Having Fun...

The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters...

Danielle is not one who enjoys going to the grocery store, but since coming to Chicago we have done that everyday.  She seems to actually enjoy the outing and she marvels at the variety in our grocery store.  She has been working in one back in her hometown so every so often she feels she has to straighten things up.  Both Arvid and I just let her.  She's having fun and so are we.

She says that even going to the grocery store with us is fun and exciting.  Like I said to her, "I will make a shopper out of you yet."  Since she works in a grocery store, she knows the code for most items and just to test her skills she recites it for us.  The girl is having fun.

I took her for a manicure and she was all excited about it.  said she has never had one before.  One of the best part of having the manicure was her selecting the right color.  She was excited at the prospect of so many choices.  Since she enjoys helping to do the dishes, I had to warn her that for the next few days she is not allowed to do it.  She was not too happy, but I think the thought of the manicure chipping was enough to convince her.  

Well we only have a short time left with her and we are making the most of it and definitely a trip to Buddy Guy's is a must for us.  Danielle is very entertaining.  She has already made bets with both Arvid and I to beat our top scores in games.  Well she has beat us both in the short time she's been here.  As she says, "now to collect."  Let's see what today holds....

Have a nice day all!

Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game...

~Nadiya~

Saturday...

Its Saturday! It's going to be a great day. Think its just another day & stay positive. Have a good attitude and the world already looks brighter.....

Everyday has been one fun filled day after another.  The weather has been holding up nicely and for that we have been happy.  Arvid, Brutus and I are awake early, but not as early as we would had we been alone.  We stay in bed a bit longer to give Danielle more time to snooze.  When we do get out, it's because Brutus can no longer wait he needs to be taken out to eat, drink and just do his wandering around.

We usually have breakfast by 9 every day, but also since Danielle is here we have stretched it to a bit later.  Let me tell you this is a big deal for Arvid.  Nothing interferes with his schedules, but now he seems OK with it.  In the meantime, Danielle is starting to turn around and Brutus circling around her.  Danielle is always cold. She has nine bed covers over her and claims she could still use more.

We have been having a very good time.  Hardly I have seen Arvid laugh so much with someone so young.  Seems like Danielle has a way of saying things and he finds it all very amusing.  Sometimes I come out and see the two deep in conversation, next thing I know both are laughing quite loudly.  

It is very nice to see my niece and Arvid bond year after year.  This year Arvid had an alone conversation with Danielle.  He gave her a few "negotiation" tips, and a few tips on life in general.  Was very interesting to watch.  She listened and then gave him a big hug and thanked him.  Worth the entire visit this year.

Today Arvid says he wants to treat her to something different.  This means something Arvid likes, but will make it seem she would also.  Clever.  We will take her to Buddy Guys Legends Club later on today.  Arvid did say we would do the early show, this way Danielle can get in.  Guess he applied his negotiation tactics here also.

Saturday is looking great.   Since she has been here we have done something different everyday.  Maybe before we head out to Buddy Guys, we may take a little trip to the stores.  Always nice with some shopping and maybe treat her to a manicure and pedicure, a little girl stuff always good.  After all what girl does not enjoy a little pampering?  

Well we are all looking forward to a good day together.  Does not matter where we take Danielle or what we do.  She always has a good time.  Just like us.

Have a good Saturday everyone and have some fun...

I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles....

~Nadiiya~

Brutus Is On Facebook...

The best feeling in the world is realizing that you're perfectly happy without the thing you thought you needed...

Sooner or later it was going to happen, yes Brutus finally got his own Facebook page and could not be happier. Danielle, Arvid and I are happy about this.  Arvid is happy because he says now I don't have to post pictures of him or I, but I can go crazy posting pictures of Brutus.  

Brutus' page is: 

Brutus' Facebook Page

Danielle is visiting so for now she has been keeping track of his page and updating his status.  She is also looking  to add friends to him.  I had to stop her before she added just about everyone that popped up.  Brutus being an International cat, (this according to my mom) is really pretty cool about all of this.  So far he has been pretty active connecting to his aunts and cousins.

Not sure where this is heading, but right now I am kinda more interested in his page than my own.  Feel free to visit his page.  Hopefully I will update it with pictures often.  Yep for now this is going to keep me smiling.  Yesterday, we had a good day with Danielle.  We went to Shedd Aquarium (Shedd Aquarium)) and had a very good time.  Or favorite were the Beluga Whales and The Otters.  

The Otters were always waving at us.  They were just too cute.  Another very interesting collection were the Jellies.  Very pretty.

So far we are all relaxing.  Danielle loves to write and is currently writing a short story.  The idea came and she is just taking off all we hear is the keyboard clicking away.  Arvid as usual stamping away.  Brutus napping. ..all is good.

Hope you have a good day.  Ours is already planned and soon we will be off.

Happiness adds and multiplies, as we divide it with others...

~Nadiya~

NYC EMS Days...

You come to New York to find the ambiance that will evoke your best. You do not necessarily know precisely what that might be, but you come to New York to discover it....

All it took was a picture to transport me back to my days in NY.  A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.

Many years ago, I moved to New York together with 2 sisters to further continue my studies in medicine.  The first thing we did was forget all about studying, at least immediately.  I found a part time job in a law library.  I actually told the law librarian that it would be to her advantage to hire me.  She asked why and I said because I am good at what I do, even though I had  never worked in a law library nor had any clue what I was supposed to do. I was hired and that was that!

I loved every moment there, the people were interesting and life was happening so very fast all around me.  Being in the middle of the city the one thing you would never miss are the yellow taxis and the ambulances going lights and sirens all day long.  Life is always happening in this city.  Not one moment of dullness.  For some it can be too much, me I wanted to experience it all.

This city fascinated me.  I was taken in by the non stop action involved.  I wanted to be part of this lifestyle.  I wanted to work badly for the city of New York and specifically for EMS.  I wanted to be part of the action.

Questions were asked about how come I was not going to continue my studies in medicine and my response was always the same.  It does not interest me.  I do not want a boring life.  I want excitement, adventure and at the same time I was looking forward to having direct contact with people and to make a difference.   My mind was set and no one and nothing was going to change it.

I took the test and training to become an EMT.  Fairly easy and having a college degree in Biology was helpful.   At the time my name was Nadiya Riley and everyone used to kid me and say that I must be one of those dark Irish girls.

I was already loving it.  In the beginning I was a bit shy, but that did not last long.  You see to be a survivor in New York you had to be assertive.  I was and I am grateful to all the people who showed me the ropes.   There was a lot to learn and learn I did.  I was what they called a fast learner.

After being paired with several people I finally ended up in a unit called 13Boy. My partners were two Irish girls.  Tracey and Jennifer.  When two of us were on the other had the day off.  We were crazy.  We loved that job and we had fun every single day.  The things I saw were not always nice.  I had people die in my arms.  I have seen people run over by trains, hung, jump from buildings, stabbed, and so much more, but I have also seen the kindness in total strangers.  I have witnessed childbirth and have held a newborn in my arms.  I have been attacked by "patients" on drugs, but even so everyday I learnt something new and I met someone new and interesting.

The part of the job I was not crazy about was the maggots on peoples infected body.  Our job was to clean them as best as we could, bandage and transport to the hospital.  Sorry to say in those cases I would give them a garbage bag and tell them to put it on, usually on the leg as a sock and to tie the ends together.  I also refused to have anyone breathing  stinky breath on me.  Not always possible, but you have to set some rules.

NYC 2011

Overall everyone was nice.  You did meet a few not nice ones, but that's the same everywhere.  One thing was for sure though.  No one was allowed to mistreat me.  A lady once tried and I told her she could step right out of the ambulance and walk to the hospital.  Unless you were drug induced, there was no reason you could not treat us with respect.  You see if you don't respect others it just goes to say you don't respect yourself.

