Gratitude #6 November/December 2017 $2.99 www.masterofsimplicity.com
Direction and Edition: Fรกtima Teixeira Supervision: Giovani Goulart Marketing: GGO Master of Simplicity Contact: masterofsimplicity@gmail.com
Translation: Cรกtia Nogueira Editor's Note: The articles are originally written in Brazilian or Portuguese, giving each author the freedom to express themselves accordingly. Icons created by Madebyoliver of Flaticon License by Creative Commons BY 3.0
Thanks in this edition to:
Gratitude e, read these Thank you for opening this magazin After all, the year words and sketch a smile right now. thank! Therefore, is ending and nothing better than to de to all the this edition reflects our gratitu was a full year of collaborators and interviewees. It nt, stories and MOS Magazine filled with rich conte ays brings this learning. Work done with love alw satisfaction. inexplicable sense of well-being and nt perspectives We turn to gratitude through differe at this season. and suggest meaningful reflections your own routine Take advantage of our ideas to create more good things of gratitude. The more you thank, the come, believe me! prove, progress In each issue we always strive to im h great joy that and bring the best content. So it is wit we introduce some new elements. Sit down, take a deep breath and enjoy this edition with your open heart! Very grateful! <3
by the directress and founder Fรกtima Teixeira
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MINIMALISM 26 MINIMALISM AND NOMADISM Krystel Leal
28 LIVING WITH THE ESSENCIAL IN A CAMPERVAN Cibele Stefani
32 FROM LOVE.. TO PAMPERING AND DETAILS Vânia Costa
SHARING 22 SUGGESTIONS OF GIFTS 24 FOTOGRAPHY Cecília Almeida
WELLNESS 8 GRATITUDE... WHAT IS IT? Fátima Teixeira
52 GRATITUDE BEGINS IN THE PLATE Lorena Ventura
54 GRATITUDE: THE ANTIDOTE TO FEAR AND ANGER Claudia P. Weber
56 USE THE HEART FOR DECISION-MAKING Maísa Sodré (Prem Sundari)
58 FEEL GRATITUDE Cristina Ramos
60 CREATE TO BE HAPPY Sara Silva
SIMPLICITY 40 CREATING MOMENTS...
ORGANIZATION
Catarina Agostinho
20 A PLACE TO THANK Mariana von Kruger
ENTERVIEW 48 ORGANIZATION X GRATITUDE 44 SHYLA HUTCHISON
RECIPE 74 OATMEAL AND BANANA PANCAKES Diana Pereira
EVENTS 73 WORKSHOPS
Rosangela Aggio
SUSTAINABILITY 66 2030 AGENDA Eduarda Castro
68 REBENTO: FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND CONSCIOUS WORLD Rita Rosa
Gratitude! Ed. 1 Jan/Feb
Colleen Valles "Living in a tiny house means using less resources: buying fewer things and using less water, electricity and energy." www.slowsimplelife.com
Ed. 2 Mar/Apr
Krista Dickson "I'm a big fan of the minimalist approach to blogging! Trying to do a million different things (...) only leads to a massive overload" www.blogbeautifully.com
Ed. 3 May/Jun
Francine Jay "Writing The Joy of Less has connected me with so many wonderful people!" www.missminimalist.com
to our interviewees throughout 2017! Ed. 4 Jul/Aug
JoĂŁo Signorelli "Gandhi's relationship to simplicity was total. (...) truth, non-violence, respect for all forms of life and an unconditional love for humanity." joaosignorelli@uol.com.br
Ed. 5 Sep/Oct
ZoĂŤ Kim "Most often young kids will want to join in when parents tie in the benefits of simplicity in their lives" www.theminimalistplate.com
Ed. 5 Sep/Oct / Ed. 6 Nov/Dec
Shyla Hutchison "As a mother of eight kids (...) I learned early on that prioritizing, focus, streamlining, and simplicity are my friends." motheringingrace@gmail.com
WELLNESS
Gratitude... what is it? The word gratitude has its origin in the Latin "gratia" (meaning grace) and derives from "gratus" (meaning grateful / thankful / pleasant). It is defined as a feeling or state of mind in which you are grateful to something. Gratitude encourages a sense of happiness as it encourages the valuation of simple things and encourages you to deal with life's problems and obstacles in a more positive way, always looking for the good side of everything, and feeling less stress. It covers recognition, appreciation or reciprocity of favor. Gratitude is not an obligation, nor should it be a debt. As Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, "the important thing is not what is given, but the love with which it is given." For me gratitude is much more than gratitude. It is to be in good with life. Wake up in the morning and feel grateful for life; to open my eyes and be grateful for the vision; is to listen to the birds and smile for being able to hear such a beautiful song. Gratitude is to appreciate everything we have and what we do not have, to contemplate nature, to cherish the home, and to admire life. More than saying "thank you", it is to feel grateful.
