Slowing Down the Aging Process

Music is relaxing and soothing to the soul.
I used to play piano, but haven't done so in a long time.

Today is Sunday, so I'm going to be a bit lazy.
I'll fiddle with my plants, trim them, feed them and just simply enjoy looking at them.

Everyone should keep some plants, either on a window sill, a balcony or a garden. It is restful and soothing to work with plants.
Always keep some flowers in your home and if possible at your workplace. One single flower will do. If you haven't got a vase, a colorful or interestingly shaped pop bottle will do.

Dear Inda,

I have planned bringing some plants to my working office when I come back after vacation...and to make the whole room more inviting...




Love,

Lilie

Dear Lilie,
This is a very soothing arrangement of plants,
and a lovely, I think, Lladro figurine.
So restful.

I have a small city garden, but it has as many flowers as I can pack into it, and I love working in it

I need plants and flowers in the office. At my desk I am practically embraced by a wonderful immense Kentia palmae like this one (mine is bigger!). People coming in sometimes find that I am working in the jungle! haha. I have some smaller plants too. And yes you guessed it, I talk to my plants.
Wonderful silent presences!
Love, Margherita

Mother and Child by Mary Cassat


And for my further wellbeing in the office I have some beautiful pictures/prints hanging on the walls. Sarah, my daughter brought this poster back when she was in Paris and visited the Louvre. I framed it and it is wonderful.

.... it makes me feel the nearness with my daughter.

Love, Margherita

Thank you for sharing Margherita,
What a love filled poster.

I also have many paintings and prints as well as photographs on my walls at home and in the office, and we always have flowers in the office.
We also have devoted one wall in our private sitting area for poetry, most of Eric's poems are hanging there as well as some of yours and Tim Cannon's.

Love, Inda

I don't own the original Monet...hahaha,
just the print

Good morning everyone.
I hope you are doing your exercises.

I am enjoying your plant and poster pictures.
I also love to work in the garden and keep flowers in my house and at work.

Keep up the exercises. I will check up on you later.

Sue

I see everyone is still doing some exercises, but they are getting easyer.

I did mine before I came to work.

Vicky

I was so delighted reading about the poetry corner in your office...really touched to show something so deep of oneself...

Somebody complained about the exercises getting to easy...what about this?

Just when I thought we could take it easy

At lunchtime I had to do this

I liked your balancing act
...and I am thinking of letting
my dragon out...

My goodness, this exercise has been so tough.
Time to take it easy for a bit.

If you have a chance to get to salty ocean water this is very relaxing to the nervous system. It is good for your skin, and it enhances sleep. After all those gruelling exercises I think that we need a bit of this:

Salty water is wonderful...
but I think I have to do something for strengthening my muscles...like this

Sauna is considered a very healthy treatment ... you must know it dear Lilie .... but right now here we are in a permanent sauna, without any possibility to run in the snow afterwards, without any refrigerium ..... I think I am dissolving.
No possibility at all to do whatever exercises in this heat. Every movement seems too much .... no energy is left. I only dream of rain to cool the air ....


Longing for raindrops ...

Love, Margherita

Dear Margherita,

Saunas are very good, but not if you have to live in one. I know many parts of Europe are a virtual sauna at the moment, so here is something to cool you down.

Oh, yes I know saunas, but am not a sauna friend myself...heat is dissolving all energy I have...and I loose all alertness...

I love those images...amazing observing my reactions when seeing them...the feeling of coolness and that of fresh rain...

I would not say no to this...

Dear Lilie,
This looks very relaxing. It is somewhat hot here as well, so I think I am skipping the challenging exercises for a bit more.

I think that this promises some cool
and refreshing rain

We have rain now, last night a walk in my new rain poncho, there were some light blue strips in the dark cloudy sky



Love,

Lilie

This feels so good Lilie,
just to stand in the rain; but I think it is time to move a bit, so how about a nice walk through the fields in the rain

Beautiful, peaceful images yes ..... we still long for rain!
Yesterday, it was the religious feast of Assumption of the Virgin Mary, on seven different squares in Rome, the town authorities had organised MUSIC AND DANCE .... Despite the heat people participated in great number! We went on Piazza del Popolo, which was magically lighted and found a refreshing breeze near one of the fountains. Of course we did NOT dance, just listened to the music and enjoyed the nice atmosphere. The Major came to say hello, he had just come back from New York. Somebody said that Rome was dirty ..... he - Veltroni is his name - answered that Rome was one of the most clean and tidy cities he knew .... after NY you can believe it probably.
Anyway it was fun. But the ambulance was ready to help fainting people .... surely there were some, the heat is crazy and to dance in the heat is even crazier surely.
But NORMALLY DANCING IS A WONDERFUL MEANS TO KEEP OURSELVES IN SHAPE!


Only one part of Piazza del Popolo ....