I loved my days in EMS.  My time in New York was one of the most exciting periods of my life.  I would never change a minute of it.  It taught me self assurance and to always stand up for what I believe and to NEVER take crap from anyone.  Does not matter who you are.


The thing I can't tell is whether cab drivers yield to each other out of fear or respect...


~Nadiya~

Day Two...

Ask not what fun does for you. Ask rather what you do for fun..

Another day filled with finding was to exhaust Danielle and I'm liking it.  Waking up a bit later than usual, we had a later start, but this did not stop us from making the most of the day.

Today we decided to take her to the beach.  No we do not swim in it.  A bit too cold for us, but the walk is very nice and the scenery also.  Once there we had a little something to cool off and something to eat.  After that, we took he on another tour of the city. Of course we had to do a little more window shopping.

Overall it was a very good day.  Have to say even Arvid is going along with it.  Tomorrow promises to be good as well.  I am really enjoying Danielle's visit.

There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it...

~Nadiya~

More Brutus...

Anybody, providing he knows how to be amusing, has the right to talk about himself....

Brutus, like Arvid is not so very good with change.  As we were preparing for Danielle's visit, Brutus noticed all the different things going on and he made it understood that he was just not going to be taking it sitting down.  As we cleaned, he was in the middle of everything.  I mopped the floors he was running across them leaving paw prints all over the place.

As we made the bed, he sure was a part of the entire process.  He started by hovering around as Arvid inflated the blow up.  Always two steps behind.  As we put clean sheets he made sure he left his scent all over the place. He even had a little nap on the bed just to make sure we knew who was the boss.

This kitty just makes us happy.  No matter what he does, we never "yell" at him.  lately he has been running over us at 6am chasing his toy mouse.  Yes, we are still asleep while he is doing this.  Somehow Arvid finds this amusing.  How long this will last I don't know.

Right now he is sound asleep on Danielle's bed.

In the beginning, God created man, but seeing him so feeble, He gave him the cat... 

~Nadiya~

Makes You Wonder...

The mind is everything. What you think you become....

I saw this on Facebook the other day and it gave me a moment of pause and something to think about.

Hopefully this will give many something to think about as well and hopefully save a few lives

The main purpose of life is to live rightly, think rightly, act rightly. The soul must languish when we give all our thought to the body

~Nadiya~

First Day...

Fun. Its this crazy thing where people smile and laugh and are generally pleased. I could have sworn I saw you smile at least once...

This is Danielle's first day with us.  After breakfast, Arvid gave her a few stamp lessons.  Danielle then texted her friends back home, who in turn have now decided they would like to start collecting stamps.  Needless to say, Arvid is very proud now of his collection and plans on teaching her more.

After breakfast we did some shopping.  We both had a good time.  To cool down we stopped in our Starbucks and we each had something refreshing before starting back on the stores.  Home for lunch.  After that that we went out to some another favorite spots of Danielle's.  Had something to nibble and eat while Arvid has a few beers.  Says we can blame it on her.  Some touring of downtown then it was back home for some ice-cream and TV.

Perfect day and tomorrow is looking good as well.

Hope you also had a good day.

As long as you're having fun and still doing stuff, it doesn't matter what other people think...

~Nadiya~

Danielle...

The purpose of our lives is to be happy...


Last night we picked up Danielle.  She came in pretty late, but we were there waiting for her.  We rented a car for a few hours and to the airport we went. As usual she surprises us with her wittiness and conversation.  Have to say there was not a dull moment in the car.  She had us laughing from the start.  If this is and indication of her visit, then I'm happy.

Early yesterday morning, Arvid and Brutus made sure all was ready for Danielle.  This meant checking to see that her blowup bed is all set to go.

Arvid dropped us home and then took off to return the car.  I have to say Arvid is being a good sport.  There is a Blues artist performing tonight he wanted us to see, but he skipped most of it so we can go get Danielle together. In the end he did manage to see an hour of it, but said it was not that great after all.  In the meantime Danielle and I had some time on our own.  Looking forward to more of this. 

