Christmas and New Years

Wishing all who celebrate a warm and happy Christmas.  

And to all those who don't,  to still let some of the magic seep in... 

Useful feedback

Sometimes we are going about our lives and one of friends says something to us,  about how we are managing ourselves,  and it's not complimentary!   Often that doesn't feel nice at all.  People come to me and ask if they should stop being friends with this type of person. 

My question is,  was the information useful?  Did it show things in a new light?  

Sometimes we don't see our situation as clearly as an outsider might.  Sometimes our friends are looking out for us.  Of course it could be that some of our friends are awful people and we should find new ones - but if we're not in middle school,  I hope that's not the case! 

So maybe this friend was clumsy,  and maybe they are just more conservative/ less conservative,  more adventurous / less adventurous than we are. So we can look at the information and factor that in too.  But I look at things through several lenses - were they saying this to be helpful?  Do they believe it?  Have others said something like it?  Are they kind friends?  I always look to see if the feedback could be useful to me.  It might just show a new perspective on things,  it might be really helpful. 

Sound Bath

All my life I've been very receptive/ sensitive to sound.  The right music can just lift me up and completely change my mood,  and the wrong music just jars on me and I can't bear it.  

Lately I've been putting in the words Sound Bath to apple and spotify,  or youtube and listening to what they conjure up.  Lots of it doesn't work for me,  but I've found things that are just wonderful!  Sound Baths are healing vibrational sounds  - gongs, bells,  singing bowls, chimes etc..  often with music, rain sounds, sometimes on their own,  that are meant to resonate through you and work on your harmonics. 

If you are seeking some refuge,  something different,  try listening to new music.  Most sound bath music does not have lyrics,  but often does have spoken visualizations over it.  Some of the spoken stuff does not work at all for me,  some of it is soothing,  some of it I never hear,  because I've fallen asleep by then.  But a lot of it really relaxes me.  

My most recent find is Dr Ramdesh.  You may not like her, don't worry if you don't,  but find someone that does work for you. If you are troubled with anxiety or racing thoughts,  try finding some new guided visualizations, or meditations.  I find they help enormously. 

Green flags

We all know about red flags.  Here's a lovely list of green flags,  to help us know what healthy support looks like,  both to give and receive: