Ten Popular Natural Scents

According to the mystics, the sense of smell gives pleasure and relief to the soul.

Unfortunately, we, humans, perceive the world mainly through our visual and audio senses, while downplaying our sense of smell. We've lost the animal instinct for the sense of smell to make us want to know another or repel us to avoid one another - all part of the biology of attraction.

Nevertheless, smells hold an uncanny power over us - a sniff of food makes our mouths watery, a whiff of a long-forgotten scent takes us back to memory lane, or a long inhale of natural scent alleviates stress while soothes our soul.

In aromatherapy, these are the ten most popular natural scents in alphabetical order for relaxation and sleep. Nature offers its best for natural cures without any side effects.

1. Bergamot - used in perfumes, and tea, popularly known as Earl Grey and Lady Grey - helps digestion, inflammation as well as treats depression.

2. Chamomile - used in tea and medicinal herbal treatment - has antispasmodic and antiinflammatory effect. Chamomile, used for inhalation or as tea, produces a calming agent for relaxation.

3. Jasmine - used in as fragrance as well as antidepressant - induces warm, calming emotions and sensuality.

4. Lavender - used in soaps, shampoos, lotions, potpourris, tinctures and teas - has multiple functions. It can be used as an antiseptic. It also relieves anxiety, rids of insomnia and eases depression. Lavender oil in massage helps one to sleep better, to stabilize moods, and to have better focus.

5. Lilac - used in perfumes and as a tonic - brings serenity, pleasurable memories and peaceful slumber.

6. Mandarin - outer peel extraction used in oils and fragrances - has a balancing, uplifting and calming effect.

7. Rose - used in oils and fragrances - calms nervous tensions and gives one a positive feeling about oneself.

8. Sandalwood - used in fragrances and wooden products - pacifies anxiety and anger while promotes relaxation, sleep and meditative states. In fact, sandalwood’s fragrance is closest to human pheromone. It is traditionally considered as an aphrodisiac.

9. Vanilla - used in food and oils - increases the levels of adrenaline, stimulating and invigorating one as well as producing a calming, relaxing and comforting effect.

10. Ylang-ylang - used in fragrances - has both stimulating and calming effect. It is known for its ability to slow down the sympathetic nervous system and stimulates mental alertness.

Nature offers many wonderful remedies through the sense of smell to cure one's mental anxieties and troubled soul in this stressful world. As Oscar Wilder aptly put it: "To cure the soul by means of the senses, and the senses by means of the soul!"



Inspiring Victory: Japan vs. USA Women's World Cup Final 2011

It's incredible, inconceivable, and inexplicable that the Japanese women beat their American rivals in the best ever Women's World Cup played in history!

Both sides have their own remarkable stories of getting to the World Cup final and both thought it was their destiny to win. The dramatic and magical winnings in quarterfinals and semifinals of both teams were thrilling and shocking. And the climax of the two teams played in Frankfurt, Germany, on July 17, 2011, was just as cliff-hanging and surprising! But destiny could only choose one winner. The ending seems to be a page torn from a Hollywood script.

It was a Women's World Cup final between two inspirational teams whose paths through the tournament seemed guided by fate. They were both underdogs pulling out wins when it didn't seem possible to reach the final. They were both dark horses, upsetting their international rivals with their remarkable resiliency, drive and talent. Both teams were sensational in capturing the hearts of their homeland with stunning victories and attracted devout fans in such a short period.

On one side, the U.S. team was favored to win its first and America's third World Cup title since 1999. On the other, the Japan team "Nadeshiko" in its first Women's World Cup final poured its heart out to play for a country ravaged by the devastating March tsunami and earthquake as well as nuclear radiation leaks.

In the unforgettable Women's World Cup final, the United States twice took the lead, but Japan tied the score with nine minutes to go in regulation, then tied it again with three minutes to go into overtime. The late scores by Japan were reminiscent of earlier U.S. matches.

No one could forget the highlights of the game: when Alex Morgan ran to score following Megan Rapinoe's long pass; when Aya Miyama tied the score by tapping the ball in with the outside of her foot; when Morgan passed to Abby Wambach for a lethal forehead score; when Homare Sawa's knee knocked the ball in for a timely equalizer.

