Keep an open mind and you just might end up with a lighter heart!
“So often, women see themselves in a fragmented wayI hate my hips; I hate my thighs.
But painted, the body becomes a single, beautiful form.
The flaws go away.”
This is not your superficial “fun with temporary tattoos” brand of human adornment.
(To view a gallery of Oakland’s inspiring images, go toStarOakland.com.)
The shapes and hues depend on the energy she senses flowing from her subject.
Most people when they hear the wordprayerthink of religion.
A compelling potential bonus: They may be healthier, too.
Another day, the leader might ask everyone to turn their thoughts to a person who needs support.
“One of the sad conditions of our times, especially in big cities, is loneliness.
“Having a circle of strong women around me is so important.”
In traditional psychotherapy, a patient might look to her childhood and parents for explanations of her behavior.
“A mainstream shrink might say, ‘Tell me about your father.’
But I may discover her grandmother was engaged to her great love, but he died.
To heal, the client must address emotions “within the family field,” Payne says.
Then everyone adjusts their position based on intuition.
(Hey, we said some of this stuff was out-there!)
A happiness hint you might useAt least one mainstream therapist SELF consulted sees the appeal of family-constellation therapy.
Munching pink- and blue-frosted cupcakes while a mother-to-be unwraps endless blankets and bibs?
“The idea of playing silly games didn’t appeal to me,” she explains.
“This way, I learned so much about the guests and their perceptions of children and motherhood.”
Becoming a mother is probably the biggest change a woman can go through.
Gathering people to guide you is a way to get strong for what is about to transpire.”
A happiness hint you’re free to useDon’t want to forgo gifts entirely?
“Rituals affirm friendships,” says Lyubomirsky.
“And the happiest people have good relationships.”
But I didn’t want my life to get narrower.
The confidence she gained from tackling the intimidating sport of surfing is immeasurable, she says.
What is it about surfing that feels so empowering?
That’s blissful right there.”
But surfing isn’t simply about getting in shape.
“There are no cell phones in the water,” Osborne says.
“you’re able to stop, take a deep breath and pay attention to the moment.
You’re alone with your thoughts, focusing on the elements.”
It’s why runners lose track of time in a marathon."
Photo Credit: John Dolan
