Smiling does not only improve the quality of our face, it also benefits us in different other ways. We are more likable. Also, smiling allows us to share our humanity, in sociable settings as well as the work environment, and it also, surprisingly, improves our health. As we age, we smile less often. According to studies, a child smiles up to 400 times a day, as compared to the average adult who smiles only about 20 times within 24 hours. Considering we are truly improving our family and work-life by smiling, we need to learn how to smile and laugh again.
Smiling releases cortisol and endorphins, which improve our well-being by:
Reducing blood pressure
Increasing endurance
Reducing pain
Reducing stress
Strengthening immune system
If we take all the advantages into account that smiling gives us, and the only con would be a few laughing lines around the lips, I would like to highly recommend: ‘Live your life and smile away’.
Picture courtesy of Google.com
What is it that makes you smile? Tell us about it in the comments.
Writers (and other humans) tend to suffer from insomnia, fatigue, depression, headaches, digestion problems, anxieties and other ailments, due to sitting too long, constant overflowing of their brain and thinking, and for other reasons, basically too many to count.
However, there is a possibility to help with some of these ailments in a natural healing way. My experience showed me some improvement in my general well-being, which helped me to better writing as well. I’m talking about essential oils. We breathe, and the smell of some essential oils help us with some of our ailments.
We just need to remember: Too much of a good thing can be bad.
Let’s have a look at what I found:
CITRUS
These light oils often have fruity scents that are characteristic of the rinds from which they are extracted. They can be described as tangy or tart, fresh, clean, vibrant, invigorating, exciting, energizing, and uplifting.
Lemon
Orange
Grapefruit Bergamot
Lime
Tangerine
Citronella
Lemongrass
Mandarin
Litsea Cubeba
Tagetes
Most often top notes
Energizing
Uplifting
Emotionally balancing to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety
Deodorizing
Cleansing; popular addition to antibacterial oil blends
Refreshing
Stimulating for mental and spiritual vigor
FLORAL
These scents are often reminiscent of the flowers from which they are extracted and can be described as being feminine, powdery, subtle, modest, romantic, and even poetic. They are often sweet-smelling and create a feeling of cheerfulness. Floral scents are considered to be classic and timeless.
Chamomile
Geranium
Jasmine
Lavender
Neroli
Rose
Rosewood
Ylang-Ylang
Petitgrain
Most often middle notes
Comforting
Promotes rest
Sometimes sleep-inducing
Mood balancing
HERBACEOUS
Essential Oils that have herbaceous scents can be further described as smelling green or grassy. These Essential Oils often have mild floral yet invigorating spring-like scents that are associated with lush, wet foliage. They are reminiscent of the aroma of fresh leaves, moss, mown grass, herbs, and trees.
Chamomile
Angelica Root
Clary Sage
Eucalyptus Radiata
Fennel
Hyssop
Marjoram
Melissa
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Bay Laurel
Catnip
Sage Dalmatian
Parsley
Tea Tree
Yarrow
Most often middle notes
Calming
Promotes positivity
Encouraging
Emotionally balancing
Grounding
CAMPHORACEOUS
These Essential Oils have strong scents and are known to be beneficial for clearing the respiratory system due to their clarifying, penetrating, energizing, purifying, and almost medicinal aromas.
Camphor
Cajeput
Eucalyptus
Pennyroyal
Laurel Leaf
Lavandin
Most often middle notes
Stimulating
Refreshing
Focus-enhancing
MINTY
Essential Oils with a minty scent are strong-scented and are distinctly known for their bracing, fresh fragrances. They are reputed to be clearing and cooling when used in aromatherapy and topical applications.
Spearmint
Wintergreen
Peppermint
Can be top, middle, or base Notes
Motivating
Cooling
Invigorating
Mentally clarifying
SPICY
These Essential Oils have exotic, warm, intense aromas that are often reminiscent of baking and other warm memories. With strong scents, they are commonly used to stimulate energy and focus.
Aniseed
Basil
Black Pepper
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Coriander
Cumin
Ginger
Nutmeg
Allspice
Cassia
Clove Bud
Middle or base notes
Bracing
Rousing
Crisp and penetrating
Lively
RESINOUS/MUSKY
These Essential Oils exude deep, rich scents that are smoky, woody, earthy, sweet, leather-like, and warm. Their mellow, alluring, and long-lasting fragrances lend a reassuring quality that makes them ideal for use in spiritual practices.
Benzoin
Elemi
Frankincense
Myrrh
Peru Balsam
Middle or base notes
Grounding
Promotes relaxation and sense of inner calm
Emotionally balancing
Uplifting
Known to be commonly used for intimacy enhancement
Tend to be associated with a casual feeling
WOODY/EARTHY
These Essential Oils have deep, warm, lingering scents.
Often described as smelling “brown,” these oils are reminiscent of the scents of a forest floor or damp soil. Their fragrances are soft, masculine, musky, and sensual. Their alluring, seductive, and hypnotic qualities create an atmosphere of mystery.
