Gift Ideas that Won't Bring Clutter

Some of us spend hours looking for the perfect gift and some of us just buy the first things that crosses our path with a sale sticker on it.  This year I am determined to toss the idea of giving stuff and focus my energy on finding experiences that will bring joy and peace to those around me.  So I put my thinking cap on, reached out to friends and got my editing pants on to come up with a concept that I hope won't bring clutter, but instead will bring space to this holiday season.  I am calling it My Favorite Non-Things. 

 

So what are Non-Things?  As part of my ministry of space, I help people manage their physical things though there are mental and spiritual things about this process too.  So I know there are A LOT of things out there.  Things that consume our space. Things that distract us from experiencing life better.  So Non-Things don't take space from your home, they don't end up in a box in the closet, they don't break or end up in a landfill somewhere.

This year, I have gathered the coolest and bestest Non-Things gift ideas for your friends and family.  Why to go with this list for your holiday shopping? Think about it, free shipping & no paper trails- all these gifts can be arranged via e-mail or with a phone call, no resifts or need for craigslist, Non-Things don't require wrapping paper which means no paper cuts, you will avoid bargain hunting injuries, you won't have to worry about finding the right size either, Non-Things make no noise when you shake them, and  most importantly I love all these Non-Things and I know you and your loved ones will love them too.   Here they are, my favorite Non-Things 2014

Link to My Favorite Non-Things!

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez.

Pema Chödrön on Powering Down and Deep Connection

"The best spiritual instruction is when you wake up in the morning and say, 'I wonder what's going to happen today.' And then carry that kind of curiosity through your life." Pema Chödrön

Pema Chödrön is one of those forces of nature that will exert its force on your spirit even when you are unaware of her presence.  Last week I saw her beautiful face in many of the feeds and radio/tv shows I follow.  These are the gems I keep hearing from Miss Pema: Curiosity.  Connection.  Space.  Awakening.  Depth.  

Then I ran into the above  Bill Moyers’ interview from 2006.  This is when you know you are in the presence of wisdom, her words are as relevant now as they were then.  See what jewels she got for you.

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under Spirituality, wellness and tagged Pema Chodron Spiritual technology meditation.

Eliminate Surfaces and conquer clutter

As true as gravity will keep your ass from floating in space, so will empty flat surfaces accumulate clutter in your home or office.  That is because clear surfaces provide unstructured, hook-free, often-vertically-unlimited storage. If you don’t believe me, go ahead make a clear surface–table, desk, counter-top, or even inside a drawer–and see how long it takes for it to get cluttered up with all varieties of stuff: unopened mail, brochures, dog leashes, pencil sharpeners, etc.   Our brains seem to be telling us "don’t know where to put this crap, stack it on that table, sure you'll get to it soon."

Here is another truth that will help you deal with this issue, clear surfaces tend to be magnets for stuff we don’t need, use or even want. These clear surfaces are especially useful for holding stuff we don’t want to deal with. Why do you think that “to table” something means to postpone the issue?

If you are looking to de-clutter and simplify your home, try removing a surface or two–one less end table, even one less dresser.  If this is too much for your cluttered mind, create limits on the surfaces you have by adding a small tray or small basket to collect your precious I-don't-want-to-deal-with-this stuff (hint...smaller the tray, the smaller the clutter).  Without easy places to deposit and pile stuff, we often find ourselves compelled to deal with it (or toss it on the floor, I guess, but tripping on it will force you to deal with it).


Posted on October 10, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under cleaning, design, inspiration, Living spaces, Organization and tagged storage organized spaces organization office organization office clutter.

Feminist: it isn't the word that matter, but what is behind it

When at the age of 23 years I entered he workforce and finally witnessed with my own eyes and heart how women were treated by their male co-workers, my feelings towards the word Feminist totally changed.  I'm going to let Emma Watson do the talk here…


Posted on September 28, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under inspiration, Pop Culture, Spirituality and tagged Spiritual Feminist Inspirational.

Archetypes Made Easy

We all wonder why we are attracted to certain stories, certain people and certain patterns.  This human inquisitiveness - regardless of culture, race or religious - about our own behavior, tendencies and thoughts drives us to create and to study guiding methods.  Archetype analysis is one those methods.  