The benefits of gratitude are diverse and cover the three areas: physical (better rest, less stress, and a stronger immune system), psychological (more present, cheerful, and optimistic), and social (more compassion, forgiveness, and less isolation). Robert Emmons, an expert in the science of gratitude and the author of some of the seminal studies of gratitude, further suggests that in the case of writing, "Writing helps to organize thoughts, facilitate integration, and helps you accept your own experiences and put them in context " He adds, "In essence, it allows you to see the meaning of events going on around you and create meaning in your own life."
How to practice gratitude? Having a daily gratitude routine can be fun. Follow our ideas!
1) Gratitude Journal It is a personal diary in which you write what you are grateful for. It can be a list with 3 to 10 items or it can be your reflections in text form. Writing has a great liberating power, so it can have a very strong positive impact.
“Since I began to thank for everything, however small the thing may seem, more things come to thank. Gratitude begets gratitude! At first, it seems superficial. But after practicing it for a while it goes deeper and you start to feel a lot of gratitude!” Ariane Fernanda Koehler
“I started writing a Gratitude Journal without high expectations. Gradually I realized how good it made me feel, to stop and reflect a few moments about so many good things that happen to us every day. I notice that it's always the small things that make me grateful. It's the cloudless sky of autumn, the unexpected embrace, the smell of coffee... Always simple things." Vânia Lacerda
Photo: Ariane Fernanda Koehl
Photo: Vania Lacerda
Photo: Clรกudia Ribeiro
2) Letters or Postcards of "Thank You" In Canada this practice is very common. I was even counseled to, after going to job interviews, deliverer a "Thank you" postcard in appreciation for the time that person provided in receiving me and reviewing my resume. This practice can be updated through emails or messages to people you love or feel grateful for. It can be a simple comment or feedback to the author of the book or post you read.
3) Gratitude Jar You write the reason you are grateful for in a piece of paper and place it inside a jar. Then, after a while, you can pick up one little piece of paper from the jar and remember something you were very thankful!
Fotografia: Rebecca Henley
4) Gratitude Box Like the jar, the box follows the same process.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always had my gratitude jar but when I was diagnosed with the invasive stage 2 breast cancer in 2014, I discovered that I had so much more to be grateful for... I would add something to my jar for what I really felt grateful after every passing day... I filled my jar more and more, and that's when I found this box, which spoke to me... from then on, when my jar of gratitude filled, I began to use this box... I still use my jar of gratitude (in the photo) because there is always something to thank... Maybe I need to sometimes think a little more, but there is always something you can feel grateful for ... Rebecca Henley www.becsmahsd.com
5) Photography Project My Morning View is a perfect example of daily gratitude through photography performed with the mobile phone. This is the project of Tammy Strobel in which she unites the two passions (coffee and open air) she had in common with her deceased stepfather Mahlon. The project remains, but it has already become a book in which she shares her story, photography tips and a small tutorial. According to the book's description, Tammy reminds us that: "even when everything seems to be falling apart, we can find beauty and practice gratitude every day".
6) Mind Power Our mind has a strong power. What you say, you believe and attract. The more you are grateful the more situations arise to thank. Try it! Repeat throughout your day that you are grateful. Try doing this exercise as soon as you wake up in the morning or moments before bed.
"Today I feel grateful for "
Gratitude: the Trick! The USC (University of Southern California) conducted a study on the practice of writing a gratitude journal. For 10 weeks each group had a different mission. The first should write about five generalist things for which they felt grateful. The second should choose one topic per day and write five things about it. The third should write about how they felt better than other people. Group two, responsible for writing five sentences about something specific, was the one that got the best results: more exalting, excited and alert than the other groups, as well as less sad, tired or apathetic. Marie Forleo summarizes this study with the expression "details equal dividends". With this in mind, I decided to write and share on the next page my five sentences of gratitude about MOS Magazine.
Fรกtima Teixeira, founder of MOS Magazine, pianist, conductor and teacher of music, adept of minimalism, always in search of simplicity with practical results applicable to daily life.
1) I'm grateful for the readers who were inspired and sent us wonderful feedback about our content. 2) I am grateful to have the time and knowledge to produce a beautiful and inspiring material on a theme that I love: minimalism 3) I am grateful for this magazine allowing me to combine the professional life with the family, taking care of my baby full time while working from home in the free moments 4) I am so grateful for the people I met through the magazine and who have already become important in my friendship cycle 5) I have no words to express how grateful I am for all the contacts and partnerships made during this first year of the magazine. They were enriching!
Fรกtima Teixeira
Undoubtedly, I'm grateful for:
Checklist For:
November and December Reflect... I am grateful for... (page 17) Create moments of simplicity (inspiration: pages 40-43) Thank everyone who worked so you could feed yourself for two or three meals (inspiration: pages 52-53) Prepare the recipe oatmeal and banana pancakes (inspiration: pages 74-75) My Suggestions:
ORGANIZATION
A place to thank
Source of the Image: Urban Outfitters
Today life is so chaotic that we often can not stop, relax, and thank for everything good that happens to us isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it? Is it true that we can do this anywhere, but to make it a routine how about space only intended for this? Do you know that little corner of your house that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know really know what to do with it? We can turn it into a real corner of relaxation and gratitude. Follow our tips on how to do it in your home.
