15. Simplicity for Zealouszestyliving Part 2

Hello friends, 

A very good day/night to you all.This is a the 

continuation of the post on Simplicity for Zealouszestyliving, which you may like to read before reading the last point about this topic  Here,

Simplicity in your Home.

A simple clean, adequately furnished and comfortable house is what one needs. It is easy to maintain and is cost effective as I have mentioned in the earlier post on Simplicity. But, we want to keep renovating our house over and over again, buy that chandelier which we saw at our friends place, or buy that wall piece which we sighted in the mall etc, etc. 

A simple earthen bowl with plants or water along with fresh floating flowers can make a room look cool. You may light candles and put them in earthen small containers like this arrangement which I had last year or

use a simple earthen diya stand ( see the picture in the first post that is intro of this blog.) The look it gives at a dinner party is fantastic but of course it requires an effort to light all those lights , I take half an hour though you may use light series or candles.

Home made wall pieces, craft items made with waste can give a personal touch to your home decor. Here is a simple corner piece which I have made from used bottles. Hope you like it and are inspired to make some more  creative things by using waste. Please mail me I would love to put it on this blog.

Of course I do not claim to be a perfectionist in the art of mastering the technique of simple living and not at all in home decor as I am longing to have a Victorian sofa set and a Chippendale furniture piece which I can very well do without. Not being a millionaire has by default curbed the craving for more lavish stuff luckily.

So, all I can state is we should go for a house which we can afford, (no point in staying in a mansion which you can't afford and having a sleepless night daily worrying about the loan) and meets our basic requirements. By basic requirement I mean if you are a singer or a musician, a recording room may be a basic requirement; a painter might want a studio to work undisturbed and keep his things as his basic requirement and so on.  Have your house decorated in such a way that it is easy to maintain. 

Make your house as comfortable as possible. Buy kitchen appliances which save time (if you are a busy person), if you have some limitations have gadgets in the house which will be helpful to you and so on. Simplicity does not mean that you should be frugal in making your house comfortable and more functional. did you get the point I am trying to put across ? Do you agree with me ? Please share your feelings and views. 

(By the way if you are an extremely thrifty person please disregard this and the previous post, remember we are thinking of being simple to live with zeal and zest! and not to live without zeal and zest simply!)

 Here's a quote on Simplicity which I am sure you will enjoy.

"As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler, solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness"                                                      

                                       --Henry Thoreau 

Thank you for reading this blog ,hope you enjoyed reading take care.

           THE CONTENTS OF THIS BLOG ARE

http://www.antrik.com/index.php?module=ebooks&func=ebookDetail&id=633

14. Simplicity for Zealouszestyliving Part 1

Hello friends, 

A very good day/night to you all. The title of this post is Simplicity for Zealouszestyliving, Simplicity and a zealous zesty life may sound like an oxymoron (Two opposite meaning words used together). You may wonder that on one hand I am wanting to make our lives(yours and mine)  zealous and zesty and on the other hand I am suggesting that simplicity should be incorporated in life so what am I exactly talking about? Be patient (as in "having patience" not the other "patient" as in being sick!) and read on.

Why Simplicity?

• What is your favorite food ? (Dont worry I cant read your mind so I wont know even if it is a sinful delicacy!) If you have your favorite food every other day it would cease to be a novelty and a coveted delicacy but what happens if you have normal food every day and have your favorite food once a while you will relish it more happily.
•  Excess of luxuries and extravagances make you crave for more than what you can afford or get. They take away the zeal from life as you always want more than what you can obtain.
• The joy obtained through simplicity is so precious that it cannot be bought with any amount of money and with any currency.
• Simple living is a money saver and leaves you a sufficient bank balance to cater for your real need.                                                                                            

One very important point to be considered is each person has his or her own level of simplicity attainable which is also relative to his or her current state and condition.A multimillionaire born with a golden spoon may not be able to dress up and live in simplistic conditions overnight. (Though even if such a person who is famous dresses in rags it might become a style statement). Accept simplicity gradually, naturally and adopt it in the best way possible , the idea is to make life zealous and not to torture your mind and body. If you are mentally not ready for it just don't attempt it.

Simplicity in Food, Clothing and Shelter(Home).

I will mention simplicity in the three basic requirements of a human being namely Food, Clothing and Shelter. You may write to me about any other topics (the list is vast).

