Spanista » Self Care Rituals, Reflections & Resources for Joyful Living by Ginny Shiverdecker

  • Spa Style & Self Care Reflections, Rituals and Resources for Joyful Living

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  • About Spanista

    Ginny Shiverdecker, Creator of Spanista is Spa Wellness Enthusiast, Adventurer Seeker and Brand Builder.
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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: True Joy Effect, Just A Thought Away offers inspiration at a time when we may need it most. I was speaking to a dear family member who shared a blue feeling this weekend. Spanista suggests an antidote if anyone finds themselves of a similar mindset.

While the celebratory gift giving experiences maybe behind us now, with them may have gone the exhilaration we seek. If you are like me, the preparation and anticipation that goes with ‘the giving’ process and how the seeing the  recipients reaction when they open it, may bring about a special kind of joy. This type of  ‘joy’ reaches its crescendo at that those special moments and unfortunately quickly dissipates. Like a holiday balloon that lost its air too quickly, one may feel the post giving emotional let down.

While giving or receiving a gift may be a source of happiness, unadorned JOY is itself one of the greatest gifts we can experience. JOY lifts my heart. As I exude happiness, others are uplifted as well. That is one of the core values of Spanista.  How about you? See The VALUES tab for more on the subject.

However, did you know the power to experience real JOY is in ours hands ever moment of every day? We do not need to believe it is illusive. One just needs to be self aware of the signals around us – they are everywhere if we put our consciousness on receiving it.

Joy may be quiet, such as the tug at my heart I feel when I see a child happily Good-News-Monday:-True-Joy-Effect,-Just-A-Thought-Away-1.jpegPINIMAGEplaying with a new toy. It maybe the rapture of fresh white roses (my favorites) brought into my home to bring in the New Year. Or it may be boisterous, like shared laughter that brings tears to my eyes over a casual family lunch. All TRUE JOY is an experience of the heart—an awakening experience of Spirit within us. We can even bring it on with the recall of a happy memory.

Ultimate TRUE JOY is yours always. It is your mindset that matters. The effect is just a thought away. No matter the circumstances you find yourself in this week remember to set your intention on TRUE JOY.  Watch your attitude shift as an internal smile emerges that warms your heart. Do not allow yourself to give into any less this week.

Good News Monday: True Joy Effect, Just A Thought Away is a gift for you. No matter if you are returning to your regular routine this week or experiencing a holiday break, be mindful of the effects of this approach as you go along your life this week. With a little practice it will become a way of living you will not want to be without. And it is simply a matter of being mindful with the intention of living TRUE JOY everyday.

Let me know what TRUE JOY EFFECT does for you.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Last Minute Gift Idea ‘Color Me Stress-Free’ is one of the most simple yet soothing ideas to inspire adult play Spanista Style I have come across is some time.  While shopping for holiday gifts at one of my favorite stops – Barnes and Noble Bookstore in my new neighborhood in Stuart, Florida, I was browsing for inspiration, when I came upon this delightful ‘Art Therapy’ coloring books for adults presentation. Needless to say it stopped Spanista in my tracks.Good-News-Monday:-Last-Minute-Gift-Idea-PINIMAGE

Who could not love the notion of bringing back the sense of play and creativity we once enjoyed as children – Do you recall your first box of Crayola Crayons (a great Kansas City Company)  and themes coloring book? It way the first ever interactive tool we enjoyed that encouraged us to express ourselves? As a creative soul just thinking about it conjours up loads of positive emotions and memories. I love the smell of the new box of color that explodes when you first opened it. The sheer joy of seeing the many images outlined before me awaiting my personal touch so full of possibilities.

Now some clever person drew upon these positive emotions and combined them with the positive therapy the Asian Ancient Philosophers professed as mindful practices where pure focus on a small task for a period of time can clear and clam the mind to relax mind , body and soul – a practice to relieve stress. Brilliant creator Johanna Basford has sold 15 million books in 40 countries. You can buy them for half the price of a yoga class.

