Slowing Down the Aging Process

Dear Lilie, this flower mandala is called "Dancing through the night ... catching a taste of mystery".
So we combine the beauty with the dancing ... on a Saturday night, isn't that perfect?

Loving you, Margherita

Could not resist to post this one too ... even though it's called "Glorious morning" ... and first we have to surrender to sleep, but this mandala can help us find the necessary calmness to drift off ...

Love, Margherita

Dearest Margherita

Thank you so much for these mandalas.
Here is a morning beauty for you


Love, Lilie

Dear Friends,
I am back to find your beautiful posts so calming and soothing to the soul.
Looking at these beautiful images I think I can do without a lot of sleep.

Dear Inda

Welcome back



Love,

Lilie

Joy to be back

More rest for the soul

Hello Everyone.
My friend has been busy so I haven't been here in a while. Glad to see we are still exercising.
Actually I see we are resting more than exercising. I guess this is anti aging for the soul and the body as well. I keep forgetting, anti-aging is the topic. I am still drinking my coffee and enjoying all this.

Gisele

I had almost forgotten those days of fall with crispy air

Love,

Lilie

Hi All,
Glad to see everyone here.
Found another beautiful spot for a walk.
Fall colors are so beautiful.

Here is more from the autumn...but earlier than now


Love,

Lilie

Such beautiful pictures! I just found this "Source of life" ......water water water ..... to slow down the aging process, remember girls that we have to drink much much water .... possibly from the crystal clear sources ....

Sorgente di vita by Raimondo Cardelli

Love and hugs. Margherita

You are right, we need water. What a wonderful glass , shared by all beings.

I will sit with you and join you in an ordinary glass of water, but it is pure and crystal clear.

Water is always good. Going to join you with a glass of pure water. Later we can do more exercises.

Vicky

Look at this
and see what
happens



love,

Lilie

Wow Lilie,
This is cool.

I thought I decorate a glass of water with some flowers and a strawberry, this will make it appealing

Dear Inda

I love that decorated glass
and here a special gift



Love,

Lilie

Thank you Lilie,
your gift is very special.

The water that we drink must be as pure as the crystals.

I think tomorrow we will have to stop sitting and sipping water, time again for exercise.

So again on my bike

I think I will punch a beanbag.
Need to get some strength into my hands.

I might even take up boxing...hahaha

Boxing can make you feel like an angel afterwards..( somebody told me)



Love,
Lilie

Now I feel lazy again, after all this boxing.
My excuse is the long Thanksgiving weekend here.
So I will just go and sit under a tree for a bit and read some Rumi.

"The ground's generosity takes in our compost
and grows beauty.
Try to be more like the ground."

This morning I woke up and looked at the beautiful colors of nature. This uplifted me and made me feel really good.

I will look into 'Color Healing'. The ancient Egyptians were already aware of this.

Look at the healing colors of nature

How I loved to jump over the stones in mountain rivers ....Wow the autumn colors are gorgeous and the air of the woods is always healing too ...
Not sure if I can do this still? I will not know, there is no mountain river around ...
Meanwhile doing breathing exercises!
Love to all. Margherita

An amazing creature, trying to teach me new imagery...
I agree, breathing practices make all the difference....

taking care of feet...is beneficial

I really like the soothing effect of the colors as if dawn was in me already and getting reminded of itself. And the same with the fall.

Breathing exercises are good, and so is looking at the colors. Taking care of the feet is also important.

Those animals are so cute.

I am at my cottage now and I just walked through the woods, breathing in the pure air. On my way I found some beautiful colored leaves which I will put in a vase. Looking at those beautiful colors will really make me feel good.

Some more colored leaves at the lake

x

[This message was edited by bracha on Monday October 13th, 2003 at 04:56 AM.]

Thank you Lilie.
The colors are so beautiful this time of the year.
Walking in nature is so healing to the soul.

Here is one I have posted before, but I love it so much. It is pure gold.

Also gold

This one is wearing some gold.

