Your Birthday
Updated March 30, 2024 Your birthday is a transition from what is to what is to be. — Margaret Minnicks Last week, I finished another ride around the Sun which, as years add up, feels sort of like: Been there, done that. Big thanks to Candace, my youngest who made clear that birthdays are significant. They mark the day we entered physical existence and began our limited-run Earth journeys. Another well-wisher said that birthdays should be celebrated year round, like the end-of-year holiday sprees. A Psychology Today post titled, “Why Your Birthday Matters,” concludes, “… it is important to feel cared about, appreciated, and even celebrated. Yes, people who like you or care about you or even love you need an opportunity to express it, and you need to hear and feel it. A birthday isn’t just the day you slid through the birth canal. It is also the day you came into the world, began your lifelong engagement with the world, and, every year on that day, you get feedback from those you have engaged with.” In “Six Reasons to Celebrate Your Birthday,” Holidappy reminds that birthdays are opportunities to refresh our outlooks and bond with people. Happy Birthday for’s impressive reasons for celebrating birthdays includes the fact your survival is inspiring [to others as well]. As the Star Trek says, as this new year dawns, you’re poised to, “boldly go where no man has gone before.” Yeah, birthdays! How to Throw Great Birthday Parties for Adults The Bash suggests, A Pickling Party Reality TV and Drinking Games 90s theme [or 80s, 70s, 60s] 34 more fun and fresh ideas Class Pop offers, Costume Party Online Mixology Class Virtual Escape Room And more And, if you’d like to celebrate your most significant day by your special self, Self suggests, Journal about your year Enjoy a cozy Read-A-Thon Get a Birth Chart or Tarot reading 9 more possibilities VIDEOS Cool Birthday Party Ideas for Adults [3 minutes] Cheap Party Food Ideas [3 minutes] 5 Easy Steps for Adult Birthday Parties [13 Minutes] This Month, Shop Sandra’s Art on Face Masks As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more When will we ever get back to plain, old flu season? In the meantime, safety is a great policy. Why not do so with style and pizzazz?This Face Mask is #11, “Between A Rock and a Hard Place,” from the Eleanor’s Insights series. Most of the work that’s done in the world gets done by people who weren’t feeling all that well at the time that they did it. The face masks produced by Fine Art America are: 100% polyester Two ear loops with adjustable grommets for comfortable fit Sizes: Adult Large, Adult Small,/Youth Large Styles: Flat or Pleated NOT surgical mask grade See more details with item Price: $17.00 Purchase this face mask Shop Posters and All Art Collections HERE. Thanks for shopping!
Bilberry Benefits
Consider Our primary health care should begin on the farm and in our hearts, and not in some laboratory of the biotech and pharmaceutical companies. – Gary Hopkins BILBERRIES A quick, sweet snack that helps the eyes. Video Length: 90 seconds Click here to view. I’d never heard of bilberries until looking for foods that would lower my blood pressure. For me, making tea from dried bilberries helped. [They look like small, dark purple grape nuts.] My doctors were satisfied with the results. Bilberries are closely related to blueberries and look similar on the outside. Bilberries are also called whortleberry and huckleberry and are made into jam, juices, or pies, also powder, juice and supplements [extracts]. Very Well Health states that bilberries are rich in antioxidants known as anthocyanins and polyphenols and “have been used for medicinal purposes ranging from eye conditions to diabetes.” Read more. The 25 benefits of bilberry tea [also called boldo] listed by Health Tis include: Strengthens immune system Improves blood circulation Helps rheumatism Read more Benefits and Uses mentions that bilberry, Improves night vision Cures sore throats Lowers blood sugar and cholesterol Read More NOTE: Bilberry tea should be avoided during pregnancy, while lactating and cautiously with children. The tea should be drunk in moderation. Because the natural chemicals in bilberries could alter medications, discuss its use with a doctor. Because studies suggest bilberries may improve learning and memory in older adults, fight off certain bacteria, and reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis, there are delicious ways to add them to the diet. They have a similar yet slightly more intense flavor than blueberries. Beyond drinking as tea, they can be eaten fresh or dried, on their own, or as part of any recipe that might include blueberries. More Ways to Use Bilberries Here are some fabulous recipes, including bilberry soup, bilberry jam, bilberry and apple salad. And here are five ways to use bilberries for skin and hair care, including a hair butter and deep conditioner. Succeed and Soar! More Video Resources BILBERRY & BLOOD CIRCULATION Impressive and comprehensive. 40 Minutes- Click here to view. HOW to GROW BILBERRIES 4 Minutes Click here to view. Shop Face Masks in Sandra’s Galleries Art also available as shirts, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, journals, blankets, clocks and more. Each item is individually made, just for you. When will we ever get back to plain, old flu season? In the meantime, safety is a great policy. Why not do so with style and pizzazz? This Face Mask is #11, “Between A Rock and a Hard Place,” from the Eleanor’s Insights series. Most of the work that’s done in the world gets done by people who weren’t feeling all that well at the time that they did it. The face masks produced by Fine Art America are: 100% polyester Two ear loops with adjustable grommets for comfortable fit Sizes: Adult Large, Adult Small,/Youth Large Styles: Flat or Pleated NOT surgical mask grade See more details with item Price: $17.00 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose background colors Purchase this face mask. Shop All Collections HERE. Thanks for shopping! Keep in Mind All information offered here is meant to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. With a Masters Degree in Fine Arts, Sandra Gould Ford is an artist, author, educator and former steelworker who intends to lift hearts and spirits, our awareness and humanity. Know that information explored here may be time sensitive and could have been updated. This material prescribes neither drugs nor therapies. Further, this brief post cannot cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic responses, adverse effects or appropriateness for any individual. This presenter uses her best discretion in sharing resources. She recommends readers do the same, including consulting appropriate professionals [including doctors, nurses and/or pharmacists] to make sure this information fits personal circumstances. Blessings and Good Health.