The collection I found was vast and could appeal to anybody plus they are very affordable. All you need is a box of colored pencils of pens and one book to get you started.  I loved the themes like ‘Color Me Stress-Free’, a Zen Coloring Book or ‘Buddhism, 1oo Designs’ or’ Color Your Year Calendar, Mindful Coloring Through The Seasons’?Good-News-Monday:-Last-Minute-Gift-Idea-PINIMAGE

Good News Monday: Last Minute Gift Idea ‘Color Me Stress-Free’ to gift someone your love and gift yourself was only reinforced when I found this idea featured in Departures Magazine.  To Spanista, it not only makes a great gift idea, it is so affordable you can buy one or two for yourself too. Just think of how this could bring you to a peaceful state of mind in so many situations this holiday? For example, what a great way to de-stress while waiting to board your plane or while flying. Or after having a long mindless conversation with a distant relative over Christmas brunch? Put the screen await for a way and detach. Why not head to Barnes and Noble before the holiday begins to indulge in this little gift of heaven. I highly recommend it because I already have.

Happy Holidays from The Spanista Family To Yours!

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Florida’s Fresh Frosty Flamingo Holiday is really a fun Spanista Style way to breathe new life into your holiday presentation and entertaining. And for the Tropical Adventure Lover who wants to bring some excitement into this holiday, it is a great way to liven things up with a fresh point of view no matter where in the world you live. Yes, even in the coldest of climates – Express yourself!

Spanista is currently in Kansas City. While the temperature here has been unseasonably warm up until now, today the grey clouds and damp cold weather with freezing rain is making me yearn once again for the colors of the tropical seas in Florida!

This beachy take on holiday decor appeals to Spanista – the colors are soft and relaxing. The trimmings are full of the charms of the ocean, the birds of the sea-shore and the reflective colors of treasured sea glass along with the palate of the coral reefs.

To top if off the gift wrapped packages at the base of the tree anchors the sea-shore story promising a treasure chest of goodies to open.

Good News Monday: Florida’s Fresh Frosty Flamingo Holiday can help your escape to relax, restore and present a more playful side of yourself this holiday season. I discovered this inspired holiday presentation in Coastal Living Magazine, a Spanista favorite for all the ideas it offers for those of us who feel the sea call us because of its restorative powers. Even if you cannot be on the beach this holiday, this concept for a table setting or dinner party could bring you the positive spirit of what your soul craves to heal your mind, body and soul.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Write a Comment

  • Kathleen - I missed you! So good to hear from you today. There’s nothing like Christmas in Florida, as you so well know. I’ll have to pick up this issue of Coastal Living, also one of my favorites. Hope all is well. Will write soon. Merry Christmas my friend!
    Love,
    KathReplyCancel

    • gshiver - Happy Holiday Kathleen! Always great to hear from you. Life has been in overdrive but looking forward to down time very soon with a Spanista Style Christmas. Major lifestyle changes have come to pass so we are ending the year with the big agenda completed. Will be in touch personally soon. To you and yours have a fabulous Christmas in Florida. I cannot wait to the beach. Hugs, GinnyReplyCancel

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Wise Diary Planning Divine Appointments could be your saving grace during the holidays. Tis the season. It seems to have arrived quickly for me this year? How about for you?There is a wonderful piece of advice that was shared with me recently by someone who knows my commitment to spreading the word about the true benefits of practicing Self Care Rituals. Because it resonated with me I put it into practice myself. I love it so I want to pas it along.
This gentleman told me This Gem was a special gift that was passed onto him and it practicing it has given him priceless perspective. So he was paying it forward.
Spanista wants to remind you at this time of year it is essential to take a moment to evaluate your priorities. This will help you be certain you do not give into the anxieties of the holiday’s and to set your mind on caring for yourself first and foremost.
Wise Diary Planning Self Care Divine Appointments leads to more Love and Insight. This practice is about shutting out the external noise with a commitment to a greater understanding of my spiritual gifts and divine potential. Thus, private silence and reflection are the most important activities on my calendar. These divine appointments are reminders that take me away from the rush of everyday life into a quiet, peaceful state of being. In my time in the Silence, I become more aware of who I am and the love in and around me.

