Blog Archives - Page 44 of 48

31 Dec

What’s Your Positivity Ratio?

We all know negativity; it looms large and is easy to spot. Negativity pervades your self-talk and your judgments. It bleeds into exchanges with your kids and your colleagues, eroding goodwill. Making matters worse, negativity breeds health-damaging negative emotions – like anger, contempt, and depression – which seep into your entire body. You can feel the simmering bitterness eating away at your stomach, raising your blood pressure, and turning your shoulder and neck muscles to stone.

But what about positivity?
Can it transform our lives?
And what is positivity, anyway?

For more than twenty years, Dr. Barbara Fredrickson has researched these questions. What she discovered and teaches has made her a luminary in psychology and beyond. Now, in Positivity, she shares how experiencing positive emotions in a 3-to-1 ratio to negative emotions leads people to achieve what they once could only imagine. Far from frivolous, tapping into one’s own unique sources of positivity is a wise and healthy investment in the future.

In Positivity, Dr. Fredrickson reveals how the stunning new scientific discoveries about this powerful – though undervalued – state of mind can enhance your relationships, improve your health, relieve depression, and broaden your mind.

Experience positivity for yourself and make a lasting difference in the way you live.

Take the online quiz to see where your ratio is at today HERE.

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31 Dec

Just in Time for Sex and the City 2 – Cosmos All Around!

Here’s the real story behind the fabulous Cosmopolitan cocktail, just in time for the release of Sex & the City 2.

The story begins and ends with master mixologist, Dale “King Cocktail” DeGroff. While Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda are often credited with bringing the Cosmopolitan cocktail to widespread popularity and acclaim, the story behind the cocktail actually pre-dates the fab SATC four. The real story begins in 1992 at an exclusive after-party for the Grammy’s, held at the Rainbow Room where Dale was tending bar. That evening, all eyes were on Madonna as she and her entourage settled in the VIP Lounge. The provocative songstress requested something chic and delicious, and DeGroff whipped up a batch of Cosmopolitans.

He served the pink libation to the original Material Girl, Madonna, and the AP image circulated around the globe. The Cosmo became an overnight sensation! It was one of the first cocktails to gain international notoriety, and was a catalyst for the cocktail-craft and mixology explosion that would later grip the U.S. and the world!

To celebrate the release of Sex & the City 2, Dale has revived his classic drink creating a modern twist on the Cosmo for the more grown up ladies. Cosmopolitan Dreams adds a sophisticated touch of champagne, bringing the Cosmo back and ready to take on the new millennium.

The Cosmopolitan Dreams (created by Dale DeGroff)

3/4 ounce Citrus Vodka
3/4 ounce Cointreau
3/4 ounce Cranberry juice
1/4 ounce Fresh lime juice
2 1/2 ounces Piper Heidsieck Champagne

Assemble the vodka, Cointreau, and juices in a boston shaker with ice and shake well to chill.

Strain into a champagne glass and fill with champagne. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

The Original Cosmopolitan (created by Dale DeGroff)

1 1/2 oz vodka
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz cranberry juice
3/4 oz lime juice

Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with a twist of orange

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31 Dec

Sleep Solutions for Bedroom Bliss

Sleeping together is an important way for couples to feel connected to one another. While many partners can live happily together; they just can’t sleep well side by side. Research from the Better Sleep Council (BSC) found that on average, one in three Americans report that their partner’s sleep problems negatively impact their own quality of sleep. If your partner’s sleep style has you headed for a separate room, relationship expert Lissa Coffey and the Better Sleep Council have some tips that just might bring harmony back to the bedroom and into your relationship. 1.    Problem: Your partner kicks in his or her sleep, waking you up.
Solution: Make sure your bed gives each person adequate sleep surface. If you are sharing a double (full–size) mattress, that only gives each person as much room as sleeping in a crib! Couples should share a mattress no smaller than queen-size. 2.    Problem: Your partner likes it hot, but you like it cool.
Solution: Temperature is a major issue in many relationships. Ideally, your bedroom should be a cool 60–65 degrees Fahrenheit. But a few simple adjustments can make it possible for a person who craves heat and a person who craves cool to sleep side by side comfortably.
�    Double fold the blankets so there is more coverage on one side.
�    Invest in a dual-control electric blanket or a twin-size electric blanket for one side. 3.    Problem: Your partner snores, keeping you up at night.
Solution: Snoring can be a serious health concern, so make sure to consult your physician. If your partner’s snoring is not a serious health condition, try alternative treatments like investing in anti-snore pillows, sprays or nasal strips that are designed to help people breathe more easily. If your partner’s snoring persists, try foam earplugs before you try a different room. 4.    Problem: Your partner tosses and turns.
Solution: It may be your mattress. If your mattress is uncomfortable, it can lead to restless sleep. Mattresses should be evaluated every five to seven years for comfort and support. 5.    Problem: Your partner loves to cuddle, but you like your space while you sleep.
Solution: Compromise. Before falling asleep spend some time snuggling together and then agree to sleep apart. 6.    Problem: Your sleep schedules don’t match.
Solution: Try finding a bedtime that works for both of you. If your partner turns in early and you’re a night owl, try reading a book with a personal book lamp until you’re ready to nod off. If you’re an early riser compared to your sleep partner, be considerate in the early morning. Keep overhead lights off and use minimal lighting while your partner is sleeping. 7.    Problem: Your bedroom feels more like an office than a place to sleep.
Solution: Your bedroom should only be used for sleep and sex. Keep work, laptops, PDAs and televisions out of the bedroom. This creates a much more relaxing and romantic atmosphere, and will give you both a better night’s sleep. BetterSleep.org

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31 Dec

Happy Easter, Happy Spring

Baby bunnies, baby birds, baby squirrels, all the little signs of spring are turning up right in our backyard. I love Easter! Even as a little girl I knew there was something special about this holiday, and this time of year. I remember one year I was “Rabbit” in our elementary school production of Winnie-the-Pooh. My grandmother made me a costume out of an old white tablecloth – it was so cute… and then I’d wear that costume every Easter, and hide eggs for the littler kids next door. For years I’ve done the annual family Easter Brunch at our house. I started this tradition before Freddy was born. And then when he came along, the day took on more meaning as an egg hunt was included in the festivities. It seemed like each year there was another cousin added to the mix – each year there were more kids, and more eggs! I have such happy memories of a backyard full of little kids scrambling for plastic eggs, baskets in hand, squealing with delight at each new discovery. There was the year that it was particularly hot, and the chocolate eggs melted inside the plastic ones. After that I filled the eggs with pennies, or jelly beans. Then there was the year our new puppy found more eggs than the kids did. When the kids started getting too big for egg hunts, I even stretched it out by inviting my friend to come and bring her little boys! This year, all of the kids are teenagers. They’d rather receive gas cards than chocolate eggs. But I’m still having Easter Brunch. We’ll eat strawberries and waffles, and just enjoy having the kids all together in one place for awhile. There have been so many changes over the years as they’ve grown. And Easter keeps coming around, a marker of how some things stay the same.

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31 Dec

Stars Behaving Badly

Mel Gibson is the most recent celebrity to land in the headlines for his bad behavior. I’m sorry, but it’s just shameful. There’s no excuse for his ranting – alcohol certainly is no excuse! The sad thing is that Mel has spent years honing his image as a loving family man, a good guy, a talented actor and director – and now our perception of him is changed with this one incident. How unnecessary. Do stars have some sort of stupid gene that lands them into trouble like this? Lindsay Lohan, on the other hand, has spent much of her time honing her image as a party girl. She’s not even 21 yet and still she is in virtually every celebrity gossip rag coming in and out of clubs at all hours of the day and night. I remember sweet Lindsay in The Parent Trap – and thinking “this girl is going to be a star!” Well, it seems there’s a difference between a star and a diva – and when Lindsay showed up late to work and called in sick one too many times on the set of her new film, her boss, the producer, called her on it in a letter he released to the public. And what happens? Her mother comes to her defense, saying Lindsay is a serious actress who will win an Oscar one day. Where was mom when Lindsay was running around partying, smoking and drinking? I’m hoping this letter was a wake-up call for the girl, and that she gets her act together before she turns into another Hollywood has-been. Paris Hilton has the audacity to compare herself to Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana. What? Talent? Personality? I have yet to see anything of the sort from the heiress who has made an art of being famous for being famous… and rich in this case. Have you heard her song? The bulk of the budget was spent on computer enhancement for her voice – and it still sounds bad. My advice for this young lady: go out and serve. Literally. Find a charity and get to work. You have enough money – spend it wisely by sharing it with those in need. Just one of your Fendi purses would feed a village in Asia for a year. Did you know that you can buy 100 water buffalo in India for just $2,200? That’s probably what Paris spends on sushi night at Nobu. Priorities, people!