Where to do: The place doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter as long as it is a corner that feels good, and gives you peace of mind, a good tip is to avoid places that are too close to televisions or computers, or even close to places that
people pass
through or with a lot of noise.
Where to start: Start by delimiting the floor, so it becomes easier to set your corner apart and it gets cozier; you can use a rug, a blanket, a mat or even a cushion.
What to put there? A small table, a bench, or a shelf to place items that are important to you, such as photos of your family, pictures that represent your beliefs, objects that have important meaning, in order to make you feel good.
What about the light? Some candles, a lamp or a lamp with a more precise light that allows you to illuminate only that corner are some of the items that help create that pleasant climate so you can relax and thank.
Final touches: Plants, flowers or a water fountain will make your room even more relaxing, choose one of them and finalize your space with a golden key.
Mariana von Kruger, designer de interiores, atua no Brasil, Estados Unidos, Itália e Portugal. Ousada e criativa sempre à procura de soluções de design.
SHARING
Donation Try making a donation to a charity as a gift!
Other ideas: - Gratitude Jar - Creme made by you - Homemade Jams - Household Soaps Homemade Candles
Custom T--shirts Enjoy local businesses and order a custom t-shirt! The Ovelhinha Acelerada suggests this idea for mother and daughter! The idea extends to boxes, suitcases, necklaces and other crafted products!
Suggestions of Gifts! Reusable Diapers â&#x201A;Ź45 An essential article, since the birth of the baby, with all the ease and absorption of a disposable diaper in a reusable option with a more sustainable life cycle. Extremely comfortable, absorbent and adjustable, it has a unique size (from 2.70 to 15.90 kg), which makes it possible to use the same diaper since birth.
Custom Cushion â&#x201A;Ź19,99 Cushion 45x45cm, different front and back, with SNUGme design or option to customize with a special sentence. A very personal and useful gift
Tickets or Gift Cards Tickets to go to the movies, theater, travel ... or even gift cards from iTunes, NetFlix or others... you offer a value and the receiver can choose how to use that money
Voucher: Relaxation Massage Variable Price Because caring for yourself is not a luxury, the Lotus Hands space promotes the continuous well-being, beauty, and health of their customers and friends.
Ebook: Como ser Free Lancer â&#x201A;Ź19,99 Being a freelancer is a way to find fulfillment and professional happiness. This ebook provides step-by-step instructions on how to find a freelance activity that will allow you to have happiness and professional fulfillment from scratch! (in Portuguese)
Get the Full Issue for $2.99 Or subscribe: 6 months = $7.99 (3 issues) 1 year = $14.99 (6 issues)
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CecĂlia Almeida, photographer by passion. Seeks to capture expressions that come from the heart and that tattoo in time images that perpetuate in our memory.
MINIMALISM
Minimalism and nomadism: what I learned as a freelancer Let's start by giving you the whole context: I work remotely as a freelancer. Generally speaking, I do not need to be in an office, not even in a city or country, to work. My job just needs a quality internet connection and this, nowadays, is possible to be found anywhere in the world. Today I live in California, in the socalled Silicon Valley, but since becoming a freelancer I have been through Germany, Hungary, Spain, France, Portugal,
among others. As a freelancer and remote worker, who has to look for my own clients and be a "do everything" within my own activity, I learned a lot. I learned to establish more human contacts with my clients and I learned to know myself very well, because when working individually if I do not know what kind of professional and person I am, how can I work well with myself?
Of course, the fact that I moved regularly brought me the question of detachment. Detachment was one of the first things I learned as a freelancer, at a time when I needed to invest in some tools and had no money for it. I started selling items that I had and that were not essential to me. I learned to acquire only what I really needed to achieve my main goal: to work while traveling. Minimalism turned out to be a learning process associated with all this. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it was an easy process: I lived alone in Paris and loved having hundreds of clothing and accessories. I also spent a lot of money on books I sometimes did not even read: it was just the pleasure of buying. And when I started working remotely and traveling, taking my home on my back, that changed. It was difficult, but it was the best experience that could have happened to me. Today I have a house again, what I call my base (because end up traveling whenever I can). I live with a person who, like me, knows that one of the great reasons for full happiness is to have the time, the disposition, and the energy to enjoy the things that make us really happy. And one way to have these three aspects is, without a doubt, to have a house in which each object has a direct
connection with our goals and values. It has to have an objective, a value of its own and should not only be there "because yes". Today every purchase I make, I try to always be conscious. "What value will this object, mobile or article add to my happiness?" If I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quickly come up with an answer, it is because I do not really need that object. My life and my job fit into a backpack. How many of us can say that, without having to get involved in yard sales or throwing half of the house away? I do not appeal to extreme minimalism like living alone with a chair and a table. But I defend that full happiness is directly associated with the value that we give, and we deposit in the objects that cohabit with us every day. Do you have the notion that we spend many hours at home, surrounded by everything we have? If they do not convey importance and value... they only consume these values. And that is terrible. Be happy, look around and think: having only one bag for the rest of your life, what would you put in it? That's the answer you need.
