Healthy Happy Loving Life: Let go and let LOVE

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Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in Dealing with stress, Effective Living, Healthy Happy Loving Life, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, Love, the life you want

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Dealing with stress, Effective living, Gratitude, Healthy Happy Loving Life, Kebba Buckley Button, Love, Stress Management

Today, I’m sharing a story of conflict, of grace, and of love. As a professional healer and uplifter, I would love it if we never had personality clashes, anger, or hurt. But that is not human nature. We can and must seek to resolve the unhappy rifts that occasionally try to tear at good relationships. We can and must seek peaceful responses to conflict. We can and must seek deep, immoveable personal peace, Peace Within. We can and must substitute Love and grace for anxiety and hurt.

And that is where today’s story comes from. Some weeks ago, I suddenly had to do something for my husband’s health, just before rushing to a meeting. I texted the leader that I might be 20 minutes late. But she knew I would be there in time for my part of the meeting. So while I dislike being late, I was in good shape when I arrived, and I was pleased to be less late than I had estimated. As I exhaled and stepped into the meeting room, the leader burst into a laugh and asked, “SO ARE YOU STRESSED???” Hmm. Wait. No. I’m a stress management expert, with award-winning books and a long track record to prove it.

At the end of the meeting, the leader inexplicably decided to tell the group loudly that “The funniest thing happened at the beginning of the meeting!” Laughing like this was hysterically funny, she told the group I had blown in, totally stressed out and ragged, and she had had to calm me down. I kept smiling and pleasantly saying, no, no, that didn’t happen.

Actually I felt very violated. I recalled other times over the years (25) when this woman had made me the center of attention and belittled me, laughing. I couldn’t imagine going back to that group and giving her another chance to create a scene at my expense. I called one friend who had been at the meeting, for a reality check. I asked if she thought the meeting scene had damaged me. Her answer: no, because of the strong personality of the meeting leader, Mary. People would have chalked off what the woman said about me as, “That’s just Mary!”

I really appreciated my friend’s perspective. Still, I have long hated the little scenes Mary creates, as have many others who have left the group for this reason. I really needed to decide whether to ever go back to the group and possibly have her target me again. I continued to feel violated and angry for over a week. I was diligently processing what happened, the normal way.

Then, one day, a strange thing happened. I suddenly was filled with commanding waves of love for Mary. I suddenly was present to the cavalcade of good projects we had shared over the 25 years of friendship. I was relieved of my negative feelings about Mary’s behavior. I could only feel love. It was a love takeover! I was totally over my hurt and anger toward Mary. It was that fast.

I walked into the next meeting early, feeling nothing but love for Mary. We had a great hug. She asked if she should apologize to me in front of the group. I said that’s very gracious, but no, let’s just go forward as if it never happened. She was surprised, but she could see I meant it: I was completely over it, like it never happened.

I was blessed to be washed with waves of Love. It was easy to let go and let Love solve it. I was even more Healthy Happy and Loving Life^sm. When it’s your turn for hurt, wash it with Love and see what happens.

Kebba Buckley Button, MS, OM, is a stress solutions expert, holistic guide, and award-winning author who celebrates life. She has a longtime energy healing practice and is an ordained minister. Among her books are: Discover The Secret Energized You (http://tinyurl.com/b44v3br), Inspirations for Peace Within: Quotes and Images to Uplift and Inspire, and Sacred Meditation: Embracing the Divine. The books are available on Amazon and through Kebba’s office. To email us, kebba@kebba.com .

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Get Joy From Gratitude

02 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in grateful, in-joy-meant, joy, joyful, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, the life you want

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Effective living, grateful, Gratitude, In-joy-meant, joy, Kebba, Stress Management

Joyful hibiscus tree in the Feng Shui Garden

How many times have you heard people exclaim, “Don’t let anyone steal your joy!” That’s lovely advice if you started with joy. But many grew up without joyful relatives or joyful circumstances, and they are not very familiar with joy.

Henri Nouwen said,

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.

The ultimate answer to finding joy is to practice gratitude. Start with lovely flowers, for example. Select some that appeal to you and study them and their unreasonable beauty. Joy will seep into your consciousness as you begin to weave the wonder of the flowers into your mind and heart. Feel grateful. Give thanks, if you are a person of faith.

Now study the clouds during the day, the sunset, and the stars at night. Give thanks for all this beauty. Watch a toddler run and laugh. Feel grateful. Watch a favorite dog or cat and enjoy its hijinks. Feel grateful.