Danielle is also looking forward to this visit.  This is what she wrote to us a few days ago:

Awww, Auntie Nad, this is the cutest thing! I have been waiting to come back to Chicago since I left last summer, you cannot imagine how excited I am to see you, Uncle Arvid and Brutus! I can't wait to win more bets against Uncle Arvid ahaha, and to go wherever in Chicago you have planned, but even if you didn't plan anything, it would still be an amazing time just to be with you guys. I love you both so much, I can't wait until Monday!

Tell Uncle Arvid that Melvin is so excited!

Well now she's here and time to take her around town....it will be fun to do some girl stuff with her.   Plans...hmmmm.  Movies, the beach, lunches and dinners out, walks along the river, Navy Pier, hot tub and the pool.  Of course shopping and Starbucks...Lots to do!

Right now she is still asleep with Brutus watching over her.  Brutus being the brave cat he's not is afraid to go into the living room for his foodies.  He just peeps at her.  Arvid of course is showing his stamp collection to Danielle and explaining all about it and now she wants to collect stamps.
It is going to be a good day.

The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters....


~Nadiya~

Secret Admirer...

A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else...

I come back from the gym and I hear Arvid on the phone.  Nothing unusual about this.  This is the usual routine everyday.  Business first then fun.  Our day as usual begins early.  I try to get to the gym while Arvid is sometimes still in bed or just waking up.  Works great for both of us.  When I am done with the gym, he is almost human again and is ready for breakfast.

This morning as I walk in, he is chatting away with someone and laughing away.  I can hear the other person from where I am standing and I can tell it's a woman.  I have a pretty good idea who it is and it makes me smile.

There is this lady who claims to be interested n buying some of the properties we have.  Arvid has spoken to her before and every time there is a lot of laughter going on.  Does not bother me at all.  No I am not jealous.   More like I am pretty amused to see the look on Arvid's face.  He just wants to get down to business, but the woman seems to have something else on her mind.

I know all of this because Arvid always tells me everything.  Be it a conversation with his family or business he lets me know what is going on.  Today I said to him, "you have a secret admirer" and he says, "I think she likes me.  She wants to be my Facebook friend."  This made me laugh because first of all Arvid is totally against anything Facebook.  He says the less he knows the better off he is.  He says he will NEVER be on Facebook, because he prefers the world to know nothing about him.  I look at him and just roll my eyes.

I asked him what do you think of your secret admirer?  He says, "it's so boring.  I have to listen to all that babble.  I just wish she would say yes or no and get on with the business one way or the other."  One of Arvid's virtues is his patience.  He is first of all a businessman, and there are times where even he would put up with the babble if it meant closing a deal.

Arvid always says to me, "Patience wins the race."  Even if I agree with him and I see his point, I am not the most patient of people, but I am getting better.  Anyway his little secret admirer made my day.  I asked him if she wanted him to go with her to see the properties and he said, "even if she did I told her I would not.  Told her if she wanted to see it she was on her own."  That's my Arvid.  Not corruptable:))  He is a gem in a million, but when he loses his patience, boy you do not want to be on the receiving end.  I have seen him lose it and the other party never saw it coming....

Have a good day all.

Beware the fury of a patient man...

~Nadiya~

Sunday...

A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles

Hello everyone.  Hope your day is a good one.

Whatever it is you choose to do today, don't forget to add a smile.  Makes you feel good and it makes everyone around you feel good also.  Remember, A smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose.

Have a good Sunday and whatever it is that you plan to do enjoy..

.

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness....

~Nadiya~

A True Friend...

A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same..

If you have that special person you can actually call a friend, then you know that you are truly blessed.  Friends are those special someone who are always there in our lives even if they do not live right next door.