Krystel Leal, freelancer in digital marketing and founder of Nomadismo Digital Portugal, passionate about words and writing and with an active love for entrepreneurship.
MINIMALISM
Living with the essentials in a campervan
When I left Brazil to live my dream of living in Australia, I had to decide what I would take in only two bags with a maximum of 46 kg. It was a very painful process, I remember taking almost a month to decide what I should take. I was distressed at the thought of having to decide between the things that would go to Australia and those that would stay in Brazil. When the day of the trip arrived I moved to the other side of the globe with only 10% of the things I had. In Australia, I bought everything again: clothes, accessories, household
items, etc. In a short time my house, which had 3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, was already full of things in every room. It had a closet too. I do not forget the joy I felt of think of having a wardrobe the size of a small room. After six months of living in the new house, my husband convinced me that we should have the experience of living in a campervan (a type of camping van) and adopt a minimalist life. There I went to get rid of
everything! And this time, I could not even carry the 46 kg of suitcase... I should only keep around 15 kg of clothes and shoes, plus some kitchen items, two changes of bedding, two bath towels, and some books.
feeling of getting rid of my things. There were a few loose tears; many times my husband looked at me patiently trying to understand my crying. It was really hard to decide what was essential to me, but as I became more aware of the process, I was relieved. Every item that was sold or donated made me feel lighter. I began to improve in the process of detachment. I started to look at the things that remained and feeling grateful for them to be there, because, if they had stayed, they were truly important to me. The truth is that for years things owned me and I did not own things. They stole my time and much of my productive energy. I spent my time buying, tidying, organizing and cleaning. I was held hostage. Today I consider myself a minimalist and what I gained the most being like this was time to figure out my dreams. Simplifying life made me lighter. I do not intend to live forever in a campervan, but it was this radical experience that brought me here. That's where I learned to appreciate the value of time and to understand that for a life to be more productive it needs to be simplified. Living with the essentials is the passport to a lighter and happier life.
Cibele Stefani, lifecoach, astrologist and yoga teacher, opted for minimalism and today leads a lighter and much more productive life.
Again, I experienced that desperate
MINIMALISM
From Love...
to pampering
and details
Recently I got married on the countryside and decided to do something more intimate, for a few guests, with a decoration a little different than the usual in weddings. I made handmade paper flowers because I wanted something more meaningful, which printed a bit of our personality, and also because I find an aggression to nature and a waste of money to use natural flowers, considering that after the wedding everything goes to waste.
In the decoration I used some recycled items like: cans, bottles and glasses and to give a cleaner look; white was the predominant color in flowers, towels, and lamps. The idea since the beginning of the wedding planning was to make it even more striking in the construction of our history and also in the memory of our guests, so in addition to customizing the decoration, the invitation boxes of the godfathers were handmade and contained gourmet sweet treats, along with accessories to wear on the day of the ceremony. The invitation was divided into two parts, a printed part delivered in an artisan envelope, which contained a QR Code directing the guests to our wedding site, and, on the site, there was a part in audio with a playful story talking about us. This allowed for a verbal finalization of the invitation and made it more intimate through the audio. To close our wedding with a sweet memory we made an edible souvenir packed in a delicate canister.
I can say that it was very worth every minute of dedication to make our dream come true and I am very happy to have the honor and privilege of sharing a little bit of all this in the Master of Simplicity Magazine! Thank you Fátima Teixeira!
“Transform yourself, free yourself and make your wishes come true!”
Vânia Costa, personal transformation coach inspired by love and creativity; moved by the power of personal transformation to meaningful human achievements.
SIMPLICITY
Creating moments! by Catarina Agostinho
Gratitude is the greatest treasure that all men can find, and it is within reach of everyone. Just open your heart, stop, breathe, deliver, accept, and trust. Then just let this noble feeling take over and move you. And never forget, It is what we are and not what we have, that enriches us.
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1) Grateful for the comfort and joy that my home brings me. 2) Grateful for being able to contemplate nature. 3) Grateful for having the privilege of sharing my days with an extraordinary person. 4) Grateful for making my first meal of the day unhurried every day. 5) Grateful for the wonderful energy I feel inside my home. 6) Grateful for the food that the earth gives me so generously. 7) Grateful for living near the sea.
Catarina Agostinho works in the optics field, but it is through Yoga, meditation, and all her inner work that she has changed her view of herself and everything around her.
Pictures kindly provided by the author of this article
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INTERVIEW
Shyla Hutchison is a homeschooling mother to 8. She's been married to her high school sweetheart for twenty years and lives in the rolling hills of TN. In her free time she can be found dreaming up organization plans, reading anything she can get her hands on, and longing for her next trip to the beach.