I believe very deeply that we are in-joy-meant– that we are designed to be in joy. So keep practicing these studies in gratitude, and you will develop a joy that no one can steal. And that’s you being ever more Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm! It’s up to you!

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Life Moves On

01 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in Arcadia Color Nursery, At choice, bad thing, Baker Nursery, Embrace the Now, good thing, good thing or bad thing, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, stress, the life you want

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Arcadia Color Nursery, bad thing, Baker Nursery, choices, Effective living, Embrace the Now, good thing, good thing or bad thing, Kebba, Relax, Release the past, stress, Stress Management

20th Century Baker Nursery Sign

I was excited when I realized what I was seeing, right in front of me, at the Arcadia Color Nursery, on 52d Street in Phoenix: the original Baker Nursery sign! That day, it happened to be caressed by a fairyland-worthy curtain of weeping, blossoming branches. In fact, we had just discovered the Arcadia Color Nursery that day (2020). We were also discovering that members of the Baker family had decided to open this nursery after the closing of the Baker Nursery near 40th St. and Osborn. The Baker nursery stood there from 1968, when Jim Baker purchased a failing nursery, according to newspaper accounts (Arizona Republic).

This classic sign must have graced that 9-acre property from about 1968 until the nursery closed in 2014. Jim Baker sold the property to a developer, and now the Villas At Baker Park stand where once there were deeply tanned staff, tall trees, greenhouses and open tables covered with colorful blooms. My Feng Shui Garden had flowers from Baker Nursery in every season.

A few days ago, I wrote about our tendency to think of things as good or bad. While I am still sad whenever I drive past the old Baker Nursery site and see the new homes, I am glad for the family and know they are blessed by the sale income. So it feels bad that the nursery is gone, and it feels good that the family has hopefully done very well out of the redevelopment.

Today, I got another shock. Looking for the phone number of Arcadia Color Nursery, I found a note on Yelp that said Moon Valley Nurseries had bought them out, and they closed as of February 1. A commenter says Arcadia Color Nursery is closed for remodeling. I do hope Moon Valley revives the site. And maybe even leaves the iconic sign that says Baker Nursery, that leans against the wall of the outbuilding.

Like any individual plant, life always moves along and begins to look different. As we grieve the Past for a moment, we must then embrace the Now, in order to move into the Future we desire. And that’s being ever more Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm! It’s up to you!

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: 3 Way Cure for Boredom

28 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in At choice, bored, boredom, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, stress, Stress Management, the life you want

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Bored, Boredom, choices, Effective living, Kebba, Relax, stress, Stress Management

Photo by 戸山神奈 on Unsplash

Can we agree that boredom has been a huge issue everywhere in the last year? So today I’m sharing an evergreen article from ezinearticles.com, by Linda H. Hudson. Her article is titled, “3 Way Cure for Boredom”. Other than the photos, which I selected, I am sharing her article in its entirety.

_____________________________________________________________________

3 Way Cure For Boredom

By Linda M Hudson, Submitted On August 06, 2010

Here are 3 suggestions on how to cure boredom when you are stuck and seeking something to do:

Boredom Killer #1. Get out of the house. This is the oldest boredom antidote in the book right here.

I sometimes find that I get bored when I’m in the house. If your boredom started in the house, you must be tired of staring at the same stuff. So the instinctive thing to do is just get get out!

Get yourself to a friends house or to the mall, try the park. Take the dog out if you have one. You know damn well he’s been holding his crap in since you got home – he’ll love you forever if you walk him! Just do something so you can to take yourself away from the region of your house you got bored in.

Cure My Boredom Tip #2. Don’t come back for at-least one hour!

If somehow you can get away from your ‘place of boredom’ for that one hour, then I guarantee that area won’t be such a bore-zone when you get back! Stay away for at least that amount of time. This is just enough to make the place you got bored in, somewhat ‘fresh’ again.

Cure For Boredom #3. Make up something fun to do!

What do you like doing think? Thinking is a cure for boredom in itself but that’s a article for another time. Back to the subject if you play a sport, find a friend or acquaintance who’s up for a game. It doesn’t really have to be anything competitive but if competitiveness is what motivates you do it! A quick game of football hacky-sack, basketball, soccer,…these things can kick boredom in the face!

The social aspect of this is very important. Just being able to see a face you haven’t seen for a while oh let’s say 2 days or so should be enough to un-bore you, a good friend can be a great boredom killer.

There are alternative to killing boredom other than getting out of the house. I’ll list the top three.