As I get older, I am more and more grateful to the friends I have in my life.  They have enriched me and they have taught me that no matter what, good or bad a friend is always there when you need someone to lean on. I consider myself very fortunate to have a few very good friends and I just want to let them know how much they are appreciated.  Thank you for being there.  Thank you for caring.  Our friendship has survived many hardships and has made our bonds even stronger.

A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.

~Nadiya~

People...

I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day..

Everyday in life we come across all sorts of people.  In my experience most are kind, helpful, and nice.  I has not been my experience to come across many of those so called "horrible" ones.  I always look for the good in people.  I go with the premise that people are basically good, and most times I am not wrong.

If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.  

Just the other day Arvid and I were watching this reality show on TV, yeah was his choice not mine.  Anyway it was all about the kindness of people towards total strangers.  It did not matter if they were rich or poor.  The program focused on a young girl.  While all her friends were busy partying she had decided to volunteer and help those who were in need.  Very touching.

I have done many things in life, career wise I mean.  I have met many people from all kinds of cultures.  Sure I have met unpleasant ones, but I have to say I have met more nice ones than the not nice ones.

I believe that the key is if you are nice then people are also nice to you.  If you are not nice most likely people will not like you, simple as that.  I know I may not be perfect, but I know that I treat everyone with kindness and respect.  I never take advantage of anyone and I try my best to be patient, and this is difficult.  You see I am a very impatient person.

Some of the nicest people I have met were total strangers.  They have noting to gain by being mean or unkind.  Sometimes it's those that are closest to you who have the meanest of streaks.  Why is this?  Envy? Jealousy?   

Being kind costs nothing yet the rewards are enormous.
Have a good day.

A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money...

until next time
~Nadiya~

Cuteness...Cat Planking

It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens.....

Many of my blogs deal with cats and the cuteness of them just being kitties.  Well here is another post.  This time about the various ways in which they fall asleep. 

The cat is above all things, a dramatist.  If you own a kitty cat you will definitely agree with me that they do have the most unusual ways of falling asleep.  For them it does not matter the space nor the location.  All that matters is its time to sleep and they will manage to do so.  Kitties have a way of putting their "worries" and "troubles" aside when it's sleepy time and at the same time amusing us mere humans.

Just take a look at these different sleeping positions and tell me if don't agree? 

 There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat...

Cats do care.  For example they know instinctively what time we have to be at work in the morning and they wake us up twenty minutes before the alarm goes off......

Cats have perfected the fine art of PLANKING...Formally called “the laying down game,” it has encouraged people to produce surprising and surreal images that have entertained millions. 

 The cat seldom interferes with other people's rights.  His intelligence keeps him from doing many of the fool things that complicate life....  

  Cats come and go without ever leaving.  Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want....  

Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose...

 

Just looking at these different planking positions these cats have bring a smile to my face and I bet to yours also.  Kitties have their own special way of making all the daily tensions in life sort of fade away for awhile.  At least Brutus is capable of making Arvid and I relax, take time off from our daily schedule and just pet him and gently stroke him.  That's sometimes the best part of the day because by doing that we are stress free.

What greater gift than the love of a cat?

  ~Nadiya~

Good Thoughts...

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance...

There are times when we don't really feel that good about life or some other situation bothering us.  Times when we feel all the burden of the world is resting on our shoulders and we do not know what to do.  We all feel this way every once in a while.  Does not mean there is something wrong with us.  Just means we are humans,

 I also know that there are times that the only one who can pull us out of this so called "funk" is ourselves.  To do so we must remember the good things in our lives and to always be positive.  Does not hurt to also repeat, like a mantra the above....works for me.  Just in case always have some ice cream handy, makes this so much better.  Just like a religious experience.

Just smiling goes a long way toward making you feel better about life.

And when you feel better about life, your life is better....

~Nadiya~

Something To Think About...

We've spent so much time judging what other people created that we've created very, very little of our own...

Saw this today on my friends Facebook page and found it to be very true.  As usual I want to share it with all of you.  Maybe if we all take a look first at ourselves we can actually make this a better world.  Or just start by making us better persons.