Finally, when the Japan team was faced with the daunting task of scoring in penalty kicks against the world's best goalkeeper, Hope Solo, the Japanese players demonstrated their greatest strength -- technique.  They beat the Americans in penalty kicks. The final score: Japan 2 (3) U.S. 2 (1).

As they had done all tournament, the Japanese proved that they are the most highly skilled players in women's soccer.

Many records have been broken in this historical sports epic:

1. Japan is the first Asian nation to win the Women's World Cup.
2. It was the first time for Japan in the Women's World Cup final.
3. Going into the final, Japan team never had beaten the U.S. women  - they held a record of 0 win, 22 losses, and 3 ties.
4.  It was the first time for the U.S. to lose a World Cup match in which it scored first.
5. It was the first time for the U.S. team to fail in clearing the last hurdle in the Women's World Cup once they reached it.

In reality, there are really no losers in the World Cup final. They are the best two teams in the world and they deserve to be remembered and appreciated for getting there. And the trophies they've received tell them so!

Congratulations to both Japan and the U.S.!







One Word Power for Change

We all know words have power.

One word quotes are not only powerful but effective to motivate and inspire the soul. One dynamic word can trigger your mind to comprehend the whole situation or to conjure up the imagery of how things could be.

One word can give you confidence and self esteem. One word can move you to tears or make you smile. And just one word can guide your decisions and choices in your path of life.

The beauty of one word quotations is that each word brings different interpretations and meanings to different people. That is to say, we view each word with our personal point of view.

For example, "peace" could mean - making peace with family, friends or coworkers; wanting to be left alone; being complacent and calm; declaring no more wars in the world, and others....

Here's a list of powerful one word quotations in alphabetical order to use for your daily routine, projects, or goals.

Believe
Change
Commitment
Focus
Forgive
Good
Grateful
Happy
Hope
Listen
Live
Love
Nice
Nurture
Peace
Promise
Smile
Success

Make each day for the rest of your life with just one word to live by!


Michael Jackson’s Magic Touched Kento Mori

The amazing story of Kento Mori is not only inspirational but also attests to the lingering magic of Michael Jackson, the music icon of the century.

In a very special way, Kento’s twisted fate brought him worldwide recognition from the death of the King of Pop. He dreamed of working with Michael Jackson all his life, instead, he ended up dancing as the King of Pop for Madonna’s world tour!

Kento was born on March 3, 1985 in Aichi, Japan. Michael Jackson had a huge following – adored, loved and cherished by Japanese fans. As early as his childhood years, Kento had been obsessed with Michael Jackson. He loved everything about Michael and dreamed of dancing with him. With a supporting family and a loving grandfather (his hero), Kento pursued his dream. Even after making it as a professional dancer in his twenties, Kento said in an interview that the goal of his life was to work with Michael Jackson.

Kento’s own meteor rise in the dancing field was phenomenal. At the age of 21, he danced his way to the top. Three years later, he signed a two-year contract with Madonna, the Queen of Pop, to dance with her in a world tour in 2008. She told Kento that he danced like Michael Jackson.

When Michael Jackson announced his final world concert tour of his life, Kento wanted so badly to audition for his “This is It” concert. Interestingly enough, Michael Jackson selected Kento to join his concert tour but Madonna refused to let him go.

Heartbroken over his broken dream of working with the King and his beloved grandfather’s death, Kento reached the lowest point in his life. When Michael suddenly died on June 25, 2009, Kento was devastated. Fate dealt him a cruel blow when he lost both men he loved - his idol and his hero.

In his darkest hours, Kento got a shocking phone call from Madonna. She wanted him to dance like Michael Jackson in a special tribute to the King on her Sticky & Sweet Tour concert!

On July 4, 2009, Kento had a fated opportunity to be Michael in front of millions of viewers. Dressed in one of Jackson's trademark outfits, including a fedora and shortened black pants, he WAS Michael Jackson in the spotlight, dancing to a roar of the crowd with a medley of Jackson hits.



Michael Jackson’s inspiration and magic touched Kento and catapulted him to the limelight as a dancer. His dancing career took off and he has worked with other celebrities, such as, Chaka Khan and Chris Brown.

In the spirit of Michael Jackson, he taught many children to dance to the beat of Jackson’s songs.

Kento was blessed to be a dancer wanted by both the King and the Queen of Pops. Kento’s autobiography, "Dream & Love", tells this incredible story.




 

 
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