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31 Dec

Sunday afternoon

I just spent the entire afternoon working with Brian and his friends on their junior class Homecoming float! It was such a fun day. The theme for the floats this year is “Disney” and each class chose a movie to represent. Brian’s class chose “Alice in Wonderland” and set up the float like the Mad Hatter’s tea party. Getting a group of teenagers together on any project is no easy feat, and Brian, as class representative, is the guy in charge. I was prepared for disorganization and disaster, and was happily surprised that the kids who came to help had a plan, brought materials, and worked hard. One of the dad’s is a cabinet maker, and he put together a plywood backdrop that is just amazing. It’s in 6 panels, each 8 feet high and 4 feet wide – so it fits together on the back of the 24 foot bed of the truck that they’re renting. David, the artist in the group, came up with a beautiful design which includes topiaries shaped like 2 0 0 7. Very clever! Another girl brought paint, another brought leaves and craft supplies. We set up everything in the driveway, sent out for pizza and got to work. I am so happy that I got to be a part of this experience. It brought me back to all the fun that I had doing things like this when I was in high school. I’m glad that Brian is involved, and participating in his class activities, it’s a great experience and it will give him some wonderful memories of these high school days. It’s great when parents get involved, too. One mom came and helped some of the girls make paper mache flowers. One dad made spectacular tea cups and a big tea kettle for the table. The Homecoming game is Friday night, and the parade is at half-time. I don’t usually go to the games, but I’m not missing this one. The junior class float is going to look awesome!

31 Dec

The Bachelor

I admit it. I’ve watched “The Bachelor” since the very beginning. Something about
it got me hooked, and now it’s one of those guilty pleasures I can’t seem to shake.
But lately, what started off as fun and fluffy has turned in to more of a car wreck. The premise is awesome – it’s the kind of Cinderella story that every girl loves.
The prince goes around trying his slipper on every pretty maid’s foot in attempt to
find his true love. And keeping all the maidens locked in the castle together while
he goes through “the process” makes for interesting side stories when cattiness and jealousy come into play. After all, there’s only so much of one prince to go
around. Yet alas, the fairy tale has gotten old. We have seen other sides to the prince that
we do not like. We’ve seen uber-popular “Bachelor Bob” set new records with sloppy kisses, only to dump his chosen lady-love mere days after gracing the cover of People magazine. And after professing his hesitancy with commitment from the highest mountain, he plunged head-first into happily-ever-aftering with a beautiful soap opera star. Hearts were broken, but Bob was forgiven. After all that, he’s a
married man now, game over. Then some cocky football player used the show for his own person PR campaign. The girls were young and outrageous, taking shots from a beer keg and falling down silly all over themselves. We weren’t suprised that the romance didn’t last there. It was all for play, and we knew it. And now we’ve got this new guy, a 40 year old professional Bass fisherman. There areladies vying for his attention, seasoned veterans of the dating wars, most in their
thirties. This isn’t a game anymore, this is combat. And it’s pretty nasty. I don’t know when I’ve heard as many words “bleeped” out of one person’s mouth on
prime-time television! Where are Jerry Springer’s bouncers when you need them? This is hard to watch. Can these amazing, beautiful women feel so desperate that theybreak down in tears for all of America to witness? Over some guy they’ve known for 2 weeks? Come on, people! They’ve seen the show, they know how it works – and yet,the drama continues. By the way, this time around, I’m rooting for Mary to get the guy. I can’t see her
go through heartbreak a second time. I think it works better when the show is in “Bachelorette” mode. There are been
two Bachelorettes so far, and both are in happy relationships with the men they
chose. Women just make better decisions. And men can handle competition more
easily. At least that’s how it looks on “reality” TV!
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31 Dec

Reclaim Your Intuition

By Psychic Medium Bill Philipps

I firmly believe that my ability as a psychic medium is a God-given gift, and that not just anybody can become one simply because he or she wants to. Trust me, I know many people who have tried, and without success. But I do believe all people have some psychic intuition — more than most know they have — that can be cultivated enough to enable them to receive and recognize signs from spirits.