If this makes a difference to just one person...then that's a start.

Have a good day all.

Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking.  There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught...

~Nadiya~

Danielle Soon Here...

No matter how old you are, there's always something good to look forward to...

Summer in Chicago is not complete without a visit from Danielle. We look forward to it maybe more than she does.  She is what you would call a one of a kind girl, and there is nothing impossible for her.  Just the fact that something needs to be done is enough to get her tackling it.

For those who know Arvid and I, we are not the type with the big condo nor big house.  We did it once and truthfully that was enough.  By choice we choose to live in a small condo.  Enough for the three of us.  Chicago's apartment is no exception.  It is small, one bedroom and one bath.  Normally we would never have anyone stay overnight, but with Danielle it's different.  She's easy going, adaptable and so easy to please.  For us it is a pleasure to have her and both Arvid and I look forward to this for as many years as she wants.  I am also hoping  my other nieces and nephews would one day like to visit and spend a few days with us.

Even before we came to Chicago, Arvid has been constantly asking "when is Melvin coming to visit?"  Calling Danielle Melvin in a private joke between the two of them.  He is always asking me, "what are we going to do this summer with her?  Where should we take her?"   etc...  

All I know is that we look forward to her visit with great anticipation.  She makes Arvid laugh and she's one of the few who has gotten the best out of him. She has beaten him in a few bets as well.  The girl as he says, has a way with words.
Back from Norway, and now it's time to enjoy the rest of the summer here in Chicago and to prepare for Danielle's visit.  So many places we want to take her and so much to do!!  Can't wait!
Have a fun day everyone!

Live your life and forget your age.   What a wonderful life I have..!

~Nadiya~

Just Thank You...

Saying thank you is more than good manners.  It is good spirituality..

Just had a few moments to spare and wanted to wish you all a good day.  I think it is important to always take time and let people know that they are appreciated.

Thanks to those who read my blog.  Thanks for sharing it with others.  Appreciated.

I enjoy writing it and it makes me happy to know that you also like reading it.

Have a good day and looking forward to seeing you here.

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live...

~Nadiya~

8 Easy Ways to Relax...

I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once...
  

Lately I have been a little tense and stressed what's new?  Like everyone else, sometimes things do not always go your way.  We deal with it, we move on and try to make the most of rough times. Relaxing is all about getting your mind off of the stresses of life. Anything that will accomplish this can be helpful in making you feel calm and at peace. Here I just read this article on  some easy ways to feel more relaxed in your daily life. 

1. MEDITATE

Meditation can be a great way to relax, especially if you are under a lot of stress. Research has shown that meditation can be helpful in lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and even improving cognitive performance. 

And meditation is pretty simple to do: just find a comfortable place, close your eyes, relax your muscles, and focus on ONE thing, whether it's your breathing, an object (a flower, or a painting) — or even a picture in your mind — perhaps you are sitting on a beach in the Caribbean. You can do this for as little as 10 minutes to experience benefits. The key is staying focused and not letting any distractions or thoughts enter your mind — being mindful is key. If you have a bit more time, take a yoga or tai chi class — both incorporate mediation, along with physical movements. 

2. DRINK GREEN TEA, AVOID CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES

Green tea is very soothing — it contains theanine, an amino acid that gives flavor to green tea and also promotes relaxation. It is also thought that theanine is a caffeine antagonist, meaning it counters the stimulating effects of caffeine. So, drink green tea, and avoid caffeinated beverages, since caffeine can worsen the stress response.  Well batting zero here because I do indulge in lots of cafe lately.

