Archive for the ‘Peaceful Inspirations’ Category

Posted on October 16, 2009 - by napavalleybath

We Need One Another

“We do not realize often enough that we are dependent on one another; at the simplest material level, we are all interdependent for our daily needs, and in this way we owe a debt to all beings. “

Kalu Rinpoche

Posted on October 12, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Abundance Flowing Through You

“Each act of generosity is a recognition of our interdependence, an expression of our Buddha nature. ”

Jack Kornfield

Posted on October 1, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Where the mind goes…life follows

Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a polluted mind, suffering will follow you, as the wheels of the oxcart follow the footsteps of the ox. Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a pure mind, happiness will follow you, as a shadow clings to a form.

The Buddha

Posted on September 28, 2009 - by napavalleybath

The Great Strength of Water

“If  your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing.  Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything.  On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.”

The Art of Peace  Morihei Ueshiba

Posted on September 26, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Peace of Mind

“Daily training in the Art of Peace allows your inner divinity to shine brighter and brighter.  Do not concern yourself with the right and wrong of others.  Do not be calculating or act unnaturally.  Keep your mind set on the Art of Peace, and do not criticize other teachers or traditions.  The Art of Peace never restrains, restricts, or shackles anything.  It embraces all and purifies everything. ”

The Art of Peace  Moridei Ueshiba

Posted on May 21, 2009 - by napavalleybath

To Live Soulfully…….

I yearn to live soulfully….to appreciate every moment….every site that I see….smell that I breathe…..and touch that I feel.   Nothing is more important then being absorbed in your surroundings.

I love to create my spaces to be soulful…..enriching through art, nature, pictures, woods, found objects, my imac .

It’s so easy to bring feel into your space…. Kitchens are easy…..simply start with fresh produce in abundance on the counters….with a bottle of extra virgin olive oil….perhaps with oil running down the bottle and a pour cap on…sitting peacefully by…….a mortar and pestal of sea salt…..a clove of garlic……fresh basil or any herbs in a simple glass of water.  You can create a feel with what you will be eating that night….simple.

Living spaces can come alive with simple flowers or cuttings from your yard….the park down the street….the field in the neighborhood.  Nature is abundant with beauty…it doesn’t have to be that perfect flower….I prefer it when it is not….it can be old sticks of a tree….with moss….anything that nature provides will decorate your home and bring in a sense of warmth.

A bathroom yearns to be filled wtih natural scents….organic soaps on the counter….lavender bouquet….or lavender flowers in a potpourri dish.  Keep it simple…..if it is real…and beautiful…it will carry an energy on its own that fills the room.

Bedrooms are sacred…for many reasons.  They are the nest within the nest…..your space.  I need flowers and candles by my bed…..and a book…always the latest book.  But, that’s me…..you know who you are….and what brings you peace….so design it according to you.  It will be the first and last thing you see..or experience..so it should be calming.

_

Bedding is important….your bed should be comfortable…and in your style.  There are so many inexpensive ways to find the right linens…bed designs.  I love headboards nailed to the wall….old wood, etc…  I may switch it up a bit when I get home and do something like this…..

I will simply buy fabric….not finished….and hang it in a similar fashion.  I don’t need to buy a new bed….see how it is hooked from the ceiling.  You simply hang poles that you buy from a hardware store.  Supplies would be minimal….and it would take a handyman about an hour to set that up.  I’m not going to attempt the top portion..just the sides.  Simple..and voila….you have your princess bed.  You will be amazed at how different it will feel when you lie in bed…..it’s really magical….the bed that I have had in Florence is this style and I was surprised at how peaceful it made me feel when I climbed in…like a princess…..and a girl can dream….right?!

I love to inspire my girls to create their nests…..and they have.  Their rooms are such reflections of who they are….very different.   They have brought me in for consultation on occasion but the majority of their design comes from their heart.  Kaelin has a very clean style of design….colorful but in order.  Emmy…on the other hand…is all about expression.   She asked if she could paint things or write things on her walls…. it’s just another can of paint to cover it up when the time comes.  I gave her “tasteful” guidelines, but she did the rest.  She didn’t overdue it but she definitely put her signature on her room.

I love sitting in their spaces….absorbing every detail…..understanding a little more about what is deep in their soul.

There are many inexpensive ways to bring soul into your spaces.  It all begins with you….sit in your space and feel it…..find out what it is asking for….and what you need….and then take it step by step.   Use the resources that nature has given you and it won’t be anything short of beautiful.

Posted on May 17, 2009 - by nvbath

A Natural Source

Nature is my main source of  inspiration….

when I become aware of the beauty of the natural things around me….

my mood changes.

Nature is a powerful source…and it is abundant….

look up at the sky….

or out in the field…..

or at the weed growing out of the cement crack….

wherever you are, you have access to a natural source.

The next time you find yourself in a funk….

LOOK…no I mean really LOOK….

and meditate on something that Mother Nature has given you….

and if you truly hold still….and connect…you will be rejuvenated.