Away with cold and gloom in winter!

In winter, it can be rather gloomy when the world outside is frozen and gray. The lack of sunlight combined with being stuck indoors makes it more dismal.  But there are ways to chase the cold and dreariness away while making your home or private space cozier and more cheerful.

1.    Highlight a spot in the room with a vase of freshly cut flower blooms in bright colors. Nowadays, flowers can be bought all year round in nurseries.

2.    Light up your room by drawing open your curtains to let in the full light reflection from the snow outside. This can save your electricity bill.

3.    Keep fire burning in the fireplace to warm the room. The dancing orange flames make the room brighter and  more cheerful.

4.    Invest in light bulbs that provide a natural glow by filtering out yellow rays to make your room more cheerful and inviting.

5.    Use scented candles that remind you of spring and summer.

6.    Make a comfortable seat by covering it with a blanket made of extra soft fleece and position it next to a lamp with a room enhancing light bulb.

7.    Listen to uplifting or inspiring music.

8.    Wear bright colors to uplift your mood.

9.    Do your favorite thing indoors that is constructive to make yourself happy, whether it’s a hobby, social networking, or just plain singing a song.

10.    Make a list of things you’d like to accomplish during the winter season and see to it that they are done. Looking forward to something is always uplifting feeling.

So, enjoy your winter!

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A Story of Life for All Ages: Freddie the Leaf

Sometimes, it takes a simple story to explain a complex concept. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscalgia is such a tale that is simple and timeless. The beauty of this story lies in its simplicity and clarity in explaining the complex meaning of life through the simple language written for young readers.

This story also tackles some profound philosophical questions on life:

-Purpose of existence? "To make things more pleasant for others is a reason for being."
-Why the leaves turned different color on the same tree? "Each of us is different."
-Fear of death? "It's natural that we all fear what we don't know."
-What is death? "Everything dies. No matter how big or small, how weak or strong." Death is part of the life cycle.

Enjoy the story.

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf

Spring had passed. So had Summer. Freddie, the leaf, had grown large. His mid section was wide and strong, and his five extensions were firm and pointed. He had first appeared in Spring as a small sprout on a rather large branch near the top of a tall tree.

Freddie was surrounded by hundreds of other leaves just like himself, or so it seemed. Soon he discovered that no two leaves were alike, even though they were on the same tree. Alfred was the leaf next to him. Ben was the leaf on his right side, and Clare was the lovely leaf overhead. They had all grown up together. They had learned to dance in the Spring breezes, bask lazily in the Summer sun and wash off in the cooling rains.

But it was Daniel who was Freddie's best friend. He was the largest leaf on the limb and seemed to have been there before anyone else. It appeared to Freddie that Daniel was also the wisest among them. It was Daniel who told them that they were part of a tree. It was Daniel who explained that they were growing in a public park. It was Daniel who told them that the tree had strong roots which were hidden in the ground below. He explained about the birds who came to sit on their branch and sing morning songs. He explained about the sun, the moon, the stars, and the seasons.

Freddie loved being a leaf. He loved his branch, his light leafy friends, his place high in the sky, the wind that jostled him about, the sun rays that warmed him, the moon that covered him with soft, white shadows. Summer had been especially nice. The long hot days felt good and the warm nights were peaceful and dreamy. There were many people in the park that Summer. They often came and sat under Freddie's tree. Daniel told him that giving shade was part of his purpose.

"What's a purpose?" Freddie had asked.

"A reason for being," Daniel had answered.

Read the rest of the story here.

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