Yay it’s May! A new month means another calming technique to try. But first, I need to relay that April’s Quest for Calm resulted in the sweet smell of success! I immersed myself in art of aromatherapy. While I planned to diffuse scents of lavender, clary sage, and geranium three times a week for 30Continue reading “In My Hands”
Author Archives: sharonbraverman
Steeped in Inspiration
In my blog post from July 12, 2021 entitled “Suits Me to a Tea”, I mentioned that I have been a lover, connoisseur, and appreciator of herbal beverages since I was a teenager. When written, I had 12 brands and 21 varieties of camellia sinensis in our pantry. But like any enthusiast, my collection hasContinue reading “Steeped in Inspiration”
Get Out to Get In
From my journal: January 3, 2020, Newbury Park, California “Ugh!…I feel I need to write more short pieces – take a Writer’s Digest course?…do more art – look at Life Book classes?…what activities would be fun?” Whenever I feel uninspired, unproductive, and unmotivated, I am uncreative. When I am uncreative, I am unhappy. Very unhappy.Continue reading “Get Out to Get In”
Are Free to Fly…Fly Away!
It was spring and our unit on Lepidoptera was about to begin. It was my first year teaching and I needed to brush up on my silk moth and monarch butterfly knowledge. I was not only responsible for educating my first graders on their life cycles with books, movies, and diagrams, but with hands-on activities,Continue reading “Are Free to Fly…Fly Away!”
Celebrate Them All!
Mood boosters, loneliness reducers, and calmness providers. They also offer us companionship, unconditional love, and no questions asked acceptance. They live in about 68% of all households in the U.S. according to the National Institutes of Health, and they are happy to see us anytime we’ve been apart. Who are they? Our spouses? Our kids?Continue reading “Celebrate Them All!”
Smells Good To Me!
Happy April! Last month’s Quest for Calm involved affirmations. The ones I chose were: I am calm and relaxed. I am able to handle everything that comes my way. And I am inhaling peace and exhaling worry with each breath. I wrote them three times in my journal each day, as well as saying themContinue reading “Smells Good To Me!”
With All the Frills Upon It
From my journal: July 21, 2021, Newbury Park, California “Just came across a photo from the spring of 2005! Hannah in her Easter outfit! So cute!” This photo of our four-year old niece brought me back in time. Straw baskets filled with chocolate foil wrapped bunnies, soft shelled chewy jelly beans, and ooey gooey marshmallowContinue reading “With All the Frills Upon It”
Tell-Tale Signs
An hour after sunrise, in the quiet stillness of the morning, you’ll find us strolling around with our pup in tow. We may head to Wendy or Banyan Park to wander through the grassy fields or paved paths, or to established neighborhoods to meander along tree-lined sidewalks, or maybe to Sycamore Canyon to hike onContinue reading “Tell-Tale Signs”
Not Just For Brewing
Whoever opens their eyes first in our house gets the privilege of brewing the morning coffee. When it’s me, before I do anything else, I turn the kettle on in the kitchen. Then, I go about opening up the plantation shutters and shades in each room to welcome in the new day. Next, I’ll headContinue reading “Not Just For Brewing”
Affirmative!
Today begins my second month of implementing a relaxation technique on my year-long Quest for Calm. Before I get to that I want to tell you about my February’s deep breathing experiences. I am happy to report that yes, all three types of deep breathing were successful in helping me relax, feel less anxious, and simplyContinue reading “Affirmative!”
A Journal Journey 