Cypress
Juniper Berry
Pine
Sandalwood
Fir
Cedarwood
(Atlas & Virginian)
Palo Santo
Rosewood
Patchouli
Vetiver
Valerian
Carrot Seed
Most often middle or base notes
Grounding
Uplifting
Emotionally balancing
Promote feelings of comfort, security, and well-being
Often considered to be aphrodisiacs
I copied the above mentioned information from a website I consider an excellent source for beginners.
But please, read about how to use them, the disclaimer, and the side effects. Essential oils are a wonderful addition to our life and can help us, not only with our writing, but they shouldn’t be used thoughtlessly or without limits.
When I read that quote it didn’t go out of my head for quite some time. The quote made me realize that currently I am forced to dance in the rain. I could imagine to many people this quote means many things. To me, currently, it means to live one of my strengths: resilience. I have to adjust to the difficulties that life challenges us with at times.
What, if we were spoiled at all times, never challenged, nothing ever changes? Besides being bored, wouldn’t we forget how to be grateful for what we have; for the comfortability in our life? I think, sometimes we need a ‘rainy day’, or overcast, otherwise we couldn’t appreciate the sunshine anymore.
Going through rough times doesn’t mean ‘giving up’, or being forced to give up. It means, fighting for what we had, what we want, what we desire to have, or have back. Sure, I could have sat there and hoped the ‘storm would pass’. But I didn’t know what would be after the storm: would the sunshine be back? Or would there be a flood, and I’d be forced to swim, after having lost everything?
After everything that floated into my direction, I found it made more sense to learn how to dance in the rain. And that’s when I decided to read the ‘signs’ life showed me… the bad weather forecast, so to speak, and start swimming into a new direction… I am going to dance in the rain for a while, and then I will see, where the sunshine is going to lead me, and what miracles and wonders it will show me in the future.
I look forward to meeting you by the one or other puddle, or, maybe, somewhere soon, when I will see the sunbeams.
Picture courtesy of Google.com
Vivian Greene is a visionary, artist, author and entrepreneur who spreads her messages of greater love and awareness to everyone on the planet.
Her intrinsic values are recognized by business moguls who seek her advice and major corporations who are encouraged to balance the highest good with the bottom line.
Vivian also enables artists, authors, photographers, speakers and visionaries to serve others and prosper by turning their works into inspiring products. This is your chance to dance in the rain with her and see this world be the best it can be: http://www.viviangreene.com
When I read that quote, I felt like this was the life anchor that held me grounded. It seemed I did a lot of that during my life…
I’m not going into details right now, otherwise, you’re still going to read tomorrow. (And no, just in case you’re asking me that, I won’t write an autobiography). I think, after all, my life was only interesting to me.
I consider myself someone who’s still searching. Searching for somewhere to belong… a place… a heart… a spot… something. At times I walk down a path and then seem to realize I walked in the wrong direction. So, what am I doing? I’m trying to correct that.
I might not have always made the best decisions in my life. But I was never bored. I try to learn from walking in the wrong direction and do better next time. It might work someday, who knows?
Am I asking myself, if that new path I’m about to walk down will be the right one? Yes, of course, I am. On the other hand, as one of my close friends says: “Everything happens for a reason”. Maybe this time I will see what’s at the end of the path… and maybe this time I will find the happiness – and the heart I was looking for…
Picture Goodreads.com
Gregory David Roberts (born Gregory John Peter Smith; 21 June 1952) is an Australian author best known for his novel Shantaram. He is a former heroin addict and convicted bank robber who escaped from Pentridge Prison in 1980 and fled to India, where he lived for ten years.
Roberts reportedly became addicted to heroin after his marriage ended and he lost custody of his young daughter. To finance his drug habit, Roberts turned to crime, becoming known as the “Building Society Bandit” and the “Gentleman Bandit”, because he only robbed institutions with adequate insurance. He wore a three-piece suit, and he always said “please” and “thank you” to the people he robbed.
At the time, Roberts believed that his manner lessened the brutality of his acts but, later in his life, he admitted that people only gave him money because he had made them afraid. He escaped from Pentridge Prison in 1980.
In 1990, Roberts was captured in Frankfurt, trying to smuggle himself into the country. He was extradited to Australia and served a further six years in prison, two of which were spent in solitary confinement. According to Roberts, he escaped prison again during that time, but thought better of it and smuggled himself back into jail. His intention was to serve the rest of his sentence to give himself the chance to be reunited with his family. During his second stay in an Australian prison, he began writing Shantaram. The manuscript was destroyed twice by prison staff while Roberts was writing it.
On my own account:
Just in case you’re asking yourself: Do I think it’s wise, or even ‘cool’, to quote Gregory David Roberts? My answer is no. To be frank, I’m not the biggest fan of the man – but this particular statement is worth quoting.
May 31, 2021 is the day the USA remembers the fallen heros. It’s a day to celebrate the lives of the ones fighting for freedom, for rights, for country, home and family, and paid the highest price for what they believed in.
~ Dear Father in Heaven. Thank you for welcoming the Fallen’s souls in Heaven. Protect their families, and help them with their grief. Let the Heroes rest in peace. Amen ~
Tour was up, middle of June
She was plannin’ a welcome home barbecue
Green bean casserole, Grandma’s recipe
There was a knock on her door ’round two o’clock
Two uniforms and her heart stopped
Yellow ribbon ’round an oak tree
Blowing in the breeze
.
Here’s to the ones that didn’t make it back home
The ones we ain’t seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones, the wish they were here ones
The not forgotten but gone
They’re in a better place up there
But they sure left a hole down here
We just go on livin’ and go on missin’ the ones
The ones that didn’t make it back home
.
The whole town shut down, the whole town showed up
Sang Amazing Grace, watched a slideshow of
His twenty-two years
There was laughs and there was tears
And that preacher talked about sacrifice
And traffic stopped for them Cadillac lights
Johnny sold beer half price that night
And everybody raised ’em high, singin’
.
Here’s to the ones that didn’t make it back home
The ones we ain’t seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones, the wish they were here ones
The not forgotten but gone
They’re in a better place up there
But they sure left a hole down here
We just go on livin’ and go on missin’ the ones
The ones that didn’t make it back home
.
Back to that front porch
Back through that front door
To the life they were fightin’ for
.
Here’s to the ones that didn’t make it back home
The ones we ain’t seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones, the wish they were here ones
The not forgotten but gone
They’re in a better place up there
But they sure left a hole down here
We just go on livin’ and go on missin’ the ones
The ones that didn’t make it back home
.
The ones that didn’t make it back home
.
(Justin Moore ,The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home)
Anne R. Allen provides us with an experience no author ever wants to make. Read the blog post and you know what I mean. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Anne.
Recently I got a furious Facebook message from a stranger who accused me of “using her life” in one of my books. It’s amazing how sometimes life imitates fiction.
She had apparently been a Facebook friend, and she dramatically unfriended me after sending a distraught DM describing the traumas in her life that I’d “stolen”.
Since she’d blocked me, I wasn’t able to assure her that Leona Von Schmidt, one of the suspects in The Queen of Staves, is an entirely fictional construct—a comic character who is not meant to resemble any real inhabitant of Planet Earth, living or dead.
When I wrote the book, I’d known nothing about the details of the Facebook woman’s life that she accused me of revealing. (Although of course, I know them now. Some things can’t be unread, alas.)
New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.
– Lao Tzu
Thank you all, authors, readers, followers, visitors, and friends, for making blogging and writing to me an exciting and thrilling adventure, for being a part of my life and for supporting and encouraging me!
Let me wish you and your loved ones now
A successful, exciting, thrilling, enjoyable, positive and amazing NewYear!
Today I found this really wonderful, heartwarming story about Doris Day and Mary Hartmann – written By Darlene Craviotto. I was weeping when I read the blog post and I thought I needed to share Darlene’s Memory. I’m sure, it leaves you with a smile – and tears in your eyes, just like me.
Doris Day died yesterday and that’s why I’m writing this post.
I wasn’t a friend, or a member of her family; just like everybody else, I knew her from the movies. I used to be a tour guide at Universal Studios, and I got to meet a lot of big movie stars there, from Lucille Ball (who hated it when the tour guides leaned on her Rolls Royce to talk with her) to Paul Newman (whose piercing blue eyes locked with mine one day at the studio commissary, and my knees have been weak ever since). I never had a chance to meet Doris Day on the Universal lot. But one rainy night in Hollywood she was a good friend to me and a beautiful Golden Retriever named, “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.”
It was long ago, when I was a member of a struggling group of actors who worked all day at the tours at Universal, so we could work all night (for free) performing plays at a little theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Seven nights a week, one block down from the Weird Museum, above a toy store and Fredericks of Hollywood Sexy Lingerie, overlooking the stars of Ann Margret, Gene Barry, and James Cagney, we practiced our craft and shared the Hollywood dream.
Derek Haines writes about starting over and leaving our comfort zone. Thanks a lot for that blog post, Derek. It was very important to me right now.
Change is the only constant in life
Everyone loves to talk about change, but when change happens unexpectedly, it usually means starting over and leaving one of our comfort zones behind us.
It doesn’t matter what the cause is; a relationship, a job or where you live.
When your stability and routine is upset, it can be difficult to know how to start over and find a fresh start.
But when we look back on the changes that have happened in our lives, such as an old job, a previous relationship or where we lived ten years ago, today is better.
It can take time to adapt, but in the end, we generally feel good about the choices and decisions we made.
Change in life is not always easy.
But when it comes to publishing today, making changes is the only way to move ahead.
Doris Day died yesterday and that’s why I’m writing this post.
It was long ago, when I was a member of a struggling group of actors who worked all day at the tours at Universal, so we could work all night (for free) performing plays at a little theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Seven nights a week, one block down from the Weird Museum, above a toy store and Fredericks of Hollywood Sexy Lingerie, overlooking the stars of Ann Margret, Gene Barry, and James Cagney, we practiced our craft and shared the Hollywood dream.
Change is the only constant in life
Everyone loves to talk about change, but when change happens unexpectedly, it usually means starting over and leaving one of our comfort zones behind us.
Writer's Treasure Chest 
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