I’m sitting at my computer now holding Billy’s paw while typing. In case you don’t already know, Billy is my tom-cat. He literally fell into my life four years ago when he tumbled off my neighbour’s roof – where he was born – into my porch where Ginger, my dog, found him. Billy was so tiny then at just a month old, at most.

Billy sleeping in his favorite position

Now Billy likes to sleep on my desk, and anywhere and everywhere I happen to be at home. He sleeps on the sofa, he sleeps on the pillow under my desk, he sleeps on the chair at the little writing table in my bedroom, he sleeps in his basket, he sleeps on the dining chairs, he sleeps on Ginger’s day bed. He particularly likes to lay his head on my computer keyboard, which drives my computer crazy. Basically, Billy sleeps all day and all night. He never seems to have any problems sleeping.

If only we humans could doze off so easily. Nobody would suffer from insomnia. Ever since Michael Jackson’s struggles with sleeplessness came to light, insomnia has been in the spotlight. Phillip, one of my friends, says that the health supplement melatonin helps him to get to sleep. Neways International has an easy-to-take one called Megatonin. It’s certainly convenient, as you only need to take it 30 minutes before bed and you can even travel with it.

If you prefer off-the-wall natural remedies, one remedy for sleeplessness is oil-pulling, a practice gaining popularity in India and elsewhere. Basically, you gargle a tablespoon of sesame oil on an empty stomach. For 10 minutes, gently swish and swirl the oil through your gums and teeth. The oil will become thinner and whiter during this time. After 10 minutes, spit out the oil and rinse your mouth thoroughly. The oil may be toxic after all this oil-pulling, so make sure you don’t swallow it. Doing this at least once a day is supposed to guarantee a good night’s sleep. The results are apparently better when you do oil-pulling two to three times daily.

Besides keeping insomnia at bay, oil-pulling is also said to alleviate gum disease, stabilise loose teeth and whiten teeth. It may even cure headache, backache and knee pain. Not having any insomnia or gum problems myself, and virtually never suffering from headaches and other aches and pains, I never found a reason to try oil-pulling. For good oral hygiene, I gargle with Neways Eliminator. It’s great for preventing sore throat and mouth ulcers as well, and you can even use it to banish body odours, clean wounds and sores and treat acne. Really handy stuff and it sure smells nicer and fresher than sesame oil. But hey, different strokes for different folks, right?

Posted: November 18th, 2009 under Alternative Remedies, Rest & Sleep.
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Mmm, it’s misty today. A soft, gentle rain has been falling all afternoon and the river looks moody and mysterious. Flocks of egrets have descended on the open fields, to feast on the worms squirming to the surface. I’ve just woken up from a nap and I’m now enjoying a mug of mint tea and amaretto cake with marzipan. What bliss!

I can’t imagine working a nine-to-five job anymore. The thought of having to drag myself out of bed early every morning and fighting the commuter traffic wearies me. Working from home is just great. I get plenty of rest and I have time to do the things I enjoy, like reading, writing and going out wherever I like, whenever I wish. Lately, I’ve been so busy writing websites and blogs for clients that I’m afraid I haven’t had as much time as I would like for “Healing Pastures”.

A reversible pendant from Silver Butterfly Jewelry

I have a butterfly jewelry website of my own too, and I’ve been rushing to get new products and promotions ready for Christmas. My husband, Andrew, is the webmaster and designer, and I think he’s done a really nice job. Silver Butterfly Jewelry is ranked Number One by Google for many of our key search phrases. Fans love our jewelry so much that many designs are sold out. We even have customers e-mailing us to ask when certain designs will be available again, and whether we’ll be able to ship out their purchases in time for Christmas. This is one ‘rush’ I’m really enjoying.

Once this weekend is over, I hope to turn my attention back to “Healing Pastures”. Come December, though, I’ll have to get Silver Butterfly Jewelry as well as a client’s jewelry website ready for Valentine’s Day. It never ends, but I’m loving it. Nothing beats having your own business, especially when you can work from home. Working from home allows me to be more rested, less stressed out, and healthier. And I have more time to spend with my loved ones.

If your health and happiness isn’t to your satisfaction, have you considered working from home? It’s probably one of the most healing things anyone could do, and it could make a big difference to the quality of your life.

Posted: November 13th, 2009 under Rest & Sleep, Work From Home.
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People are made up of more than just mind and body. We’re spiritual beings too. Deep within us, when we’ve tried everything and the trial is just too much for us to handle, we need to believe that our Creator cares. We need to know that He hears when we call and is there for us. We need to know that God will help us win the battle.

Psalm 91 from the Bible has been called the psalm of protection, as it defies the enemy and makes a stand that our Heavenly Father will not fail those who trust in Him. Many people have drawn strength from it. The interesting thing is that it’s all about taking refuge and resting in God’s love, faithfulness and promises, the kind of rest which can result in miracles. Here is Psalm 91 from the New King James version of the Bible:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “[He is] my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler [And] from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth [shall be your] shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, [Nor] of the arrow [that] flies by day,
[Nor] of the pestilence [that] walks in darkness, [Nor] of the destruction [that] lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; [But] it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, [who is] my refuge, [Even] the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
In [their] hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91 is from the Old Testament, written in Hebrew. In verse 16, the last verse, the word ’salvation’ in the original Hebrew is ‘Yeshua’, or Jesus. Salvation and Jesus are synonymous. That’s something to think about.

Don’t let negative thoughts get to you. May Psalm 91 protect you and encourage you.

Posted: August 22nd, 2009 under Healthy Spirit, Rest & Sleep.
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