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rodrigobera04 · 1 month

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Continuing with the list of ideas for Pokémon, now I'm going to do it with the Psychic type.

Here it is:

PSYCHIC PURE

Sleepwalking stuffed animal that creates sleepy waves with its yawn.

Psychedelic zebra walking in herds that form abstract patterns.

Ballerina balanced on her single leg through her telepathy.

Elephant distributing its weight to stay light and float.

Related to unown, themed on numbers and sums.

Frog with spiral innards that form a hypnotic pattern.

Rabbit creating illusory copies that can multiply.

Alien cartoon star; his true form is an eldritch creature with tentacles.

Llama creating thought clouds and covering himself with them.

PSYCHIC/FAIRY

Fairy "princess" who controls fauna with music, especially butterfly Pokémon.

Anphiuma siren makes a croaking sound that creates illusions in the water.

Mothman predicting disasters and circling places to warn people.

Alien doppelganger that kidnaps people and takes their place; erases memories.

Puzzle creature, each piece has its own mind; it needs to be assembled to capture.

Invisible imp seen by children, acting as an imaginary friend.

Platypus with a sensory organ that allows it to see even with its eyes closed.

Quadrupedal magic lamp; its true body is a smoke djinn that performs wishes.

Dancing fairies making people dance in collective hysteria.

PSYCHIC/FLYING

Falcon capable of seeing the future through his greatly improved vision.

Floating sand dollar, reminiscent of a flying saucer.

Floating colorful flounder based on flying carpets.

Land animal that imagined it had wings and gained them through evolution.

Raven witch being able to fly without wings through a potion.

Floating dancer performing serpentine dance and creating abstract colorful shapes.

Little songbird flying dizzily while singing a disorienting song.

"Astronaut", mysterious space creature capable of floating in Earth's gravity.

Transparent sky rod that can erase its presence so as not to be seen.

PSYCHIC/BUG

Tse-tse fly manipulating people's dreams and nightmares.

Cricket singing angelic songs that make everyone stop and listen.

Parasitic worm wrapped around insects like a scarf, controlling their movements.

Carnivorous larva making hypnotic luminous webs that attract winged prey.

Anthill beetle creating an army of mentally manipulated ants.

Stick bug satellite dish, receiving signals and passing them to televisions.

Swarm of insects (bees or wasps) forming a humanoid being with a collective mind.

Trapdoor spider that creates wormholes to ambush prey.

Telepathic insectoid alien similar to a praying mantis.

PSYCHIC/NORMAL

Telepathic egg that is never hatched, increasing in size and multiplying.

Alien mutant cow disguised among ordinary cows.

Doodle monster brought to life by children's imagination.

Vinyl record that manipulates music around it.

Laboratory-made monkey/mouse hybrid with mental powers.

Hippie satyr with abilities to communicate with fauna and nature.

Gecko hypnotizing insects with its glowing eyes.

Clown seal creating spheres of psychic energy.

Small mammal with long whiskers resembling insect antennae.

PSYCHIC/ELECTRIC

Electric magician who manipulates static to make things float.

Creature with antennas that transforms its electrical pulsations into lightning.

Night monkey lighting up the dark with his lantern eyes.

Creature with three traffic light eyes, controlling the movement of targets.

Robot with advanced AI that gives him psychic powers.

Hammerhead shark with radar that locates hidden objects.

Heart creature, its beats manipulate emotions.

Witch creating spheres of lightning through her magic.

Chiton with magnetic ability, serving as a compass.

PSYCHIC/DARK

Nocturnal predator, confused with a UFO; livestock predator.

"Baphomet" goat using one of its horns as a black magic staff.

Parasite sloth causing the host to become very relaxed and drowsy.

Nekomata with two heads, one white, the other black, representing ying and yang.

Psychic minotaur trapping prey in labyrinthine illusions.

Eyeless cave salamander, with its gills forming closed eyelids.

Ugly creature creating a mirage disguise that makes him beautiful.

Cyclops with a single, unsettling eye, giving an uncanny valley feel.

Angler fish couple sharing their mind and with hypnotic bait.

PSYCHIC/GHOST

Astral vampire, a ghostly bat sucking positive energy from the victim.

Tiger skin with bizarre and psychedelic patterns.

Mummy manipulating people to be his servants.

Nightmare incarnate, demon that steps on sleeping people.

Scarecrow balloon haunting orchards, scaring birds with his "eyes".

Tulpa created by collective imagination that a place was haunted.

Voodoo doll hedgehog; its needles cause relief as well as pain.

Skin and bone instruments come to life in occult rituals.

Brocken specter inhabiting mountains and scaring climbers.

PSYCHIC/DRAGON

Psychic Kaiju, prefers to destroy buildings with the strength of his mind.

Kirin floating instead of walking, avoiding stepping on vegetation.

Alien race of reptiles, capable of changing shape.

Naga commanding snakes by scents and whistles, like a snake charmer.

Serpentine dragon making geometric shapes with its sinuous body.

Anglerfish like predator, with antennae imitating defenseless princesses.

Colonial monster organism like Destoroyah, formed by an individual Pokémon.

Dragon in the shape of a tongue, has a false illusory body, lying inside the "mouth".

Cockatrice with huge wings that form intimidating eyes.

PSYCHIC/WATER

Sea turtle with a calm aura, predators even give up attacking it, falling asleep.

Amabie capable of curing illnesses with just her image.

Venus glirde making undulating movements, matching its iridescence.

Hippocampus balanced on the surface of the water, performing acrobatic maneuvers.

Small fish from reef, summoning a ferocious shark from a portal.

Deep-sea toadfish, with fins for feet, slowly gaining intelligence.

Very fast sailfish, leaving an after-image, deceiving the opponent.

Peaceful pokémon that meditates over waterfalls, can even reverse water flows.

Rain elemental dancing a ritual dance to change the weather.

PSYCHIC/GRASS

Psychedelic fern with spiral leaves.

Antelopes with flowery horns that bloom when using psychic powers.

Orchid imitating a female insect to seduce males.

Bromeliad spider with a mental link to a small frog.

Tree with beard of foliage, reminiscent of a wise elderly face.

Animal housed in a hollow trunk, transforming it into a huge puppet armor.

Flower making almost inaudible noises to converse among its kind.

Hallucinogenic angel's trumpet with its flower forming a witch or wizard's hat.

"Blob" organism spreading its viscous body and branching, spreading its mind.

PSYCHIC/STEEL

Space creature making a cocoon of scrap metal in the earth's atmosphere.

Artist pokémon molding metal to create psychedelic works of art.

Psychic sniper manipulating metal and shooting guided bullets.

Monster like a spinal column with small neural tentacles like nerves.

Metallic and laminated spinning top kept upright by psychic powers.

Swordsman with needle and thread, sewing psychic threads, causing stumbles.

Heads and tails coin, changing luck in battle.

Sentient gear that gives life to mechanical bodies.

Monster with stethoscope ears, capturing sounds, can hear even on stone.

PSYCHIC/ROCK

Alien coming on a meteor, has anti-gravity powers.

Sundial, looking like a turtle, alters someone's perception of time.

Hunky punky capable of seeing a person's nature, serving as a gatekeeper.

Stone beast animated by magical petroglyphs, created to protect caves.

Rocky burrowing owl with the ability to throw stones through its mind.

Ancient toy from archaeological sites, moved by a paranormal force.

Yokai posing as a baby, like a petrified fetus, becoming heavier when carried.

Pokémon parading and balancing rocks on their heads to maintain their posture.

"Buddha", a calm stone creature meditating, and can even become light.

PSYCHIC/GROUND

Octopus adapted to land and taking a more humanoid and intelligent form.

Carpet shark altering its image to look like just its silhouette.

Sentient floor engraving, probably created to communicate with aliens.

Desert fox creating mirages with sand manipulation.

Quagga that dematerializes into dust, escaping extinction.

False tree monster, with branched horns and branched feet for communication.

Clay elf disguised in the gardens, with real eyes who see everything.

Naked mole rat queen, on top of a throne of manipulated subjects.

Mini "planet", earth and water elemental flying in its own orbit.

PSYCHIC/FIGHTING

Odalisque holding a serpent, fighting together in psychic harmony.

Contortionist capable of curling and knotting his body and limbs.

Neuron with strong tentacles, combining mind and strength.

Fragile creature commanding an organic biomass, serving as a brain.

Canine beast with radar to find victims of disasters, also raising debris.

Don Quixote-style paranoid knight, but capable of taking down even giants.

Fighter with a bump on his head that appears to increase his psychic strength.

Impact-resistant Pokémon, like a test dummy, and can heal itself with its mind.

Sleeper using pillows in combat, irritated with whoever wakes him up.

PSYCHIC/FIRE

Tarsier with huge flaming eyes that generates fire to see the future.

Desert antelope creating mirages from their super-heated horns.

Demon with a terrible fever that increases his power, but leaves his head glowing.

Spirit made of flames creating hypnotic movements while dancing.

Volcanic "deity" who manipulates minds with smoke so that they deliver sacrifices to him.

Candle changing the shapes of its flames to communicate.

flaming "cupid" that personifies passion.

Circus artist manipulating fire in the shape of balloons.

Jinni drawing powers from sunlight, radiating light.

PSYCHIC/ICE

Ice mirror distorting images and reflecting attacks.

Mountain goat balanced on thin strands of ice.

Yeti erasing memories and eluding witnesses.

Crystalline life form with a brain inside its icy body.

Intelligent cetacean evolving into a telepathic humanoid race.

Hermit turtle meditating in its shell that has become a "cave".

Crystalline ice figure, resembling a swan, skiing on the ice.

A hibernating animal, its dreams literally froze while it slept.

Snow Leopard, materializing its spots into destructive energy spheres.

THE LAST:

Psychic mythical cat formed by geometric shapes, capable of changing the dimensions,shapes,forms and size of things.

#fakemon #pokemon #psychic pokemon #psychic type

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astrologysupport1 · 1 year

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Horoscope Remedies for Cancer

Cancer zodiac signs are known for their sensitivity and emotional nature. Here are some Pandit Kapil Sharma astrology Horoscope Remedies for Cancer that can help them balance their energies and find inner peace:

Chanting the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” can help calm the mind and bring emotional stability to cancer patients.

Wearing a pearl can help enhance their intuition and emotional intelligence.

Donating to a charity or performing acts of kindness can help cancer patients feel more connected to the world around them and ease their emotional burdens.

Fasting on Mondays and performing puja to Lord Shiva can help cancer patients find inner strength and courage.

Reciting the Gayatri Mantra daily can help cancer patients tap into their spiritual side and find solace in their faith.

Meditating on the moon can help Cancerians connect with their ruling planet and find balance in their emotions.

Drinking milk before bedtime can help cancer patients sleep better and ease their anxieties.

Keeping a journal to express their thoughts and feelings can help cancer patients process their emotions and find clarity in their minds.

These Horoscope Remedies for Cancercan help cancer patients find inner peace and balance their energies to lead a more fulfilling life.

Love Back Remedies For Cancer

Astrology Remedies for Cancer Zodiac signs can be helpful in attracting love back into your life. Here are some effective Love Back Remedies For Cancer that can help:

Chanting the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” can help bring peace and harmony to your relationships. It is believed to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva, who is associated with love and compassion.

Wearing a pearl can help attract love and strengthen existing relationships. It is believed to be a powerful remedy for Cancerian zodiac signs.

Offering prayers to the moon god can also help attract love back into your life. Chanting the “Chandra Gayatri Mantra” or the “Soma Mantra” can be helpful.

Lighting a ghee lamp and offering prayers to the deity of love, Kamadeva, can also help strengthen relationships and attract love.

Practising acts of kindness and compassion can also help attract love back into your life. It is important to be open and receptive to the love and support of others.

Remember, these remedies are not a substitute for medical treatment or professional advice. It is important to consult a qualified astrologer or spiritual guide for personalized advice.

Love marriage remedies for cancer

Pandit Kapil Sharma Astrology provides several remedies for Cancerians who are looking for love marriage. The Cancer zodiac sign is known for its emotional nature and a strong desire for love and emotional security. Here are some Love marriage remedies for cancer remedies and mantras that can help cancer patients find their soulmate and get married to them:

Reciting the mantra “Om Shri Ganeshaya Namaha” every day can help remove any obstacles that may be hindering your love life.

Wearing a pearl ring or a pearl necklace can help enhance your chances of finding love and getting married.

Chanting the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” can help improve your emotional well-being and increase your chances of attracting a compatible partner.

Offering milk and sweets to Lord Krishna on Fridays can also help bring positive energy into your love life.

Lighting a candle in front of a picture of Lord Shiva can help calm your mind and increase your focus on finding your soul mate.

These remedies can help cancer patients overcome obstacles and find true love. However, it is important to remember that these remedies are not a substitute for genuine effort and commitment towards finding a partner.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pandit Kapil Sharma astrology suggests several remedies for individuals with the Cancer zodiac sign. Mantras such as “Om Chandraya Namah” can be chanted to strengthen the moon, the ruling planet of Cancer. Wearing pearls or moonstone can also enhance the positive traits of this sign. Additionally, offering milk or rice pudding to the moon on Mondays, fasting on Mondays, and avoiding conflicts with family members can further enhance the well-being of cancer individuals. These remedies can aid in promoting emotional stability, intuition, and nurturing qualities.

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nexyra · 3 years

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RWBY Analysis - Ozpin & Ruby, on the concept of leadership

In her song "Burned out", Dodie sings of her fans, how they look up to her and how uneasy that realization made her. For everyone is at the end of the day just as human as their neighbour; and having the hopes and expectations of others put upon you when you're just as lost as them can be a frightening thing. And this... made me think of Ruby & Ozpin.

On the subject of leadership, Ozpin tells Ruby the following : “Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly. If you are not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?”

While I love this quote, I also have to analyze the drawbacks of this mentality and how they align with both Ozpin and Ruby. At the time, Ruby is a newly appointed leader and unsure of this reality. Ozpin's counsel give her the confidence needed to step up as a leader and take her duties more seriously, which in return appeases Weiss' and make their team all the more balanced. It is, in that context, good advice. A good leader should strive to lead by example and work hard to be worthy of the respect others give them, both in and outside of battle.

However there is one aspect that I find much more complex and that is... what does it mean to "always perform at your absolute best" and to have others follow you ? Note the use of follow, people letting you lead alone as opposed to "standing by your side" or a similar expression. It showcases in my opinion one of the biggest problem of Ozpin's leadership, but one that I feel has been inadvertently repeated by Ruby's.

- - - - - - - -

To cultivate hope and lies

When it comes to Ozpin's lies, I am of the firm belief that he had good intentions. Soo if you think he's the scorn of this earth, this might be a good time to tap out :D Now, this said I have a lot to say on the subject but I'll keep this short to stay on track (& make another unrelated post to develop my thoughts.)

In my opinion, at the core of his lies stand different beliefs. And on the subject of leadership, I think one stands out in particular and aligns with the advice he gave Ruby : the need to perform at your best to give others a reason to follow you.

Ozpin is the reincarnation of a centuries-old wizard and the headmaster of a school : what is one aspect almost every character agrees on upon meeting him ? "Oh, he's wise. He's knowledgeable. He has the answers. He has his shit together. He can tell us what to do."

Inherently, Ozpin's existence inspires respect and reassure. Just like to a child, a parent is all-knowing and unbreakable, Ozpin's status automatically give others the assumption that he knows what he's doing. And this, in my opinion, is one of the core problems of his leadership.

May it be with his inner circle, with RWBY, with ANYONE really; as soon as Ozpin reveals himself there are unspoken expectations that will chain him. He has the knowledge, he was here when it all began, he's the one calling the shots so he HAS to know exactly what to do. In that situation, breaking down and revealing to everyone how lost Ozpin is, how out of his depth... is unconceivable. And this is where Ozpin's conception of leadership becomes a problem as well. If you always perform "at your best" then you keep your doubts to yourself, you hide your sorrows and you put on a brave face. There are expectations in place that Ozpin wants (needs even) to meet. And thus the hopes of others and Ozpin's desire to fulfill them feed one another, as a perfect recipe for disaster. Because the more time Ozpin spends acting as if everything is under control, the more the expectations pile up... And coming clean about his humanity, the fact that he's just as powerless as the rest of them, becomes impossible.

And in that sense, breaking down the pedestal Ozpin had been put on was probably one of the best thing to do for his own mental health (though the method lacked a bit of compassion in my opinion xD)

The other part that somehow causes problem is how RELIANT on him his inner circle is. Despite their apparent friendship, Ozpin is the clear leader and as soon as he's out of comission, everything falls apart. Ironwood is the only one to call out Oz but in the end still wishes for the wizard to tell him what to do in period of stress. Qrow plays spy and takes order but doesn't seem really interested in stading at Ozpin's side as an equal. Glynda is stern but still defers to him etc...

All of them FOLLOW Ozpin but are just a few steps off from standing at his side. And this is something I see reflected in Ruby.

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Following optimism up until it fails you

In Vol6, as secrets and lies are brought to the light, the loss of Hope that Ozpin feared so deeply happens. Is it worth it ? What are we even going to do with an immortal foe ? Maybe we should just go home. In that situation, Ruby is the simple soul who manages to keep her optimism, stand tall and say "No. We are taking the lamp to Atlas." And from then on her position as a leader and a bacon of light is reaffirmed. As Jaune put it in V4 "You gave us the courage to follow you."

Now is that, in itself, a problem ? Of course not. In fact I loved seeing Ruby come into herself and take the lead in Vol6. The problem in truth comes after, from the ramifications. From Vol6 onward, Ozpin has essentially been rid of his leader position and Ruby inherited it. And on a surface level sure, they are pretty different. Ruby is certainly closer to her partners : they're a family and they care about each other.

However, she is still clearly put at the lead. The others relied on Ruby's optimism and resilience to get to Atlas, and continue to do so. Setting foot in Ironwood's office, Blake tells Ruby "We'll follow your lead". They trust her, and whatever Ruby does... goes. They lie to Ironwood and Yang expresses some hesitations but eventually rally to Ruby's decision. And I emphasize this again : it is Ruby's decision. They did not pre-emptively discuss this as a group and then let Ruby be the spoke-person. Yang herself in Vol8 criticizes not their actions but Ruby's choices. Ruby calls the shots, Ruby is responsible for what happens, Ruby is their beacon of hope... Ruby is the new Ozpin.

Ruby has to be optimistic, and make the decisions and take risks because she's the leader. When Ruby leaves the room to break down, conversation & strategy stalls : the others don't take the lead. When things go south, it's Ruby's choices that led them here. Ever since Ruby has left Beacon, the only person who consistently encouraged Ruby to express the BAD, to share the negative has been Oscar. Even her silver eyes ask her to focus on only the happy memories to go off without a hitch ! The others comfort, they smile, they trust, they love even. But they don't want depressed Ruby finally grieving, they don't want honest "I don't know what to do" : they try to bring back confident and optimistic "we're gonna try" Ruby Rose. They want their earnest and happy but ultimately perfect leader that gives them reason to follow. In the end, even if they deeply care for her and have no shortage of warm coated reassurances for the teen, they still chain her down with their expectations. Ruby is NOT built for this. And I don't even say that in the "why is a kid calling the shots" sense, but "why is a kid put in a position where she's RESPONSIBLE for calling the shots ?"

Ruby is the youngest of the group apart from Oscar. The others should not rely on her this much to function. Blake telling Ruby that she looks up to her and that they'll follow her lead is admittedly sweet, but still builds up the pressure weighing her down. Blake calling out for Ruby's help when the teen has just been crashed to the ground by the Hound isn't even sweet anymore. They're all supposed to be equals. Blake is just as capable as Ruby. Calling out to your mind-controlled friend to bring them back from the edge is good. Calling out to your 17-old sister who's been beaten up because you need her to fight isn't.

They need to recognize that Ruby should not hold up the place alone. Because yes, they love her. But at the end of the day, Ruby is still the one bearing the weight of their decisions... Alone, even surrounded.

✦ ✦ BURNED OUT - DODIE ✦ ✦

He was certain; So was I There was comfort in her sighs

Dreams and ideas should not be the same thing You waited, smiling for this?

Oh, she'd want it, if she knew She could take it, I thought too Be careful, be cautious but you just wished harder You waited, smiling for this?

"But they love you!" Over and over, "they love you!" Thousands and thousands of eyes just like mine Aching to find who they are

"Oh, they love you!" Oh, you can feel how they love you ! Coated and warm but that's all they can do Words only get through if they're sharp

Oh, how fitting For one so fake Make me a fairy Whatever it takes

And just like a tale my dream was a scam You waited, smiling for this?

I am burnt out I smell of smoke It seeps through her cracks and so I start to choke Sentences sit in her mouth that are templated You waited, smiling for this?

Oh, maybe I'll talk about it... (maybe I'll talk about it) I can just talk about it... (I can just talk about it) I'll never talk about it... (I'll never talk about it) No, I cannot talk about it...

Don't build hope on something broken I am not cartoon. Cry for help, I am not joking I might just leave soon

#rwby #rwby analysis #rwby thoughts #character song #professor ozpin #ozpin #ruby rose #lyrics collage #rwde #does this count as rwde?#feel free to disagree in the reactions/reblogs I read everything !

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theinquisitivej · 5 years

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A Trio of Reviews – Catching up on Bumblebots, Peppy Maries, and the (Oscar) Favourite

I don’t go out to the cinema much in late December. I don’t drive, and I always visit family in a part of the country where a cinema isn’t exactly in walking distance. This hasn’t been much of a problem over the last few years, as there’s usually only one film out that I’m aching to see, and that’s often the one movie we all go out to see together. This most recent December though? It was nuts! All four of the big blockbusters that were playing were films I was interested in and excited to check out. Once the holidays were over, I had a lot of catching up to do. I’ve since seen all but one of the December releases (ironically enough the one I didn’t see was the one that, judging from its box office, everyone else went to go see – Aquaman), plus one other film that was weird, fascinating, and has been well received as a critical darling. So, here’s this week’s trio of reviews for The Favourite, Mary Poppins Returns, and Bumblebee, in the order I saw them in.

The Favourite

Artistically impressive but deliberately unpleasant.

The Favourite caught my attention when I first saw the trailer because it was a period drama that revelled in the fashion, the art, and the general finery of the early 18th Century, and yet the camera angles were strikingly different from what I’ve seen in other period dramas. The genre can be hit-of-miss for me, but every shot I saw in that trailer was doing something that interested me.

There’s a lot to chew on when it comes to the visual presentation of the film. Characters are often shot from low angles, and while this can make some characters seem confident and of noble stature, it also creates an uneasy feeling when we see people showing their vulnerability and flaws. Shooting people from this angle frames them as if they’re towering over the camera, and when you combine this with the magnificent attire on display, the visuals should, in theory, present the subject in their best light. But Queen Anne, played by the immeasurably skilled Olivia Colman, is often shown to be feeble and susceptible to manipulation from such angles, and we see many others be vulgar, cruel, and inhuman in ugly ways. The film shows a familiarity with the beautiful elegance of the film’s setting and other examples of the period drama, and it subverts your expectations time and time again by gradually turning your sympathies around on the characters you expect to like and expect to hate. It points the camera directly at the most horrible aspects of this world and its people, and there’s a strangely captivating quality to that. It’s ugly, but it’s magnetic as well.

The three performances at the heart of the film are what sustain your interest throughout The Favourite, because all three of the actresses are on top form. Emma Stone plays Abigail in a way that has her act very differently depending on who she’s talking with, showing just how hard she’s working to stay afloat in this world of politics where she’s at a disadvantage, giving a performance that keeps you guessing what her true nature is for much of the runtime. Rachel Weisz evokes such commanding authority and confidence as Lady Sarah, wearing each of her impressive outfits better than anyone else in the film because you believe that she deserves the station she’s acquired for herself, even if she is ruthless. Olivia Colman has taken a lot of the focus as Queen Anne, being the one to snag the ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ category while Stone and Weisz have been relegated to ‘Supporting Role’ nominations. All three of them equally deserve to be called leads, and to tell the truth, I’m pretty sure Queen Anne has less screen time than either of the other two protagonists. Nevertheless, all three of these actresses deserve praise for their performances in these leading roles, and Colman is no different; she expresses a wide range of emotions with sharp sincerity, always making her scenes uncomfortable to watch because you really feel like you’re in the room with someone having an emotional breakdown and you have no idea how to help them. These actresses are excellent and make The Favourite worth watching even without all the other impressive features the film has to offer on top of this.

The flipside of The Favourite doing so much to emphasise the rotten nature of this world and its characters is that, while the visuals and all the formal features of the film are praiseworthy, the final shape of the narrative has so little warmth to it that it leaves me feeling a little cold towards it. The film is a hundred percent committed to its vision of unflinchingly showing you the harsh ugliness underneath the elegant surface of this point in history, but because of this I felt disengaged with many of the character’s journeys because they would do awful things to other people for selfish reasons, and they did so with such little humanity that I simply didn’t want to see them succeed, nor were any of them appealing enough to make seeing them succeed feel satisfying. The only character I had any sympathy for by the end was Queen Anne, as she’s a woman in desperate need of help surrounded by people who’re only interested in her as a means of furthering themselves. There is some dramatic meat to that, and the bleakness of it is presented with enough purpose to make me think about the film for a long time after I was finished watching it. After all, history isn’t always satisfying, and it’s filled with people who did terrible things to get ahead, so this film would probably be compromised in its vision if it did try to make this unflinching look at this particular point in history and then deliver a narrative where good people are rewarded and bad people are punished. But there’s only so far that a film with as little compassion in it as this can go before my spirit gets tired of seeing mistreatment and hopelessness. The Favourite’s technical qualities are a treat for the mind, but its general outlook is draining on my soul.

Final Ranking: Silver.

The Favourite is coarse, and the emphasis of selfish people being terrible does wear on me and get in the way of me engaging with the motivations of several characters. But the technical skill on display in the cinematography, the lighting and colour coordination, and the three central performances come together to make an impressive piece that, even with my reservations about the story, results in a fascinating and distinct film.

Mary Poppins Returns

Mary Poppins Returns is a sequel to a classic film that follows the framework of its predecessor so closely it’s almost beat-for-beat. And yet even with this deliberate mimicking of Mary Poppins, it also somehow tells a different story and doesn’t come across as if it’s resting on its laurels. At the point in the film where the original would be playing ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’, Returns has a song about putting an imaginative and fun spin on everyday activities. When you’re thinking that it’s time for a trip to an idyllic 2D animated landscape, Returns obliges. If you’re realising that we’re scheduled for a ‘Step in Time’ music number, Returns gives you one with lamp-lighters instead of chimney sweeps.

But if you think that reprises of ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ or ‘Feed the Birds’ would be an easy slam-dunk of nostalgic ecstasy that the film would be foolish not to go for, you’d be surprised. Apart from the odd line of music here or there that’s snuck in at just the right moment to make you remember the original film, none of the original songs are to be found, and that works immensely well in Returns favour. The movie is already lifting the structure of the original film wholesale; if it took anything else from it we’d be approaching live-action remake levels of similarity. Instead, the new songs are there to stand on their own, and they mimic the sound of the Sherman Brothers’ music closely enough that you feel elated when the film wants you to be having a good time, and deeply moved when it wants you to sob your eyes out. But they’re also different enough and of unique enough subject matter that the new songs by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (whose previous song writing work includes the Hairspray musical) feel totally distinct, even if they do have a familiar sound to them. Some of my favourites include Emily Blunt’s playful performance of ‘Can You Imagine That’, the amazing choreography of ‘Trip a Little Light Fantastic’, and of course the tender bittersweetness of ‘The Place Where Lost Things Go’.

The casting also holds up across the board. Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh, and Joel Dawson play Annabel, John, and Georgie, the three children of the now adult Michael Banks. They strike the right tone for the central child characters in a Mary Poppins story, demonstrating a decent balance between being impossibly sweet-natured but also strong-headed enough to say what they feel as they feel it and sometimes cause trouble because of that. It’s difficult for me to think of many distinguishing characteristics which mark each of them out, but in all honesty I could say the same about the original Banks children, even after all those viewings. Plus, having three children rather than two does shift the dynamic enough to make the experience feel different. Ben Whishaw plays the adult Michael Banks, who grew up to be an artist who’s struggling to make end’s meet through his work at the bank, so while he did pursue a creative life that marks him out as a different man to his father, he also resembles him in many ways, and clearly risks making the same mistakes that he did. But the thing that resonates the most about his character is the set-up that his wife passed away not too long ago, and the whole family is still coming to terms with the hole this has left in their lives. Whishaw’s performance stabs at your heart, conveying how helpless Michael feels without her, but also how hard he’s trying to not show this to the rest of the family. His resolve to soldier on reminds me of the long walk Mr. Banks takes at the end of the original, knowing he is most likely going to be fired, but moving on anyway. The connection between the two characters is well thought out, and Whishaw impresses immensely. There’s not as much time dedicated to the grown-up Jane Banks played by Emily Mortimer, which is a shame, but it does feel right to see her be inspired by her mother’s activism as a suffragette and campaign for worker’s rights. Lin-Manuel Miranda fills in the Bert role of the lovable guide who’s savvy to Mary’s unknowable nature as Jack, an apprentice that Bert seems to have more-or-less raised himself. Miranda sings his songs with such cheery charm that they instantly transport you back to the world of Mary Poppins, demonstrating his golden touch when it comes to musicals, surprising none of the fans of his previous work, including Hamilton and the songs from Moana. Finally, Emily Blunt is another transcendent Mary Poppins. Yes, we now have two cinematic portrayals of the same character which are different, but both stunning. She accentuates some of the aspects I most enjoy about the character, namely the prim, immaculate composure that oozes authoritative control, but can instantly, effortlessly transform into cheeky playfulness before your eyes. She nails it, and as far as I’m concerned, we now have two Mary Poppins performances that are practically perfect in every way.

