. Uniqueness

All antiques and some vintage items were created during the time when mass production was still unheard of. So, each piece is unique, original and one-of-a-kind. Imagine owning or wearing something that no one else in the world owns?

This is just one of the reasons why many celebrities are such big fans of vintage clothing. Remember the black and white vintage Valentino dress that Julio Roberts wore at the 73rd Academy Awards way back in 2001 when she won the best actress for Erin Brockovich? Up until today, that vintage Valentino is still considered one of the most iconic Oscar dresses of all time.

With vintage clothing, you don’t need to worry about walking into a room and seeing another person wearing the same thing as you. When people walk up to you to compliment your clothes or accessories for example and ask you where you bought it, you can say, “It’s vintage.” How cool is that?

This is just one of the reasons why many celebrities are such big fans of vintage clothing. Remember the black and white vintage Valentino dress that Julio Roberts worn at the 73rd Academy Awards way back in 2001 when she won the best actress for Erin Brockovich? Up until today, that vintage Valentino is still considered one of the most iconic Oscar dresses of all time.

With vintage clothing, you don’t need to worry about walking into a room and seeing another person wearing the same thing as you. When people walked to you to compliment your clothes or accessories for example and asked you where you bought it, you can say, “It’s vintage.” How cool is that?

5. History

Every piece of antique and vintage item has its own place in history. It served as witness of an era wherein we can only imagine. Each piece served as a wonderful opportunity to interact with the past. It gives a deeper appreciation of history and a priceless knowledge of the people who lived then. By owning one, you actually become a part of that history.

6. Eco-friendly

Patronizing antique and vintage items is actually one way to help the environment. These items do not cut down new trees nor do they contribute to industrial pollution. By buying and restoring them, you are actually recycling and reusing old items and thus contributing to sustainable development.

7. Value for Money

Although antique and vintage items are generally more expensive than their modern counterparts, you will definitely get your money’s worth. Aside from its quality, the fact that it is still being sold up to this day is already proof of its durability and quality. Its value more often than not appreciates over time. So, you always have the option of reselling it later on. The same cannot be said with modern items for their values depreciate over time.

And besides, not all antiques and vintage items are expensive. You can always find bargains at yard sales and flea markets as long as you enjoy the thrill of hunting for good finds.

8. Accent and Conversation Piece

Because of their uniqueness, antique and vintage items can serve as accent pieces both in fashion and interior design. You can actually mix antique and vintage with modern furniture. By mixing the old and the new, you will achieve that modern look but with a touch of old-world charm.

Take a look at the photo below. The contemporary interior design was accentuated by mid-century vintage items like the lounge chair, chandelier, coffee tables and stand light.

Moreover, since every item has a story, it can also be an interesting topic of conversation. Whether it has been passed down from generations or it is part of your collections, whatever it is, it tells something about you.

9. Heirloom

Because of its intrinsic and personal value, antique and vintage pieces can be passed down to your family from generation to generation.

10. Heritage Conservation

And lastly, by patronizing antique and vintage items, you are actually partaking in the preservation of heritage items for the future generations to appreciate.

Photo by NEOSiAM 2021 from Pexels

Updated version. First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 22.04.2019

Jun

2021

How to Create Your Safe Space

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Have you ever wondered how to create your safe space? Many of us are so used to the rush of our everyday lives that we have forgotten to consider our own sacred space.

A safe space can be defined in many ways. Basically, it is a place where we can feel safe, free from judgment and where we can do whatever we love doing. It is a place where we can hold open dialogues with those who are most important to us, or even with ourselves. In this safe space, we can feel free to express our innermost thoughts, hopes and dreams. It is also where we can vent out our negative emotions if necessary, without fear of the consequences. Your safe space is your very own magic shop.

Each one of us needs to create our own safe space to help us create balance in our lives. As we go about our daily lives; we move through spaces and places where we need to follow rules and restrictions. We are able to live in this environment because of our personas. But what about our creative, shadow selves? Ideally, our safe space is where we can come home, let go of stress and find comfort in the things we love.