I think of archetypes as our energy companions.  You know these archetypes very well, they are the characters you love or despise in fiction or real life. Since studying Joseph Campbell's work, this type of pattern analysis has resonated with me, and coupled with Yoga it has made a huge impact in how I use my intuition.  Archetypes are our stories in the quest for bliss.  According to Carolyn Myss, my go-to Archetype guru, 'we are continually scanning our world for patterns, particularly in people, because we know intuitively that if we understand someone’s behavior patterns we understand how she relates to herself, to her life, and to us. We understand a person better, for instance, if we know that she is essentially an Intellectual; that explains, for example, why she loves foreign films and biographies of great historic figures.' Ms. Myss calls Archetypes "the language of our soul."

Each one of us have archetypes idiosyncratic to our patterns of behavior.  These archetypes allow us to connect intuitively and on a deeper level to ourselves and to others.  Ms. Myss suggests that 'once we engage and begin to honor the language and patterns of our archetypes, a transformation begins not overnight but over time' (patience people, patience!).  She insists that by listening to our Archetypes we can step into our purpose, into a life more balanced, and friendships and relationships that fit with more ease and less effort. 

How do you get started?  Well there are tones of classical-psychology books on this subject, but If you want a fun way to ease yourself into this study, visit  Archetypes.com and take their quiz.  You can watch the video below to see if this is for you.

Warning! (don't resist warnings please, all tools come with them) when you embrace the language of archetypes you will immediately begin to notice patterns of synchronicity and coincidence appearing on a regular basis and sometimes dramatically so. 

Share your quiz results with me, I'll share mine.  


Posted on September 8, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under inspiration, Spirituality, Pop Culture, wellness and tagged archetypes yoga behavior.

Mother’s Fears Passed to Children Via Scent

I just read this great piece on Aromatherapy written by Dr. Mercola.  The full article titled Mother's Fears Are Passed to Children Through Smell, covers interesting emotional traits that are passes from generation to generation.   Below a portion of the article relating to Aromatherapy.

Mother’s Fears Passed to Children Via Scent

During the study, female rats were conditioned to fear the smell of peppermint before they were pregnant. Later, the rats’ pups were exposed to the peppermint scent along with a scent of their mother’s reacting to the peppermint odor.

The newborn pups learned to fear the smell even when their mothers weren’t there, after just a single exposure.1 However, when activity was blocked in the pups’ amygdala, a region of the brain that processes emotions, including fear responses, the pups did not learn to fear the peppermint scent.

So it seems that, via scent, “infants can learn from their mothers about potential environmental threats before their sensory and motor development allows them a comprehensive exploration of the surrounding environment.”2 The impact of scent on fear was so strong that some of the rats tried to plug the tubing to stop the scent from coming in, a habit that the researchers plan to study further.

 

The Power of Scents

The fact that a mother’s fears can be passed on to her offspring via a scent like peppermint adds further support for the use of aromatherapy, as it’s clear that scents trigger real physical and emotional responses. Just as certain scents can evoke fear, others may trigger calm or even help relieve anxiety. For instance, research shows:

  • A systematic review of 16 randomized controlled trials examining the anxiolytic (anxiety-inhibiting) effects of aromatherapy among people with anxiety symptoms showed that most of the studies indicated positive effects to quell anxiety (and no adverse events were reported).3
  • People exposed to bergamot essential oil aromatherapy prior to surgery had a greater reduction in pre-operative anxiety than those in control groups.4
  • Sweet orange oil has been found to have anxiety-inhibiting effects in humans, supporting its common use as a tranquilizer by aromatherapists.5
  • Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment.6
  • Compared to the controls, women who were exposed to orange odor in a dental office had a lower level of anxiety, a more positive mood, and a higher level of calmness. Researchers concluded, “exposure to ambient odor of orange has a relaxant effect.”7

Anxiety, of course, is only one use for aromatherapy. Other potential uses include:

  • Green apple scent for migraines: One study found that the scent significantly relieved migraine pain. This may also work with other scents that you enjoy, so consulting with an aromatherapist might be beneficial.
  • Peppermint for memory: The aroma of peppermint has been shown to enhance memory and increase alertness.
  • Nausea and vomiting: A blend of peppermint, ginger, spearmint, and lavender essential oils has been found to help relieve post-operative nausea.8
  • Lavender for pain relief: Lavender aromatherapy has been shown to lessen pain following needle insertion.9

 

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez.