The first step in tapping into that intuition is to set your intention by silently asking the spirits for help when you need it. If you are going through a difficult time and are looking for answers or guidance in a particular situation, you first have to ask for help and for signs. That’s the easy part. The second step, which is more difficult but equally important, is to open your heart and mind to receiving those signs.

Let’s say you are thinking about leaving your job to take one at another company, but you don’t know if you should. Pray about it, then keep your eyes and ears open for the answers. What does that mean? Well, chances are pretty good that a random person is not going to walk up to you after you pray and say, “You need to take that job.” I have told you how the spirits work — they love to play charades — so you know it’s usually not that simple. But if you go out to dinner in the midst of trying to make this decision, and your extremely happy waitress tells you it’s her first day on the job, that could be a sign to you that you need to accept your new job. Or if you are watching someone being interviewed on television who comments that the grass is not always greener on the other side, that could be a sign to stay in your current job.

Your intuition is a spiritual guidance system that you were born with. We all have it, but we often ignore it as we age because we become too concerned about our Earthly selves and duties rather than the spiritual side of our lives. How many times, when we’re trying to make a big decision, does someone remind us to “listen to your gut?” It happens a lot, and it’s something we should do more often, but we forget to do it because we have let our souls succumb to our humanness and fear.

So how can you better connect with your intuitive side? Here are four steps you can try:

1.) Meditate. I don’t know of a better way to connect with your intuition. You can meditate in several ways, such as through silence, with soothing music, or with sounds form nature. Meditation will help you to separate yourself from your earthly worries and to connect more closely with your soul.

2.) Be more aware of your thoughts in your everyday life so that you can more easily separate them from your intuition. Thinking is a reflex for most people, so much so that it can be difficult to distinguish between what is your intuition and what is your ego, or earthly thoughts. The more we think and ignore what our gut is telling us, the more confused we can become about what to do in a particular situation. Yes, we need to think things through, but don’t let that overshadow your intuition.

3.) Pray. Set your intention to being more in tune to intuition. Ask God or Spirit for the insight you are seeking. Doing that focuses your energy on what you want to achieve. We’ve all heard the phrase “Ask and you shall receive.” I believe that’s absolutely true. Asking is setting that intention. Receiving is listening to your intuition, which is coming from that higher place.

4.) Pay close attention to how your intuition works for you because it works differently for everyone. Some might feel chills. Others may have more of a gut feeling. And yet others could have a daydream that comes true. What works for one may not work for another. Understand and trust how your intuition works for you and what the strongest way is for you to receive information from Spirit.

Don’t doubt that you have a guidance system within you. You were born with intuition, whether you know it or not. It is up to you, though, to find it. Having that intuition and knowing when it is trying to tell you something can make your life much easier, especially when faced with difficult circumstances.

# # #

Bill Philipps is the author of Expect the Unexpected and is known for being one of the world’s youngest psychic mediums. He has appeared on the Dr. Phil show and has helped countless individuals deal with the grief of losing loved ones by bringing through validations, evidential information and beautiful messages which heal and bring a sense of peace. Visit him online at http://www.billphilipps.com/.

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31 Dec

BAFTA nominees

BEST FILM
12 YEARS A SLAVE Anthony Katagas, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen
AMERICAN HUSTLE Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison, Jonathan Gordon
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca
GRAVITY Alfonso Cuar�n, David Heyman
PHILOMENA Gabrielle Tana, Steve Coogan, Tracey Seaward

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
GRAVITY Alfonso Cuar�n, David Heyman, Jon�s Cuar�n
MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM Justin Chadwick, Anant Singh, David M. Thompson, William Nicholson
PHILOMENA Stephen Frears, Gabrielle Tana, Steve Coogan, Tracey Seaward, Jeff Pope
RUSH Ron Howard, Andrew Eaton, Peter Morgan
SAVING MR. BANKS John Lee Hancock, Alison Owen, Ian Collie, Philip Steuer, Kelly Marcel, Sue Smith
THE SELFISH GIANT: Clio Barnard, Tracy O’Riordan

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
COLIN CARBERRY (Writer), GLENN PATTERSON (Writer) Good Vibrations
KELLY MARCEL (Writer) Saving Mr. Banks
KIERAN EVANS (Director/Writer) Kelly + Victor
PAUL WRIGHT (Director/Writer), POLLY STOKES (Producer) For Those in Peril
SCOTT GRAHAM (Director/Writer) Shell