Piazza del Popolo with St. Peter
This one is too big to post it directly.

Well then DANCE!
Love, Margherita

**********************

I’m open to love
my heart invites you to dance
come share my delight


senryu by Margherita

Dear Inda

You probably don´t know that fields with poppies make me very happy...look what I found



Love,

Lilie

And here dear Margherita, one with passion for dancing....



Love,

Lilie

Thank you Margherita and Lilie,
what a beautiful shot of Rome,
and I do love that umbrella; wherever did you find that ,Lilie?

Since the heat is still there, I think it is time to stop the dance and get into this mode

Dear Inda,

I am smiling, often you bring me to places never visited...I so much like Bernard...
and on my excursions I met this lady...( van gogh museum)

artist Charles-Henri Cordier

Thank you Lilie,
She is an absolute beauty.
I will add one mor before we go back to the serious exercise:

The Egyptian

And now I am afraid it is back to this

Dear Inda

I guess letting ourselves be touched and shaken....at the ground of our being...is slowing down...

I am just back from this movie,



Love,

Lilie

ps. thanks for remining of serious exercises

Dear Lilie,
the image of that movie is really shaking me up,
no need to do excruciating exercise.

Maybe this will be nice for a change

Dear Inda,

How appropriate, yes...
thank you for all you give me..

.

With Love,

Lilie

It is Monday and the start of a new week,
so we better keep exercising and eating good food.

I really like the dog.

Vicky

HI Everyone,

I think I will stick with the Yoga Dog.

Sue

Whaty about me???
You all forgot about me!!!!

So, You All thought you could ignore me

I..'ll show you how to exercise and stay young!!!...and my brain just loves this

....I am so afraid...fear is not slowing down
the aging process...I will have to build up some courage...heard that full breath practices
can help....

Poor little scared mouse.
I hope that puss stops being nasty.

Sue

I see we all are still exercising.
I am beginning to enjoy watching everyone.
I will just sit here, relaxed, enjoying my coffee..stress-free exercise.

Gisele

Well, Kitty really felt sorry for the mouse and now she decided to be friends with all.
She is joining the exercises and is learning punchball.

There is also a natural way to get your exercise....

Oh my goodness, Lilie,

I think I am going to need a relaxing break after all this.
Now I will brew a cup of Camomile tea; I will also add a few fresh leaves of mint and this is a very soothing and relaxing drink.

Exercise can wait until tomorrow!

resting but still alert...

Here is one that is definitely alert

alert or not?

These little ones are so sweet, and definitely alert.

Here is one more that is alert.
I am sure he is already somewhere on this board, but no matter, he will keep us going.

See if printing this image here will magically rise my motivation...going to action...

how about visualizing an opening like this with every sit up......?

artist: Alex Gray



[This message was edited by bracha on Sunday August 24th, 2003 at 02:49 AM.]

Now all this has worn me out completely;
being Sunday I am going to cheat and do this:

As I was getting my healing restful sleep,
I had a dream and I couldn't resist posting this one.
Now this may not be healthy at all, but being Sunday, we can forgive; and someone is definitely alert.

My only observation is that everyone is getting a bit lazy.
This is the beginning of the week, so back to some healthy workout!!

Sue

I don´t know about anything slowing down with this animal, it just wanted to be shown

Batear fox

What about this animal acman:

I think Sue is referring to us and not the animals, we are still cheating...hahaha

[This message was edited by Inda on Tuesday August 26th, 2003 at 04:45 AM.]

I agree with Sue,
The animals have been exercising much harder.
I think we better all get into shape.

Vicky

Sue and Vicky give hints that I am not quite sure if I get right...here is a try

Hi Lilie,
This is much too easy and slow. I think Sue and Vicky are expecting this:

Yes, I think this is a much better speed.
Try and keep this up until the weekend

Vicky

By the way, what is your message...?

Hahaha, I got the message. passing it on to Vicky. ython:

Sue

I'm not doing all this, watching you do it

That's more like it.
now we are into the sw ing of things

I am more in the mood for contemplation...
and guess what he is holding in his hand.
Can surely slow down all decay.

Dear Lilie,
Your picture didn't open for me.
One more day before the weekend, so I guess it will be this:

the picture will probably open another time
as it does for me...
Look at these pinguins,what about joining their
community this week end...

After tennis we can join them...

Thank you Lilie,
These little beings are so beautiful.

I might just go for a swim

what a good idea...

As I went deeper I saw this beautiful coral

Excuse me for the sudden change in direction
but this came in my way...please go on swimming...

Thank you Lilie.
Love is very rejuvenating.
We have a long weekend here, and I am at my cottage. This gives me every excuse to stop swimming, get totally lazy and catch up on my rejuvenating sleep

Somebody might be watching over you



What more do you want, O soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction, and kingdom---your Beloved whom you desire and seek? Desire Him there, adore Him there. Do not go in pursuit of Him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and you won't find Him, or enjoy Him more than by seeking Him within you.
-St. John of the Cross

I am still enjoying my cup of coffee
while you do the exercises.