...continuation of the previous edition... MASTER OF SIMPLICITY: What kind of strategies do you use to keep everything organized? SHYLA HUTCHISON: I've developed a plethora of organizational strategies over the years, and some of those look different now than they did when I had a houseful of babies, toddlers, and younger kids. I love organizing and planning and making things look lovely. My mantra is to just keep.it.simple whatever that looks like in your life. My brand of minimalism is going to look different than yours; what looks minimal for 10 people is going to look a lot different than what looks minimal for 4! My overall strategy is really to just think about what tasks and things in my environment that I get hung up on and brainstorm ways to eliminate those challenges. When I walk into a room or open a cabinet I notice what frustrates me, what bugs me; does something annoy me or weigh me down? What can I do to achieve a peaceful and satisfied feeling? Identifying that is how I approach organization, simplicity, and minimalism. For us, one example is that we have a family laundry room/closet. One wall in my laundry room is all shelves. Each person has a basket that holds their socks and undies. Next to the basket is where all their clothes go. I buy one kind of sock for each kid so I don't have to worry about matching socks - they can just grab two out of the basket and they know they will match. The clothes come straight out of the dryer and I fold
them and put them onto their shelves; no more "putting away the laundry" and I never have laundry piled up on the bed, floor, or couch. We have clothes that are mix and match so the younger kids (and myself!) don't have to spend time putting outfits together. Each kid has a stack of pants, shorts, short sleeves, long sleeves/jackets. If the stack gets too tall the chances are they have too much stuff in that category. They each have a shoe basket and for the most part each kid has a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of flip flops/sandals, and a pair of boots. We also have a couple of baskets labeled sports. When I wash their various dance/soccer/etc. items I put them into that basket so when they are getting ready they know exactly where to find their uniforms. That's the pared down version of how I keep clothes simple and easy for 10 people. My laundry is faster and easier than many of my friends that only have a couple of kids! There is a little variation, after all I have 4 teenagers that have definite opinions on clothing and money to spend as they please. And some of my kids want their clothes in their room. I say if they want to deal with taking it up and putting it away, be my guest! Three of my kids actually do this on a regular basis - those are my super organized/detailed kids. I'm also a huge KonMari fan when it comes to clothing. If I don't like it and/ or they don't like it, and especially if it's something they never chooseâ&#x20AC;Śout it goes! No one wants to deal with clothes falling over or stuffing things into a pile.
falling over or stuffing things into a pile. I employ this thought process when it comes to purchases, also. Do they need it? Will they actually choose it over what they already have? Before I purchase something I try to think about what it will cost in terms of time and energy. My kids know the donation bin lives in the back of my closet and that I have no qualms about using it. They've grown up knowing that random stuff, say from birthday party favors to all the stuff that just seems to appear, quickly goes into the donation bin. They've all grown up with monthly, if not weekly
put them, but also having that process be easy. Cleaning products in a basket on each floor that can easily be grabbed and taken from room to room. They are all normal, common-sense ideas, and they truly do make life easier. Our minds are so flooded with information overload that minimizing the amount of minidecisions/problem solving that are always bombarding us just helps relieve some of that. Lastly, two of the most freeing and effective strategies I use come straight from The Minimalists. The first one is the 90/90 Rule. If you haven't used it in 90
"Growing up with a "enjoy it momentarily and then it goes to someone else (...)" has made it easy for them to hold things lightly." trips to the local donation drop off. It's just our way of life. Growing up with a "enjoy it momentarily and then it goes to someone else that can get some fun out of it" mentality has made it easy for them to hold things lightly. A few other tricks that help us are things like having matching towels and washcloths in all the bathrooms so restocking isn't complicated. Matching twin sheets and pillow cases on all the beds. A rotating job chart. Drawers and cabinets that are not full and everything is easily accessible. Using water bottles and food containers that are the same so we don't have frustration finding matching pieces. Scheduled deliveries of non-perishables and online grocery ordering and pick up of perishables. Only keeping toys that are played with regularly and having not only a place to
days and you won't use it in 90 days, seriously consider if it's worth your time and space to hold on to. Can someone else get more value from it? Sometimes viewing letting go of something through this lens can make a decision easier. But my favorite rule is definitely the "Just In Case" rule, also called the 20/20 rule. Are you holding onto something "just in case?" If you can easily replace it in 20 minutes or less for less than $20, than more than likely you don't really need to have it taking up space in your house. I actually apply this rule more broadly. I'm a little more generous with the cost and I don't feel the need to be able to get it in twenty minutes, but you get the point. You would be amazed at how much this one "rule" allows you let go of. Put those two rules together and you've made a very significant move toward minimalism!
M.O.S.: When and how did you become a minimalist? S. H.: I've had minimalism as well as OCD tendencies as long as I can remember. I grew up in a really dysfunctional family that could've also been featured on Hoarders. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was profoundly impacted by those circumstances. Honestly, it's only in the last five years I've really begun to understand myself in light of my childhood. It's brought a lot of freedom and understanding, as well as a lot of introspection. I'm very introverted, and I'm also a high contemplator. It's really only in the last six months, though, that I've really embraced minimalism holistically. It's like I went from one level to another over the summer. I'm still working on taking it to an even deeper level in my life so I can really continue to make space for what really matters to me. And like most fundamental change it's not an overnight process. Especially
when I'm being intentional to make those changes while still being present for my family and changing in ways that bring life to all sides. I hesitate to even really call myself a minimalist - maybe a minimalist at heart and a minimalist in progress.