* The Computer= Gaming+ The Internet: umm… you can’t really go wrong there. Unless you’re the ‘Internet God’ then I guess you’ve seen it all, but still you can find all types of interesting things to help you cure boredom.

* Console Gaming: You have the Xbox 360, PS3 and the Wii pick your boredom killer either one them could satisfy you for hours maybe even days or weeks hell months even.

* Watch A Movie: I prefer the action and horror genre as my boredom cure of choice but whatever type of movie stimulates your mind should be a suitable boredom antidote.

The thing is you have to try and break away for your everyday routine once in a while it’s the only sure fire way to cure boredom do different than what you’ve been doing to get bored, you’ll find out how to concoct the perfect boredom antidote for yourself!

Perhaps you could beat your boredom by Finding a Hobby? That link is to an article about discovering new hobby ideas.

If all else fails check out my site Cure-My-Boredom.comit has all sorts of stuff to keep your brain from numbing. Shameless plug? I know but heck I made that site cause I was bored and typed this article for that same reason. The point I’m trying to make is when your bored just do something! It’s as simple as that.

Expect more articles in the near future.

____________________________________________________________________

Photo by Marco Testi on Unsplash

So, how about you? Have you been experiencing boredom in the last year? Do any of these ideas sound good, or are you already using them and having success? What else are you doing to combat boredom? The more engaged with life and people you stay, the more you’ll be in the realm of Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm! It’s up to you!

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Good Thing or Bad Thing?

27 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in At choice, bad thing, Conflicts, good thing, good thing or bad thing, judge not, judging, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, stress, Stress Management, the life you want

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bad thing, choices, Effective living, good thing, good thing or bad thing, judge not, judging, Kebba, Relax, stress, Stress Management

We tend to think of things as good or bad— events, experiences, weather, choices– but do we know for sure? And how would we define “good” and “bad“? My Chinese locust tree buds and leafs out enthusiastically most of the year, here in Phoenix. It provides lush shade for parking in the late afternoon. But suddenly, in about December, all the leaves turn brown and fall away! They do this over a 3-day period. You’re thinking, “Oh no! This is bad! Is the tree sick?” But then, equally suddenly, about 6 weeks later, the tree begins to bud and leaf out again. And you never know exactly when this will happen.

There is a timeless parable about a Chinese rice farmer, that poses this question of good things vs. bad things. Here is Alan Watt’s summary of the story:

Once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbors came around to commiserate. They said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day the horse came back bringing seven wild horses with it, and in the evening everybody came back and said, “Oh, isn’t that lucky. What a great turn of events. You now have eight horses!” The farmer again said, “Maybe.”

The following day his son tried to break one of the horses, and while riding it, he was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors then said, “Oh dear, that’s too bad,” and the farmer responded, “Maybe.” The next day the conscription officers came around to conscript people into the army, and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg. Again all the neighbors came around and said, “Isn’t that great!” Again, he said, “Maybe.”

The whole process of nature is an integrated process of immense complexity, and it’s really impossible to tell whether anything that happens in it is good or bad — because you never know what will be the consequence of the misfortune; or, you never know what will be the consequences of good fortune.

As each thing happened, the Chinese farmer declined to judge its nature. He simply accepted what was. In today’s terms, he gave no energy to judging or reacting to each event. He remained calm and allowed events to unfold. I have heard a version in which the farmer always says, “Good thing, bad thing–who knows?” and another in which he says, “We’ll see.” I have many times seen people judge and assume, then get upset and burn a lot of energy– only to find out events were unfolding in their favor. Where do you want to put your energy?

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Have you ever caught yourself “rushing to judgement” and realized you had totally wasted your frustration energy? How about the times when you thought you had lost your keys, you panicked, and at last, the keys showed up near where they should have been? Choose where you put your energy, judge not, and you’ll be more and more Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm! It’s up to you!

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: One Word Chants to Change Your Life

25 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in At choice, Conflicts, Health, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, One Word Chants, receive, stress, Stress Management, the life you want

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choices, Effective living, focus, Kebba, One Word Chants, receive, Relax, stress, Stress Management

Photo by Jesse Bowser on Unsplash

In my holistic healing practice, I often hear people say they cannot concentrate. They cannot quiet “the monkey mind”– chatter chatter chatter! But what if you could say one word that would magically bring your thoughts to one point and allow you to concentrate? Sometimes, the briefest communication is the most effective. I recommend this One Word Chant^sm, repeated many times if necessary: FOCUS. You are kindly giving direction to your inner mind. Just try it. You’ll be amazed.