Creating a daily habit for private reflection opens the door for wisdom and love to express through me to others. God’s love is my inspiration, and the greatest thing in all my life is my personal spiritual path. I become clear of mind and heart feeling One with the goodness of my Creator.

Basking in that Oneness, I am courageous, strong, and fulfilled. Ready to return to the world full of holiday activities

Good News Monday: Wise Diary Planning Divine Appointments helps me better cope with the unpredictability of everyday life especially during this season when expectations all around us can become extreme. Spanista shares this with you while wishing you above all else PEACE OF MIND this holiday Season.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Gratitude Attitude Sets Tone For Happy Holidays is a message to help you set the right tone for the holidays. One that will help you rise above the stresses of the season – both external and internal. Happy Thanksgiving from the Florida Treasure Coast Beaches! Those of you who follow Spanista know the power of Gratitude is a high concept practice that promises real peace of mind. There is building scientific evidence that directing the quality of your thoughts transforms your biology and mood for the better.

This week I ran across an Opinion Piece by Arthur C. Brooks in the New York Times Review this Sunday titled ‘Choose to be Grateful. It Will Make You Happy.’ I like Mr. Brooks’s take on the world. It is good to see him take this subject so seriously by helping to spread the word.

He speaks to the research he discovered leading him to shape his strategies which I want to pass along because they align well with Spanista Self Care Strategies. Here tells us to focus on:

  1. Interior gratitude – the practice of giving thanks privately – find something in the situation to be grateful.
  2. Exterior gratitude which focuses on public expression – for example in theGratitude-Attitude-Sets-Tone-For-Happy-Holidays.jpegPINIMAGE book Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, Father of the Field of Positive Psychology, suggests writing gratitude letters to family and friends – 2 short emails everyday offering thanks.

Mr. Brooks goes on to suggest we should be grateful for useless things too – little unimportant things – the trifles. Thankful for small useless things you experience like the fragment of a song that triggers a memory or the turn in the road that allows you to feel the power of a race car driver.

I love Mr. Brooks’ advice on Gratitude. It is especially helpful because it gives me ways to keep Gratitude top of mind even when emotional  pain takes its toll on me. Devoting part of my time to giving back for AbodShelters Foundation as Executive Director, I am exposed to many Gratitude-Attitude-Sets-Tone-For-Happy-Holidays-2.jpegPINIMAGEsituations that place extreme poverty at the center of life. Some situations become news headlines like the European Refugee migration and others are go on quietly in places like Africa and India where the sheer numbers of families living in these conditions is too massive to phathom – but it is there. Closer to home here in the US, partner NGO’s share the stories of millions of families living on the streets in major metros. While our team works everyday to help families like these the job never goes away – another tragedy is around the corner where in innocent people suffer.

Lastly, Mr. Brooks suggests giving thanks especially when you do not feel it – this is exactly the time to experience its emotional power – shift your thoughts to shift your mind, heart and body into better mindset of wellbeing. It is proven our DNA is wired to respond for the better. This is a tool that will help me rise above the painful feelings to keep going with my work as I lead our Foundation.

Gratitude Attitude Sets Tone For Happy Holidays begins with the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving.  A heartfelt Thank YOU for joining our Spanista Society and for reading and engaging with the Spanista Philosophy.

And I express deep thankfulness for the wonderful dedicated people who are helping with generous hearts to support the AbodShelters Foundation work to help those who are in need of low cost quality housing. Thanks you for your time and donations. If you care to help us please go to AbodShelters.com to learn more.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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