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
THE ACT OF KILLING Joshua Oppenheimer, Signe Byrge S�rensen
BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR Abdellatif Kechiche, Brahim Chioua, Vincent Maraval
THE GREAT BEAUTY Paolo Sorrentino, Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima
METRO MANILA Sean Ellis, Mathilde Charpentier
WADJDA Haifaa Al-Mansour, Gerhard Meixner, Roman Paul

DOCUMENTARY
THE ACT OF KILLING Joshua Oppenheimer
THE ARMSTRONG LIE Alex Gibney
BLACKFISH Gabriela Cowperthwaite
TIM’S VERMEER Teller, Penn Jillette, Farley Ziegler
WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS Alex Gibney
ANIMATED FILM
DESPICABLE ME 2 Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
FROZEN Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY Dan Scanlon

DIRECTOR
12 YEARS A SLAVE Steve McQueen
AMERICAN HUSTLE David O. Russell
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Paul Greengrass
GRAVITY Alfonso Cuar�n
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Martin Scorsese

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
AMERICAN HUSTLE Eric Warren Singer, David O. Russell
BLUE JASMINE Woody Allen
GRAVITY Alfonso Cuar�n, Jon�s Cuar�n
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
NEBRASKA Bob Nelson

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
12 YEARS A SLAVE John Ridley
BEHIND THE CANDELABRA Richard LaGravenese
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Billy Ray
PHILOMENA Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Terence Winter

LEADING ACTOR
BRUCE DERN Nebraska
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR 12 Years a Slave
CHRISTIAN BALE American Hustle
LEONARDO DICAPRIO The Wolf of Wall Street
TOM HANKS Captain Phillips

LEADING ACTRESS
AMY ADAMS American Hustle
CATE BLANCHETT Blue Jasmine
EMMA THOMPSON Saving Mr. Banks
JUDI DENCH Philomena
SANDRA BULLOCK Gravity

SUPPORTING ACTOR
BARKHAD ABDI Captain Phillips
BRADLEY COOPER American Hustle
DANIEL BR�HL Rush
MATT DAMON Behind the Candelabra
MICHAEL FASSBENDER 12 Years a Slave

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
JENNIFER LAWRENCE American Hustle
JULIA ROBERTS August: Osage County
LUPITA NYONG’O 12 Years a Slave
OPRAH WINFREY The Butler
SALLY HAWKINS Blue Jasmine

ORIGINAL MUSIC
12 YEARS A SLAVE Hans Zimmer
THE BOOK THIEF John Williams
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Henry Jackman
GRAVITY Steven Price
SAVING MR. BANKS Thomas Newman

CINEMATOGRAPHY
12 YEARS A SLAVE Sean Bobbitt
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Barry Ackroyd
GRAVITY Emmanuel Lubezki
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS Bruno Delbonnel
NEBRASKA Phedon Papamichael

EDITING
12 YEARS A SLAVE Joe Walker
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Christopher Rouse
GRAVITY Alfonso Cuar�n, Mark Sanger
RUSH Dan Hanley, Mike Hill
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Thelma Schoonmaker

PRODUCTION DESIGN
12 YEARS A SLAVE Adam Stockhausen, Alice Baker
AMERICAN HUSTLE Judy Becker, Heather Loeffler
BEHIND THE CANDELABRA Howard Cummings
GRAVITY Andy Nicholson, Rosie Goodwin, Joanne Woodlard
THE GREAT GATSBY Catherine Martin, Beverley Dunn

COSTUME DESIGN
AMERICAN HUSTLE Michael Wilkinson
BEHIND THE CANDELABRA Ellen Mirojnick
THE GREAT GATSBY Catherine Martin
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN Michael O’Connor
SAVING MR. BANKS Daniel Orlandi

MAKE UP & HAIR
AMERICAN HUSTLE Evelyne Noraz, Lori McCoy-Bell
BEHIND THE CANDELABRA Kate Biscoe, Marie Larkin
THE BUTLER Debra Denson, Beverly Jo Pryor, Candace Neal
THE GREAT GATSBY Maurizio Silvi, Kerry Warn
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG Peter Swords King, Richard Taylor, Rick Findlater