Just before I came from the cottage I went for one more healing walk

And now I need some rejuvenating sleep

I am really enjoying the autumn colors.

Mind you, sleep sounds and looks good at the moment

Sue

Good Morning Everyone.

It is so beautiful to wake up to so many autumn colors. A long walk to work is a good idea today. Getting out my good running shoes and now I am going to go.

Vicky

Lets walk .....



Lilie

I am going to put on shoes that are good for my feet and join you all in that walk.

This birchtree is beginning to change color, maybe we can create a walkway through this wood.

.

Now that I had a cup of coffee and put on my good shoes I will be happy to join this walk.

Lets go!
Gisele ython:

more of birchs,
what would you
say of their
essence?


Love,

Lilie

as you see Inda, I ma waiting with the walk way...

Thank you Lilie for bringing us to this beautiful, magical birch forest.

I think we can all gather here for a rest and read a bit.

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

Mother earth spreads out her mantle
in all directions and embraces all.

She calls out and brings to herself
all living things, whoever and wherever they are.

She divides food and puts it into all hands,
into all bowls.

My mind is filled with song and scents;
I sit here joyful in mind.

Spreading out her mantle about me,
the earth emcompasses and embraces me.
~Rabindranath Tagore

As I walked back home, I met this little one exercising in the woods; maybe he is trying to goive us a hint...we have been somewhat lazy again

Further away on the path I met this...

And I met this:

this is not so bad

WOW!!!

This is not bad at all.
Looking at that little bear reminded me that it is important to keep our weight in check acman:

garantued without fat...

Mmmm ... Cucumbers look so good.
i believe that we should have a bit of fat,
so this salad has a bit of cheese added to it

Maybe this was a bit too much cheese.
So how is this for lots of vitamin C,
especially in the winter.

This might be a message for Margherita....

You are cute!!!
Will you join me?

Actually I found a better spot.
Shall we try this?

I think there could be some danger...

Oh my Lilie!!!
You are right, the dog might lose its master and then this would happen

Maybe we should go with something just a bit more gentle!!

What a SAD looking pup.
I guess you better stick to the "GENTLE" stuff!
Have fun!

Sue

Inda, I could never match yours...

The birch unexpectidly comes back....



love,

Lilie

COOL

Now we can go for a walk here

with Love
Lilie

Let us try and catch this one...good exercise!!

Guess from where?



Love,

Lilie

He is so cute!!
But he does not want to be caught.
Now we have to run really fast...

Wow, girls that was fun to go through your postings here ... yes Lilie the mountains always wait for me! Sooner or later ...

There was an interesting article I read about aging wisely. For now the genetic limit is set at 120 years, but new scientific research establishes that this limit will be crashed ... they speak of 180 years already!!! This is more frightening actually than encouraging actually ... I am not sure what would happen if we all reached that age!?
Anyway we want to age wisely and here come the ten rules to follow which will guarantee that we shall be in good health even if stepping into older age:

1. Physical activity: at least half an hour of speedy walking per day to have our muscles tonified and to activate circulation of blood. No excessive efforts though!
2. Check up at 40: electrocardiogram, blood analyses, ecocardiogram, mammography for women, checking of prostata for men.
3. Sleep well: not enough sleep will make us weak and suffering, but too much of it increases the risk of heart attacks (I did not know this, but I am rather in the first category ... those who do not sleep enough)
4. Laughing: when we laugh our body fills with oxygen in a quantity four times higher than normal and we reduce the stress hormones.
5. Studying, reading, making memorizing exercises, as learning by heart a song or a poem, keeps the neurons trained.
6. Listen to music of Mozart, Brahms and other relaxing music (for body and mind).
7. Avoid stress, either caused by too much work or no activity at all. Do relaxing exercises.
8. Avoid solitude.

Diet:
9. Chose a hypocaloric diet (to reach the weight you had at 20-30 years of age), deciding for an alimentation rich in fat Omega 3 (fish, broccoli, olive oil ...) or other antioxidant substances (like vitamin A, C, E, flavonoidi, polifenoli..)
10. No smoking and alcohol. Ok for one glass of wine per meal and not for those who have epatic or gastric problems.