What is Ephemeralization and how it affects your yoga practice?

Ephemeralization, is a term coined by Buckminster Fuller. He believed that technological advancement would one day allow humans to do “more and more with less and less until eventually you can do everything with nothing.”  This concept is relatively easy to grasp with digital technology, where the mass and volume of hardware has gotten increasingly small, while the computational capabilities have gotten gigantic.

To better understand how Ephemeralization applies to other realms, we suggest checking out the above video by dMass. 

Ephemeralization is vastly used in computer science, professional organization and material design, but we as consumers are also making a shift in the way we use our resource to create a more efficient way to experience life.  Think about it: one shared car might serve ten people, reducing material and space used; or one transforming bed/sofa might convert a bedroom into an office, reducing the materials needs required to have two separate rooms.  Yoga have also been applying this concept for centuries.  Chance are that if you practice yoga for a long time, you can eventually hold poses for a longer time with less effort, til eventually you can do a 90 minute class with ease because you no longer need to "kill" every pose, you can simply embrace the moment and the shape of each pose. 

Ephemeralization is a way of approaching life, seeing how the things we have do achieve the most using the least amount of effort. 

 


Posted on July 11, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez.

Are Vacations good for your soul?

Time off allows you to regain control of your mental and spiritual health while building relationships with family and friends.  As I am preparing for a weekend yocation with the fabulous Julie Dohrman in the Catskills region, I decided to do some research on the benefits of vacationing. 

Much has been written about the deadly effects of burnout, workplace stress, absenteeism, and even “presenteeism” or showing up for work but being so listless or sick as to be in effect present and absent at the same time. Cardiovascular disease and hypertension are aggravated by workplace stress. 

Indeed, vacations are more important than ever, as they allow you to regain control of your physical, mental and spiritual health, not to mention cement relationships with your family and friends. “Vacations have the potential to break into the stress cycle,” writes Susan Krauss Whitbourne, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in Psychology Today. 

Not all vacations, however, are equally effective when it comes to inducing rest, relaxation, and refreshment. Here, Krauss Whitbourne provides her top very practical tips for a vacation that accomplishes all three:

1. Plan ahead. Do your online research and make sure you know what's available in your vacation destination and come up with an itinerary. Planning ahead will also minimize family stress.

2. Know your destination's rules and regulations. If abroad, know your country's safety rules and regulations. 

3. Don't feel bad because you're going on vacation. The point of a vacation is to rid yourself of as much guilt as possible. But if it really bothers you that, say, you can afford a holiday but a friend or colleague can't, you can elect to donate some of your travel budget to a charitable cause.

4. Head off email anxiety. If you are one of those people who hate coming home to hundreds or thousands of emails, allot yourself a small portion of each day to stopping at an internet café or having a peek at your laptop. 

5. Make your vacation a true adventure.  Research shows that an active vacation involving new challenges is the most beneficial. New activities will build new synapses and give you memorable, bonding experiences with your fellow vacationers. 

6. Pack smart. That means being prepared for sick, getting a sunburn, and losing your glasses. Leave enough extra room in your case for souvenirs, and buy them. 

Whether you are traveling far or planning a“stay-cation,” these tips will help you get the most rest and rejuvenation out of your holiday.

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under inspiration, Organization, Spirituality, wellness and tagged vacation relaxation time off.

Humble on and humble up

"Humilde" is the Spanish word for humble.  Growing up in Panama in the 80's, being 'humilde' was the politically-correct way of saying you were poor.  So you can understand my confusion growing up when one was asked to be humble and to be driven and successful.  Fast forward me arriving in America to face a nation of exuberant confidence.  It literally took me four years living in the USA before I encounter the word "humble" in a book (OK I was studying engineering, but still).

After living here for twenty years, I must say confidence is one of the added traits of being an American, of which I am very proud, and Confidence is key to getting ahead in life. It helps you do better at work, in relationships, and in interviews. Overconfidence, however, can make you seem like a genuine, how can I say this humbly?  asshole . We all know that one person that thinks they are the strongest, smartest, and just all around best at everything. Truthfully, we all dislike that person to some degree.