Simplicity in Food.

Remember the simple meal you cooked with the
ingredients available in your kitchen when some dear ones dropped in unannounced after ages? I remember more than one such meal how about you? Our body requires basic food in a simple form but we process and reprocess it, add loads of fats and trans fat , refrigerate it and do not have it fresh, add more unhealthy toppings and then we have it , What a waste of time and what a 
divergence from healthy living , can such a living be zesty? So let us think of adopting simplicity in food , of course extravagance is allowed once a while otherwise we will not be able to stick to it as greed and temptations will refrain  us from doing so.
 You may read the post about controlling greed to get a clearer picture HERE and then continue reading.


Simplicity in Clothing.

One famous film personality from Bollywood whose dressing style is aped by younsters states that he maintains a limited wardrobe and according to him if you are fit then anything will look good on you.  I absolutely agree with him don't   you? Imagine if a person from a film industry can follow this anyone can. Get rid of the unwanted stuff , sometimes we don't have énough space in our closet for necessary clothes because it's filled with non wearable clothes which we have hoarded for some reason or the other. Avoid buying new stuff unless it is really required. If you do not have the facility of frequently being able to wash and iron then of course it goes without saying that you have to stock up your wardrobe adequately.

Now coming to the expense of clothes.How can a dress made of fabric cost lakhs unless it is made of gold and other precious stones and even then we cannot wear the same dress again and again. Of course some professions demand an extravagance in clothes  but I am sure moderation can be exercised. You may go for brands but for their quality and not for flaunting or for the name.

More to write on this topic of Simplicity for Zealouszestyliving. Will get back as soon as possible.I will leave you with this thought till then.

"Suits do not make Gentlemen"

Thank you for reading , please feel free to respond and 
take care. You may read the last point of this topic in the next post here.


THE CONTENTS OF THIS BLOG ARE

http://www.antrik.com/index.php?module=ebooks&func=ebookDetail&id=633

13. Aromatherapy for Zealouszestyliving.

Hello friends,
A very good day/night to you all. Today we will concentrate on Aromatherapy having known that any aroma which you like plays an important role in providing peace and paves the road to zealouszestyliving (the previous post of this blog).

Aromatherapy makes use of the volatile form of some plant components (flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots etc.) and other aromatic compounds for altering a persons mental, cognitive or physical state. The volatile form of aroma compounds in the form of natural oils are known as "Essential Oils." 

This alternative medicine can be very effective in pain management when nothing works. It calms a depressed or anxious mind and promotes relaxation. Stress induced hair loss and skin diseases are also reduced by Aromatherapy. The therapeutic value of using oils in massage to reduce pain and illness was known since ancient Mediterranean civilization. 

How to use Aromas of Oils for a Therapeutic Effect.

The aromas of the oils have to be diffused in your environment in such a way that they linger for sometime at least till they reach your nostrils. 

• The simplest way is to put a few drops on a clean handkerchief or tissue and place it near you, this is good specially if your other family members do not like a particular oil which you love like how I love eucalyptus oil but my family members do not.

• You may also put a few drops of oil on a cotton ball and apply it to your temples.

• Aromatic or scented oils are used in massage since ancient times. You can have an aromatic massage but please do ensure that the particular oil used is safe for external application and does not cause skin allergy.

• You may add a few drops of the oil to hot water placed in a bowl, the heat vaporizes the oils and quickly diffuses them into the room.

• You may use candle diffusers which look pretty and are less messy like the ones I have (see the pic below).
• 
  
  
  The small bowl is for the essential oils and is to be hung in the center of the larger one using the knob like edges. An oil lamp or candle will be placed in the hollow cavity to release the oil by heating the small bowl.

          

                 

As you can see in the above pic the candle or flame in the lower portion of the diffuser gently heats the oil kept in the bowl like cavity provided above. In the dark light is also is emitted through the holes which you can see in the second pic which is the backside view.

(Psst.... I admit that when I picked them I didn't even know their use and did so just because they looked cute much against my agenda on being simple and not buying unwanted things (the next post on simplicity) but now since it is a wanted thing I think you will excuse me.)

How the Oils Work

The aroma inhaled stimulates the brain function, the brain releases certain neurochemicals which generate mood enhancing feelings like calmness etc. If the aromas enter the body through the skin it travels through our bloodstream and heals the entire body.

