A BREAK FROM THE MANY THINGS I ENJOY

I took a break from several things - blogging which I love, the outdoors, cultural activities, and walking which I enjoy. The reason is, my health took a roller coaster ride since the past 6 weeks which upset me as I had to go through immense pain of all sorts. Falling sick is horrible. It makes you realize, how important it is to be healthy and disease free! I can't say I am completely well, but working eagerly to get better. Everything I love and enjoy doing took a back seat.

On my way to recovery from a queue of ailments that followed one after the other, I found myself contemplating on what's truly important in life. There are of course a number of important things. My family topped the list no doubt. You know, there is nothing more important than love in your life,  spreading love, positivity and good will and wishing well for others wherever you are and wherever you go. Life taught me not to be judgmental about people, for you have not walked in another person's shoes. You don't know what the other person is going through.  If you can do a little good, make a small difference in a positive way, it's great. While we look for imperfections in others through a magnifying lens, we have faults and imperfections as well, hidden under a mask of denial.  It's important to treat people with respect and kindness, just the way you expect to be treated. There should be no room for anger, aggression, ill intent or grudges because  it really does you no good except hurt others and hurt yourself, increase your stress level and stop you from appreciating life. Negativity is often like a boomerang. What you sent out good or bad comes back to you.  

If you can forgive, you free yourself from the clutches and shackles of negative situations. When you forgive, you are actually  letting go of the that which holds you down from experiencing true emotional freedom. Don't compare yourself with others and fret over what you don't have. Gratitude helps you realize how fortunate you are in numerous ways. Don't worry about the grass on the other side of the fence. Work on your grass, pull out the weeds, nurture it with care and patience, make your grass green and be proud. 

Family, relatives and friends are a blessing which money can't buy. Give them your love, time and attention. Often we take people for granted. Let it not be too late to realize the value of people who care, whom you can count on. 

I look forward to blogging again.  The weather is getting better and lot of beautiful things to look forward to, including a vacation in October. 

THE SECRET OF PATIENCE

Patience is not an ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting - Joyce Meyer

When we wait for things to change or wait for something good to happen, we are told to be patient. Sometimes the indefinite wait and not knowing what is in store or inability to predict an outcome when things are not in our hands can be stressing to the point of inflicting fear, worry and even bit of chaos. There is no 'one' answer to everyone's worries. How one person approaches a problem and tries to resolve it may or may not work for another person.  Each of us  have our personal guidance system inbuilt in us. We all have our own path to choose and our own decisions to make. When we stop the chatter in our minds, we become calm which allows our intuition, inner guidance and signs prepare us for making decisions.

The more we charge our intent with a positive attitude, our vibrations attract into our life, what is most suited for us. It's important to have more than one plan, so if plan A does not work, there is an alternative that we could resort to, plan B or a plan C. And remember, there is always an invisible power that guides you navigate through storms of life and reach you to your goal. Sometimes the universe surprises you with it's own plan that would wash away all your fears and worries, bringing you contentment, which surpasses all other plans. 

While you wait for things to work out, it's not only important to be patient but also keep a good attitude. 

INSPIRATION - PROJECT HAPPILY EVER AFTER - ALISA BOWMAN

I received an article in my mail this morning and I thought of sharing it with you. I haven't put up the whole article, you may visit Alisa Bowman's website to read more.

"I start every day writing in my journal. It’s a way to get out all of the bad stuff, so I’m better able to focus on the good. My journal is not a happy or blissful place. It’s a dark pit of doubts and fears.....

Most of us have a near constant stream of negative thoughts running through or minds. Some of it is directed at strangers, some at relatives and inlaws, some at friends and, yes, some at our spouses and even our children. Unless you make a practice of watching your mind–either by journaling or meditation–you might not even be aware of the toxicity you mentally lob toward others throughout your day. 

Most of us keep this nastiness to ourselves, and that’s a good thing. If we all had the ability to read one another’s minds, I would imagine that the world would become an angrier, sadder place". - Alisa Bowman

This is an excerpt from the article, "He secretly read her journal, now what?", Project : Happily Ever After  (What it takes to stay happily married by Alisa Bowman)

Visit her website Project Happily Ever After

PRESENCE OF BIRDS AND ANIMALS THEIR POSITIVE EFFECT

At the Messilah Equestrian Club (show jumping competition April 2013)

Both these birds were captured at Lake Orion, Michigan 

We were having breakfast and this lovely bird comes and sits right outside the window looking through the glass. It was drizzling, you can see the water drops on the window.