Gisele

I guess it is early in the week and we should be doing our exercises, so I will slowly get back into the swing of things.
Going to join this lady

here is something for you sweet ladies...



with Love

Lilie

Hi Lilie,
I was just planning to do this.

Love, Inda

sometimes I wonder what is up and what is down....

Good Lilie!
We have been so good with our exercises.

I will have some company arriving tomorrow who will stay for one month, so I will not be able to sharee these exercises every day. I will do my best, but I fully expect you to carry on with the anti-aging process.
I will join you whenever I can while my company is here.
Meanwhile I will finish with this

we might need some rest...
I suggest a glass of wine
for a remarkable friendship



With Love,

Lilie

Thank you Lilie,
for that delicious glass of wine.

I was able to come here for a moment,
and I will certainly enjoy a glass of wine. They say a glass of red wine a day is very beneficial.

Love, Inda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...If you wake up tomorrow with a headache or hangover, drink more wine, and chase this discomfort away.
~Hafiz

now it is time for real exercise

a real good concert is so refreshing...
here is Abida Parveen, a Sufi singer from Pakistan...if you get a chance don´t miss it!

Dear ladies, I see you have been bravely exercising ..... now it's NOT the moment, as it is time to go to sleep. Only by watching your fantastic little pinguin, dear Lilie, my breath shortens ... I might identify with him in DREAM and it might work after all ... waking up "exercised"!



I'll listen to the music of this waterfall while falling asleep... and getting ready for my dreams.

Love, Margherita

*******************

I’m open to love
my heart invites you to dance
come share my delight


senryu by Margherita

Thank you Lilie and Margherita,

The sound of music and falling water is so relaxing and soothing to the soul.

I think I will just sit and listen

It is time to go in forest...breath in the freshness and maybe finding some mushrooms..

Ah yes Lilie, nothing like breathing in the forest! ...... while exchanging love with the trees and all the fairies and gnomes and nature spirits who enjoy themselves in these surroundings ...

I LOVE the woods! But I would not dare collecting mushrooms ... I don't know them enough well, but they are beautiful to look at ...



Love, Margherita

Dear Margherita

Honestly I don´t know many mushrooms
myself...but these ones are deliscious,
called the Gold of the forest in Sweden



Love,
Lilie

These are beautiful, but very poisonous! Walking through the woods means to discover beauty at every step, every leaf is a miracle in itself.

Walking, breathing, cleansing our lungs.

Love and have a nice Sunday!

Margherita

Dear Margherita,

Today after the election for or against Euro in Sweden I took my bike for a shorter trip in a nearby forest...



Wishing you a nice Sunday and week too

Love,

Lilie

Walking through the woods is so refreshing and healing for the soul, and on the way I'm
finding more mushrooms

Here time is not linear..so I found this little sweetheart

Such tenderness dear Lilie! Well the sweet one I found was copyright-protected and I could not grab it ... but this one is lovely too:



During the night it accompanies our dreams ...

Hugs. Margherita

We seem always to come back to our
friend birds...



Love and hugs

Lilie

Dear ladies,
I am so glad to be back here, joining in the invigorating and healthy walks through the woods.

While I was away, see what I found.

I will be gone again for a while, but I will return to catch up on my exercise.

Let us meet girls in this magical garden with the doves ...meditate and breathe and focus on beauty.

Hi Inda, without you dear one, nothing goes! And Lilie too is hard to find nowadays ... Well, I don't want to give in to melancholy ... so please don't give me any reason for it!
Happy Sunday!

Love, Margherita

*******************

I’m open to love
my heart invites you to dance
come share my delight


senryu by Margherita

Beauty must indeed be rejuvinating...
I love the thought of us in that magical garden....and also somewhere in these
mountains....



With Love

Lilie

I have missed the exercises.
I see so many beautiful ideas.
Everything is so relaxing for the mind.

Thank you.
Vicky

I still enjoy all the exercise, but I think I will join Gisele with a cup of coffee and watch you.
Mind you ,the mental exercises seem fine.

Sue

Walking among nature is rejuvenating and healing for the soul.

Love, Inda

Mount Saentis in Switzerland

I have been up there ....(some time ago!) and I long to feel once again that incredible emotion of reaching the top after several hours of hard climbing!

A friend back home is organizing already an excursion (a light one of course, as I am not trained anymore) for next time I'll be there. So at least I need to do some gym exercises, otherwise it will be impossible.

Beginning ....

Love, Margherita

i think I am on my way to explore more
of painting with egg tempera...

Okey, Margherita...back to the tracks...
come with me to the gym...I have just started

We go back to the world of beaty...