Most Beautiful Libraries in the World

 

Library of Strahov Monastery (Prague, Czech Republic)

Photo: Getty Images

Wiblingen Monastery Library (Ulm, Germany)

Photo: Getty Images

Old Library of Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)

Photo: Oliver Strewe/Getty Images

Library of the Monastery of St. Gall (St. Gallen, Switzerland)

Photo: Imagno/Getty Images

Raza Library (Rampur, India)

Photo: Salman Usmani/India Pictures/Getty Images

Starfield Library (Seoul, South Korea)

Photo: Getty Images/Chris Jung

Tianjin Binhai Library (Tianjin, China)

Photo: Zhang Peng/Getty Images

National Library of Latvia (Riga, Latvia)

Photo: Getty Images

Source (and more!): https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/most-beautiful-libraries-in-the-world

Cognitive Shuffling

Greetings all!

Have you heard about cognitive shuffling? I have been seeing a lot of articles about this technique to help you fall asleep faster, so I decided to give it a try!

Image from https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=699966&picture=fanciful-cat-asleep-on-moon-art

Dr. Scott Walter says, “It’s a way to rearrange or reorganize your thoughts similar to shuffling a deck of cards — basically, distracting your mind from conscious thought patterns that may keep you awake.”

There are several ways to shuffle random ideas and thoughts:

1. Think of random words that are not connected.
2. Select a letter of the alphabet, count your heartbeat, and every eight beats, think of a word that begins with that letter.
3. Pick a word. Then then think of words that begin with each letter and visualize each word. Move through each letter but do not overthink or try to make any connections.

I decided to try the formula #3 and added another layer to help me think of words. I picture an alphabet and then words just flow through my mind. For example, for the word ‘amuse,’ my words that started with letter A were:

• aBacus
• aCacia
• aDagio
• aFfogato
• aGate

I think this technique works as I do not remember going through every letter so I must have fallen asleep! 

Give it a try and let me know what you think. 

In the meantime, I will be dreaming of enjoying a refreshing affogato under an acacia  tree while the agate stones on the abacus are clinking out some adagio notes.

Sources:

• https://www.sciencealert.com/cognitive-shuffling-really-could-help-insomniacs-get-to-sleep
• https://nypost.com/2024/05/19/health/doctor-praises-cognitive-shuffling-hack-to-quickly-fall-asleep/

Thought of the week – The Wonders of Ordinary Life

Image from https://pxhere.com/en/photo/87676

“Do not ask your children

to strive for extraordinary lives.

Such striving may seem admirable,

but it is the way of foolishness.

Help them instead to find the wonder

and the marvel of an ordinary life.

Show them the joy of tasting

tomatoes, apples and pears.

Show them how to cry

when pets and people die.

Show them the infinite pleasure

in the touch of a hand.

And make the ordinary come alive for them.

The extraordinary will take care of itself.”

~William Martin, as seen on James Clear’s site, https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/november-2-2023

Watermelon Mint Mojito

Greetings all!

Summer is finally here, and here is a cocktail that promises you “summer in a glass”!

Image and recipe from 

https://www.totalwine.com/cocktail-recipes/watermelon-mint-mojito

Ingredients:

• 2 part(s) White Rum
• Muddled Watermelon (4 chunks muddled per serving)
• Fresh Mint (10 leaves per serving)
• 3/4 part(s) lime juice
• 3/4 part(s) simple syrup 

Instructions:

• Add lime juice, watermelon, and mint to shaker tin and muddle gently.
• Add remaining ingredients, add ice, and shake hard.
• Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“Declaration of love” by Roland Kranitz

“Cheeky” by Barbara Fleming

“Forgot your birthday again” by Charles Janson

“Sir no photos please” by Dario Nessi

Hide and seek” by Jean Jacques Alcalay

 “Mama’s Tired” by Kathryn Cehrs

"I'm too sexy for my love" by Artur Stankiewicz 

 "The Rock star" by Sanjay Patil

Sources: 

• https://121clicks.com/inspirations/comedy-wildlife-photography-awards-never-seen-photos/
• https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/26/travel/comedy-wildlife-photography-2024-scli-intl

There Are Plenty of Worms to Go Around

Greetings all!

I hope the post title caught your attention! Read on :)

Recently I met a friend for dinner to celebrate their retirement. No, we did not eat worms. My friend shared with me the plan to establish a daily routine, which will now include more time to enjoy new hobbies and tackle unfinished projects.

I then shared my perspective how sometimes I find that doing nothing and just being and relaxing with no plan or agenda (however pleasurable) is restful for the mind, soul, and body. 

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lunaspin/467143804/

I figured my friend thought my slow living is rather boring but later I received this text: “I was thinking I might need to give myself more permission to have a slower pace, less structure, and more room for whatever is sparking joy at the moment. Even if it’s just chilling.”

If you are not sure how to start “just chilling”, here are some nice ideas from CALM:

1) When you don’t know what to do, do nothing and rest.

2) Choosing to prioritize rest in a world that celebrates busyness is not easy. It requires mindfulness, self-awareness, and a commitment to make space for rest and sleep.

3) If you often resist the call for rest, try weaving in pockets of rest into your day. They all add up:

• Take 30 seconds to breathe
• Put your feet up and enjoy a cup of tea
• Go to bed half an hour earlier than usual (even if you don’t fall asleep straight away)

And of course, this is my favorite section! 

Remember: If you can’t sleep, try resting instead. That’s still doing you good.

Reflect: What’s one thing you could *not* do today to make space for rest?

Reframe: The early bird gets the worm -> There are plenty of worms to go around. Keep resting. 

What did you think? Drop me a line!

Source: CALM

10 Ways the Universe Shows Up

 

1. The Universe is always giving you clear direction – it’s up to you to pay attention.

2. The Universe responds to your energy, not your effort. When you attune your energy to the loving frequency of the Universe, you’ll always receive the guidance, support, and wisdom you need.

3. You don’t attract what you want; you attract who you are.

4. Trust the holdups and be patient until you understand why the Universe made you wait. 

5. The more you appreciate what you have, the more the universe gives you to appreciate. 

6. Small daily spiritual actions lead to unshakeable faith in the Universe. You don’t have to “get there” overnight. Take small right actions to release fear and return to love. 

7. Let go of the “how.” Ask for what you want and let the Universe handle the rest.

8. Turn over your plans – the Universe has a better plan than you do.

9. Release the urge to interfere with the natural flow of the Universe.

10. It’s safe to be unapologetic about your desires. Your dreams wouldn’t be placed in your heart if they weren’t meant for you.

~ Gabby Bernstein / Hay House email