The little boy is fascinated by his toy, hardly notices the peacock watching him (at Detroit Zoo)

While at Niagara falls (Buffalo, New York), I had this amazing experience, when a friendly squirrel just came up to me  (for food I guess)

A beautiful experience at the butterfly pavilion , Detroit Zoo. This lovely butterfly sat right near my shoulder and stayed there for a little less than 10 minutes! (A lady came up to me and said the butterfly would have thought the flowers on my blouse to be real!)

At the Farm Animals, Detroit Zoo, Michigan

How often do we really pay attention to the beautiful birds around us, they might be as plain and simple as sparrow or colorful and exotic like some other birds. Depending on where you live, there would be birds that come close to your surrounding, make sounds, sit on your window sill or balcony or have built their nests and homes in your garden on trees or bushes. 

Paying attention to their presence, their sounds, their movement and flight can be very soothing to the the mind. The native Americans believe that animal spirits communicate and bring messages and signs. We are all a part of a grand design co-existing with thousands of species of animals, birds and insects around us. The universe communicates with us through various ways. Those who have pets like dogs or cats, or people who live on the farm and they have farm animals like cows, horses, goats, sheep, so on, would have had plenty of experiences, where the animals have communicated to them giving them signs and messages, beside their presence bringing their owners joy. Animals, birds and even insect symbolism is held with great respect by the Native Americans and many other cultures around the world, that even dates back to old civilizations. 

My favorites are  horses, birds, squirrels and butterflies. While I was vacationing in Michigan during May and June at my son's place, I had this amazing opportunity to watch many different kinds of birds that came into the garden outside his balcony. Their sounds were so musical. Another beautiful experience I had was when we visited two different butterfly pavilions one in Cincinnati and another one at Detroit Zoo. Butterflies with their bright colors are a delight to watch. And if a butterfly would perch on you, it will not leave you without having made you feel a sense of joy. 

Are there certain animals or birds that make you feel peaceful, happy and balanced? Have you had an experience where an animal or bird or insect  has brought you signs and messages ? 

BEING AN OPTIMIST DURING DARK MOMENTS WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” - Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom : Autobiography of Nelson  Mandela

My son sent me a link on yahoo with Nelson Mandela quotes. I enjoyed reading each and everyone of them. Those quotes are from the wisdom of experience that arose from the tests, trials and tribulations of the journey Nelson Mandela's life. What struck me about this quote, is about being optimistic during the dark moments when faith in humanity is tested and not giving up to despair. 

Everyone goes through dark moments in life. They happen and you may or may not know why. Despair and unavoidable pressures of life can be paralyzing and rob you off your strength, hope and dreams. In certain circumstances you might feel as if you have lost your faith in  humanity.  It's important to realize you are of immeasurable worth and your life is valuable. You have every opportunity to become a victor. When you live life with a  victim mentality, you end up constantly blaming people for your situation, lack of progress or your state for mind.  Giving in to despair only causes one to believe there is no hope. Healing from brokenness takes time. But one has to allow oneself to heal and put the negative experiences behind, in order to appreciate life and live life to the fullest.  A victor allows himself to heal as he knows life has so much to offer. Negative situations is not what defines him.  Instead of looking for reasons who to blame, a victor will move forward in life. A victor will spend energy trying to change a negative situation or seek ways to take action aiming towards progress. Although we may not realize, there lies a  reservoir of courage, strength and potential which we can tap into with faith. Not giving in to despair whatever negative phase you go through, is life altering. It opens doorways, attracting people, situations and circumstances in your favor even if it takes time. 

Being optimistic and not giving in to despair  brings you closer to what you seek, what you need to accomplish.

Visit Nelson Mandela's quotes on Yahoo

BEING POSITIVE IN A NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENT

As people, we love sharing our feelings, our day to day life and happenings, good or bad with  our family, relatives, friends and even co-workers. They do the same with us too. But what happens when you are amidst negative people or in a negative environment? How does it affect you? Do certain people or environments drain you of your energy, make you sad or upset? Do you find yourself participating in gossip, or listening to slander or constantly being subjected to others' laundry list of whining and complaints? And somehow you end up feeling bad or drained in the end. 

People who are negative, who ever they might be, well, remember that these people are stuck with their negative attitude. They are accustomed to talking or behaving in a certain way for most of their life. This is all they know. They are habituated to it. They want to unburden their woes small or big,  sometimes in hugely magnified form, onto others. May be they don't even know they are transferring their negativity on to others.  No amount of sympathy, consolation or solutions you offer them, would change their attitude.  They don't want a solution for their issues. They just need to unburden or lash out or pull you into their drama. Misery loves company, so negative people always target those who are patient listeners. 

Negative people are of different kinds, whiners, constant complainers, the aggressive, the hostile, the passive aggressive, sarcastic, criticizing ones, drama king or queens. 

Here are some interesting things I'll share and some  useful tips for you,  to keep your sanity, peace of mind and maintain a postive attitude.

1. Only you alone can decide what state of mind you want to be in.

2. You can't fix other people or their problems. Offer advice only if asked for.  When their constant fretting and fuming or out pour of woes begin to bother your peace of mind, you have the choice to discontinue the conversation,  change the subject, walk away, or think of a polite excuse.

3. If you participate or respond to other people's negative drama, you will get sucked into it and your peace of mind will be destroyed. It's their drama, you dont' have to participate.

4. With rude, condescending, aggressive, arrogant or sarcastic people, tell them politely how their behavior affects  you and what they said was not right or respectful. Remember, their real problem is not you, it's them, it's their negative attitude and inability to interact with respect and courtesy. They are not able to rationally solve issues. In conflicting situations or when there is a difference of opinion,  aggressive and arrogant people, constantly feel they need to fight a battle and win by verbal debates, put downs  and attacks to protect their egos.  You don't have to be a victim of anyone's emotional or verbal attacks.  You don't have to be scared of anyone. Be assertive, respectful and express yourself without fear. 

5. Don't judge someone by the gossip you hear or some assumptions you make. It may or may not be true or even blown out of proportion . You can judge people from your own experience of dealing with them. 

6. Avoid people who are conniving or spread malice. If they are the plotting and scheming types or constantly talk ill about others to you,  they certainly will talk ill about you to others. 

7. When you gossip about other people, it's disrespectful towards them. If you have an issue or problem with someone, talk to the person concerned and let them know what you feel rather than gossiping about them. 

8. It's nice to share and feel connected and help each other in emotional crisis. But when you deal with constant complainers and you feel drained or tired, it's time to avoid them or spend very less time with them. Nothing makes them happier than complaining. Constant complainers don't look for solutions or help, they just work on magnifying their problem, and complaining becomes a way of making a conversation with one sided enjoyment. 

9. You cannot control or change other people, you cannot control certain situations. The only thing you can change is yourself, your views, and make wise choices. Choosing to feel and exercise positivity is a comittment, which you have to work on everyday. In every situation, you have the power to chose how to react or respond. Use this power to your advantage by being determined to think and feel positive and not let the negative things or people around you affect you. 

10. If you want peace, think and feel peaceful thoughts. Surround yourself with positive people.    Consciously nurture a positive attitude and stay away from all the negativity. 

YOU ARE NEVER ALONE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY

There are two kind of problems, one where the solution lies in our hands, it's something we can solve and we know that for sure as there is a concrete possible solution to the problem. Another problem is where the solution is not in our hands and we don't know literally what to do and what's going to happen. In this situation, although we do whatever we need to in order to attain what we  desire or to remain on familiar grounds, sometimes, all actions seem to be futile.  Everyone of us have been at some point in our lives affected adversely by the second kind of problem, where were are consumed by worry, fear and no idea as to what would happen. It's important how you choose to respond as negative, fearful and stressful mindset can only make you sick with worry and rob you off your peace. 

I was reading an article that came in my mail where the writer quoted Oprah Winfrey. And I thought, how beautiful this inspiring quote is. In May 2011, Oprah Winfrey gave a beautiful speech during her farewell on Oprah Winfrey Show finale. "I've never been alone and you haven't either," she said. "And I know that presence, that flow, some people call it grace,  is working in my life at every single turn and yours, too, if you let it in."