This review is already running long, so I’ll get through this quickly, but… my God, did seeing traditional 2D animation in the style of Disney’s original hand-drawn pictures on the big screen again in 2019 move me beyond words. There’s plenty of quality 2D, non-CGI animation out there in different forms, whether its in television, short films, the labour of love that animators are putting out there on the internet, or anime, but we really do need more of this mode of animation out there. There have been some truly beautiful 2D animated films over the last decade, but I want to see more of this kind of genuine effort from Disney, the company that put this cinematic hand-drawn animation on the map for western audiences. This beautiful artform needs to be preserved and cultivated, and I hope this is a step towards Disney doing more to help with that.

I will admit that Returns following Mary Poppins’ structure so closely did take me out of the film to a degree, as it makes me more aware that I’m watching a sequel that’s very deliberately aping the film that came before it, which makes it feel less organic than it could have been. To be fair, I’m not sure what else you could have done to make it have as strong a connection as it does to the first film. There’s also an unnecessary sequence here or there which are intended to be thrilling but I never felt like there was much tension to them, such as the race against the clock at the end. It doesn’t reach the heights of the original, but wasn’t that always going to be the case? In every other respect, this film is a delight and a satisfying emotional journey.

Final Ranking: Silver.

You can’t watch Mary Poppins for the first time again. But this film nevertheless gives you a taste of what you felt, whether it’s that joyous exuberance of having a jolly holiday with Mary, or the bittersweet reflection of an adult acknowledging that time keeps pressing on, the seasons change, but you can still find the magic in today.

Bumblebee

The director of Kubo and the Two Strings directed a Transformers movie.

I’m currently doing academic research into the history of American stop-motion animation. I plan for one of my chapters to be on Laika and their four (five by the time I finish, though I hope there’ll be even more than that) excellently crafted films, including Kubo. Watching Bumblebee, I noted a few similarities between it and Kubo, such as a young main character going on an emotional journey as they struggle to come to terms with the death of one or more of their parents, and a celebration of the emotive powers of music that enable us to express our inner feelings, as well as Travis Knight’s general appreciation for certain specific older songs in general. So yes, watching Bumblebee did make me reflect on the approach to filmmaking of a director I’m deeply invested in for my work at the moment. What I’m saying is that watching a Transformers movie was a productive part of my ongoing academic research, and that is a bizarre place to find myself in.

But what’s even weirder than that is that one of these Transformers movies turned out to be a legitimately great film that I kinda love.

Everything that muddied the waters of past Transformers films that Michael Bay was involved in has been stripped away, and the simple narrative framework that exists underneath all of that has been strengthened by a script and style of presentation that knows how to make the most with very little. The majority of the film can be summarised as “a girl and her pet car”, and while the sceptical might call that inane, the people involved in making Bumblebee work hard enough with that premise to make it work for a full film.

Charlie, a teenage girl and the human protagonist of the film, has lost her father and is upset that the rest of her family has moved on (her mother remarried). Her dad was very supportive of her, and now that he’s no longer around, Charlie is deeply dissatisfied with the person she’s become since her father died, and she doesn’t believe she can complete certain tasks that mean a great deal to her without her father being there to help. Charlie feels she hasn’t turned out to be the amazing person her dad believed she could become, and it’s possible that she’s afraid that she’s letting not only herself down, but the memory of her father as well. Meanwhile, Bumblebee is a Transformer that was tasked with going ahead of the rest of the Autobots to safeguard Earth and be ready for when the rest of his comrades arrive on the planet to continue the fight against the Decepticons. But soon after he lands, he gets involved in a fight to the death that he almost loses. Gravely wounded, he uses the last of his strength to disguise himself as a yellow 1967 Volkswagen Beetle. Some time later, Charlie finds him, and what she thinks is a broken-down abandoned car comes into her possession. Charlie fixes him up in the hopes of having a working car that she can use to get away from things, but in the process, Bumblebee instinctively transforms and reveals himself. Bumblebee’s injuries have destroyed his capacity to speak and have left him with no memories of his past. After cementing the connection between these two individuals who each need help in order to heal from the trauma they’ve gone through, the rest of the film takes its time to reinforce this bond, resulting in a touching family sci-fi film with a friendship that I believe will be just as enduring as its various sources of inspiration, from E.T. to The Iron Giant.

Without being overstuffed, the film’s pacing benefits immeasurably, putting all its energy into making this friendship as sweet and fun to watch as possible. Hailee Steinfeld is fully engaged as Charlie, putting 110% into her interactions with the digital creation of Bumblebee. The emotions she displays at the different points of her relationship with the adorable Autobot are charmingly heartfelt. Whether she’s anxious about Bumblebee being discovered, jubilant at this chance of newfound freedom and a friend to experience it with, or angry and defensive when parts of her past with her father get unearthed, Steinfeld is always putting everything into this, even when her main acting partner isn’t there on the set alongside her. Which brings us to why having a director with a history in animation can do wonders for a film centring on a digital creation, because the Bumblebee in this movie is precious, lovable, and so captivating to watch. The design is streamlined so that every moving part serves a purpose, and that purpose is always to convey the inner thoughts and feelings of this robot. His expressions are dripping with soulful looks of his timidness, compassion, or mischievous side that never veers too far away from his well-meaning nature. He may be made of metal, but this CGI creature is so full of life. Both the arcs and the performances of these characters are relatively simple, but they’re executed with such consideration that they hit home in a remarkable way for me.

I could go on about how much I enjoyed the measured action that’s presented through restrained camera movements that clearly frame the subjects of the shot, or how I engaged with the action as much as I did because it consistently featured characters I was invested in or interested by, or how the actions characters took within these sequences offer insight into their general outlook, but I’ll leave it at that barely veiled summary. Bumblebee draws inspiration from several well received family sci-fi films with a lot of heart to them, and some of the positive parts of the action and general aesthetic of this live-action Transformers world are owed to the groundwork provided by Michael Bay’s films. But even if Bumblebee owes some credit to other films that have preceded it, it understands the deeper reasons for why the aspects that worked in these other properties were as successful as they were, and it weaves that informed technical prowess of storytelling and filmmaking with genuine love. Love for the idea of Transformers, love for coming of age classics with a fun twist to them, and a beautiful friendship between two characters who each heal from the love they show each other.

Final Ranking: Gold.

The film is a delight for its simplicity and earnestness, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lot of technical skill on display in the performances, the animation, or its use of colour and camerawork. It warms the soul, and my mind comes back to it more often than I’d ever expected. It’s got the touch.

#The Inquisitive J #reviews #film reviews #movie reviews #films #movies #film discussion #film critic #film criticism #critic #the favourite #the favourite review #mary poppins returns #mary poppins returns review #bumblebee #bumblebee review #the inquisitive j reviews

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alivingfire · 6 years

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in this life

aka rachel writes a bunch of different AUs because sleep is for the weak

read on AO3 here.

In this life, you’re a painter.

Color speaks to you in a way people never could, shades more nuanced than emotions. You blend blue and green and know exactly what the result will be; you blend yourself in social situations and the same cannot be said. You hole up, you burrow. You hermit, your sister says, and she’s teasing but teasing based on truth. You’re okay with the world inside your makeshift studio, because in there you can control everything from the canvas to the ceilings.

You do like some things.

You like the sunflowers in the garden of the house you pass to get to the bakery. You like the way the afternoon light touches the scones in the display case. You like the tiny bakery tables that you couldn’t possibly be expected to share with another person.

You like the smile of the boy at another too-tiny-for-teatime-companions table.

He must be new; you’ve never seen him here before. This is a small village, you’d know if someone like this existed here before this moment. Somehow, you’d have known.

“D’you mind?” he asks, pointing to the chair across from you at the too-tiny bakery table.

Yes, you want to say. Yes, I mind. Yes, go away, I enjoyed the view of you from over there but now you’re far too close and I’m far too clumsy with the words in my mouth and—

“No,” you say. “Please, take a seat.”

There’s no reason for him to have moved to your table. The bakery isn’t even halfway full, no one needed his seat. He’s sipping tea and smiling at you like he knows a secret and thinks it’s something you’ll enjoy.

“Louis,” he says. You assume that’s his name.

“Harry,” you answer.

“Harry,” he repeats. “Your hands are blue, Harry.”

You look down: they are. Well, sort of. Acrylic paint stripes your palms, dusts your knuckles like you’d done it on purpose, trying to play the part of the painter. You didn’t do it on purpose, but you must admit you like the look. There’s blue on your hands in paintbrush-edged stripes: you’d painted the ocean this morning, and it was the same color as this stranger’s eyes.

You look at his hands, just on instinct: they’re green. Familiar paintbrush strokes, familiar colored swaths across his knuckles. Green like jade under a jeweler’s lamp, bright and light, like a high note in a sweet song. He sees you looking and holds up both hands, palms toward you, fingers wiggling.

“Seems we might have something in common,” he says.

You fall in love easier than you should’ve, Louis’ smile less safe than your routines but a thousand times more intriguing. He coaxes you into the world and you coax him into your studio in return, a balancing act of public and private. The first time your sister walks in and sees someone else there inside your sacred space, she shoots you a conspiratorial wink and even waits until Louis leaves before she pounces, demanding details.

You fall in love in the span of a summer, and you paint blue, blue, blue until your tube runs dry and your hands are permanently cerulean. You haul your canvases and brushes and palette and paints all over creation that summer, because sometimes Louis wants to paint a beach scene and a photo just won’t do, and sometimes he wants to paint the exact color of the cappuccino he got at that specific cafe in London, and it’s only three months into this whirlwind of painting all across Britain that you realize he’s slyly been dating you and you didn’t even notice.

You fall in love and realize that you’re now the type of person those too-tiny bakery tables are meant for, your knees brushing Louis’ underneath as you linger over a scone.

You fall in love over a shared canvas, something so incredibly intimate that the butterflies move from your stomach to your hands, making your usually sure strokes shaky. It’s the first of many, Louis promises, stepping back and staring at what the two of you have made together in awe. “This,” he says, “this is important.” And you know what he’s saying is you, Harry Styles, you are important.

In a gallery, twenty years later, that first collaboration hangs in a place of pride, and when someone offers a ridiculous sum to take it home, you look over at your husband, green paint smudged on the inside of his wrist and barely hidden by his suit jacket cuff, and you smile.

“No,” you say. “No, I think we’d better keep this for ourselves.”

In this life, you’re a drifter.

You were born with a suitcase in your hand, as your mother says. You have a ship tattooed on your bicep because you know the idea of home is transient, connected to people instead of places. You spent your childhood tracking mud in from your adventures through the patch of woods behind your house, your bicycle basket equipped with all your exploring necessities: flashlight, compass, beef jerky. You’d tie a bandana around your forehead to keep the summer sweat out of your eyes, and you wouldn’t return until the fireflies lit the way home.

When your friends leave home for college at eighteen, you follow them out — but not for school. You’ve always learned more from the asphalt of the open road than from textbooks. You take your hard-earned money from your high school job flipping burgers and throw it all at a Triumph Bonneville, sold to you by a neighbor who bought it new in a fit of midlife crisis. It’s shiny and warm under your thighs and you shiver as it rumbles to life the first time.

Your saddlebags are mostly empty when you leave your little hometown, but they fill up soon enough. You collect trinkets from Route 66 sideshows and you buy a couple of notebooks to keep track of what you see and do. You do odd jobs when you find them — you mow an old lady’s yard in Kansas City, you hand out flyers for a business in Seattle, you paint a few houses in Tampa. Cities are good for quick cash, but you like the small towns better: little patches of history and strangeness in the middle of nowhere.

You drive the Million Dollar Highway through the Rockies and stop off in Telluride, a boutique town framed by snowcaps and vistas. You can’t afford a hotel room here — tourist traps like this don’t tend to have a Super 8 for the poorer folks — but you do find a dive bar a few blocks off Main Street, a local haunt where regulars go to watch a game or shoot the shit without having to deal with out-of-towners. You slip onto a stool at the bar and are only jostled a little by an exuberant group of men in Broncos jerseys.

“What can I get you?” a bartender asks, and you look away from the little television over the bar — the Broncos just scored, hence the exuberation — and, suddenly, lose your breath.

“What do you recommend?” you ask. The bartender smiles, a touch of a dimple kissed into his cheek. His small, capable hands wipe a rag over a clean pint glass, and he swipes it one last time before turning and pouring you a drink.

“This is a local brew,” he says, sliding the full glass to you. It’s foaming beautifully, deep brown and bubbling like a geyser.

“What’s it called?” you ask, taking a sip. It sits heavy on your tongue, sweet on the way down.

“Face Down,” he tells you, and you can’t help it:

“Only if you ask nicely,” and his grin grows wider.

“I’m off at ten,” he offers.

“I’ll be here,” you promise.

You flirt until he’s off his shift, and then you flirt as you walk to another bar (“Can’t drink where I work, you know the drill”), and then you flirt until you fall into his bed, a little twin mattress in an apartment barely bigger than the matchbox he procures to light two cigarettes afterward.

“So, are you just passing through?” Louis asks, propped up against the wall. His bare chest shines with sweat in the light from the moon outside, windows thrown open wide to catch a breeze and cool the room. The cherry glow of his cigarette flares as he inhales. You exhale your own stream of smoke, clouding the air.

“Maybe,” you say. You’ve got your head in his lap, and you turn to quirk a smile up at him. “Do I have a reason to stay?”

He taps out his cig in an ashtray nearby and leans down, stealing your smile with a kiss. Outside, the fireflies gather to let you know: you’ve found your way home.

In this life, you’re a writer.

Or so your degree says, hanging tauntingly on your wall. You’re trained for this! it laughs at you. You paid good money to sit in front of that blank page all day doing nothing!