So, while confidence is essential, it's important to stay humble as well (the two aren't as contradictory as I used to think). Remember the tale of the Emperor's New Clothes: It's okay to be wrong about something and, more importantly, it's okay to admit that to others. This shows that you not only value your opinion and decisions, but that you also value the opinions and decisions of those around you.

People respond well to humility because it shows that you place yourself at the same level as them, and not above them. Plus, it has other benefits too. Psyblog has an eye-opening list of these benefits that can occur in your personal and professional life. Here are just a few:

Soothe the Soul: Humble people are better able to cope with anxiety about their mortality. Instead of erecting self-defenses against death, humble people tend to find it provides a useful perspective on life and how it should be lived. When it's not all about you, it makes death easier to contemplate.Higher Self-Control: Having high self-control is one key to a successful life. Oddly, perhaps, studies have found that an obsession with the self can paradoxically lead to lower self-control. The humble, though, because they place less importance on the self, exhibit higher self-control in many situations. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact that humble people tend to know their limits.More Helpful: Humble people are, on average, more helpful than people who are conceited or egotistical. In a study by LaBouff et al. (2011), participants who were more humble, were more likely to offer help, and offered more of their time, to those in need. Unsurprisingly, humble people have also been found to be more generous.

The full post lists even more benefits, and is worth a look.

That last one, "More Helpful," can be especially useful to you. To experience the life we want, we often need help—and what better way to get that help than from those we've helped already?  So even if you're a little overconfident on the inside, practicing humility can actually get you ahead.


Posted on June 13, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under inspiration, Spirituality, wellness and tagged humble success help.

Natural solution is overlooked while MRSA cases double in five years

Sometimes smart and scientifically proved solutions aren't made available to the public just because there isn't a capital gain.  I find that unfair. Recently I learned about  a MRSA infection case in a local hospital, which was poorly handled and decided to do so some research on the subject. And you know how I love sharing. 

According to materials released July 26, 2012 by the University of Chicago Press Journals the number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections doubled in academic medical centers from 2003 to 2008.  According to Scott Johnson with the Holistic Health Examiner,  "even though these infections dramatically rise worldwide, conventional medicine largely ignores an effective natural solution — essential oils.  And one Utah company — Young Living Essential Oils — is leading the way in pioneering research to bring more attention to these potent remedies."

MRSA is a term used to describe staph infections that have adapted and become resistant to the first line antibiotics that typically cure staph infections. Once inside the body, a staph infection can quickly spread to bones, joints and organs, which can be life threatening.

These so-called “superbugs” have been called a significant and multifaceted health threat that places “a significant human and economic burden on society” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.  According to Dr. Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, "things as common as strep throat or a child's scratched knee could once again kill," as more bacteria evolve to become resistant.

The growing body of evidence suggests that unmatched tools in the fight against MRSA can be found in essential oils. These potent botanical extracts exhibit significant antiviral and antibacterial effects that have been clinically proven in hundreds of scientific studies. In their pure form, essential oils readily kill bacteria — including MRSA — and viruses. More importantly, research suggests they kill MRSA without promoting bacterial resistance and they are free of the side-effects common to antibiotics.

The following is a list of some of the most well-researched essential oils for their ability to destroy MRSA and other pathogens.

My go-to blend of essential oils, which combines a good amount of the essential oils mentioned above is Thieves, sold exclusively by Young Living.  If you are interested in learning more about this natural way of staying healthy please contact me or visit my aromatherapy page to learn how to order therapeutic grade essential oils.


Posted on May 18, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under aromatherapy, essential oils, wellness and tagged MRSA essential oils practical uses for essential oils Thieves.

Dum & Dangerous: Why it is time to check our technology use

It isn’t technology alone, but our relationship with technology that determines our experience of life.  Take my iPhone, in that little rectangle I can look at my calendar, locate my contacts’ information, I can receive and answer my mail, and solve dinner table debates with just a finger touch.  So, yes, I do love my iPhone, as I love any other technical device that enhances my experience of life.  What isn’t a loving relationship, but a hot-mess-entanglement is people’s compulsive obsession of being attached to smart phones or other technologies.  Chances are, unless you’re living deep in the mountains or at a meditation retreat (located deep in the mountains, staffed by geriatric monks), your world is populated by people glued to cellphones.  And apparently this obsession is not only making these people waste time, it is making them stupid, it’s killing them and it’s brewing a generation of careless parents.