In the previous issue of the magazine (September / October) Shyla shares how minimalism has benefited her family and reveals if any of her 8 children already became a minimalist! You can contact Shyla through her email: motheringingrace@gmail.com
ORGANIZATION
Organization x Gratitude A few years ago I dedicated myself to the organization service. The biggest feeling I have when I finish a project is GRATITUDE! I am grateful for providing my clients with quality of life! I'm sure of how grateful they are for the transformations. Gratitude enriches us. The more grateful we are, the more blessed we will be!
BEFORE
Recently, I was organizing a residence, my job was to organize the lockers of an elderly couple who had been traveling for two months, and the daughters decided to make a surprise. The Lady is a hoarder and is going through a depression. The husband, on the other hand, barely had any space in the closet that he could call his own. My challenge was to discard of what was unnecessary and organize what was needed, to make it easier for the couple. During the process of organization, amidst clothing and objects, I found money in various places, they had notes in Reais, Dollars and Euros, they were old, moldy and stained with paint, due to being forgotten for so long. I found jewels that the family had given up finding, old and priceless, they had belonged to a (grandmother, greatgrandmother). Conclusion: The result of the organization was surprising, but seeing the satisfaction and gratitude of the family in finding those jewels and the money they did not remember, is priceless.
AFTER
Make a space in your home, a place for you to spend some time relaxing, meditating and thanking. Decorate with a piece that brings you good memories and try to listen to a song that brings you the words of life. Have a notebook and pen, and note everything that brought you gratitude during the day, use it to meditate. Try to be in this place for a little time every day, and be grateful to God, to life, to health, to work, and to the struggles, after all, there are no victories without battles, and gratitude is the source of wisdom. Be grateful for little and when you realize it you will be grateful for everything.
Rosangela Aggio. Founder of Organiza Sim, Environmental Management, Interior Design, Personal Organizer, Instructor of organization course and Jewelry workshop.
Fotografias gentilmente cedidas pela autora
"I had lunch and felt very grateful to be able to drink a fresh, natural juice. We live in a moment where everyone just wants to take advantage of each other, sometimes charging more when we ask for the bill in a restaurant. But having lunch in a restaurant that offers you healthy food and still making you feel grateful for lunch, is priceless." by Rosangela Aggio
www.naturaljardim.com.br
BEM ESTAR
Gratitude
begins in the plate
For most of my life, I ate the way everyone around me did: lots of meat and dairy products, lots of fat, and I swallowed food without thinking about it, just chewed and ate until I was stuffed while watching television. Since a while back, I started to bring consciousness to the table. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Many of us do not think about what is behind our food. For your meals to come to you, imagine how many people and living things have participated in the process! Farmers, transporters, vendors, insect pollinators, water, soil, sun, air. All these beings and elements allow you to feed yourself daily. That is, you never eat alone. Choosing a natural diet, based on fruits and vegetables has transformed my body, my mind and my emotions. If before it was difficult to feel empathy, today it is difficult not to feel it. If before I did not think about the way and the hands that touched my food before me, nowadays I think about it. Nature is powerful and can awaken in you the most pure and beautiful feelings that a human being can feel. Try to choose just one of your three or four meals a day to simply thank all the unknown beings and people who worked for you to feed. Turning food into a sacred ritual is a habit that will transform your life and your relationship with food. I can assure you this, for it has transformed mine. Food can be an act of love, caring for oneself, and even a political act. What you put on the plate can teach you a lot about empathy, happiness and gratitude. We literally are what we eat and the quality and vibrancy of the food matters a lot. What do you choose to be today?
Lorena Ventura, lifestyle coach, holistic therapist and event facilitator, nature lover, seeks to bring awareness to all areas of life.
WELLNESS
Gratitude:
the antidote to fear and anger Is gratitude a natural feeling? If it is true that it is the fuel of happiness, and allows us to manage emotions such as fear and anger, how can we cultivate it? It all starts with the fact that many of us do not realize that, in any situation in life, it is possible to choose. By becoming aware of this, we can learn to turn off the autopilot and pause. With it, we make time to choose gratitude. It is almost always after a loss that we realize what we have. But it is neither necessary nor desirable to wait for it in order to value everything we have! We can, right now, stop and make a list of the many things we can be grateful for. Starting with the people we love, going through the ceiling that covers us and ending in the dreams we can have and our beating heart, who beats, tireless, thousands of times a day. All of this is not guaranteed, although in Western societies we often think so. And, they are often the ones who tend to forget what is truly essential. Practicing gratitude is a habit we can create and strengthen. First, consciously and intentionally, paying attention with all the senses. Then, gratitude will color our way of being in life, bringing us balance, joy, and well-being.
Claudia P. Weber, coach and trainer, lives between Portugal and Germany, where she accompanies people in their journey in search of balance and simplicity.