Words come to you in the middle of the night when your insomnia taps at your temple and the city noise drones, in the middle of a pub crawl with your mates who don’t seem to have a tenth of the worries you do, in the middle of the morning when you’re staggering out of bed, in the middle of a lunch with your sister where she, unsubtly, tells you that she’s got all types of friends she could be setting you up with. Words bombard you like raindrops at the most inconvenient times, and yet they flood away when you have a pen, when you finally dig out your phone and open a new note to try and get it all out.

You read voraciously about the greats, searching for inspiration. Cormac McCarthy struck up conversations with strangers; you try that. You make friends with people at bars, in the queue at Starbucks, online — you have a dozen conversations going at once, but none of them spark anything new. Junot Diaz had a journal; you try that, too, but when your writer’s block extends to that as well, you throw your journal out the window in frustration.

When you read that Michael Chabon suggested throwing out what you’ve done so far and starting over, you snort and, just to be contrary, save a blank word document and then immediately delete it.

You want to write a story about love and loss, about life and language and a million little things. There’s a story in your stomach and your lungs and etched on the inside of your ribcage but you don’t know how to get it out.

In a fit of pique, you go home for a weekend. Your mum always has an open invitation for you to crash with her, to get your head on straight and be coddled just a little until you’re ready to try again. So that’s what you do, packing two pairs of black jeans and a few worn t-shirts and your well-used laptop and grabbing a train north.

You’re not even there a full minute, you realize later. You hop off the train, scuffed boots barely touching Holmes Chapel pavement, when you bump into someone.

“Whoa, there, steady on,” someone says, grabbing you by the arms to keep you upright. You sway, clutching back, until —

“Louis?”

He’s aged like a fine goddamn wine, you think, somehow breathless even in the privacy of your own head. You haven’t seen him since — god, since sixth form, since your halcyon schoolboy days. Louis was the first one to tell you that you should be a writer, the two of you huddled under the blankets at one of a hundred different sleepovers, flashlight in hand as he read your shaky twelve-year-old writing.

“This is great, Hazza,” he’d praised, and you’d felt like spreading imaginary wings and pulling an Icarus. It has only been the recent years that have informed you that Louis wasn’t just your first best friend, but your first childhood crush, too, that wanting his approval was once as natural to you as breathing.

“Harry Styles,” he says, eyes bright. “What brings you back to your humble roots?”

“Needing inspiration,” you tell him, unable as always to keep him away from the truth.

“Well,” he tilts his head, looking thoughtful, “maybe I can help with that.”

The library where the two of you pretended to study and instead you wrote short stories starring Louis as a pirate or a cowboy or a spaceman that he’d act out for you as his one-person audience. The tree in the park you climbed because he told you you couldn’t do it, and when you fell and broke your arm he cried more than you did. The grocery shop where he used to work when he was seventeen, and where you’d show up to distract him when things were slow.

You don’t know how any of this is going to unlock the story in your stomach, but it’s the first time in years you aren’t worried about it. Your best friend — your first best friend, your first love, your first real critic and biggest fan — has you by the hand and is taking you on a reminiscent tour of your shared childhood: you can give up an afternoon of staring at your laptop screen in frustration for this. You’d give up a dozen afternoons for this.

“Remember this place?” Louis asks. It’s dusk now, the whole day spent together. Louis’ hand is warm in yours, and you wonder now if it should’ve been weird, the way your fingers laced together like they were sewn that way.

For the first time today, you aren’t drowning in a pool of sepia memories. You don’t recognize this place, a squat little cottage on the edge of the village. You don’t think you’ve ever seen this quaint little garden, or the apple tree in the front yard. A cat sits lazily in a window, tail flicking idly as she watches the two of you with half-closed eyes.

You don’t want to tell him that you don’t remember this cottage, not when he brought you all the way here, expecting you to remember, expecting you to know what he’s thinking. Instead, you bite your lip and turn to him, thinking he might elaborate with a story that might jog your memory.

“S’pose you wouldn’t, actually,” Louis muses, and your distress eases a little. He stares at the house, the baby blue paint and the warm glow of a lamp inside one of the windows. “Since I never did ask you what I meant to ask.”

“What?”

Louis turns to you, a rueful grin pulling at his mouth. “Remember when we were fifteen, and you said that all you wanted in life was a little country house where you could write and maybe grow a few flowers?” He gestures to the house, as though you haven’t been able to see it this whole time. “Guess I never really did grow out of wanting all your dreams to come true.”

It clicks, then. “Louis, I—” don’t know what to say, don’t know how to say it, don’t know how to thank you for things I didn’t even know you’d done — “I can’t believe this.”

“In a good way, I hope,” he says, still rueful, still sheepish, like he expects you to walk away. He bought your dream house.

It’s a common problem in your life, not being able to expel the words trapped inside you. This time, however, you’ve got another way to express yourself: you spin Louis by the shoulders and kiss him until all the air in the world has gone, and you’re dizzy and grinning.

“Take that as a yes,” Louis says dazedly.

“Ask me,” you say. At Louis’ still-stunned look, you continue: “Ask what you wanted to ask, what you never asked.”

Louis takes your hand in his, holds it to his chest. His heart pounds a tattoo onto the back of your hand, potent despite its invisibility. “Harry Styles,” he speaks slowly, like a long-memorized script he’s finally getting to act out, “don’t go to London to be an author. Stay here, with me, and write your novel here.”

“Yes,” you say, crowding into him, kissing him again, again, “yes, god, of course, of course.”

The words aren’t stuck, not anymore. The words pour out into one book, two. Your editor suggests you move to London, that way you can participate in the big city scene, be photographed with other up-and-comers.

London has a lot of things, but it doesn’t have a little baby blue cottage, nor the boy who bought it for you.

The cat still sits in the windowsill, and in the spring you plant begonias.

In this life, you’re a sports newscaster.

You’re paid to have opinions — that’s the part you like. You’ve watched football since you were a tiny lad, the Gary Pallister home shirt your father gave you falling to your knees until you hit your first growth spurt at age eight.

It’s not as though you’re a presenter, or anything. You’re not even a commentator. You’re a beat reporter, an opinion-guy who’s allowed to stray a little from the unbiased caution that the big names have to stick to. You’re known for your color commentary on social issues in sport and personality pieces, and you’re friendly with quite a few athletes you’ve interviewed. You’re also one of the first fully out Sky Sports reporters, and you’re known for that, too.

Sometimes that’s good. Sometimes, it’s a little harder.

You want to be good at your job, so you study up. You pick up the intricacies of boxing, cricket, golf, tennis. You subscribe to ESPN and start learning those major sports too — basketball, baseball, even the psuedo-rugby with the tight pants that Americans call football.

Your favorite, though, is hockey.

You don’t have a team, don’t know many of the mascots or even the cities where the teams play. You assume that “icing” means spraying someone with ice on purpose, only to find out that’s not the case at all. You took French in school but can’t understand a word that comes out of most of the players’ mouths, jumbled and exertion-slurred, athletes who are nimble on the ice but clumsy off of it.

Except one.

Tomlinson, a short, quick winger for an up-and-coming team in a small New England city you’ve never heard of. You know less than most peewee hockey players and yet even you can see how soft his touch is, how skilled he is at handling the puck, his intelligence on the ice.

And then he does post-game interviews, and those— well. Those are inspiring.

Bright-eyed and sharp-tongued, Tomlinson toes the line of brash and entertaining, waving off compliments and directing all praise to his teammates, his goalie, his coaches and the staff. He’s hard on himself when he makes mistakes but he glows when talking about his team, the hard work they put in to be successful. When a reporter approaches him about his exuberance during a post-goal celebration, Tomlinson’s eyes narrow.

“Price blocked fourteen shots on goal tonight and mine was the only one that went in,” he says, cool and precise. “Should I not be proud of that?”

You can’t help it. You’re a Sky Sports beat reporter, you don’t have anything to do with the NHL or, really, any American sports at all. You’re not even sure if your contract allows you to do this.

You tweet anyway.

@Harry_Styles — 1 minute ago @Louis_Tomlinson deserves more than just being proud of that goal. If he wants suggestions on some other ways to celebrate, I’ve got ideas.

You don’t expect a reply. You probably should’ve.

@Louis_Tomlinson — 3 minutes ago Careful, @Harry_Styles I might take you up on that

It’s not as though you have a massive fanbase, or anything, especially not compared to Tomlinson, but your Twitter followers definitely notice the exchange. You expect the call you get from your boss to be a reprimand, and are surprised instead to see that they want you to discuss Tomlinson’s quote on the show, maybe write an in-depth article. You wear your best TV suit and spend three long minutes passionately defending an athlete’s right to pride in their accomplishments, and you will your blush away when your tweet is obliquely referenced.

“All I’m saying,” you laugh, praying that you’re not bright red, “is that if the guy wants help celebrating, I’m in.”

“I bet you are,” Julian Waters says, grinning a white-toothed smile as he sends the show to commercial break. Once the cameraman gives the all clear signal, he turns to you with a raised eyebrow. “Careful, there,” he says mildly. “Sport fans aren’t exactly known for being the most tolerant, Americans especially.”

“I’ve handled worse,” you assure him — though, maybe that’s not true. In all honesty, you turned your notifications off an hour after Tomlinson’s reply.

Curious about the state of things (and feeling thick-skinned today), you wade back into social media after the few days you’ve been away. Your mentions are a mess of heart-eyed teenage Tomlinson fans who either vehemently love you or hate you, and middle-aged men wearing Falcon jerseys in their profile pictures who want you to know how much of an abomination you are. You dismiss it all, retweeting the Sky Sports account link to the video of the segment you just recorded. A short minute later, your heart double-thuds at a particular notification.

Louis_Tomlinson retweeted your retweet

And then another.

Message from Louis_Tomlinson

Your hands shake as you navigate to the message, expecting simultaneously the worst and the best possible options.

Hey, thanks for the support. I know you’re getting a lot of flack, hope my reply earlier didn’t cause any problems

You tap out an answer: Even if it did, it was worth it.

Tomlinson’s return is quick, as though he, like you, is holding his phone, waiting for your messages. I’d like to thank you in person. Going to be in Rhode Island anytime soon?

You grin delightedly, a little breathless, and dial up your boss. “Hey,” you say when he answers, “how would you feel about me writing that in-depth report on the road?”

Providence is beautiful in March, chilly and frost-coated. At the airport, you spot a familiar, compact frame in the waiting area, hidden beneath a baseball cap and dark sunglasses, holding a sign that says Harry_Styles.

“You didn’t have to pick me up,” you say, and Tomlinson’s smile nearly twinkles.

“Sure I did,” he says. “Can’t neglect my biggest fan.”

There’s a blurry photograph of you at the next Falcons game, up in the box with the families of the other players. It’s nearly too grainy to make out, but there is one decently clear picture of your back, Tomlinson’s name bold across your shoulders.

When your objectivity is questioned you just smile, knowing that, at least when it came to Tomlinson, your objectivity never stood a chance.

In this life, you’re a surf instructor.

It’s not easy, your job. Sure, you live in a tropical paradise, have a saltwater miracle of a view right out your back door, spend your days oceanside or out catching waves with your friends. But for every eager customer there’s a sleazy one, some guy who assumes that “surf instructor” is actually code for “paid beach girlfriend,” who is only there to stare at your chest as you explain the difference in board lengths.

For the most part, you handle your own. Only a few guys push it far enough that you’re uncomfortable rather than just annoyed, and you’ve been taking self-defense lessons for years. You keep pepper spray under the counter and, according to the contract the customers sign, you are authorized to use it if you feel threatened.

Most of the time, you love your job. Saltwater is where you’re meant to be, and your tiny salary comes with enough perks to keep you content forever. You have a hut on the resort beach where you stock boards and wetsuits, and that’s where she first finds you.

“Can you teach beginners?” she asks, tucking a wild strand of hair behind her ear.

You grin. “I can teach anyone.”

She challenges your confidence, though. The first day, your stomach feels bruised from repeating the motion of pushing up off the board and hopping to your feet, over and over and over again. You have sand in your bikini bottoms and you forgot a hair tie, so the ocean breeze whips the salted ends of your hair into your eyes.

Somehow, Louis looks even worse for the wear. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” she promises, and while you want to believe her, you’re not so sure she’s right. Most people don’t want to put this much effort in during their vacation — she never even conquered the motion of paddling correctly. Usually, this means you won’t see her again.

She seems to live to challenge your beliefs, though.

Bright and early, she does arrive, hair pushed back with an elastic headband and no-nonsense purse of lips firmly in place. An hour in, she’s mastered the push up. Two hours in, you’re on a board in the shallows, demonstrating how to paddle out.

You have one rule. Well, actually, you have two: the first is pepper spray first, ask questions later. The second, which is more applicable here, is that you don’t get attached to guests.

The resort and the surf lessons are your whole life, but that’s not true for anyone else. Guests are only in your life for a few days, maybe a week at most. In the beginning, you’d promise to keep in touch with those you clicked with: now, a few years in, you know better. You’ve seen too many early friendships wither and die.

So, when Louis asks if you’re doing anything after her lesson one day, you regretfully lie and say you have plans.

You don’t want to. You want to take her to your favorite local spot, wear your tiniest sundress and dance close on the warm sand. You want to trade sangria sweet kisses on a moon-bright beach, and wake up tangled in salty sheets.

But she’s leaving eventually, and you can’t fall for someone who has to leave.

Even if it’s already started.

But… she keeps coming back. Day after day, for a week, then two. You wonder if she’s an extended stay guest — you’re not up on your pop culture, maybe she’s famous. She doesn’t say anything that hints at an end date, and at this point, maybe you don’t want to know.

You don’t go up to the main resort often — no need to, when your customers come to you. But one day, there’s an issue with your check, and you have to sort it out. You throw an extra large tank top over your bikini and call that good enough, not even bothering with shoes. After a short walk up to the resort hotel, you step inside the bright, clean lobby — and freeze.

“So, you can leave the beach,” Louis teases. You’re used to seeing her in her athletic one-piece swimsuit and salt-wild hair; behind the counter at the hotel registration desk, she’s in a simple, pure white shift dress and her pixie cut is tamed, smooth and shiny.

“You’re not a guest,” you say, words feeling dumb even as they leave your mouth.

One side of her mouth quirks up. “Astute of you.”

“You live here.”

“Just as of recently, but yeah, that’s true.” She raises an eyebrow.

“Let me take you out,” you say.

There’s a small, awkward cough. You look over to see a small family, all wearing variations of palm frond and flamingo patterned shirts, the dad waving awkwardly. “Is, uh, is this where we check in?”

“Yes, it is,” Louis says, transitioning easily to a professional smile.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt,” the dad says, pink-cheeked.

“That’s no problem,” Louis says, waving you on, and grinning at your impatient look. “She can wait.”