Here are some tech obsession studies that prompted me to write this post and that will illustrate my point:

  • A Kent State University study found that of the 500 students observed, “high frequency cell phone users tended to have lower GPA, higher anxiety, and lower satisfaction with life (happiness) relative to their peers who used the cell phone less often.”

  • According to the National Safety Council, there is a cellphone related car accident every 30 seconds (~335K this year alone). The NSC reported 3331 distracted related deaths in 2011; 12% (350 fatalities) were explicitly attributed to cellphones. Experts believe that number is far higher given that 50% of fatalities were for reasons unknown.

  • Studies conducted at the University of Essex found that the presence of a cellphone, even when not used, affected subject’s ability to connect on a deep level and find empathy for his or her partner.

  • A University of Maryland study found that people who used a cellphone, even for a short period, were less likely to engage in “prosocial” behavior, which is defined as behavior intended to benefit another person or society as a whole.

  • A Boston Medical Center study observed how cellphone use affected parenting. They found that 40 out of the 55 caregivers studied used their phones during meals, and that children were more likely to act out with caregivers in direct proportion to the level of the caregiver’s absorption with the phone.

So what do we do to avoid falling in the cellphone/technology trap?

  • Cultivate awareness. Check yourself frequently to see if your use of technology is taking you away from the present moment. Sometimes the present moment calls for a phone call or checking your GPS. But quite often, what’s going on around us in our immediate environment–talking to friends, practicing yoga, walking in the park, doing a work task, doing nothing–is more important than whatever we’re doing on our phones. If you’re mindlessly using technology, stop.

  • Go techless. Leave your phone at home. Don’t pack a tablet. Get away from backlit screens. It might feel uncomfortable for a while. Your brain is detoxing. If people like your spouse are accustomed to reaching you at any time, let them know you won’t have your phone. It’s okay. The world will not fall off its axis.

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and tagged cellphones technology behavior addiction.

Life Assurance from E.B. White

We are all familiar with feeling uncertain, frustrated and purposeless, when all we need are words of encouragement and support to get out of the funk.  E. B. White, the beloved children's book author of Charlotte's Web, wrote this letter to his niece on the occasion of her own funk.  His words are reassurance that a life lived fruitfully and honestly needn't be difficult or very far from reach:

"I know just how you feel, Judy. Frustration is youth's middle name, and you mustn't worry too much about it. Eventually things clarify themselves and life begins to divulge a steadier destination. In a way, our lives take form through a simple process of elimination. We discard what we don't like, walk away from what seems to inspirit us. My first job was with the United Press, but I knew within half an hour that my heart was not in it and that I would never be any good at gathering straight news under great difficulties and with the clock always running out.

Your majoring in English was no mistake, even though you do not become a critic or a publisher's assistant or a playwright or a novelist. English and English literature are the rock bottom of our lives, no matter what we do, and we should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry. 'To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.' I agree with Mr. Thoreau himself a victim of youthful frustration. You seem to me a girl whose head is on straight and I don't worry about you, whether you are majoring in English or in bingo. Joe, my son majored in English for two years at Cornell, then realized that what he really liked was boats. He transferred to M.I.T., took a degree in Naval Architecture and now owns and operates a boatyard in Brooklin — hauling, storing, and repairing and building boats. Keeps him busy 24 hours of the day, and keeps him outdoors, where he prefers to be.

We've just had three great gales here and are still picking up the pieces and sawing up the fallen trees. Aunt K. is not well, and there isn't much the doctors can do for her, as her trouble is in her arteries.

Thanks for your nice letter — I wish I could write you a better reply, but your question is essentially unanswerable, except by yourself, and you supplied the answer when you said you wanted to live fruitfully and honestly. If you truly want that you will assuredly bear fruit and be an adornment to the orchard whatever it turns out to be.

With love,
Uncle Andy

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under inspiration, Spirituality and tagged purpose joy encouragement.