1. Create a Space of Inner Safety

Feeling safe starts from within. Learning how to face the storms of life calmly is a rare trait but one we must learn. Before we can successfully challenge anything outside of ourselves, we need to calm our own hearts and minds. Create your own safe space for inner safety to start feeling calm and assured in your daily life.

Learn to practice meditation to calm your thoughts at the start of the day. Then, throughout the day; try practicing mindfulness. Knowing yourself first and what triggers your positive and negative emotions gives you more control of your reactions to certain situations. Make ritual of your self-care routine. A gratitude journal also helps you to appreciate the positive things in your life.

Another important factor to consider for inner calmness is how you talk to yourself. Smile at yourself in the mirror instead of frowning. This way, you are more encouraged to say something positive about the morning or yourself. Talk to yourself and learn to appreciate what’s positive or good about you. Let your good side shine through by freely expressing your good feelings towards other people as well.

2. Organize Your Physical Safe Space

The next space where you can create safety is in your home. Usually, your bedroom is the first place that comes to mind but you can make your whole home feel safe too. Just like how meditation helps you calm down your chattering mind; you need to create a tranquil atmosphere in your home. This is also where you can display your vision board.

The first step is to declutter your space. Start with your room. Make your bed as soon as you wake up. Inspect your cabinets and drawers and organize what’s inside. Get rid of things you don’t use anymore and give them to someone else or to recycling centers. Keep only the things you love and use. Then, clean your whole room or clean your whole house too. Afterwards, put your cabinets, drawers and desk in order. This is the time where you can decorate or redecorate. Finally, cleanse and refresh the energy of your space by doing an energy clearing routine.

Make sure there’s a place for everything in your room. Don’t forget to return things to their proper places once you’re done using them. Put out the stuffed toys or quirky pillow cases you’ve been hiding and display them on your bed or chair. Put some fresh flowers on your favorite vase or add some plants to your desk. You can even use candles or diffusers as well as warm lights and music to create the calm and comfy atmosphere that will help you relax. Here, you can read your favorite books, write in your journal, do your meditation or yoga or enjoy a restful sleep.

3. Maintain an Emotionally Safe Space

Your social relationships can be your safe space. Even the calmest individual needs their family, best buddies, mentors, team mates to support them through their ups and downs in life. Having a group of people that you can turn to for the different obstacles that you may face is an important part of your life.

These are the people who provide you with the emotional safe space where you can express your feelings without being judged. Instead, they are there to help you solve whatever challenge you are facing. They provide you with the emotional support you need just by listening to you rant about your toxic work mate or how you want to quit your job but you’re too scared to do it.

Surround yourself with people who give you the emotional space to be who you truly are. With them, you can be silly and funny. You can bicker and disagree but you can still enjoy laughing at each other’s stupid mistakes afterwards. They can get serious with you if you need them to or enjoy being spontaneous with you. They give you the truth even if it hurts but they help you wipe away your tears and nurse your wounds as well.

4. Develop Your Financial Safety Net

Our jobs are a major part of our lives. Our main reason for staying in our jobs is the salary we get in return for our services. However, many of us become unhappy in our jobs because we find that our salaries are not enough to allow us to live the life we want. This is why creating a financially safe space is important. Saving money and reducing debt and expenses should be common sense but most of us don’t do this. Many books on wealth can help you transform your mindset about money and change your life for the better.

The first thing you need to do is to track your expenses. This helps you find out where your money leaks are and where you can reduce your spending so you can save more. Next is to create a budget so you can plan exactly where your money goes. This prevents you from missing any payment deadlines as well as helps you prepare for unplanned expenses. Make sure to include “savings” and “tithe” in your budget. If you know about the Law of Attraction, you know that it is important to give back in order to receive more. Whatever you receive, make sure to pay yourself first by putting it into your savings account.

In order to feel financially safe, you should aim to have at least 3-6 months worth of your monthly income in your savings account. This way, you have expenses to cover you if you decide to leave your job and look for something new. You should also aim to pay off your loans and credit card debts. During this process, learn how to manage your credit cards wisely to enjoy their benefits. Another thing you need to learn is how to invest your money so you can grow them slowly but steadily. Investments can provide you peace of mind that you can retire comfortably in the future.