3. CONSUME SEROTONIN-BOOSTING FOODS

Many of us crave indulgent carbohydrates like cookies, candy, ice cream, pretzels, and other sweet and starchy foods when we're stressed, anxious, or tense. These foods can have a soothing effect in some women, and it may have something to do with low serotonin levels during these mood states. Serotonin is a brain chemical responsible for feelings of calmness and relaxation. It's thought that consuming these carbohydrates helps boost serotonin levels, which results in feelings of contentedness and relaxation. So, enjoy these treats if they provide some instant satisfaction, but do watch your portion sizes! I recommend 100 calorie portions — 4 Hershey Kisses, or a small handful of pretzels. You may want to pre-portion out pretzels, for example, and take them with you as a snack when you leave the house. The 100 calorie packs work well too.  My problem lies in I eat everything in sight and there is a lot in sight:(

4. CREATE A RELAXATION ROOM AT HOME

Many spas have relaxation rooms to sit in before and after treatments, and it's a great thing to create at home too. A relaxation room doesn't have to be a "room" per se — it can be a space in your bedroom, for example, but the key is having an area or room at home, solely devoted to relaxing. You can have a really comfortable chair or daybed, with dim lights, or candles nearby — whatever it is that you enjoy and find relaxing. This will give you an opportunity to decompress, with very little stimulus — this is key. Forget the blackberry, cell phone and laptop — this is a time to kick back and relax. You might want to read a book or magazine, but the idea is to clear your mind of distractions and stressors.  Mine is the bedroom playing with Brutus.

5. LISTEN TO YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC

Listening to soothing music can be very relaxing — and slow tempos in particular can induce a calm state of mind. (It can also slow down breathing and heart rate, lower blood pressure, and relax tense muscles too). This can be particularly beneficial when you're getting ready for a tough day at work, or if you're in your car stuck in traffic, or, if you're lying in bed trying to free your mind of stressful thoughts. Interestingly, music therapy has been shown to be helpful in decreasing anxiety associated with medical procedures: one recent study found that heart rate and blood pressure decreased significantly among individuals who listened to music during a colonoscopy (the control group did not experience any changes). The music intervention group also required less sedation during the procedure.  One of my best stress relievers.  I love soft Spanish music when I am feeling "moody"  Arvid and Brutus of course love the Blues.

6. ENJOY AN AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

Getting a massage is a great way to free yourself of tension and relax, and adding aromatherapy oils such as chamomile or lavender can be particularly beneficial: one recent study found that emergency room nurses experienced reduced stress levels with aromatherapy massage: The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, found that 54 percent of the emergency room staff in summer and 65 percent in winter suffered moderate to extreme anxiety. However, this fell to 8 percent, regardless of the season, once staff received 15-minute aromatherapy massages while listening to music. If you don't have a lot of spare time, you can get aromatherapy oils and massage tools to use at home.  I know for sure Arvid loves it when I massage his feet.  Even Brutus loves being "massaged."

7. INDULGE IN A HOT BATH

Heat relaxes muscles — and taking a long bath can be soothing for the mind as well. Stock up on your favorite bath salts and soaps, get a bath pillow, and decorate the room with candles. You can even create an in-home spa, by incorporating spa treatments like facials.  I don't actually indulge in this, but one of my sisters occasionally does and she says it relieves all her tensions of the day.  Maybe will go to a spa with my girlfriend and have the day there .  

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.

8. ENGAGE IN MODERATE EXERCISE DAILY

Exercise helps to boost endorphins and reduce stress — and research shows that 20 minutes each day is all that is needed to experience benefits.  I am honestly trying to incorporate more exercise into my daily life.  With our constant "on the go" lifestyle, I sometimes am a bit lazy to actually jump on that elliptical machine.  Will try harder.

Give it a try.  Anything to make our lives less stressful cannot be too bad.  Sometimes we have to remember to slow down a bit, take some time out for ourselves and just do something just for us.  It can save a lot of future "issues" that may someday become very big "issues."  If there is anyone who can just let his mind "float" away and relax, that person is Arvid sitting with Brutus.  I have come to realize that no matter what we do, where we go, when Brutus is around we are most calm and relaxed.  He is our therapy.

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering....

Give your stress wings and let it fly away... 

~Nadiya~