I realized, in our daily life we are constantly making choices, decisions and acting upon them. We are building our future. There are times when circumstances, situations and events occur without our knowledge, prior intimation, without our prompting, which some believe is attributed to the outcome of the past karmic seeds we sowed. Sometimes it is even a part of our destiny where one phase of our life ends to birth another phase. It like a huge wave that is transporting us to another realm against our will, against our comprehension. It is natural for us to be in our comfort zone and any turbulence or change is viewed upon with apprehension and fear.  Changes in life means we are forced to let go our tendency to hold on to what's familiar, what we are used to, the comfort, the safety, the knowing that we are in charge and everything is okay. Change need not be viewed with fear or an omen of failure or that it would lead to permanent loss.  Neither should we subject ourselves to undue stress.

Somethings in life change, they have to... because, it's only natural for one cycle to end to start another. Just as darkness of the night fades followed by the sky filled with light, what seems a journey in perpetual darkness, is actually leading you to light.  A chapter of your life has to end in order to begin a new one, where a greater purpose or plan awaits you. Most of the time our fears are what we impose on ourselves. But during the turbulent, difficult and unfathomable times, remember, the divine grace will lead you to newer pastures, new experiences and it's only a transitory period of uncertainty that you undergo. Travel to your next phase in life with faith and trust that everything will work out, even if it's not what you desired, then something better! The divine grace will work in your favor . 

MAN'S RULES FOR WOMEN

Women have a whole set of rules for men, right, (the do's, the don'ts and what's expected of them). Well, here are a set of "Man's Rules" for women. Read through. Sounds funny?, sounds true?, or does it all now makes sense? I am sharing this from a post my daughter put up in her facebook page yesterday.

THESE ARE OUR RULES!

PLEASE NOTE. THESE ARE ALL NUMBERED #1 ON PURPOSE!

1. MEN ARE NOT MIND READERS.

1. LEARN TO WORK THE TOILET SEAT. YOU'RE A BIG GIRL. IF IT'S UP, PUT IT DOWN. WE NEED IT UP, YOU NEED IT DOWN. YOU DON'T HEAR US COMPLAINING ABOUT YOU LEAVING IT DOWN.

1. CRYING IS BLACKMAIL.

1. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT. LET US BE CLEAR ON THIS ONE:

SUBTLE HINTS DO NOT WORK!
STRONG HINTS DO NOT WORK!
OBVIOUS HINTS DO NOT WORK!
JUST SAY IT!

1. YES AND NO ARE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE ANSWERS TO ALMOST EVERY QUESTION.

1.. COME TO US WITH A PROBLEM ONLY IF YOU WANT HELP SOLVING IT. THAT'S WHAT WE DO. SYMPATHY IS WHAT YOUR GIRLFRIENDS ARE FOR.

1. ANYTHING WE SAID 6 MONTHS AGO IS INADMISSIBLE IN AN ARGUMENT. IN FACT, ALL COMMENTS BECOME NULL AND VOID AFTER 7 DAYS.

1. IF YOU THINK YOU'RE FAT, YOU PROBABLY ARE. DON'T ASK US.

1. IF SOMETHING WE SAID CAN BE INTERPRETED TWO WAYS AND ONE OF THE WAYS MAKES YOU SAD OR ANGRY, WE MEANT THE OTHER ONE.

1. YOU CAN EITHER ASK US TO DO SOMETHING OR TELL US HOW YOU WANT IT DONE. NOT BOTH.
IF YOU ALREADY KNOW BEST HOW TO DO IT, JUST DO IT YOURSELF.

1. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PLEASE SAY WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO SAY DURING COMMERCIALS.

1. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DID NOT NEED DIRECTIONS AND NEITHER DO WE...

1. ALL MEN SEE IN ONLY 16 COLORS, LIKE WINDOWS DEFAULT SETTINGS..
PEACH, FOR EXAMPLE, IS A FRUIT, NOT A COLOR. PUMPKIN IS ALSO A FRUIT. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MAUVE IS.

1. IF WE ASK WHAT IS WRONG AND YOU SAY 'NOTHING,' WE WILL ACT LIKE NOTHING'S WRONG. WE KNOW YOU ARE LYING, BUT IT IS JUST NOT WORTH THE HASSLE.

1. IF YOU ASK A QUESTION YOU DON'T WANT AN ANSWER TO, EXPECT AN ANSWER YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR..

1. WHEN WE HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING YOU WEAR IS FINE...REALLY.

1. DON'T ASK US WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO DISCUSS SUCH TOPICS AS FOOTBALL OR MOTOR SPORTS.

1. YOU HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHES.

1 . YOU HAVE TOO MANY SHOES.

1. I AM IN SHAPE. ROUND IS A SHAPE!

1.. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS. YES, I KNOW, I HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH TONIGHT.. BUT DID YOU KNOW MEN REALLY DON'T MIND THAT? IT'S LIKE CAMPING...

A WISE WOMAN BUILDS

A wise woman builds 

* Family

* Marriage

* Home

* Relationships

* Faith

* Work

* Community

* Love

WHEN YOU PRAY FOR A MIRACLE

A few days ago, I visited a friend and as we got talking about old times, she was talking about  a great miracle she experienced a number of years ago. I could sense her gratitude for what happened. How fortunate or how lucky that was, one would say. 

Every person has sometime or the other been in a situation, where you just wish so hard for a miracle. Silently you would pray, 'Please God, I need a miracle'. No one will exactly understand why you really need this miracle for they can't feel what you feel nor are they living in your shoes. Your family and friends may pacify, offer words of support and tell you not to worry and encourage you to accept your fate or whatever might be in store for you. You would listen to their words of advice and comfort, yet deep inside you yearn for a miracle and you wait for it in utmost faith. When the waiting gets long and things around you seem uncertain, you begin to doubt whether the miracle you prayed for will ever happen. 

Look around you, the world is full of people whose life is a testimony to being recipients of great miracles. They were in difficult and trying situations and they never gave up their faith or belief in divine intervention. Some of them got exactly what they prayed for and they knew it was a miracle. Some did not get what they prayed, but  they too were blessed with nothing short of a great miracle that worked to their greater good.

GOSSIP

In the Academy award nominated movie Doubt (2008), Father Flynn (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) gives a beautiful sermon on Gossip:

A woman was gossiping with a friend about a man she hardly knew—that night she had a dream. A great hand appeared over her and pointed down at her. She was immediately seized with an overwhelming sense of guilt. The next day she went to confession. She got the old parish priest, Father O’Rourke, and she told him the whole thing. “Is gossiping a sin?” she asked the old man. “Was that the hand of God Almighty pointing a finger at me? Should I be asking your absolution? Father, tell me, have I done something wrong?”

“Yes!” Father O’Rourke answered her. "You have borne false witness against your neighbor, you have played fast and loose with his reputation, and you should be heartily ashamed!”

So the woman said she was sorry and asked for forgiveness. “Not so fast!” says O’Rourke. “I want you to go home, take a pillow up on your roof, cut it open with a knife, and return here to me!”

So the woman went home, took a pillow off her bed, a knife from the drawer, went up the fire escape to the roof, and stabbed the pillow. Then she went back to the old parish priest as instructed. “Did you gut the pillow with the knife?” he says.”Yes, Father.” “And what was the result?” “Feathers,” she said. A world of feathers.

“Feathers?” he repeated. “Feathers everywhere, Father!”

“Now I want you to go back and gather up every last feather that flew out on the wind!”

“Well,” she said, “it can’t be done. I don’t know where they went. The wind took them all over.”

”And that,” said Father O’Rourke,“is gossip!”

Watch the beautiful sermon from the movie Doubt, which is around 2 minutes, 50 seconds on the you tube video link here

LET THE CHANGE HAPPEN BY SHOSHANNAH QUEL SUEZ

My friend Shoshannah Quel-Suez has a beautiful blog Alpha, Omega, and Everything in Between where she posts amazing inspirational articles that are intended to guide, enrich and empower every day journey of  our life. I would like to share her recent post 'Let Change Happen'. Do visit her blog to check out more posts and be inspired!

Image source: Astrea Sri Ana's facebook page

LET THE CHANGE HAPPEN

Source : http://www.alphaomegaandeverythinginbetween.blogspot.com/

BEAUTY ISN'T ABOUT HAVING A PRETTY FACE

Have you noticed some people, even though they may not be endowed with perfect looks,  yet they are absolutely radiant, charming, compassionate and beautiful. Their beauty is reflected in their thoughts, words and actions, and they radiate a positive aura.  They  pass on some of that goodness into everyone they meet. 

THE HAPPIEST MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE

Two days ago,  I got this beautiful quote by Don Miguel Ruiz by email. It read :

"These are the happiest moments of your life - when the real you comes out, when you don't care about the past and you didn't worry about the future."

Isn't that so true? When do you feel the most happiest? I feel the happiest moments of my life are when :

* I am having a good laugh, having an interesting conversation, or a good time with family or friends
* Dealing with or doing something important/ worthwhile and being totally involved head, heart and soul.  

* Listening to music

* Long distance calls and voice chats with my children who live abroad

* Visiting my children

* Attending musical concerts

* Visiting art galleries and exhibitions 

* Having my tea

* Reading, writing or blogging

* Walking around in the malls for hours

* Making a favorite dish,

* Going out for walks in nature parks with my husband

* Taking photographs

* Taking a stroll on the beach

* Sitting for hours and painting and not know the time fly
* Reading poetry
* At times just being on my own, away from noise and distractions and enjoying every moment of that solitude and the peace, clearing my mind and feeling re-energized.
* When I am able to let go of things I shouldn't hold on to or don't serve me anymore. 

These are the times I am the happiest, when I live and enjoy every moment, and there is no past nor future. I enjoy being centered in the present - whatever it is I am doing. It is in the present that we have the creative power and energy to do all that we need to - for it's our today that becomes our past and it's from our today, we birth our future  . 

It's important that we don't dwell in the past constantly reminding yourself of negative experiences, sorrow, pain or losses. We don't live there anymore and there is no going back. We can live our  life armed with wisdom from the lessons and experiences of  the past and choose to live mindfully in the present. Don't forget to remind yourself of all the blessings and good things that happened to you in the past and be grateful for them. It's also  natural to be curious, concerned and even a bit apprehensive about the future. You see at any 'present' moment, we will never have all the pieces of the puzzle of our future to know the whole picture. There is always an element of mystery surrounding our future. But we are endowed with all the faculties and supreme qualities, within us to help us in that journey towards our future. Don't let the thoughts of past or future spoil your peace of mind.  

Whatever it is you are doing at present, whether it is reading a book, drinking a cup of tea, washing dishes, listening to music, doing your work, taking up new challenges, handling a new project, enjoy whatever it is you are doing. And you don't have to cling on to what does not serve you or stop you from growing emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. When you live centered in the present, you are at the zenith of creativity, able to think more clearly, where you generate positive vibrations, and attract more good into your life.  Even if your mind wanders, don't give power to any disturbing or negative thoughts.  Let those thoughts just pass without being suffocated or engulfed by them. Being centered in the present can hugely benefit your emotional health and increase your happiness quotient.  

POWER OF YELLOW COLOR

Yellow is a color that is bright, highly visible, fast paced and stands out among any other colors. Have you noticed how yellow lines on the road or sides of pavements catch your attention, rather than white lines. Yellow flowers in a vase or a painting with moderate amount of yellow or a small decorative article in yellow or at times wearing a yellow stoned bracelet or pendant or wearing a light yellow top, cardigan or scarf and so on can be invigorating and stimulates the mental and intellectual faculties. In color therapy, the color yellow helps us to focus, study and recall information. Yellow stands for enthusiasm for life, confidence, optimism, logic,  practicality and mental challenges. Yellow relates to practical thinking related to decisiveness got to do from the head rather than from the heart. If you are going through lot of changes in life, or under a lot of stress, yellow would not be color easily tolerated as its vibrates too fast. A softer color would be more soothing during negative phases in life. 

Colors are a fascination for me. And I do believe colors affect us emotionally and psychologically. Yellow is a cheerful, zesty and attractive, attention arresting color. It's nice to creatively use it in your life. I choose to think of yellow as a fun and peaceful color. I am reminded of happiness, summer, sunshine and beaches.  I enjoy yellow as in Lemonade, succulent sweet mangoes, bananas, yellow flowers, lemon cakes, a silver ring with a lovely light yellow stone, abstract paintings with different shades of yellow blended in with other colors. I think a simple outfit of yellow t-shirt (any shade) with jeans looks so pleasing and cool in the summer

. 

During the Christmas sale in December, I bought a beautiful dark yellow Karen Millen bag (a cross between light mustard and  yellow) from  Selfridges (Bull Ring shopping area in Birmingham) UK  and I just love it. 

Karen Millen bag from  Selfridges , Birmingham

Selfridges Building, Bull Ring, Birmingham

Delicious mango