That evening, she shows up at the hut, grin still in place. She teases you all throughout dinner for assuming she was some sort of tourist, playfully mocking the way your mouth dropped open when you say her behind the desk, but you find a way to stop her jokes pretty easily, her lips soft and yielding against yours.

The next morning, you shake her awake at dawn and take her for a sunrise surf. She rides a full ten seconds before crashing, and she pulls you into the water to celebrate her progress.

Your kisses taste like ocean, and you send her off to work with an unfocused, blissful smile, a bruise the shape of your mouth hidden under her perfect white dress.

In this life, you’re standing on the X Factor stage, and you’re shaking.

Four other boys — four boys you barely think you could recognize, let alone name — are there with you. Tears have dried tacky on your face, your lip still trembling. Sixteen, and flayed open for the nation to see — that’s showbiz, you guess.

Nicole Sherzinger is holding a microphone at the judge’s table, surveying you. “We have decided,” she says slowly, theatrically, “to put you together as a group.”

Your mind blanks. Your heart crashes in your chest.

A boy you barely know jumps into your arms in joy.

Out in the lobby, out of the view of the cameras, he smiles shakily at you, wild-eyed. “I’m Louis,” he says.

“I’m Harry,” you answer.

In this life, you find him early, and you don’t ever let him go.

#MAMA I DID IT! I PUBLISHED SOMETHING!#but.... a few notes #yes i know that hockey louis is basically jack + bitty from omgcp #no i still don't know anything about hockey #no i don't know anything about surfing either #this was written from 8 pm to 3 am and i am Grump today #but i wanted to put something out for the first time in a while #it's on AO3 too if you wanna bookmark!#drabbles #i mean lbr not really #it's 5k

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resultnorth1-blog · 5 years

Text

Self-Care Interview Series: Erin Lovell Verinder

Erin Lovell Verinder is a herbalist, nutritionist and energetic healer living in the wilds of the Byron Bay hinterland in Australia, working with clients locally in her Sydney clinic and worldwide via Skype.

Routine

— Is routine important to you or do you like things to be more open and free?

I honestly love both. I keep certain parts of my day very structured especially around work days and where I can, I claim open space. I follow structure to bring in the foundations of support that are essential for me to thrive and maintain my balance. Like slow mornings, connecting to nature, enjoying a whole nourishing breakfast. But then I open up my days where possible to flow & allow spontaneity.

— What do your mornings look like? If they differ from day to day, describe your ideal morning.

I keep my mornings slow and sacred, it’s been a very intentional movement towards this over the years. I wake with the sunlight pouring into our bedroom, we live in an old church and the light in here is just next level serene. I always keep the blinds open to allow my body rhythms to harmonize with the sun and moon cycle. This regulates your cortisol and melatonin in such a fundamental way. I allow myself to wake slowly, no rush, no jump out of bed, no alarms, no startle response! I will then take time to do some stretching sequences with conscious breath, and then sit for a 20 minute meditation. Followed by a morning dog walk around our very green country town. Other mornings it’s a swim in the ocean with my husband and a lazy lay on the sand. After this, it’s breakfast time. I brew a tea, or make a tonic and take that out into the garden. I really feel it’s so important to have a whole breakfast, and we really honour that in our household, we sit and chat and connect over a meal before the day unfolds. I do my absolute best to only engage in anything work related after 8am and completely screen free before then is the daily goal.

— Do you have any bedtime rituals that help you sleep well?

Yes! I am super ritualistic about the evening wind down. I ensure I am off all screens at least two hours before sleep. I feel this is so greatly important to allow our bodies to align and flow into the yin cycle of the night. I switch off all overhead lights and only use very warm low light lamps as the sun sets. This is another trick to converse with your body to wind down, let go of any tasks and prep for rest. I read, write, listen to music and savour evenings for creative flow and conversation with my husband.

— Do you have any kind of mindfulness practice?

Many. I practice conscious breath and meditation as my main allies. But I also spend A LOT of time with plants, growing, making, conversing and in nature scapes. This is for me the ultimate mindfulness practice of oneness, presence and connection.

Sustenance

— Describe your typical or ideal meal for each of these:

Breakfast – Scrambled eggs with turmeric, garlic and greens, avocado and some home fermented veggies on the side.

Lunch – Wild caught Mahi Mahi with tarragon, parsley, lemon and garlic cooked in ghee, on top of a bed of greens with some roasted sweet potato on the side. (Literally one of my favourite dishes ever)

Snack – I love smoothies. Often a smoothie, my current fav is Strawberries, cashew nut butter, cashew nut mylk, collagen, hemp seeds, tocos, cinnamon, vanilla powder & ashwaganda powder.

Dinner – San choy bow, with a rainbow of veggies & lots of bold ginger flavour in vibrant cos lettuce cups.

— Do you do caffeine and in what form? If not, what is your drink of choice in the morning?

I actually do not, I am completely stimulant free. I have not always been, but just find myself so very sensitive to any stimulants these days. I used to love love love a great spicy black chai tea but since going caffeine free I have replaced it with a dandelion chai blend I make myself that is just so warming and grounding I adore it. Plus no crazy energy spikes and lows, so thats a plus!

— Do you have a sweet tooth and do you take any measures to keep it in check?

At the same time when I let go of stimulants, I completely let go of sweets- even natural sweeteners. In the past I have been an avid lover of raw chocolate and quite the connoisseur (ha) but these days I make my own carob chocolate that has no sweetener in it at all. I love carob as it’s very sweet naturally so you can get away with no added sweeteners. I pair it with vanilla powder and they work synergistically to give a natural sweetness that I find so comforting.

— Are there any particular supplements, herbs, or tinctures/tonics that you take regularly and find to be helpful with your energy level and general wellness?

I do utilize supplement support as needed, this shifts as my body shifts. I love Vitamin C on so many levels but particularly for its adrenally restorative healing elements, so it is absolutely in my daily supplement routine, alongside Magnesium citrate on the daily. With herbs, I will vary what I am taking depending on my needs. I add herbal powders and medicinal mushrooms to my tonics and smoothies. Currently my favourites are Withania (Ashwaganda) and Reishi. I also am a huge lover of infusions (long loose leaf herbal brews) and always have a big jar of an overnight infusion with me to sip throughout my day. My most utilized blend would be Nettle leaf, Oat straw and Hibiscus. Earthy, calming, tangy and nourishing.

Exercise

— Do you exercise and do you have a particular exercise routine that you repeat weekly?

Years go I had a heinous back injury, I herniated multiple discs from overexercising. My approach and relationship to body movement completely shifted after this, from rigorous to gentleness. It is still an area of my life I have to encourage myself back to and approach more as an act of self love. Taking care of my temple. I walk my pups daily, I love pilates and swimming, I have begun the be.come project and absolutely LOVE the approach to body movement with body positivity, inclusivity, no need for any equipment and in the comfort of my own home. This all feels really supportive and a mix of gentle yet effective support for me and my body.

— Do you find exercise to be pleasurable, torturous or perhaps a little of both? How do you put yourself in the right mindset in order to keep up with it?

I am not a natural athlete by any measure! I have recently connected to how emotional it can be to return to body movement when you have been through a big physical injury/body change/life change. So for me the way I psyche myself up to do a session is to come from self love, to know this is a loving act of care for my body. That really helps me so much. Also knowing there are no rules to how you must move your body, allow exercise to meet your vibration- yin, yang and all between. Shifting the type of body movement I do with my menstrual cycle/hormones is so key. Be your own compass.

Beauty

— What is your idea of beauty – external, internal or both?

Authenticity, when someone is just purely themselves and at ease with it. I find it absolutely stunning.

— What is your skincare approach – face and body?

Oils, oils and more oil. I swear by the dewy hydration of oils. I am pretty low maintenance with skin care, and have noticed I need a lot less intervention since moving to the sea and swimming in the ocean most days. The salt magic is so nourishing for the skin. I also find the sun very healing, contrary to the fear of UV rays we have been indoctrinated with! I use a homemade herbal balm for a lot of applications, hair mask, makeup remover, and moisturizer. It is a power packed plant based mix, and such a heavenly blend. I also use Ritual oil, a moringa and blue lotus oil as a body moisturizer. I am in my mid 30’s and really notice my skin responds so well to the dewy goodness of oils. I practice dry body brushing also, which I feel is so wonderful to aid stagnation and lymphatic flow. I use a jade roller which I keep in the fridge for extra lymphatic cooling, and use on my face every few days with oil. I always end my showers with cold water, to add in a hydrotherapy element. I wear very little makeup, but when I do it is always natural, as clean as can be. I love RMS and Ere Perez.

— Are there any foods, herbs or supplements you find to be helpful to your skin/hair/general glow?

The importance of a vibrant whole foods diet and hydration is EVERYTHING! So many compounds in our foods, fruit + veggies are anti aging and collagen boosting anti oxidant heros. I drink 3+ litres of filtered water daily and do my very best to eat a rainbow of seasonal organic fruit/veggies daily and honestly I rely on this to support my health, skin and hair primarily. I do add in a marine based collagen daily to either smoothies or tonics. Also I am in a stage of encouraging my hair to grow, and am using nettle, rosemary and horsetail infusions as a hair rinse. I also massage in olive oil and rosemary oil into my scalp, truly it is so simple and aids hair growth.

— Do you have any beauty tips/tricks you’ve found to be especially useful throughout the years?

A low tox life is key. Keep your stress in check, move your body, eat as clean as possible – mostly plants, organics or pesticide free produce, clean water and clean air. The most incredibly glowy humans I know follow this ethos. This has been my guideline and I am often told I really do not look my age. I am so at ease with ageing but it is always nice to hear you are maintaining a youthful glow!

Stress, etc.

— Do you practice any consistent routines in order to avoid stress?

I really do. I work for myself and direct all of my offerings at this point. This can be demanding and means “work” can have a never-ending feel. There are always so many thoughts, needs and energy streams flowing into my work life. I also feel when you work as a space holder and in the healing realms, your energy output can be hefty. Burn out is high in this line of work, as you truly want to assist so deeply to aid others, we can often throw our needs to the side. I have learnt this many times in my years as a clinician/healer. I implement a lot of consistency with a structured clinic week~ limiting the amount of clients I see weekly to where I feel my energy is at and how many clients I can truly be present for. I balance myself with time off, away from screens, in nature and welcome in receiving energy to counteract my giving energy. My self care practice is the core of how I seek balance. I am actually freakily good at giving back to myself, which I believe enables me to do what I do!

— If stress cannot be avoided, what are your ways of dealing with it?

For me, it is much healthier to come at it head on.. (typical Aries answer!) I do my finest to address the stressors, and clear the way. Whether this means a mountain of admin, which is often a stressor for me as I not a natural lover of admin. I bunker down, switch off all other distractions, play some flute music or chants, burn some incense and get in the zone. When I exit that zone I feel so accomplished and reward myself with an ocean swim, or a nature walk to balance out the mental space I have been in.

— What measures do you take when you sense a cold/general feeling of being under the weather coming on?

First and foremost I rest. Immunity can be a very strong conversation our bodies communicate to us with the message of needed REST. My go to supplement and herbal approach is to take a high dose of Vitamin C consistently in divided doses throughout my day, I also add in zinc supplements. I always have an immune focused liquid herbal tonic in my first aid support cabinet, so I begin this at a high frequent dose to meet the acute presentation of a cold/virus~ generally dosing up to 4 x daily. Usually it will have Echinacea, andrographis, elderberry, manuka, thyme in it. I love medicinal mushrooms to support immunity so I will take a blend of Reishi and Chaga in higher doses. I avoid raw foods and focus on lots of cooked warming nourishing food to feed the cold, congees, broths, soups, stew. I also make fresh oregano, thyme with sliced lemon & ginger tea. If I really honour the rest that is needed, the cold/rundown feelings will shift very swiftly.

— How do you reconcile work-time with free-time? Do those things overlap for you or do you keep them distinctly separate?

The best thing I ever did was to get a separate work phone. I have a dedicated phone that my clients can contact me on, so in my free time it is left at home or on silent. This has helped me enormously create healthy boundaries. I also do not have my work emails on my phone, so I do not check them at all unless I am sitting down at my computer to work. It is so important to be available to your own process and own life, especially when you are in the field of assisting others. These simple interventions help fortify those boundaries greatly for me.

Motivation

— Describe the actions you take or mindset you try to tap into in order to stay on track with your self-care practice and being nice to yourself?

I return to softness with myself if I lose my way a little. I do my best to not judge or engage in negative self talk. I soften and return to my centre. We all have patterns we are cycling. Although I feel I am quite a master of my own self care practice I definitely can get caught up in my workload a fair bit. One thing I do consciously do is to book a treatment in weekly in some form, usually a bodywork-massage session. I find this tactile healing so restorative.

— What do you consider to be the single most important change you’ve made to your routine or lifestyle in terms of wellness?

I recently moved from the mountains to the sea, although they are both completely beautiful nature rich locations I was very much in need a big environment change for my own health and wellbeing. Having lived in a very cold environment mountain side for 10 + years I was craving the warmth, the salt and the sun. Being by the ocean and soaking up the sun rays has been so fundamentally healing for me at this point. Total game changer! The power of changing your environment is so potent when you feel the call to do so.

— How do you deal with periods characterized by a lack of inspiration or procrastination?

I acknowledge that this too shall pass, it is transient. I do my best to trust my own creative genius. I am quite a forward motion person, so when I am feeling uninspired it absolutely can get me down. I am naturally a procrastinator in many ways, which can be so frustrating but saying that I also have the ability to then smash out the tasks in an uncanny way! I often find when I am not in such a wonderful place with myself I feel that sense of stagnation, so I do my very best to get to the roots of that stagnation. Often it takes me getting into nature to be re inspired, crafting out some quiet space to re energize and tackle the task head on. I try to ask myself what is the block, and unpack the block to free up the energy flow.

— A book/movie/class that influenced your view of self-nourishment or self-care.

As cheesy at it sounds I LOVED Practical Magic, the witchy plant potions and the apothecary Sandra Bullock’s character opened was a total inspiration for me as teenager.. & still is now (lol).

Knowledge

— What was your path to becoming a herbalist, nutritionist, and energetic healer? How do all of those practices interweave for you?