There are other aspects of your life where you can create your own safe space. The best way is to focus on doing things gradually and consistently. By creating safe spaces for yourself, you can also help other people feel safe when they are interacting with you.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Emily Rudolph on Unsplash.

Jun

2021

The Secret to The Secret

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Have you heard of The Secret? The bestselling book, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is actually about the Law of Attraction. It works on the premise that one’s thoughts can change one’s life. This technique was supposedly the secret to success of successful people throughout history such as Plato, Beethoven, Leonardo Da Vinci and Albert Einstein. Even famous celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Jim Carrey, Will Smith, Lady Gaga and Arnold Schwarzenegger all talk about The Secret. So, what exactly is The Secret? Is it as simple as changing your thoughts or is there a secret behind it? What exactly is the secret to The Secret?

The Law of Attraction

The Law of Attraction is one of the Universal Laws of the Universe. It is a philosophy that states that positive thoughts bring about positive results. In the same way that negative thoughts attract negative results. It is based on the premise that thoughts are energy. And that likes attract likes. Why is it important? It is important because the law of attraction tells us to be careful of what we focus on.

What you think you become. What you feel you attract. And what you imagine you create.
– Buddha

According to The Secret, The Law of Attraction is “the greatest and most infallible law upon which the entire system of creation depends.” It is similar to the law of gravity in the sense that it will always be there. Whether you like it or not; it will have a major impact in your life.

Key Lessons From The Secret

Here are key lessons from the book that we need to be consciously aware of:

Everything starts with our thoughts.
Thus, we should always be aware of our thoughts.
Always think positive.
Pay attention to your feelings.
Don’t dwell on the negative.
Instead of focusing on the challenges in your life right now, it is better to visualize your ideal future instead.

The Secret to The Secret

So, if we think positive thoughts, does it mean that good things will start happening in our lives? Well, yes and no. Critics of The Secret say that the book gave an impression that it is all about wishful thinking. It failed to give an accurate distinction between simply wishing as against doing something about it. The truth is there is another underlying secret to The Secret.

Master Sri Akarshana, a famous yogi in the World of the Law of Attraction, gave a practical and easy to understand explanation on how to apply the Law of Attraction in our lives. He likened the application of the law to shopping online. According to him, there are three steps that you need to take in order to manifest your heart’s desire successfully.

1. Be Specific

When you are shopping online, you are looking for a specific item. Thus, what you do is to go to the specific website and search for the item. More often than not, we already have the specifics like the brand, size, design, shape and color in mind. It means it is already in our mind. We have already visualize it. On times that we do not know the specifics, what we normally do is to research and read reviews until we find the right product that we are looking for. You don’t expect a particular product to be delivered on your doorstep unless you have chosen that specific product.

The same is true with the Law of Attraction. You need to be specific. You want a car? Then, what car? What model? What color? You need to be very clear in what you want. It all starts in your thoughts. But it should also come with emotions. You need to really, really want it and believe that you can have it.

2. Act on It

Going back to your online shopping, the product that you want to buy will not magically be delivered unless of course, it is a gift from somebody. However, almost 99% of the time, chances are you actually ordered it yourself. Buying online entails you to go to the website, search the product, click the order button, pay and give your delivery address and contact details. In short, there was action needed on your part.

The Law of Attraction is the same. It is not going to be given to you no matter how much you visualize it unless you start acting on it. Thoughts and emotions are just the first step. To be able to successfully manifest, it should come with action.

3. Let Go

Equally important as the first two steps is the last step which is letting go.

Going back to your online shopping, once you place your order, do you go on calling the company every minute of the day just to follow-up your order? Sometimes you do it when there is delay but you do not do it every minute of your day. What you do after placing your order is to move on with your day-to-day activities.

Likewise, the same principle applies in the Law of Attraction. You don’t stress yourself every minute waiting for your dreams to happen. What you should do is to move on with your life. You can act on it again every now and then to follow-up but getting stressed and obsessive about it is not going to help. You need to let it go. What you are asking for will come at the right time and on the right form.

May all your dreams come true!

Photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels