Simple Pleasures, Everyday Joie de Vivre.

If you haven't heard of etsy, you should head over to etsy.com and check it out. It is full of curios vintage and handcrafted goods, you are bound to find something and fall in love. Etsy has many original items to choose from, and handicrafts from a vast array of of talent. If you are looking for unusual gifts, antiques or quirky stuff, or something tailored perhaps, this is the place to go. I am just taking this week to share some of my etsy favourites, here is my top ten. 1. A fluer de lys ring.  So precious and beautiful. Yes put that in my stocking please. From here 2. A Cheese Cloche, yes cheese. There is something so classy about this dish.  From here. 3. A French rolling pin. I can get with this. You can get with it too! Is it for precision baking, yes maybe that's it. It's nice anyway.   It is here .  4. So I can really get back to my roots. Art inspired by cave painting. My god it looks just like the original. Y...

      unsplash-logo robin arm      Well, tao of joy has covered quite a bit on body and soul and soul searching does bring up questions of what is conciousness, different states of conciousness, energy, life and even life after death. But what about what we can do for our brain? Your brain is your mission control for your nervous system, it recieves input from your senses and outputs it to your muscles. Some people say, your brain is like a muscle and you can train it as such, to do more and be more.  Indeed, the message we keep recieving from fully functioning centenarians is to use it or lose it. Recently, something has been discovered called neuroplasticty, the ability of the brain to be flexible, with many promising outcomes of brain-training, even for instance to recover from a stroke, or sense things in case of blindness. Not only that but some specialist activities have already been researched that can improve your...

Photo credit: Alexandr Podvalny on unsplash.  Disclaimer This article is not prescribing medical advice. Please consult your doctor before use. This article does not presume to cure anything, it is for general guidance only.  Is this article controversial. Okay, say it is. What can I say? That we are in control of own health. That we can take responsibility  for eating properly, getting fresh air and sunshine and doing regular exercise. I mean there is no argument that we need vitamins and minerals to survive. If you want to argue, in my opinion, go and argue with your doctor or pharmacist, they are probably giving you snake oil already. As much as we respect doctors, the will to power lies within. And the best medicines might not even work in every single case. Or you get spoilt by rich food and it all backfires one day. It is time to question all those procucts on the shelves, time to change for the sake of wisdom and our earth mother goddess. ...

     Try to spend the day outdoors at least once a week. Sunlight provides essential vitamin D for the body. Sunlight is generally uplifting and can improve mental health. The warm sunlight is also relaxing to the muscles. Fresh air raises your oxygen levels. Moderate to hard outdoor activities are good for your brain and body. Nature should be your point of call for nearly all ailments. Getting back to nature is good for your mind, body and spirit. Some things you can do to get back to nature include, swimming, say in a water hole or river, also hiking, climbing, boating, surfing, or maybe even hangliding. Plus there are many more. When you go outdoors to exercise your range and physical responses are greater than just going to the gym, although that is good too. I spent my Saturday at the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. It was a two hour trip and thank goodness I had my headphones. But it was worth it, just to sit calmly at a lookout in the lovel...

    This weekend I went to NAIDOC in the city, where Hyde Park North was turned into a lively gathering, with cultural events, markets, food and music. First I watched a beautiful sing and dance along for kids. Then I watched Chris Tamoy play guitar. I had my free lunch that was on offer, chicken, beef, roast potato and pineapple. I bought a souvenir which was some traditional coloured beads with silver shells.    Do you want to know more? NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Originally a civil rights gathering, it now includes a celebration of Indigenous culture. The theme this year is Voice, Treaty and Truth. With this year also being the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages. The voice, treaty and truth theme is part of the 2017 Uluru Statement of the Heart, which is a formal statement of reforms that represent our first nation people.  So let's explore this a little furth...

                                                               Photo courtesy of  Jennifer Regnier on unplash.                                     An artists date is a date with yourself to gain some inspiration for your creativity. It is  outlined by Julia Cameron in The Artists Way. As Edison said, Success is 99% Perspiration and 1% inspiration, only don't forget the drop of inspiration. Thus you create a work life balance meaning, more productivity and greater relaxation. Bastille day festival and market in Willoughby. The perfect time for some genuine Joie de Vivre. It took a bit to get to, after getting lost at least once and what a pleasant surprise, look at this it's just gorgeous. Gazebos, breton s...

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” — Cicero Try to appreciate life, your own and others, keep a gratitude journal and give unto others. Look after yourself and your home and possessions. Look on the bright side when things go wrong. Write Thank You notes to people. Coach, counsel and encourage your family and friends. Keep a philosophy of praise instead of criticism, both toward yourself and others. If you need a reason to live just do things for your own sake and for others sakes. Search for a cause outside of yourself to care about, whether it be via your church or community centre there are always people in need. From the environment, to homelessness, or third word starvation, there must be something out there that is worthy of your charity, and that will help you see the bigger picture. You cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought. Try to replace your worries and concerns with healing affirmations. S...