I was always drawn to the esoteric realms and the mystery of nature. As a little girl I loved being outside, I loved the flowers, the trees, the plants, the grasses, the oceans, the mountains. I loved being an observer and always felt so held when I was in nature. As soon as I began to understand that plants could have a positive effect on our health, it just fascinated me. Learning about folklore of plant medicine, applications and remedies drew me into a language I wanted to be fluent in. I believe that much of our call to the plant path is remembering, these plants have been with us through our ancestral lines for eons. My career began really at the age of 16 with energetic healing, I met a group of wild women up north in Australia and was welcomed into circles, introduced to the concepts of healing, and recognized as a student of these realms. I learnt reiki which led to crystal healing, then to sound healing, colour therapy, kinesiology.. I went to a college for 2 years to learn energetic healing in depth and graduated by the age of 19 holding full in depth sessions on auric healing and clearing energetic blockages. For me it felt too much too soon. So I went and travelled, met my husband in the USA and studied a whole lot more. When I returned to Australia I wanted to anchor my knowledge of healing with more grounded modalities so I began studying Naturopathic medicine. I forked off into a Bachelor of Western Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Medicine. I loved learning about plants and food as medicine, I loved the union of science and grass roots knowledge. Over years of being in practice, I have found that there is no way or no need to seperate these modalities. I weave them all in together to ultimately support the client in a very holistic way. I approach my practice with this lens of perception. I lead with intuition, and merge functional testing, pathology testing, traditional folk medicine, evidence based plant medicine, nutritional medicine, and energetics all to support. I believe there are always energetics involved in a health presentation, along with the demand for nutritional healing as powerful ally, and herbal medicine to assist, shift and support. Aligning these healing modalities is a potent combination. Essentially the basis of Naturopathic Medicine is individualised care, no one case is the same. This ethos rings true to me, there is not one client I have worked with that is the same as any other. How can we approach health in one way, or believe there is one remedy for one presentation? It goes against the nature of our uniqueness! My practice is about honouring the individuals path, story and health goals.

— You put a lot of emphasis on gut health in your practice and believe it to be the root to all balanced health. Can you talk a little bit about why you see this as such an important aspect of wellbeing?

“All diseases begin in the gut” – Hippocrates had it right!

So many issues stem from the gut, it is the root of our health. With the emergence of continued evolving science we are seeing so much more information come to light around the microbiome/microbiota, which is truly wonderful. Much of our immunity is linked with gut health, it impacts mental health greatly with our “second brain” residing in the gut producing neurotransmitters, it is involved in the auto immune expression, it defines our ability to absorb and produce nutrients/vitamins/minerals, it impacts our metabolism, it is directly connected to our stress response and digestion responds accordingly.. And so much more… I work very closely with digestive healing with each and every one of my clients as I believe this is a key element to balanced health and shifting imbalanced symptoms. Many of my clients present with poor digestion and we dig like detectives to get to the roots, often it is a leaky gut like picture – with parasites, yeast overgrowths or SIBO which we generally detect via functional testing. Once we have a good sense of what is actually happening in the gut, we go in with a supportive treatment plan – lifestyle, supplemental, nutritional and herbal interventions. It always astounds me how health can transform so greatly, from imbalanced to balanced with the right support, intention and dedication. Our bodies are so wise, and so willing to transform.

— What is your favorite way of incorporating herbal medicine into your (or your clients’) everyday life?

I personally incorporate it in so many ways. I make my own products and use them on my skin and in my home on the daily, I drink herbal teas and infusions daily and use tonic herbs to support my body/being. I have a herbal garden that is buzzing right now, so connecting with the plants via gardening is medicine to me. There is something so potent about growing and caring for a plant and utilising her healing, knowing the story of the plants beginnings enhances the healing power I believe. For clients~ it really depends but I do always advise infusions to become a part of their everyday lives. They are so very simple and accessible, basically a long brewed overnight tea! If you are working with me in a session we will touch on many ways to incorporate plant medicine into your life, from the herbs that are suitable for your current process, to cleaning up your skin care with more plant love, to working with herbal tablets/liquid tonics for marked support.

Fun and Inspiration

— What is something you are particularly excited about at the moment?

This next year feels so full of creativity, as I expand and launch multiple new offerings. Right now I am in a potent brewing stage, so I look forward to it all coming to fruition!

— What do you do to unwind or treat yourself?

Days off at the beach, going into the bush, gardening in my medicinal plant patch, reading a great book, screen free days, massages, hugs with my husband & dogs.

— A book/song/movie/piece of art to feed the soul:

Book – Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer Song – Stay – Cat Power/ Ba Movie – Call me by your name Piece of Art – A oil pastel pencil drawing gifted to me by my husband and family by my dear friend and incredible creator Chanel Tobler called “Curves like jam”

— Is there anyone you would like to hear from next in this interview series?

Emily L’ami from Bodha, she is a scent magician.

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Source: http://golubkakitchen.com/self-care-interview-series-erin-lovell-verinder/

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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targetcolor20-blog · 5 years

Text

Self-Care Interview Series: Erin Lovell Verinder

Routine

— Is routine important to you or do you like things to be more open and free?

— What do your mornings look like? If they differ from day to day, describe your ideal morning.

— Do you have any bedtime rituals that help you sleep well?

— Do you have any kind of mindfulness practice?

Sustenance

— Describe your typical or ideal meal for each of these:

Breakfast – Scrambled eggs with turmeric, garlic and greens, avocado and some home fermented veggies on the side.

Snack – I love smoothies. Often a smoothie, my current fav is Strawberries, cashew nut butter, cashew nut mylk, collagen, hemp seeds, tocos, cinnamon, vanilla powder & ashwaganda powder.

Dinner – San choy bow, with a rainbow of veggies & lots of bold ginger flavour in vibrant cos lettuce cups.

— Do you do caffeine and in what form? If not, what is your drink of choice in the morning?

— Do you have a sweet tooth and do you take any measures to keep it in check?

— Are there any particular supplements, herbs, or tinctures/tonics that you take regularly and find to be helpful with your energy level and general wellness?

Exercise

— Do you exercise and do you have a particular exercise routine that you repeat weekly?

— Do you find exercise to be pleasurable, torturous or perhaps a little of both? How do you put yourself in the right mindset in order to keep up with it?

Beauty

— What is your idea of beauty – external, internal or both?

Authenticity, when someone is just purely themselves and at ease with it. I find it absolutely stunning.

— What is your skincare approach – face and body?

— Are there any foods, herbs or supplements you find to be helpful to your skin/hair/general glow?

— Do you have any beauty tips/tricks you’ve found to be especially useful throughout the years?

Stress, etc.

— Do you practice any consistent routines in order to avoid stress?

— If stress cannot be avoided, what are your ways of dealing with it?

— What measures do you take when you sense a cold/general feeling of being under the weather coming on?

— How do you reconcile work-time with free-time? Do those things overlap for you or do you keep them distinctly separate?

Motivation

— Describe the actions you take or mindset you try to tap into in order to stay on track with your self-care practice and being nice to yourself?

— What do you consider to be the single most important change you’ve made to your routine or lifestyle in terms of wellness?

— How do you deal with periods characterized by a lack of inspiration or procrastination?

— A book/movie/class that influenced your view of self-nourishment or self-care.

As cheesy at it sounds I LOVED Practical Magic, the witchy plant potions and the apothecary Sandra Bullock’s character opened was a total inspiration for me as teenager.. & still is now (lol).

Knowledge

— What was your path to becoming a herbalist, nutritionist, and energetic healer? How do all of those practices interweave for you?

“All diseases begin in the gut” – Hippocrates had it right!

— What is your favorite way of incorporating herbal medicine into your (or your clients’) everyday life?

Fun and Inspiration

— What is something you are particularly excited about at the moment?

This next year feels so full of creativity, as I expand and launch multiple new offerings. Right now I am in a potent brewing stage, so I look forward to it all coming to fruition!

— What do you do to unwind or treat yourself?

Days off at the beach, going into the bush, gardening in my medicinal plant patch, reading a great book, screen free days, massages, hugs with my husband & dogs.

— A book/song/movie/piece of art to feed the soul:

— Is there anyone you would like to hear from next in this interview series?

Emily L’ami from Bodha, she is a scent magician.

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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tsarina-lunanoff-blog · 7 years

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REPOST DON’T REBLOG

tagged by: @cheekykeybearer tagging: ALL THE FOLLOWERS. But specifically @ofdeathandfear @flossinspector @demonsgold @morningxnoonxnight @colddarkfun @nxghtlight

name: Evie (apparently this confuses people because it sounds like an internet name or a nickname, but that’s my real, legal name. My mom was too ahead of the times I guess because she gave me a name that sounds like a Username.) alias: Mama, Mama moon gender: Female place of birth: Texas spoken languages: English. (Sad, I know. I wish I spoke more too.) drink / smoke / drugs: nope/nope/nope likes: Children of the very small variety, storybooks, antique stores, making things, old movies, voice acting, situational humor, lamps, drawing, Karl Pilkington, writing, reading, coffee. dislikes: jokes, politics, lies, shrimp, when people say they hate kids (like what the heck? It’s not okay? to hate a people group?????) fears: Getting lost or being lost. Inadequacy. Rejection. The usual. personality traits: INFJ-- INFJs indeed share a unique combination of traits: though soft-spoken, they have very strong opinions and will fight tirelessly for an idea they believe in. They are decisive and strong-willed, but will rarely use that energy for personal gain – INFJs will act with creativity, imagination, conviction and sensitivity not to create advantage, but to create balance. Egalitarianism and karma are very attractive ideas to INFJs, and they tend to believe that nothing would help the world so much as using love and compassion to soften the hearts of tyrants. <--Basically, me. disorders: Thankfully, none!

hair colour: Light Auburn (Although that’s not my natural hair color, it’s the one I’ve had for years now.) eye colour: Golden Brown. height: 5′ 3″ tattoos: Nope piercings: Two holes in each ear–

siblings: I have an older sister Who is the Elsa to my Anna. parents: Yes? Both? I don’t know what this is asking... children: None of my own, but I have 14 two year olds with whom I spend every day, all day. pet: None ;_;

sexual preference: It’s so awkward to answer stuff like this when you aren’t in the market, imo relationship status: Married; my poor husband can always tell when I’m roleplaying because he walks by and my face is always like DEVESTATED hahah, too much angst!

#does this a thousand years late #meme

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brentrogers · 4 years

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Three Steps for Finding Purpose and Why It Matters

As I opened my front door on a recent May morning, I was greeted by the welcoming sight of two small, dark eyes and a tiny head. She was up above me, by the light on our porch, sitting in her nest, devotedly protecting and warming her eggs. I had seen a flurry of activity over the past month — a scuttering of wings back and forth, day after day, as she built this nest, an architectural feat balancing on the tip of the lamp post.

I have observed this activity for at least five years now, each spring delighting in this bird returning (is it the same one?) to build her nest and care for her eggs. Each year I am fortunate enough to see the young baby birds poke their heads out of the nest once hatched, and one time I watched as one was on the ground, learning to fly. Each spring day when I walk out my door now, I marvel at the dedication of this mother bird as she sits on her eggs, hour after hour, day after day, because some instinct of life is guiding her to do so.

What deep values are we driven by, what will we nurture, guard fiercely, and return to year after year no matter the circumstances?

What deeper purpose allows us to show up day after day, even though there is much uncertainty, and there is so much that we can’t control?

Finding Purpose

Research on factors associated with well-being suggests that the ability to find purpose in life’s experiences may be an important contributor to one’s health, longevity, and resilience. In the face of adverse circumstances, people who report having greater life’s purpose are able to reframe stressful situations in more helpful ways that allow them to better handle life’s challenges. One study showed that people with higher reported life purpose demonstrated better emotional recovery when presented with negative emotional stimuli. The authors of the study suggest that life purpose may help individuals to avoid negative ruminations by refocusing on what is important to them.

Studies have also suggested that having a life’s purpose can be protective to one’s health, such as having less likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and playing a role in maintaining healthy physical function in older adults.

I’ve been noticing during these months of quarantine and physical distancing that finding and focusing on what is important to me has been immensely helpful in getting through — and the things that I most care about turn out to be the things that have always been there (e.g., my love for family, my desire to find ways of helping people). From my experience in my own life and working with others, one’s purpose need not be grandiose, and meaning can be discovered in simple, daily actions.

Three Steps for Finding Meaning and Purpose in Daily Life

1. Reflect on what is most important to you and find a way to express that today.

What values do you most want to live by? What personal qualities have been most important to you in your life, (e.g., your perseverance, your creativity, your compassion for others, your commitment to something you care about). What qualities do you most admire in others?

Choose one thing to focus on today — for example, being kind to others — and as you go through your day, find one way you can express that quality (e.g., perhaps being more conscious and intentional today about how you speak to others, or expressing appreciation to someone today when you might not have otherwise).

2. Find purpose in something ordinary.

We go through the motions of our day and often miss opportunities to find purpose in things that we do so routinely. But if we pause to acknowledge these moments and recognize them in a new way, there is an opportunity to connect to something deeper. Some examples might be walking a dog, cooking a meal for the family, helping a child with homework, or flossing one’s teeth (experiencing these as opportunities to take care of those we love, or simple acts of taking care of ourselves).

3. Find meaning in something small.

See if you might find purpose or meaning in something small today. We can sometimes fall into all or nothing thinking, telling ourselves that if we don’t do something big, it doesn’t count. But the fabric of our lives is made up of little moments, and little moments add up.

One of my meditation teachers encourages people to take just three mindful bites of a meal. It can be that simple. When I remember to take three mindful bites of my food, I not only connect in with the wonderful flavors and nourishment I am giving my body, but I also think about the enormous efforts of people all over the world who helped to grow, pick, package and deliver this food. There is suddenly a sense of connection, gratitude and appreciation.

Notice what happens today as you bring intention and awareness to one small thing you choose to do. Or engage in something small that you find meaningful (tending a garden, reading an article that allows you to expand your viewpoint, calling someone you care about) and take a few moments to notice how you feel during and afterwards. Notice any aspects of this experience that might have felt important in some small way. Notice what deeper values they might connect to (e.g., caring for the earth, expanding your knowledge, sharing connection with others). This second part, the noticing, is an essential part of the meaning making, as it is otherwise all too easy for this moment to slip away unacknowledged.

Three Steps for Finding Purpose and Why It Matters syndicated from

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positivepsychologyinterventions · 4 years

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Three Steps for Finding Purpose and Why It Matters

This steady cycle of nature, of the continuing of the life cycle, is especially comforting to me at this time of immense change, uncertainty, and tremendous loss for so many. It made me pause to think about what it is that I might tend to each day, what am I being guided to do that aligns with some deeper blueprint of what matters most. I find myself asking: What deep values are we driven by, what will we nurture, guard fiercely, and return to year after year no matter the circumstances? What deeper purpose allows us to show up day after day, even though there is much uncertainty, and there is much that we can’t control?

Finding Purpose

I’ve been noticing during these months of quarantine and physical distancing that finding and focusing on what is important to me has been immensely helpful in getting through— and the things that I most care about turn out to be the things that have always been there (for example., my love for family; my desire to find ways of helping people). From my experience in my own life and working with others, one’s purpose need not be grandiose, and meaning can be discovered in simple, daily actions.

Three Steps for Finding Meaning and Purpose in Daily Life

TRY THIS:

Reflect on what is most important to you and find a way to express that today. What values do you most want to live by? What personal qualities have been most important to you in your life, (e.g., your perseverance, your creativity, your compassion for others, your commitment to something you care about). What qualities do you most admire in others? Choose one thing to focus on today — for example, being kind to others — and as you go through your day, find one way you can express that quality (e.g., perhaps being more conscious and intentional today about how you speak to others, or expressing appreciation to someone today whom you might not otherwise have).

Find purpose in something ordinary. We go through the motions of our day and often miss opportunities to find purpose in things that we do so routinely. But if we pause to acknowledge these moments and recognize them in a new way, there is an opportunity to connect to something deeper. Some examples might be walking a dog, cooking a meal for the family, helping a child with homework, or flossing one’s teeth (experiencing these as opportunities to take care of others that we love, or simple acts of taking care of ourselves).

Find meaning in something small. See if you might find purpose or meaning in something small today. We can sometimes fall into all or nothing thinking, telling ourselves that if we don’t do something big, it doesn’t count. But the fabric of our lives is made up of little moments, and little moments add up. One of my meditation teachers encourages people to take just three mindful bites of a meal. It can be that simple. When I remember to take three mindful bites of my food, I not only connect in with the wonderful flavors and nourishment I am giving my body, but I also think about the enormous efforts of people all over the world who helped to grow , pick, package and deliver this food. There is suddenly a sense of connection, gratitude and appreciation. Notice what happens today as you bring intention and awareness to one small thing you choose to do. Or, engage in something small that you find meaningful (tending a garden, reading an article that allows you to expand your viewpoint, calling someone you care about) and take a few moments to notice how you feel during and afterwards. Notice any aspects of this experience that might have felt important in some small way. Notice what deeper values they might connect to (e.g., caring for the earth, expanding your knowledge, sharing connection with others). This second part, the noticing, is an essential part of the meaning making, as it is otherwise all too easy for this moment to slip away unacknowledged.

from World of Psychology https://ift.tt/2Cm2XHU via IFTTT

#IFTTT #World of Psychology

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whorchataaa · 4 years

Text

Three Steps for Finding Purpose and Why It Matters

Finding Purpose

I’ve been noticing during these months of quarantine and physical distancing that finding and focusing on what is important to me has been immensely helpful in getting through— and the things that I most care about turn out to be the things that have always been there (for example., my love for family; my desire to find ways of helping people). From my experience in my own life and working with others, one’s purpose need not be grandiose, and meaning can be discovered in simple, daily actions.

Three Steps for Finding Meaning and Purpose in Daily Life

TRY THIS:

from https://ift.tt/2Cm2XHU Check out https://peterlegyel.wordpress.com/

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ashley-unicorn · 4 years

Text

Three Steps for Finding Purpose and Why It Matters

Finding Purpose

I’ve been noticing during these months of quarantine and physical distancing that finding and focusing on what is important to me has been immensely helpful in getting through— and the things that I most care about turn out to be the things that have always been there (for example., my love for family; my desire to find ways of helping people). From my experience in my own life and working with others, one’s purpose need not be grandiose, and meaning can be discovered in simple, daily actions.

Three Steps for Finding Meaning and Purpose in Daily Life

TRY THIS:

from https://ift.tt/2Cm2XHU Check out https://daniejadkins.wordpress.com/

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aruneshgoyal · 4 years

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TEN INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS

INSPIRATION 1:

Pride, Ego, Anger DOWNFALL

Time spent in company of GOD (Sat_Sang) is Time well spent!

Control DESIRES

God’s LOVE IS MATCHLESS!

If you have to yearn for anything, Aspire for HIM “Only & Always”!

Don’t allow your Divinity to Rust in Sensual Pleasures!

“AS YOU SOW, SO SHALL YOU REAP” Good Actions ------------- Good Results & Bad Actions --------------- Bad Results (Shrimad_Bhagvad_Geeta ordains this Principle.)

N.B Do all actions in the spirit of service & devotion.

Name of God & Love of God Sustains Life {In fact, is the life breath} [Sole Wealth, which can easily be trusted upon]

LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL!

Life is a pilgrimage from Self to Self in which God is the Candle Light to tear apart the dark thorny bushes & hurdles along the way!

INSPIRATION 2: (It’s Christmas Time!!!)

Women Mothers Make the Destiny of their families and, whence the country Should teach noble virtues& lives of great men of yesteryears Thereby, fostering the spirit of love and compassion, so much required in this Kalyuga. Even in enemies, spirit or soul is the same! Whence, what a man does may be wrong! But, how can a man, A spark of the Divine, Himself be ever wrong?

Self Control is the key! (Less Desires / Less Luggage) More Comfort!! )

Humility, Patience, Reverence o Just bywords of yesteryears! Who cares?

Purify yourself and your body, mind, and everything

Ray of hope! God’s Grace Depth of Devotion!

Body Utilized for Sacred Purpose!

See and visualize the same immortal spark of the Divine in everybody and everything, tangible or intangible both!

Devotion Highest form of Love & Worship!

INSPIRATION 3:

Sanctification / Purification LOVE, PEACE, NON-VIOLENCE (The innate attributes of man)

SELF-REALIZATION PROSPERITY Good Thoughts Good Actions Meditating & Contemplating upon God o Good Life Be always happy, afraid of sin, and keep steady faith with discipline in God! Cleanse yourself of lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, and malice. Then, you will be unaffected by honor or dishonor, profit or loss, joy or grief etc.!

LOVE: Universal without any distinctions…. Divine

Physical ……..Root cause of all that is evil in the world. It must be confined to its boundaries lest it may destroy you!

NO triumph more praiseworthy than “Complete Surrender” to God! Then, everything (good / bad) becomes a gift from Him!

The world is His play (Cosmic Drama / ‘Leela’). You can enjoy it only when you have faith in Him with the spirit of surrender& devotion.

Reduce your wants and consumption as resources on the earth are limited and whence, precious.

You can have bliss (ananda) if you turn your vision inwards towards God.

Joy of giving is much more than joy of taking.

Jesus said – “Ask and you will get it!” Similarly, yearn & pine for God and you will get Him! Life’s foundation must be based on Dharma (righteousness). Earn your bread following the path of Dharma. Happiness by Controlling desires (Not fulfilling them but limiting and starving them)

Contentment Bliss No use searching for the Divine vainly externally.

Spirit (consciousness) is the God inherent that lights the body!

N.B: Be in harmony with yourself and nature (prakriti).

You must learn the art before teaching anybody else. Can a blind man show the way to others? One who has a cataract must first remove it from his eye before giving grand sermons and lectures to everybody else.

One must recognize the Brotherhood of mankind and the Fatherhood of God!

Help Ever, Hurt Never! Faith in God; Contemplation on God; and Constant prayer to God; Are the vital links in reducing the distance between man and God!

God permeates everything and everybody.

Try to do something good every day, howsoever, big or small, it may be! This way, you shall redeem your life; God gives us the Guarantee Card!

Give up bodily attachment. Live eternally present in the consciousness. What has happened in the past and what future holds doesn’t matter. Try to live in the present. Be contented with what you have and don’t lament over what you do not!

Self-confidence is the key to peace of mind. Time is precious; don’t waste any of it! How can the world be reformed? First and foremost, reform yourself, then your immediate environment, and then, the world at large!

Love is the Atmic principle. Live in love. Cherish sacred good thoughts.

Selfishness is the root cause of all afflictions plaguing man today. Try to be selfless. Cherish noble human values discarding evil qualities like jealousy, hatred, hypocrisy etc. Have clarity of vision and goals. Ultimate goal has to be self-realization. Make strenuous efforts for that by clearing the clouds of doubt & confusion and instilling the feelings of love, faith, compassion, and service.

There is a Golden saying – “Help Ever, Hurt Never!” Try to help anybody in dire & genuine need. Fill your heart with Divine Universal Love. Only God can be a TRUE and trustworthy Friend (sakha). His love and compassion is matchless. In his company, everything is Divine. HE is the ONE behind all Zeros. Without Him, there is NOTHING!

Your thoughts must be good. Good thoughts harbor good and meritorious deeds and actions. Thought power guides our lives. So, be positive in your good and noble thoughts.

INSPIRATION 4:

Faith Eliminates Jealousy & Hatred

Love/Grace of GOD Bestows Equal Vision Fleeting nature of worldly pleasures!

Learning from Jesus Taking both criticism and praise as gifts from GOD, loving both friends/foes equally by praying for both of them to grant them ‘Good Life/Gyan’ in equal measure!!

Five vital things:- True Renunciation Fear of sin Morality in society Gratitude Good conscience

Fearlessness

Do work in society ……. But, Hands in society, head in forest! Maintain poise, balance & equanimity; With a feeling of detachment; Get hold of GOD.

Man breathes 21, 600 times a day and repeats ‘So-HAM’ WITH EACH BREATH unknowingly;

Devotion (Bhakti) doesn’t mean a journey of comforts; We must express our gratitude to the Divine constantly for whatever we have and keep on trying for what we don’t, leaving the results to the Almighty Lord;

Feelings of Mine & Thine (Mamkaar) have to be given up.

Depression by any unexpected loss or calamity can be overcome by remembering the Lord, i.e. Namasmarna;

Difficulties must be borne with steadfastness, valor & spirit;

Don’t get annoyed when people laugh at you; rather, pray for them as they are ignorant of the ways of the Divine;

A woman brings a pot of water on her head, all the time talking with others but keeping her attention on the pot only; a dancer keeps attention in dance & just keeps on moving his limbs; similarly, keep your Focus on GOD and keep doing work in society as per its laws.

Bhaj GovindamMoodh Mate! Bhajans/Devotional songs help in softening the cobra like senses and still their fangs and passions. Become a master of your senses, not their slave.

Finding faults in each & everything makes life useless, listless, and meaningless; eliminate this tendency and lead a worthy life.

Activity is sacred if it does not promote bondage&greed.

Spirituality means living in spirit of love & brotherhood; rooting out the animal nature, violence, et al. Don’t seek happiness outside; seek within! Search for GOD/Atma within, not outside!

The greatest Triumph is “Complete Surrender” to GOD!

Lamp remains same; its users are many in many ways; Culture is not different from Spirituality; they are one and the same thing!

Intelligence doesn’t mean cunningness but cleverness that bestows wisdom and all noble virtues and must flow from the heart outwards! World + Divinity = Spirit! Sugar has to be thoroughly mixed water to make it sweet; similarly, the nectar of Divinity has to be thoroughly mixed with worldly chores to turn it into Spirituality!

One who has conquered Desire is the Master-Mind!

AS you Deposit your money with a bank, so should you deposit all your wisdom etc. with GOD! This sacred money shall continue to grow forever and you can draw upon it anytime in need!

Whatever happens is GOOD!

LOVE is selflessness!

Life is a Challenge; you cannot meet it without the Grace/Love of GOD!

Strive to earn the LOVE of GOD; it’s the most important wealth that one can have!

Remember, real education is not one that Binds; rather, it is one that Liberates!

Do rightful acts in the Present; Past has gone and Future, you can’t perceive! Fulfilling your desires can never give you absolute satisfaction; limiting & consciously starving them can; put a ceiling on your desires AS ‘Less Luggage; More Comfort’!!

Never pray for the sake of praying; do it sincerely with a feeling of “Complete and TOTAL Surrender”!

Full Work Full Pay; Half Work Half Pay;

Full Grace of GOD, Complete & Full Surrender

Seek good and holy company AS Company determines who you are!

GOD is the resident & indweller of every being; love everybody with no hatred/ill-will towards anybody!

Keep Mind In Control Along the Right Path!

How can you ever forget your parents who have brought you up through so many trials & tribulations? Especially, the mother who has borne you in her womb for nine months!

You have to pay four debts: Mother, Father, Guru/Teacher, & GOD With a feeling of togetherness and LOVE towards everybody!

Sectarian tendencies have to be checked and wiped out!

Foundation of everything has to be LOVE!

Live for others; not for yourself!

Bear actions of past births with a smile!

Life is Expansion of LOVE; Contraction is Death!

HAPPINESS & PROSPERITY [With] Only one Religion - Religion of LOVE! & Only one Caste - Caste of Humanity!

INSPIRATION 5:

Body is meant to cross the ocean of transmigration, not to fulfill sensual pleasures overboard;

The main problem plaguing the world today is “EGOISM”. Unless and until one gets rid of his ego, self-realization is just not possible. Even Lord Ram had to give up and sacrifice His ego to establish Ram_Rajya.

Individuality Humanity Divinity

the need of the hour is to think about others, not just for one’s own sake; as in the Ramayana.

No Sacrifices; NO Ram_Rajya

For any relationship to last, it must be founded on Love & Truth.

Righteousness {Dharma} [Basis for] Peace & Bliss!

Thoughts; Actions

Bad Thoughts; Bad Actions

Good Thoughts; Good Actions

INSPIRATIONS 6-10: One must have the uncanny ability to differentiate between one’s desires and needs; Less luggage more comfort Less desires more happiness

Body should be taken care of till one fulfills the mission of his life, viz. Self realization/God-realization/Moksha/Nirvana or Kingdom of God, as it is said.

Love lives by giving & forgiving. You must be able to derive happiness from even a state of misery!

Silence is the ‘golden’ language of the heart; we should try and observe silence at least for one hour each day.

In ‘Kal_yuga’, “Name” of God (Nama_Smarna) is the source of liberation!

What we want from others, we should try and do unto them ourselves first!

We must try to see the world as God_Swarup (Krisanmay).

We should neither worry about finishing our work nor about the results thereof!

You cannot always oblige; but you can surely speak obligingly!

Contentment o Equanimity

“Rama_Nama (name of God) is the Divine Nectar”!

God Helps Those Who: o Help Themselves o Help Others. o (The Choice Is Yours!)

Remain unaffected by gain/loss, praise/blame, positive(s)/negative(s) with steadfast faith in God and engage in good deeds constantly to attain Divinity!

Don’t meet hatred with hatred, anger with anger; meet them with love & prayer, with brotherhood & fellowship, for the betterment of everybody to build a ‘harmonious’ society; start now from this moment on!

True Leadership entails Service to Mankind! Prayer reaches God only when it carries the Stamp of Bhakti, Devotion, and Sincerity! Love shall carry you on the road to God!

| Faith o Love |

Bad is bad & good is good; nobody can question the bona fides of good/bad. Even if one person is speaking the truth, and a thousand others are speaking lies, ‘truth’ shall always remain “truth”!