Paths to Joy 2023, Introduction
Embrace the healing power of these three things: Music, the Ocean, Stars — Source Unknown All “Illustrated Wisdoms,” the featured art in this 2023 “Paths to Joy” series were created by splattering viscous Dylusions shimmer spray on 11×14, 98 pound, Canson mixed media paper, then spritzing with water to see how the colors would run and gather. When dry, the above quote was evoked by “feathering” with water washes and tempera paints, meant to suggest the power of the oceans and of music. The final work was creating the darkness in upper right corner so that the stars could be seen. My understanding of this Illustrated Wisdom will change as the art reveals itself in new ways. What do you see? Write me. Three years after Succeed and Soar first presented the twelve “Paths to Joy,” the theme is revisited, with more enriching resources. The goal: No matter the troubling energies disturbing the world outside us, sanctuaries can be created where joy can flower within. Separate but a complement to “Paths to Joy” will be a four-part, “Re-Creating Eden” series. For those with interests in writing and reading, “Wordsmith Stars” and “Word Witty” will continue. There’ll also be three “Story Talk” posts where novels I’ve read are explored for author technique and craftsmanship. The one Succeed and Soar series that is done, with much joy, are the Select Short Videos, which will present brief, beautifully-produced stories ranging from heart-warming charmers to a mystery that’s both amusing and macabre. Lots to look forward to, including next week’s post. where Thrive! presents a tiny fruit with huge health benefits. In the meantime – and throughout the year – remind yourself of these five things daily [from Heartfelt Holistic Healing], I am amazing. I can do anything. Positivity is a choice. I celebrate my individuality. I am prepared to succeed. Succeed and Soar! This Month, Shop Sandra’s Art on Face Masks As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, yoga mats, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more When will we ever get back to plain, old flu season? In the meantime, safety is a great policy. Why not do so with style and pizzazz? This Face Mask is #8 from Succeed and Soar’s 2020 Path’s to Joy series. The face masks produced by Fine Art America are: 100% polyester Two ear loops with adjustable grommets for comfortable fit Sizes: Adult Large, Adult Small,/Youth Large Styles: Flat or Pleated NOT surgical mask grade See more details with item Price: $17.00 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose background colors Purchase this face mask. Shop All Posters and Art Collections HERE. Thanks!
Path to Joy: 5th of 12 – Generosity
The heart that gives, gathers. – Tao Te Ching Science has found that generosity of mind and spirit as well as time and money does gift givers a lot of good. Scientific American reported an experiment that studied stinginess. Result: Those who held back experienced heightened shame and cortisol levels. We can also live longer. Read more in The 7 Science-Backed Reasons Why Generosity is Good for Your Health. Research also shows that those who give time and resources with kind intentions are rewarded with dopamine and endorphin surges, the body’s feel-good and happiness chemicals. Read more in The Benefits of Giving Things Away. In 1982, as an antidote for the phrase “random acts of violence and senseless acts of cruelty,” Anne Herbert suggested, “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” Here are 103 possibilities, which include: Share an overheard compliment. Send people you know notes about why they’re awesome. Leave a big tip. Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Keep in mind, The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self. — Fred Rogers * Face Masks Keep glasses from fogging when wearing face masks.Make a no-sew face mask in five minutes. [NOTE: Instead of a scarf, I cut a fabric square from my quilt stash and sewed down the flaps. Total time: 10 minutes.] Fun! This Post’s Featured Art, “Generosity,” A Visual Meditation What I like best about the picture: The dots. Why: The gold and yellow dots are like gentle sunbeams and rain that shower us freely. The red and white, orange and blue dots are flowers that the rain and sunlight nourish, making life both possible and beautiful. What the picture teaches: Nature is a cycle, a circle of giving and receiving. Both are needed for life to flourish. The insights gained: Rain and sunlight are price-less. From that generosity, freely given, earth can sprout meadows full of flowers so that life is refreshed, beautiful, bountiful and joy is possible. * Take this six-minute trip to Ireland and see how one act of kindness a day can change your life. View video. Generosity, kindness, honesty, humor – makes us truly rich. Waylon Lewis NOTE: These ‘Paths to Joy’ are adapted from The Treasure Chest, an old book I found years ago. Page 117 contained “The Twelve Rules of Happiness.” Of special delight is using paints markers and ink to illustrate meditations inspired by this wisdom. The technique is adapted from the book Visual Journaling, Going Deeper Than Words, by Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox. Visit my On-Line Galleries to see more of my art.