My Lucky Bingo Mat

From time to time, when I see a product or service that is truly beneficial, I love sharing it with my readers and followers.  Since so many of you love the thrill that come with games of chance, I wanted to share with you my thoughts about a cool product that I've recently learned about.  It's called My Lucky Bingo Mat, and it's a real game changer!

I have no doubt that many of you love Bingo as much as I do! (After all, even psychic sages need their downtime to hang with the ladies & let off some steam!)  However, there are a few things that have actually kept me away from my favorite Monday night haunt (Club Cafe's Bingo night!).  Simply put, there are issues involving "turf wars."  People like to spread out and crowd one another, which means I have to go early and try really hard not to sit near any known offenders.

My Lucky Bingo Mat has changed that problem for me.  Now my personal space is well defined, and since the mat is non-slip silicone, it stays right where I put it rather than scooting around and accidentally crowding anyone else.  This feature is actually just a bonus for its intended use:  The non-slip fabrication means that your cards stay right where you put them without having to waste time and tape.  All you need to do is lay your cards right onto the mat, and enjoy yourself -- presto, no muss and no fuss!  The silicone mat has plenty of room for your little extras (like daubers and lucky charms), and is easy to care for too; should you spill your latte while jumping up to yell "BINGO!," the surface needs only a quick wipe to be as good as new!

Recently, I bought one for a good friend of mine who is disabled.  Bingo is one of the things that she still enjoys quite a lot, but since she suffers from neuropathy and arthritis, she doesn't get out as much as she used to.  (I never mind taping her cards for her, but I know she hates to ask!)  I think she's going to be delighted with her very own My Lucky Bingo Mat, in her signature lucky color -- red!

To all of you who are ready to ditch the tape and focus on fun: I highly recommend this product!  Go to their website to learn more. :)

Meditative Bliss with Nina Beste

One of the best exercises for our physical and mental well-being is meditation.  Few things are as healthful and as inducing of happiness as taking a few moments to meditate.  I am a practitioner and teacher of meditation, myself; I love to recommend it to my clients as I educate them about meditation's many benefits.

A lot of people get overwhelmed by the very idea of meditation when they are first beginning the practice.  It seems like such a lofty, esoteric, mystical thing: sitting in a ritualistic position, listening to mysterious music, perhaps chanting an ancient mantra or visualizing powerful symbols in order to make one's aspirations materialize.  But the truth is that meditation is a lot more simple than this.  In actual fact, the benefits and beginnings of meditation are much easier to achieve than some stereotypical arcane practice.  The true practice is much more attainable and down-to-earth than that!

There is a wide variety of meditation music available on the market today.  You can also start simple and check YouTube for videos that can help you get started in the world of meditative music.  One of my absolute favorite musical artists is Nina Beste, who creates beautiful and haunting works that are absolutely ideal to create a serene, meditative state.

Nina Beste's YouTube channel features a variety of fabulous programs to get you into the perfect mindset for meditation.  While she is an incredibly talented singer and musician in her own right, Best is also a certified NLP practitioner as well as a creator of meditation products which can heal and relax all who seek their enlightenment.  As an expert in the art and practice of meditation, Beste uses her knowledge and skill to produce work of unbelievable quality and beauty.  

"Time Traveler," Beste's latest single, is one of her best pieces yet.  Touching lyrics combine with poignant music and the haunting vocals of Nina Beste herself to make a true work of art.  The video itself is a cinematographic treat that beautifully complements the musical piece.  As we listen to this fantastic work, we are transported into a world of meditative reverie that is sure to bring peace to even the most restless heart and mind.

As a meditation teacher, I heartily recommend the work of Nina Beste for any practitioner of meditation.  Whether you're just beginning your meditative journey, or you've been reaping its benefits for much longer, you're sure to find Nina's music a delightful addition to your meditation music repertoire.

Visit her website for more updates, or check out what's new on Nina's CDBaby page! 

Brainstorm Pro: A Blogger's Best Friend!

By now, most of you know very well about the type of person I am.  I blog, I write books, and I'm all over social media sharing helpful tips and little bits of information to make life a little easier and a lot more fun.  My blog is often a platform for me to share information and thoughts with fellow creative people.  So, when I come across a valuable resource, I love to let you all in on my discoveries!

One of the things that really bugs me at times is writer's block -- and in my line of work, where it's "publish or perish," that can really be some cause for concern.  A lot of times, my brain is so packed with ideas… but it's so hard to actually get them onto the page!  Even us wordsmiths can sometimes have trouble finding the right words for our craft.  (I visit Thesaurus.com more times during a writing session that I care to admit!)

Enter the fantastically helpful software, "Brainstorm Pro," by my friend Jesse Gilbert.  When you're searching for just the right word, simply use Brainstorm Pro to help point you in the right direction.  This tool is specifically designed to help word lovers like me to find just what we need quickly, with no drama, no waiting for web pages to load, and no ambiguity.  Brainstorm Pro enables me to keep my writing filled with that new-pronoun smell, and that factory-fresh adjective flavor that all writers crave.

Currently, this helpful tool is available for the Windows & MS Word platform, but a Mac version is coming soon.  I can't wait!  Check it out here for a free download and start brainstorming!

Love and Accept Your Body

The number on the scale, your BMI, or your clothing size -- none of these have any bearing on your worth as a person. 

We are so much more than just our bodies!  A friend of mine recently turned me on to an expression: "You are a spirit driving meat-coated skeleton made from stardust."  Consider that your entire existence is a miracle!  You have a mind that can think and reason, a heart that love and feel, and a soul that ties all of your parts together as it guides you along your path. 

You have the capacity for kindness, humor, love, and creativity.  None of these things can be measured with a scale, they can only be felt.

It's understandable to sometimes get caught up in comparing ourselves to society's ridiculous beauty standards.  But, when you're having that moment, take another to remember that your existence is a miracle.  Love your body for the things it can do.  Treat it well and strive for health.  The bottom line is that you are more than your body -- you're the whole beautiful package!

The Importance of Doing Your Own Thing

One of the biggest issues that we have in our quests for self-love has got to be comparing ourselves to other people.

It's natural to seek some type of gauge by which to measure our progress.  When you look around and see your friends who have great jobs, wonderful families, more money, or lives that simply seem cooler than yours, it's hard to look at the bright side of your own life.  What's more, comparing yourself to those other people is going to invoke the monster of jealousy -- that that's a hard entity to control!

When assessing your own life, do so on your own terms.  Work according to your personal wishes, needs, and strengths.  Remember that while you may not have the tools that others have, they also don't possess what you have, either.

Also, while you're looking at all of the beautiful pictures and messages from your friends on Facebook or hearing amusing anecdotes at your next social gathering, it's important to keep in mind that people often put their best faces forward in those situations.  It may be due to excess pride, or the desire to simply not burden others with negative issues.  Either way, know that not everything is what it seems.

Live authentically and run your own life the way you enjoy running it -- do you own thing, measure your success by your own personal benchmarks, and don't worry so much about what the rest of the world is doing!