(Sorry girls I just wrote this as it came translating from Italian, hope it is clear!)

It is a fact that certain people age better than others. So we might give this some attention. Of course we know probably quite well what we should do and eat, but we break the rules easily .... well I can speak for myself and of a few people I know! hmmmm btw I just had some fantastic pizza with onions and ham - a Alsacian recipe ... I even made the pasta myself ... it was fun and at least there was the exercise with the arms while "working" it for quite a long time.

... and now after this confession I better go and do some ropeskipping ...


Love you girls.
Margherita

Dear Margherita

Thank you so very much for sampling all these facts for us. I guess it is only to start. I am curious of your ages. Myself am 49.


Love,

Lilie

In ode for broccoli..does any of you have any very easy reciep? I am not so much into cooking myself...



Love,
Lilie

Thank you Margherita for all your wonderful research.
As far as Broccoli goes, I just boil it and then toss it in some olive oil where I have browned some garlic.

I guess we need to keep watching the diet.

I guess I better start watching my diet. I like my coffee. I am at my friend's house now while she is making breakfast, and I must confess that we cheat on the weekend with croissants and butter

I do walk a lot, however I am not sure I want to reach 180, that would give me more than another 100 years to go.

Thank you Margherita for the interesting but somewhat frightning information.

Gisele

Inda, I find the salad looking good, what is the white in it? Could you tell me, please



Love,

Lilie

You are something else Lilie...hahaha


I guess if we keep this up, it will keep us in shape.

The white is chicken breast.

Right now I feel like something sweet, but it is healthy.

Oh my!
We have all these chocolate bard here in the office
Not sure I'll live to be over 100
But then maybe we sometimes need comfort food

I like Margherita's wisdom and research,
and all the other replies and images.

Now I need some of that chocolate

Sue

OK Sue... now you just have to keep on dancing
until this comfort food wears off
: cool1:

You are joking


Sue

Can horror and disgust maybe also slow down the aging process?....I don´t know....Look

Or can it have the message of regular defecation?





Love,

Lilie

I don't really know??

Okey, lets go back to exercise



with love

Lilie

I suddenly fancy deep sea snorkling and diving
in tropical waters...hahaha...I have never really done it

Then I might even get to see this
beautiful, luminous...mind you, he should go on a diet...

not only fish can be over-weight...



with love,

Lilie

okey, more exercise...



Love,

Lilie

You are getting real good.
For a moment I will still stay with the water,
but I'm not sure how much of an exercise this is for the lower half of my body?
It sure is good for the arms

What is the matter with me?

Not sure I want to join the little fish that is swimming?? I think it might be time for me to get out of the water.

Now I'm going to stay out of the water
and I will

I see the cat is having fun
Keep on exercising

Still enjoying my coffee and the show

I see you are enjoying exercise. These days I have a pain in my right foot and when I walk it hurts, so .... well I can exercise laying on the floor of course.



The ancient Egyptians invented many sports, some for entertainment, and others for keeping strong, physically fit, and slim.

The picture dates back to 2000 years BC. It shows a gymnastics drill in which the body is bent backwards until the hand s touch the ground, revealing bodily flexibility. It is one of the most commonly practiced exercises today.

That's an exercise I love (d) to do! I walked through the apartment in this way ... Now I am less elastic unfortunately. Well, I can do stretching exercises on the floor and lift up, instead of standing and bending ....

Have a wonderful Sunday, girls.
I love you. Margherita

Hi Margherita,
Nice to see you back exercising with us. I love the image and the explanation about the Egyptians' exercise.

I am sorry about your foot. ython:
Depending on the injury, ice or heat may be good.

I am truly amazed at your flexibility.

Here is an image of Shu separating Nut, the sky, and Geb, the earth. After travelling along the underside of Nut's body by day, the sun is swallowed by the goddess each evening and passes through her body with the stars during the night, to be reborn at sunrise.