WELLNESS
Use the heart for decision-making Nowadays, making a decision requires knowing how to choose between alternatives, acting either in a rational or emotional way. In any case, we control our urges to act coherently, thus creating various conflicts between emotions and reason. These impulses often come from the courage we nurture to the realization of a need or purpose to achieve our goals. The word "courage" has its origin in the Latin "Coraticum" that literally means: action of the heart; it is believed that is where the courage is allocated. The imprisoned emotional energy can literally contract the heart, symbol of love and sexual desire. According to the psychoanalyst Dr. Alexander Lowen, the connection between love and heart is much more than symbolic: it is real. Repressed emotions ,especially unresolved sexual conflicts, and deep psychic sorrows can, in fact, stiffen the chest so much that it becomes as rigid as a breastplate. Two of the pioneers of Positive Psychology, after years of research in more than 70 countries, Martin Seligman and Peterson, identified six universal virtues: 1) Wisdom and knowledge; 2) Courage; 3) Humanity; 4) Justice; 5) Temperance and, 6) Transcendence. Each virtue is related to a group of forces. I highlight the Virtue of Transcendence that includes: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor and spirituality.
The virtue of courage can be attained when we exhibit behaviors typical of bravery, persistence, integrity, or vitality. We are not wise, courageous, or righteous just because we tell people who we are, but because our behavior expresses the forces that manifest these virtues. Making a decision is to give in to love, to have courage and to balance your emotion with your behavior. As the Indian Master Osho would say "opt for what makes your heart vibrate... despite all the consequences."
Maisa Sodre (Prem Sundari), coach, therapist and meditation facilitator, founder of the project Flor e Ser. She believes Believe in welfare and in the beautiful.
WELLNESS
Feel Gratitude In an age when the quest for instantaneous and immediate pleasure is the compass that guides us, gratitude can be challenging.
Gratitude is a state of being, which is felt, to a greater or lesser degree, depending on what we pay the closest attention to. Focusing daily on what we feel we lack, using our time to think, feel, and speak about what we do not have or do not want is the most effective way to distance ourselves from the practice of gratitude. The lack of conscious presence in which we live most of our time holds us hostage to a cycle of vicious and limiting thoughts that promote a sense of the absence of almost everything and the presence of almost nothing. As we repeat this cycle, we unconsciously feed into ourselves a sense of scarcity, dissatisfaction, and total disconnection. Gratitude is a state that calls for awareness, presence. You must know how to be, before you know how to do and how to know! It is necessary to know how to create, in our day and age, a window for the practice of a conscious presence, an exercise of stopping, to reestablish the connection, that allows us to observe everything that, being important, we unconsciously ignore or devalue, when we place all our focus on absence. It is necessary to know how to break the unconscious cycle in which we walk, to gain access to emotional states more enabling and more aligned with our essence because it is in this connection, inner and personal, that we make possible access to emotion, feeling and Being Grateful!
Cristina Ramos, trainer & personal power coach, promotes the transformation of limiting experiences in places of greater connection with personal power.
WELLNESS
Create to be Happy The Create to be Happy is a brand of wood craftsmanship with a genuine taste for nature. From kitchen tables to wall clocks, it combines pyrography and the possibility to make dreams come true in wood.
I am fortunate to have been born and raised in a village, to have the woods to play and to explore. For me, Create to be Happy started to take form early on. In my grandfather's house, carpenter by profession, there were so many worlds to create and imagine in wood. And I grew up.
The flower bloomed as I picked up a slice of a log, pyrographed it and heard my father say "Let's make a table for your mother with that piece of log!" - suddenly everything made sense.
Fotografia por: Create to be Happy; Alma de Alecrim; Miguel Matos
The Create to be Happy process is completely handcrafted - from going to the sawmill and selecting the best wood for each type of piece; cutting each piece manually, the sanding, and all the necessary treatment; until the pyrography. Nature is the main inspiration of Create to be Happy, there is always the use and reuse of condemned wood, thus making each product a gesture of love and specially thought to bring happiness and joy to you. Sara Silva, designer, passionate about what she does. She decided to launch Create to be Happy when she realized that the bliss to create had to be shared.
SUSTAINABILITY
2030 Agenda
Roadmap for a sustainable development
On September 25, 2015, at the United Nations (UN) Summit on Sustainable Development (SD) held in New York, 193 member states adopted resolution A / RES / 70/1: "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". After two years of global society participation, humankind, represented by its leaders, made a universal commitment to build a peaceful, just, solidary, and sustainable world by 2030. The 2030 Agenda is unequivocally anchored in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of the
United Nations and the Declaration on the Right to Development. It is a call for action, a global and universal plan of action for the "people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships", consisting of 17 universal, indivisible and integrative objectives with 169 targets that meet the three dimensions of SD: social, economic and environmental. It is not a rich country agenda for poor countries; from the developed to underdeveloped countries; from the countries of the northern hemisphere to the countries of the southern hemisphere.