Devotion comes easily through the Rambaan Medicine of Kalyuga – Naamasmarna (repetition of Lord Rama’s name)!

Contentment and a firm resolve to attain the Divine are quintessential for SelfRealization!

Even if you wish to reap only the fruits of good actions, your bad actions have to be borne by you!

Develop proximity to God; treat Him as you best friend, philosopher, and guide; and, you shall never have any reasons to complain/repent about this.

Be like the light of a lamp moving upwards and banishing darkness (read ‘ignorance’)! Grace of God only can burn your sins! It can be won only by complete and ‘true’ surrender at His feet! Use your art of Viveka/Discrimination lest the insects of desire, anger etc. might harm you!

Man is wandering aimlessly in worldly goals forgetting the real ‘Spiritual Goal’, i.e. “Merger with the Divine”!

GOD always protects the righteous & the virtuous; detachment is one of the sweetest virtues!

Have reverence for your elders; friendship with those equal to you; and, affectionate love for those younger to you!

Forgetting worldly concerns, one should cling to the Divine; thereby making sure that he shall attain Divinity some day!

GOD is above everything; place HIM right on TOP of your Agenda!

Love should be for Love’s sake only without any motive; Love is Selflessness! o (“Love KO Love HI REHNE Do; KOI NAAM NA Do”! - {‘KHAMOSHI/Silence’} even our film-makers portray this!)

Be always alert lest there be some avoidable mistakes!

LET THY WILL BE Done!

Things & Persons are not the Cause of Bondages; rather, Attachment to them IS! Things are better than Money, Persons better than Things, Wisdom/Detachment better than Persons; GOD is the BEST, better than even Wisdom/Detachment!

The Root of Evil is the Desire of ‘Sensual Pleasures’!

How can the Company of Perishable things make/render you Imperishable/Immortal?

That what is for everyone is ours too; and, ‘That’ what is for No one cannot be ours at any cost!

GOD IS OMNIPRESENT; only, One Needs the Eyes to Perceive & Feel HIM!

WE ADORE STATUES OF God BUT IGNORE LIVING BEINGS IN WHOM THE SPARK OF THE SAME Divine IS LATENT!

NO Penance Higher than Fortitude; NO Happiness Higher than Contentment; NO Merit Higher than Mercy; NO Weapon Higher than Patience!

Body is the Field, Good Deeds are the seed, Heart is the Root; you have to Cultivate the Name of the Lord in order to Reap the Harvest – the Lord HIMSELF!

| Effort o Experience |

Always be engaged in “true” satsang! Pray to GOD always & for everything!

Spirit is Love of Spirituality! Knowledge of MANY is ‘False’; Knowledge of ONE is ‘True’!

The external world is very tempting but hollow from inside; on the other hand, the soul within is fulfilling and lasting.

Without Faith you cannot prosper; if you allow the seeds of doubt to sprout, they shall bite you into abject misery!

Laziness is rust & dust; self-realization is must & best!

Main use of a tree is the fruit it bears; similarly, the primary aim/use of the human body is God-Realization; the rest is all accidental & illusionary!

God is LOVE!, Love is GOD! [Properties are same.]

God is ‘HridayNivaasi’; you are a devotee only when you receive an ACK from HIM!

Love can melt the Hardest of Rocks! Self-confidence is the key!

|Expect Respect from Others Learn to Respect Them First |

Sugar is present in all Candies; likewise Ishwar_Tattwa is present in all Individuals!

Love is vital for Peace and Peace is vital for Happiness!

Each religion is a part of the Elephant created by man; the Real ‘Religion’ is that one of “humanity”!

Reduce your desires progressively in Life; the Key is to control your eyes and tongue, keeping them in check, constantly on the vigil!

The spirit of worship must emanate from the Heart.

Wherever there is egoism, God’s Grace cannot flow; humility and discipline with goodwill towards all are the essential prerequisites to earn the Grace of God!

Karma & Upaasana must move hand in hand away from the field of ‘Sensual Pleasures’ as much as possible!

What is Meditation? [It is the process of focusing your scattered thoughts at one point/goal – the Divine!]

***

[THINGS to REMEMBER, in general, for an Article]:

1. Creating a suitable title ……………………………………………… ……………………………… 2. Using sub-headings wherever possible (as it attracts the readers) ……………………………………………… ……………………………..…

3. Headings & sub-headings to be properly put in bold ……………………………………………… ………………………………. 4. Points to be numbered or bulleted ……………………………………………… ………………………………… 5. Underlining all the keywords

……………………………………………… …………………………………. 6. Using keywords throughout the content and not just in the beginning Paragraphs ……………………………………………… ………………………………….

________________________________________ *****************************

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businessguide12-blog · 5 years

Text

A Room-by-Room Guide to Using Crystals for the Home

New Post has been published on https://businessguideto.com/awesome/a-room-by-room-guide-to-using-crystals-for-the-home/

A Room-by-Room Guide to Using Crystals for the Home

Our homes are deeply personal spaces. They reflect our personality and our interests, so it shouldn’t be astounding that they reflect our energy as well. When there’s tension between people in their own homes, the home energy feels tense. When you’re sad or grieving, the home holds the space of that darkness. And when your mind is cluttered with chaotic supposes, disarray will often manifest within the home as well. That’s why it’s so important to not only cleanse the energy of the home regularly, but also fill it back up with love and light. The more you transform the home into a space of radiant positivity, the more you will inspire your spirit to vibrate at the same level. Crystals for the home help you to set the tone for your space and spirit.

So no matter where you are feeling blocked, whether it’s creatively, romantically or financially, there is a stone that can help you to tap into the energy you need for a breakthrough. Want a little more romance in the bedroom? There’s a stone for that. Need to calm anxious supposes? There is most definitely a stone for that. Explore the greater possibilities of these healing tools with this quick guide to crystals for the home! We’re taking you room-by-room to help you remove the guesswork from choice crystals for the home.

An Insider Guide to Crystals for the Home Crystals for the Office: Shungite and Pyrite

Shungite is an important stone for the run desk or home office because of the natural antioxidants found in the stone’s fullerenes. Unlike any other stone on Earth, this stone, found only in Russia, can assimilate and neutralize the electromagnetic radiation( EMF) put under by electronic devices. If your desk is covered with a computer, tablet, phone or other electronic devices, this stone can be useful in combating that energy. It also connects with the root chakra, which will benefit your work by keeping you grounded and helping you to harness heroism and resourcefulness.

Bring in the energy of a Pyrite Crystal to promote a wealth of ideas, opportunities and confidence in the office. Set the Pyrite on top of your business card to manifest abundance. The heroism, motivating and overall sense of abundance you feel when connected with Pyrite’s energy will drive you to take those necessary hazards or capitalize on opportunities for growth.

Crystals for the Bedroom: Rose Quartz, Selenite and Amethyst

Looking for crystals to help you sleep and promote relaxation? What better crystal to have in the bedroom than one that invokes impressions of peace and unconditional love? Rose Quartz to the rescue! This stone connects with the heart chakra to open the soul up to vulnerabilities, and promote love in relationships. It is the quintessential stone for rediscovering self-love, as it brings you to realize that you deserve the same compassion and understanding that you give to others. Those with households can benefit for rose quartz especially. With a soft energy, rose quartz allays the remaining tensions from the day, and keeps you from going to sleep angry as it influences empathy, forgiveness, and lowered stress.

So being that we like an energetically clean room, having a natural energy cleanser like Selenite under the bed or pillow is a must-have for restful sleep and sweet dreamings. This crystal of “liquid light” maintains an energetically light and charged surrounding. If you want to create an ambience full of cleansed, uplifting vibes, use a Selenite Lamp. The soft luminescence that Selenite Lamps put out will offer the perfect mood lighting for when you just want to rest and recharge your spirit with a good book in bed.

For those in partnerships, place a pair of Rose Quartz and Amethyst together on your nightstand. This energy combo balances that yin and yang energy and deepens the connectedness of your relationship. As the rise quartz promotes understanding and loving vibes, the amethyst enhances intuition and relaxation. You can also place Rose Quartz and Aventurine Mandarin Ducks in your space to promote good luck and love in your relationship. Mandarin ducks are said to mate for life, and have long been a symbol of love in Chinese culture. The loving energy of Rose Quartz combined with the luck-enhancing energy of Aventurine is the ideal complement to the symbolism of mandarin ducks.

Place these Mandarin Crystal Ducks in the love corner of your bedroom. Looking into your room, find the far right corner of your space–that is where your optimal love energy resides. Set the ducks in the right corner of your bedroom to enhance your partnership or attract lasting love!

Crystals for the Kid’s Room: Celestite, Blue Lace Agate and Smoky Quartz

Celestite crystals have a calming and soothing energy. The gentle vibration of this luminesce stone calms chaos and ushers in a protective field of white light. Often tempered by bad dreams, help your child get to sleep easier by soothing their dreads. Objects cast scary darkness that take over a new life in a child’s active imagination, but celestite can counteract those nervousness by serving as the sun to combat the shadows. Celestite’s energy is a rainbow of happiness that will inspire good believes, happy dreamings and more sleep-filled nights for you!

Blue Lace Agate on the bedside table also brings tranquil energies to alleviate any stress, nervousness or anxiety. Every now and then, depending on if the energy of the room needs to be grounded, add Smoky Quartz to your kids’ bedrooms to stabilize and assimilate any unwanted or overactive energy.

Crystal for the Kitchen: Carnelian, Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz and Amethyst

For most people, their favorite cook is their mother. Is she truly the best cook in the world? Maybe, but more likely, there’s just something special about a snack built with nurturing love. Give everything you cook the same kick by adding the secret ingredient of loving energy to your kitchen.

A dynamic crystal, Carnelian emits an energy as bright as its fiery orange surface. This stone works for the kitchen because it delivers confidence, boosts imagination, induces motive and increases staman. Cooking is hard work. Carnelian will aid in lessening the physical toll that cooking takes on the body, and inspire you to take bold hazards in those recipes. As a stone of creativity and passion, a Carnelian by your cook books will help spice up your recipes!

We like to put Citrine on the window sills to fill our spirit and space up with elation as we prepare food. The best savouring food is prepare with a positive spirit, so ensure that kitchen maintains a happy ambiance with Citrine. When the sunlight makes this happy stone, it will send sparkles and rainbows into your kitchen. Let motivation and exhilaration that Citrine inspires improve every meal!

On top of your table, place a Clear Quartz Point which keeps the energy pure and clean. When sunlight reaches the clear quartz, it streams rainbows into the space and transforms it into a positive place for family meals. We also like to add a piece of Sodalite underneath the table to fuel harmonious dialogues at dinner.

Crystals for the Living Room: Amethyst and Fluorite

Stress relieving Amethyst is ideal for producing a relaxing, rejuvenating space. It acts as an air purifier, clearing negativity and emitting positive energy. Amethyst has a very protective energy that also continuously brings you illuminated and abundance. It’s one of those crystals for the home that you can’t go wrong placing in any room of the house!

To get that amethyst energy emitting in all directions of your living room, try an amethyst cluster. Covered in amethyst points, these unique stones will send pacify, allaying energy throughout your entire space. Or, place a Fluorite Plate on your coffee table to bring balance and harmony to the space. Fluorite helps you find balance within the spirit, and sort through any stress or worries clogging your intellect. Having it in the living room will cultivate an air of grounded positivity that is perfect for harmonious get togethers and relaxing night’s in.

Crystals for the Bathroom: Himalayan Salt Rock, Clear Quartz, Rose Quartz

Himalayan Salt Rocks are perfect for decorating your bathroom space with purifying vibes, or soaking in a bath full of healing properties. A few small Himalayan Salt Rocks in your bath will alleviate tension in both your mind and body. Allow this stone to dissolve in your bath water after a hard work out or a long day at work. You’ll enjoy the anti-inflammatory effect it has on tense muscles, and the soothing consequence it has on your overall spirit. Remember, if don’t want this cleansing stone to dissolve, place it somewhere that won’t get hit by water.

You’ll also want to place Clear Quartz in your bathroom. The bathroom is a place of cleansing, and as the primary cleansing stone, Clear Quartz is a perfect asset to this space. By connecting with Clear Quartz, you can purify your spirit at the same time as you cleanse your body. Have it by the shower or bath to enhance the energy of cleansing. Clear Quartz is an amplifier, and works to magnify the energy of your spirit. Come out of this space feeling squeaky clean from head to toe–and crown chakra to root chakra–using Clear Quartz energy.

One last, must-have crystal for the bathroom is Rose Quartz. This caring stone has the gentle energy you want to relax into when you’re washing away the stress of the day. Having a rose quartz in the bathroom will remind you to indulge in self-care. Even the act of rinsing your face or rinsing off in the shower can feel like a practice in wellness when you connect with the caring, self-worth of Rose Quartz energy. Add a little luxury to your nightly routine by put your lotions or petroleums on a Rose Quartz Plate. The Rose Quartz will infuse your products with love so that you can rub that supercharge energy into your scalp!

A Crystal for the Front Door: Black Tourmaline

You may have an alarm system, but that’s not going to help when bad energy is trying to enter your space. Always have a piece of Black Tourmaline by the front door. Black Tourmaline is a highly cleansing, but also protective stone. It helps to purify you of any energy you don’t want to bring home with you after a long day, and casts an energy shield over your home to keep others from sending their negative energy your way. Crystal expert, Heather Askinosie, recommends placing a piece of Black Tourmaline in a bowl of equal portions salt and water. She has each member of her family make their own bowl, and set their own intention for protection with each piece of black tourmaline. That route, everyday when they come home, they can each connect with their Black Tourmaline stone to connect with the energy of their cleansed intent.

If you’re worried about someone stealing your crystal outside the front doorway, you can also hide the Black Tourmaline in the clay of a potted plant. Not merely will this protect your protection stone, the soil will also keep your crystal charged!

Crystals for the Garden: Green Aventurine+ Quartz Crystal

This combination of crystals for the garden works as well for green thumbed savants as for their less cultivation-capable friends. If you tend to stick to cactuses for dread of killing yet another potted plant, boost your confidence and the energy of your garden with these crystals for the home, and give gardening another try. Green Aventurine guides earthly energy up into the roots to pulse vitality throughout your plants. Bury it into the soil of your garden or potted plant with clear quartz for energy amplification. Quartz Crystal can also aid you in programming your garden with the intentions you want to set. Set those intentions with a quick meditation in the garden. Focus on what you want for your plants, and how you want to treat them. If watering is something you always forget, set an intention to be more mindful and attentive to your garden, and then bury the quartz into the earth.

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