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

[This message was edited by Inda on Monday November 3rd, 2003 at 03:47 AM.]

I love this thread, and so does my cat

Sue

Dear Margherita, I am sorry to hear about your foot, hope it is soon passing. My feet are both aching...so here an image of a foot....by putting it here I pray for the healing of your foot ( and mine too) and other´s aching feet too




With Love

Lilie

Dear Margherita,
Sometimes this may be good for an aching foot

Or this...



Love,

Lilie

Mmmm...this feels good.

It might also be good to soak the whole body with some seasalt or pleasing herbs; add candlelight and gentle music and we will heal the whole body.

detail from a roman bath?



Love,

Lilie

Thank you Lilie,
I love this beautiful mosaic.

Sometimes we might be adding to stress by trying to do too many exercises all at the same time. We need to take a little bit of time out just for ourselves.

A hermitage all for my self...you may visit though

I found a peaceful spot as well and you may also visit.

Love, Inda

You are funny. I saw this one, but am taking care of it in the best way I can



Love,

Lilie

Hi Lilie,
This Croco looks so friendly and he has beautiful teeth.

We should remember to keep our teeth healthy by brushing after all meals, flossing once a day and stimulating. Children should not consume sweets unless they can brush their teeth right after.Too much sugar should be avoided by all of us in any case.

Here is someone who takes good care of his teeth.

Oh, dear Lilie and Inda, thank you so much for caring for my foot! I just discovered your lovely pics and advice. Well ... it actually still hurts, even if a little less. I have had little time to relax and do things that would help.
My husband has been nice enough to massage the foot every evening with a Dr. Scholl's product. And I am treating it with energy. It's strange, when I treat it (touching it with my hand) it's as if something circulated inside and it shifts ... well I know this sounds strange! But I feel it and I know it helps.

Girls I love you.

Meanwhile, I will nonetheless go for a walk.

Margherita

Isn't it amazing how beautiful these women are who are able to carry great weights on their heads. They walk so straight and elegantly.

Dear Margherita,
You may have a sprained ankle or a torn ligament. Sending healing prayers to your foot.

Here is a lady I have posted before, but she also seems to carry the weight effortlessly,
so I will bring her back once more.

Beautiful picture Inda and such grace, indeed. I love the exercise with the book on the head for us city-ladies, so we won't lose the habit to walk straight.

Dear Lilie I wish you well also for your feet. Let's relax them for a while. No, dear Inda, it's not the ankle or the legament. I will find a picture to show you.

Meanwhile relaxing ... after the walk which was painful!




It's there, at the bottom of the foot, but higher up ... it might be a question of weight distribution which has caused a thickened skin area .. must see a podologue

Loooove, Margherita

.... oh, on my walk I have had a wondrous vision of the full moon ..... Watch out!

Sennerin von Carl Spitzweg

Along with this picture I have found a nice comment on art:

„Die einzig wahre Quelle der Kunst ist unser Herz, die Sprache eines reinen kindlichen Gemütes.“
von Caspar David Friedrich

"The only true source of art is our heart, it speaks in the pure language of a child"

... going to listen to my heart ...

Love, Margherita

Dear Margherita,
The painting is absolutely beautiful and your message puts a light in my heart.

We do need to walk straight and balance the load evenly.
These people seem to be doing a good job of it

Balance is so important..
I am now becoming aware
of exhaling, inhaling and
the h-o-l-d-i-ng

Also going to practice
with some books on my head.
Margherita I love you too
and Inda too



Love,

Lilie

Having good posture while at work and walking is important.

I like all the images you have posted.
Hoping that your foot feels better Margherita.

Vicky

DearLilie the painting is beautiful; it really captures the light and her posture is impeccable.

Here is another lady with perfect posture

Thank you dear Inda for introducing me to Alphonse Osbert, here is another one by her



Love,

Lilie

Here is another lady
with a very good posture.

Let us remember to sit, stand
and walk straight.
Artist: Giacometti

Thank you for pointing out the importance of a good posture,
It is so easy to slouch over the desk or sit behind the computer with a bent back.