In our daily lives we take on and comply with SD objectives and goals through a holistic approach. As all objectives are universal, integrated, indivisible, and balance the three dimensions of SD, there are no watertight objectives that we can fulfill separately. When one of us accomplishes one goal the SD is simultaneously fulfilling many others. For example, when we adopt Minimalism (as a philosophy of life that prioritizes the essentials), promoting sustainable purchasing practices, informing, and sensitizing people to
lifestyles in harmony with nature, thereby reducing the per-capita negative environmental impact of cities air quality and municipal waste management, we simultaneously meet targets for various objectives, namely Objective 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, and Objective 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities. We must look at 2030 Agenda as a real opportunity to build a possible better world! More information available here.
Eduarda Castro, Lawyer, Post-Graduation in Alternative Dispute Resolution, with Specialization in Criminal Mediation, Graduate in School Mediation, currently has a research scholarship in the area of Sustainable Development.
SUSTENTAINABILITY
Rebento
for a more sustainable and conscious world
Rebento is a Portuguese online childcare store dedicated to promoting ecological and natural awareness for parents looking for more sustainable options for themselves and their baby.
The choice of the best materials and articles
All of Rebentoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s articles are handpicked by Rita Rosa, founder of the brand. The main concern is to find the healthiest and most sustainable options for both the baby and the parents. From organic cotton clothing, to bamboo brushes or to appropriate laundry products, Rebento is a unique stop to find light and natural childcare articles.
With products that meet the needs from pregnancy to the first years of life, Rebento was concerned from the beginning to ensure that all its brands are certified by reputable and demanding entities.
A happy baby is the result of happy and aware parents. More than a simple shop, Rebento is also a partner and organizer of various events and workshops, dedicated to parents who seek to know more about how to be a parent in harmony with the environment. From the reusable diaper workshops to events dedicated to babywearing or healthy eating, in Rebento, it is believed that the happiness and well-being of the baby go a long way in connecting with parents and the respect for this great house that is the our planet.
"For me, Rebento means sharing a path that I travel myself as mother and wife. I seek daily solutions that help me to get closer to the mother and model I want to be for my child, along with practices aligned with a parenting and day-to-day, more conscious, positive, sustainable and healthy." Rita Rosa, founder of Rebento
Rita Rosa, mother, entrepreneur in love with healthy eating, alternative pedagogical models and nature. Founder of Rebento, a project where she seeks to combine these values to parenting.
Fotografias gentilmente cedidas pela Rebento
Workshops
EVENTS
WORKSHOP: LIVING: HEAR YOUR HEART FOR DECISION MAKING by Maisa Sodré (Prem Sundari) November 11th, 2017 from 9 to 12am São Caetano do Sul, Brazil - Investiment: R$ 80 Stimulate emotions that elevate well-being, connecting to a higher purpose and to something that gives meaning to your life. Connect with your love and compassion when making decisions. Conduct the process of intentional change so that you are better prepared to make good choices and ensure effectiveness and satisfaction with life. Contemplate the role of positive and negative emotions in the process of change aiming at engagement with much more enthusiasm.
WORKSHOP: FINANCIAL STRATEGY FOR A SIMPLE LIFE by Caio Huck Spirandelli e Thiago Neves Moreno November 18th, 2017 December 9th, 2017 Itatiba (SP), Brazil São Paulo, Brazil from 2 to 7pm - Investiment: R$ 85 "The focus of this workshop is to expose how managing your money and having a simpler life are closely linked. Basic concepts of economics will be explained in a didactic way and how they apply to daily life, so that the participant leaves with clear ideas of how he/she can begin his/her journey in building a simpler life without running over fundamental financial issues."
WORKSHOP: REUSABLE DIAPERS by Ana Monteiro, Rebento consultant. November 25th, 2017 from 4 to 6pm Fnac do Algarveshoping na Guia, Portugal - Gratuito. "A theoretical-practical workshop for families who want to start in the world of reusable diapers! We will cover the main topics and clarify all doubts so that you can start a healthier tomorrow f or your baby and the planet! What are reusable diapers and what are their advantages? What kind of diapers and accessories are there and what are the characteristics of each system? How to use at home and on walks? How to wash and how to take care? Ebook support material are offered."
WORKSHOP: JEWELERY AND JEWELRY ORGANIZATION by Rosangela Aggio December 8th, 2017 from 1 to 5pm Vila Alexandria, São Paulo, Brazil - Contact: +55 11 37746606
RECIPE
Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes Ingredients 1 banana 1 cup whole oat flakes 1/2 cup of vegetable milk (soy, oats, rice ...) 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 nuts 1 teaspoon of jelly Fruit Grind the oat flakes until they make a flour. Mix in the crushed banana, vegetable drink and olive oil. Stir well. Put a portion of dough in a non-stick skillet. When the pancake begins to form bubbles on the surface, turn and let it cook on the other side. Serve with fruit, nuts and jelly.
After a good night's sleep it is so good to wake up, thanking for another good day, and giving our body an appetizing meal.
TIPFruits,
whole grains and nuts are part of this breakfast, providing us with energy, protein, good fats, vitamins and minerals. They are a great way to nourish us in the morning.
Diana Pereira, trainer and consultant of vegetarian and healthy food, lover of nature and the simple things of life.
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