Different Types of Oils

Lavender Oil which is used as an antiseptic helps in healing , has anti stress and sleep inducing properties. It is beneficial when you are suffering from insomnia due to pain as it relieves aches.

Lemon Oil has the ability to uplift the mood and is an antidepressant. 

Orange Blossom or Neroli Oil is useful to relieve tension and induce sleep and can be combined with lavender oil also.

Chamomile Oil has a calming effect on the nervous system and is helpful in inducing sleep. 

Eucalyptus Oil helps in providing some relief when you are having a cold. 

Peppermint Oil is an antidepressant .

Jasmine Oil helps to reduce anxiety and the whole place has a pleasant smell. 

Thyme Oil, Tea tree oil, Cinnamon Oil and Sage Oil are other Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy.

That's all for today. The information and views expressed in this blog are my own , if you find anything which appears to be what can be termed as wrong info please write to me. Thank you for reading this blog hope you find this tip on making life Zealous and Zesty useful. Take care and may the aromas of good health and happy living always spread into your life.

           THE CONTENTS OF THIS BLOG ARE"
http://www.antrik.com/index.php?module=ebooks&func=ebookDetail&id=633

12. Aromas for Zealouszestyliving.

Hello friends, 

A very good day/night to you all.Today lets know the role that Aromas play on Zealouszestyliving. I thought of naming my post Aromatherapy , but I am actually referring to all kinds of smell, not only oils which are used for aromatherapy. So here we go.

(If you do not have the time/interest/are bored to read the entire post read the gist of the post in green color at the bottom ,before the quote in red)

If a whiff of aroma reminds you of the delicacies from your mom's kitchen and takes you back to happy memories of your childhood period you know what I am referring to. Some aromas may generate a happy feeling in you but some aromas in spite of belonging to the sweetest smelling flower in the whole world may generate an unhappy feeling. 

Your task is to identify and remember the aromas which generate a happy feeling in you. You may seek the help of family and friends specially the ones which know you from your childhood but most of the work is to be done by yourself. After you identify the pleasant aromas, try to have them around you often. You will be living your life with zeal and zest always!

Aromas of certain foods may remind you of the times you spent with your cousins, the special parties you had with your BFF(Best friends forever) group, the family outing you had or perhaps the special barbecue night ! Here the appetizing aroma of the food combines  with the memories of some dear person or a time spent happily and plays the role of providing a zeal for living.

Aromas which you find pleasing enter your body through tiny molecules via nostrils when you inhale and influence you mental well being and subsequently your physical well being in a positive manner.

 Some incense smells remind me of an ancient place of worship I had visited years ago, fragrance of certain soaps reminds me of a clean feeling, a cleanly washed bed sheet with the detergent smell still lingering on it gives me a zeal. Spices generate aromas too, especially when you dry roast them. The aroma of filter coffee riding on the steam it emits on a cold misty day is awesome. Herbs and even the soil gives out a peculiar aroma while you are watering the plants in your garden. And of course there are infinite number of flower fragrances which stimulate my mind. I just place a flower garland of jasmine or some flowers near my bedside while sleeping. The smell comes intermittently and hence we do not get used to it and can enjoy it for a longer period.

                       

                               A rose  from my rose tree.

One more  sweet smelling rose

                     

My list is endless and I take the pains to create and enjoy the aromatic joyful experience again and again. You can do it too.

Also you need not always go back to the past to find out the right aromas for zealouszestyliving. New aromas are around waiting for you to make your life zesty. (By the way have you smelled the rind of a lemon after squeezing out the juice, if yes then you will instantly know the meaning of "zest" without having to look it up in the dictionary). But as I have mentioned before to each his own. So trap the aromas which you find pleasing, if they belong to flowers all the more easy as you can fill your flower vase and have them in your living room along with some floating candles.

So in short identify the aromas and fragrances which you find pleasing, recreate them in your immediate environment and have them work on you to make your life zealous and zesty simply by stimulating you through your olfactory senses. 

 Bye for now and thank you for reading this blog. More about aromas, may be we will concentrate on aromatherapy(oils) etc. next time.

Ponder on this aromatic thought by Henry David (Poet and philosopher) till then.

"Behave so that the aroma of your actions may enhance the general sweetness of the atmosphere." 

THE CONTENTS OF THIS BLOG ARE

http://www.antrik.com/index.php?module=ebooks&func=ebookDetail&id=633