SOUND
ALL IS LOST Richard Hymns, Steve Boeddeker, Brandon Proctor, Micah Bloomberg, Gillian Arthur
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Chris Burdon, Mark Taylor, Mike Prestwood Smith, Chris Munro, Oliver Tarney
GRAVITY Glenn Freemantle, Skip Lievsay, Christopher Benstead, Niv Adiri, Chris Munro
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS Peter F. Kurland, Skip Lievsay, Greg Orloff
RUSH Danny Hambrook, Martin Steyer, Stefan Korte, Markus Stemler, Frank Kruse

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
GRAVITY Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk, Neil Corbould, Nikki Penny
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, Eric Reynolds
IRON MAN 3 Bryan Grill, Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Dan Sudick
PACIFIC RIM Hal Hickel, John Knoll, Lindy De Quattro, Nigel Sumner
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS Ben Grossmann, Burt Dalton, Patrick Tubach, Roger Guyett

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
EVERYTHING I CAN SEE FROM HERE Bjorn-Erik Aschim, Friederike Nicolaus, Sam Taylor
I AM TOM MOODY Ainslie Henderson
SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES James Walker, Sarah Woolner, Yousif Al-Khalifa

BRITISH SHORT FILM
ISLAND QUEEN Ben Mallaby, Nat Luurtsema
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES Megan Rubens, Michael Pearce, Selina Lim
ORBIT EVER AFTER Chee-Lan Chan, Jamie Stone, Len Rowles
ROOM 8 James W. Griffiths, Sophie Venner
SEA VIEW Anna Duffield, Jane Linfoot

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31 Dec

Sacred Geometry Designs

Nature gives us beautiful examples of sacred geometry all around us: snow flakes, pine cones, or the petals on a flower to name just a few. We see sacred geometry reflected in the designs of holy places such as the pyramids, cathedrals, mosques and temples around the world. Many scholars, both ancient and modern, believe that everything in the physical world is based on the sacred geometric patterns of creation. These patterns are symbolic codes of our own inner realm. When we study these codes, viewing and contemplating these forms, we get a glimpse into the inner workings of The Universal Mind.

The Shri Yantra, and the Flower of Life are artistic demonstrations of these sacred geometric patterns that we can use as tools to deepen our own wisdom. I am thrilled to introduce you to a new design that I created for our Dharma Collection. It’s based on the Vesica Piscis. The Vesica Piscis is formed by the intersection of two circles whose centers touch. This symbolic intersection represents the common ground, or shared vision, between equal individuals. The shape of the human eye is a Vesica Piscis. This form often represents the mirror of the soul in art and architecture. Additionally, the ratio of the axes of the form is the square root of 3, which alludes to the deepest nature of the triune.

In “What’s Your Dharma” we look at the four Yogas, and how these define for us the four paths of our life, our four purposes. There are many areas where these paths overlap, and there is a unity where they all meet, and become one. I started thinking of the four yogas as four circles, and drew the design that we have now made into wearable art, jewelry that acts as touchstones to help remind us of what is important in life. These talismans help to keep us on our path.

I love this design for all the meaning behind it. Where the Four Circles intersect, four Vesica Piscis are created. And at the very heart, the very center where they all meet, there is a square, a perfect four sided shape that has four sides, four angles, and represents once again the four dharmas or purposes. I had this center area enameled in a pearl color. Pearls are significant because they are the only jewel that grows from the inside out. When a pearl is formed, it starts as sand. The sand gets into an oyster and irritates the oyster, and then the oyster creates a kind of covering of the sand that then grows to become a pearl. This represents that beauty can come from adversity. The pearl color is white, and white is the result when all the colors come together in light. This white light at the center of the design represents the light within each one of us.

On each circle I have written the four purposes: to love, to serve, to know, and to be. The four circles are surrounded by one large circle, representing the Oneness of creation, the connection we all share.

This design, which I am calling the Dharma Clover, is simple, and yet so profound. I have a few different versions so you can use it in many ways: as a pendant, a keychain, a bracelet, a hair-tie, a zipper-pull, and more. Use your imagination! Please send us a picture of how you use your personal Dharma Clover talisman. See it online at http://www.DharmaSmart.com

You can read more about Dharma Symbolism on our What’s Your Dharma website:

http://www.whatsyourdharma.com/dharma-symbolism.php

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