Clients sometimes tell me they are so wound up that they are unable to let go, even when they are in a session, receiving energy therapy or a massage. They realize they are tight or even rigid, lying on the cushy, soft, luxurious therapy table, receiving from a favorite therapist. They realize they should be sinking into a mellow state, but they aren’t. In this situation, I recommend this one word chant, repeated frequently: RELAX. Sometimes a second One Word Chant compliments RELAX, and that is RECEIVE. Try alternating these. You must be somewhat relaxed, at least, to be open to receiving. So these two One Word Chants fit together well.

Photo by processingly on Unsplash

Does a single word sound too simple to change your life? Have you ever called out “HELP”? Or “AMEN”? Just try it. Using a One Word Chant is a new habit, and it’s one that will help you build the life you want. Your life is precious. And you only go around once, at least this trip.Support yourself with a One Word Chant^sm, to be more and more Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm! It’s up to you!

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: What Causes Your Stress?

24 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in At choice, Conflicts, Health, HIV/AIDS, living beyond, stress, Stress causes, Stress Management, Surviving duress, surviving emotional disaster, Surviving extreme events, the life you want, Uncategorized, UpBeat Living

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at choice, choices, Effective living, Kebba, living beyond, stress, Stress causes, Stress Management

What’s stressing you out?

As a stress management expert and holistic guide, I hear people describe their stress every day. What they are usually describing are the stress symptoms, not the causes– headaches, stiff necks, back pain, legs that ache, feet that burn… the list goes on and on. They are often grasping a body part that hurts, or rubbing points on the face. Many of these people didn’t realize they “had stress” until something began to hurt. Their bodies tell them when stress causes are too much.

A second group I talk with are the ones looking for strategies and solutions for the causes of their stress: conflicts, unmet needs, and circumstances. Here’s a chart of these causes:

Stress Sources

CONFLICTS

Difficult People

Available Time vs. Needs and Goals

Available Resources vs. Needs and Goals

Personal Values vs. Values of an Authority Figure

Worry/Anxiety About These

UNMET NEEDS

Unmet Emotional Needs

Unmet Physical Needs

Pain, Chronic Health Conditions

Limited Body Mobility

Old Emotional Agendas

Feeling Limited Or Trapped

UNEXPECTED EXTERNAL FACTORS

Significant Personal Loss (Death of Spouse or Child, Job Loss)

Significant Community Loss (9/11 Attacks, Superstorm Sandy, COVID19 Pandemic)

Do you have any of these stress sources in your life? Of course you do! We all do. What we need to keep in mind is that stress symptoms in the body can turn into conditions and diseases. In Oriental medicine, this is area-specific; each emotion affects a particular part of the body.

Shutterstock photo

One of my mentors said this:

“Stress is probably ultimately the underlying cause of all disease.”

–Dr. Gladys T. McGarey MD, MD(H)

Medical research has proven that stress is a factor in human health conditions, especially depression, heart disease, HIV/Aids, and some virally caused cancers. In a review of a range of medical studies, psychology professor Sheldon Cohen, of Carnegie Melon University, found two pathways by which stress might increase how sick we are.

Stress creates changes that may, in turn, cause or increase illness.

First, stressed people don’t sleep well and are less likely to take care of themselves and follow doctors’ orders. Second, stress impacts the body’s endocrine system, which should be releasing certain patterns of hormones that affect the immune system and inflammation. Stress creates changes that create changes that may, in turn, cause or increase illness. Cohen found a strong relationship between stress and depression, especially in people with strong social stress factors, like a divorce or the death of someone they love. Workplace stress and other forms of chronic stress, however, were more likely to contribute to heart disease. Since 2000, a number of studies have also shown that there is a link between stress and HIV/AIDS. No doubt upcoming studies will relate stress and COVID19 symptomology.

Given the Pandemic we are living with currently, it seems wise to manage our stress as well as we can, to stay as well as we can. There are so many tools for dissolving stress and its symptoms: attitude/philosophy, developing personal peace, breathwork, diet, exercise, meditation, energy therapies. We’ll discuss those more in upcoming articles.

Stress can be costly, and this is your life! Wouldn’t you rather be Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm? It’s up to you!

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Message Mugs We Love

23 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in cast your cares, choosing happiness, Effective Living, favorite mugs, Feeling energized, fulfilled, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, message mugs, stress, the life you want, uncertainty

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cast your cares, choosing happiness, energy, favorite mugs, Feeling energized, fulfilled, Healthy Happy Loving Life, Kebba, living beyond, message mugs

I was excited to get all the responses to my favorite-mug sharing a few days ago! I want you to have the healthiest, happiest life that you absolutely love! And mugs can be a supporting player in that life. Mugs comfort and reassure. They transport liquids that wake us up, that revive us, and that warm us up. Sometimes a mug even gets commandeered to hold soup, chili, or cereal. Even pencils!

Some mugs remind us of a place we’ve been, like the Starbucks in Cabo San Lucas. Or the street fair where we found the array of lovingly hand-crafted ceramicware. Some mugs are simply beautiful, and they create points of color in our office or living room. There are mugs that represent a company or candidate, or even a city. I once received a mug that said, “Genuine Souvenir of Israel”; on the bottom, it said “Made in Hong Kong”. Plus, it was the ugliest mug I have ever seen.

One of the greatest delights of a mug is that it may remind us of something important– a value, a goal, a mood we aspire to. These are the message mugs. Today, I’m sharing 5 of my favorite message mugs, collected over the years.

The first I actually found in a Walgreens. In 5 words, it reminds us that we all have limits, and our job is to do our best, that’s all: DON’T STRESS- DO YOUR BEST. Great advice for anyone.

2. For this red mug, the message is in the shape. It’s a heart! This was unusual when I found it about 10 years ago. When I sip from this mug, I remember all the people who love me, and I remember God’s love. (To find a heart-shaped mug today, just ask your search bar– there are hundreds now.)

3. This is the mug that reminds you your burdens are not yours alone. God is taking care of things on a much more profound level than we can imagine. We are only responsible to do our part. The reverse side of this mug reminds us of Ps. 55:22, “Cast all your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.” (These are available online in several styles.)

4. The message of this one is clear. It also reminds me of all the love that surrounds us all the time. It’s from an Ellen Degeneres design line and probably still available.

5. This last one is from Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright school of architecture. “Love is the virtue of the heart…Decision the virtue of the will.” I like to drink from this one when I want to feel strong and motivated.

So there you have some of my favorite message mugs. Do you have some that are meaningful or motivating for you? There are so many opportunities to feel bad in this world. Use the tools you have to comfort, uplift, and motivate yourself to create the life you want!

The more we are in step with the positive and the supportive, the inspirational and the motivational, the more we find we’re Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm! The choices are up to you!

Kebba Buckley Button is a stress solutions expert, holistic guide, and award-winning author who celebrates life. She has a longtime energy healing practice and is an ordained minister. Among her books are: Discover The Secret Energized You (http://tinyurl.com/b44v3br), Inspirations for Peace Within: Quotes and Images to Uplift and Inspire, and Sacred Meditation: Embracing the Divine. The books are available on Amazon and through Kebba’s office. To email us, kebba@kebba.com .

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Our Bucket List

19 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in bucket list, Effective Living, Feeling energized, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, stress, the life you want, uncertainty, UpBeat Living

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bucket list, energy, Feeling energized, fulfilled, Healthy Happy Loving Life, Kebba, living beyond

Today, I’ve been thinking a lot about our bucket list, the crazy mixed list of things we would like to do before we die or “kick the bucket”. Everyone probably has a different bucket list. What’s on your bucket list? If you’ve seen the 2007 movie, The Bucket List, with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, you are definitely up on how a person’s background and situation affects their ultimate bucket list. Please see the movie, if you haven’t.

As I think about my own bucket list, I think about my entire life, things I want to do, places I want to visit, and experiences that would, frankly, require time travel. I would like to see:

Carmel by the Sea, a charming and artistic town, possibly a good BNB spot for a few days’ writer’s retreat.
The Redwoods- especially the tree with the arch cut at the bottom, so you could drive through it. I want to look up and see the mist 300 feet above me.
Agatha Christie’s England, staying in a country inn for a month, photographing and writing.
My late mother’s childhood home as it was in 1925, on two acres of citrus and rare plants, with her parents tending the plants and cutting fresh flowers each day.

But I am at peace if these never happen. I have seen and done many wondrous things, and I know I have done my best. So I am square with my Maker. I have seen:

Asilomar near Monterey, with its long and serene beach boardwalks
Bavaria of 1966, Neuschwanstein Castle
Carnaby Street the year miniskirts hit
Rehoboth Beach at dawn (Atlantic coast)
The Pacific coast at sunset
The German-French Frendship Garden in Saarbrucken, with its music-driven fountains
Westminster Abbey and a few Cathedrals.
Market lanes in Nogales, Ensenada, and Cabo. Ships left to dissolve and sink off the coast of Mexico.
Key Largo when it still looked much as it did during the making of the Bogart film– the original cafe’ and Florida brush.