Vicky

I am happy to see that this post is still going on. There is good advice here on many things even if I get a bit lazy at times, and drink too much coffee.

Gisele

Hi Gisele and Vicky.
Nice to see you here.

It is OK to enjoy a cup of coffee, Gisele, providing you don't overdo it.

It is also important to have a good breakfast. This will give you energy to start the day and it will prevent you from getting hungry. This way you avoid unnecessary snacks inbetween meals.

Love, love, love, love ...... in my opinion this is the ultimate secret of being and remaining young in spirit and body.

All love! You are all beings of love and light. Shine!

I love you!
Margherita

Dearest Margherita,

you seem to be in love..how wonderful
I agree with you on every word.
I love you! Could not resist this one

I guess I better join the circle of lovers.


Love and more love
Gisele

Love is healing and rejuvenating; it adds light to the spirit and the soul.

************************************************
THE SUBJECT TONIGHT IS LOVE

The subject tonight is love.
and for tomorrow night as well.
As a matter of fact,
I know of no better topic
For us to discuss
Until we all
Die!
~Hafiz

**************
Artist: Dante Gabriel Rossetti

And I could not resist this Lilie.
Whenever I see it it makes me smile and feel happy.

After all this, reting with love

artist: Doris Klein


With Love

Lilie

Love is the way messengers
from the mystery tell us things.

Love is the mother. We are her children.
She shines inside us, visible-invisible,

as we lose trust or feel it start to grow again.
~Rumi

*************
Artist: Renoir

artist: Vantatenhove

Let yourself be silently drawn
by the stronger pull
of what you really love.
~Rumi

************************
Artist: Tasha Tudor

Thank you for all the beautiful pictures and the messages of love. This makes me feel well and relaxed. It is a nice way to start work.

Vicky
: violin:

Dear Inda

Amazing, yesterday I wrote this poem, with love Lilie



I have this pulling sensation,
feeling drawn into myself.

The Hebrew word Kadosh
is repeated itself over
and over....in my heart

K-A-D--O-S-H

as a magnetic touch
from all sides,
immersed in holiness

Not even knowing
what is outside
or inside

A strong sense of presence

Thank you Lilie.
Your poem is absolutely beautiful.
Thank you everyone for sharing beautiful artwork and love.

Sue

Dear Lilie,
Your words are very beautiful.
They touch the spirit of my soul.

Love, Inda

Thank you Lilie. You write very beautiful poetry. Thank you everyone for exercising with me and sending beautiful images to relax me.

Vicky

Dear Inda, touching the spirit of your soul..
I love that expression.Thank you so much

Vicky...I was looking for Vicky and found
this lady...her name is Vicky too



With Love

Lilie

Thank you Lilie.
I will exrecise with her. I look different. I come from the Philippines, so I have dark hair.
This will be fun.

Vicky

I am going to do something much more challenging...hahaha

Hahaha.......you've got to be joking


Sue

Giving and recieving gifts ....

here with a warm heart



Love,

Lilie

bird of paradise

Hahahaha...Lilie, you are too much
Wherever did you find my exercise partner

Pushing that rock for hours makes me feel like this

Now I will just dance all night
:coo l1:

Above, above
All birds in air

Below, below
All earth's flowers

Inland, inland
all forest trees

Seaward, seaward
All ocean's fish

Sing out and say
Again the refrain

Behold this lovely world

~Mary Kawena Pukui , Hawaiian

Sweet Inda, how do you alway find all these fitting texts? No, answer is necessary....

Out for a walk in the dark



with Love

Lilie

This thread is getting more rejuvenating and invigorating, not to mention the beauty of the images.

I am just sitting back with my usual cup of coffee absorbing everything with great satisfaction.

Keep on pushing that ball!

Gisele

Dear Lilie,
Joining you for a walk in the dark.

Better stop drinking so much coffee and come with us for a walk, Gisele!
*********************************************

Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

~American traditional

more of rainy mood