I have held and comforted newborns and dying patients. I have crewed and flown in hot air balloons. I have crewed on a sloop and been hoisted to the top of the mast, to untangle the 20′ banner.

If I see Carmel and the Redwoods, I guess that’s gravy now. Because I’m deep in being Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm! How about you?

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Mugs We Love

18 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by Kebba Buckley Button in choosing happiness, Effective Living, favorite mugs, Feeling energized, fulfilled, Kebba Buckley Button, living beyond, stress, the life you want, uncertainty

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choosing happiness, energy, favorite mugs, Feeling energized, fulfilled, Healthy Happy Loving Life, Kebba, living beyond

Today I’m sharing 5 of my favorite mugs, each for a different reason. And while you’re looking at mine, would you please think about what your favorite mugs are? To me, the humble mug is a symbol of comfort and joy, that vessel that holds our comforting or uplifting beverage, as we shift gears for the day. Aside from breakfast time, maybe we are re-setting ourselves at the end of an afternoon. Or maybe we are shifting down from the day to relax on our way to bed.

Today, a vast array of mugs are available to enjoy. We have personalized photo mugs, initial mugs, and slogan mugs. We have art mugs and souvenir mugs, even plaid mugs and mugs that come in a little sweater (Target). We have mass-produced mugs, hand-painted mugs, and mugs in many different shapes. I love mugs that remind me to set my mood on “great”, in any of several ways. Here are my top favorite mugs at the moment.

This “Happy Happy Happy” mug was produced by the Robertsons of Duck Dynasty fame. Phil Robertson said basically, you can choose to be happy, whether you have a little or a lot. [See Philippians 4:11.] It just reminds me, each time I lift it: oh yeah! Let’s be in our Happy! Sweet.

2. This oriental mug is just pretty. My holistic practice is based on oriental energy medicine, and I tend to be attracted to oriental designs. This mug is also a tribute to our loveliest and dearest things not needing to be expensive: I found it in a market in the $1 mug section, 35 years ago. I’ve sipped a thousand cups of tea and coffee from this one.

3. This mug is special because it’s a dream-reminder mug. You can get the plastic kit from a craft store for about $1 (Michaels). Pull out the white liner, then pull out the paper insert. Then glue whatever inspiring words and images you like onto the paper insert, in the spirit of a dream board. Mine says, “Beyond Expectation” “Imagine a place that arouses your senses” “Imagine” “Dream” “Wealth”. The background is lush desert landscaping and a pine with long needles; a mountain vista is on the other side. So every time you lift this mug, you are reminding yourself of your dreams. Btw, I now have a beautifully landscaped Feng Shui Garden with a giant long-needle pine, in my own southwest-style home. Pundits would say I called it in with my little dream board.

4. This little pair of history mugs each hold about 5 ounces. My husband and I stayed on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, a few times, and we bought the demitasse mugs there. I love to think about the heyday of luxury cruising: people strolling around the decks in leisurely fashion, taking in the sea air, dancing in the ballrooms to live music at night. So I love staying in a Queen Mary stateroom and exploring the huge, historic vastness of the ship. What sweet memories these little mugs evoke!

5. The final mug I’m sharing today is the most special one I’ve ever had. I purchased it at a massive arts festival around 20 years ago, in the heyday of street fairs. It was probably about $20. I am always thrilled by the colors, the layering of the enamels, the gesture of the elephant, the curves of the piece. For me, it’s elegant artistry, and I feel elegant when I hold it. If you want to see more elegant artistry, look for FoxLo ceramics online. You’ll gasp for joy at their images.

So, how about you? What are your favorite mugs, and what do they evoke for you? Why do you enjoy them? Would you send me an image for a future column?

The World holds so many opportunities for hurt and ugliness. It’s crucial that we nurture the Good and the beautiful in our lives as we are able. The more we are in step with the good feelings of life, the more we find we’re Healthy, Happy, and Loving Life^sm? It’s up to you!

Books by Kebba Buckley Button

Healthy Happy Loving Life!

~ Your source for energized, fulfilled, joyous living!

Category Archives: living beyond

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Let go and let LOVE

Featured

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Get Joy From Gratitude

Healthy Happy Loving Life: Life Moves On

Healthy Happy Loving Life: 3 Way Cure for Boredom

3 Way Cure For Boredom

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Healthy Happy Loving Life: Mugs We Love

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3 Way Cure For Boredom

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