Originally published at Am I the Only One Dancing?. Please leave any comments there.

I have been so busy today completely reorganizing and categorizing the site (look, see? much easier to navigate, more relevant categories. Really nifty, if I say so myself) that I don’t have time to write a real post. So instead, I’m going to introduce you to my cool friends who make stuff. If you like it, please buy it, and support small business.

This post was originally spawned by filkertom (Tom Smith) who writes and performs filk songs (no, not folk, filk — they are based off science fiction and fantasy, done in a folk song style). What he linked to wasn’t actually his (oh, the stars, the STARS! and the link plays music, too,) but in payment for pointing me to it, I’m linking to his ‘buy stuff‘ page at his website. Making music costs time and money. Please buy his stuff or subscribe to his streams. And I dare you to watch this video without laughing:

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Originally published at Am I the Only One Dancing?. Please leave any comments there.

We’re not all made of money, but if we were, what would we have in our well-appointed kitchen? And who can we gift with these lovelies this year? I’ve provided lots of links to cool online stores with this article, but feel free to cruise Craigslist or thrift stores or garage sales, if that’s what your budget calls for, and if you’re lucky enough to have good local sources for these, by all means utilize them.

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Originally published at Am I the Only One Dancing?. Please leave any comments there.

Visualizing mindfulness (366/194 July 12, 2012) (Photo credit: ConnectIrmeli)

What is ‘everyday mindfulness’ and why do it?

Mindfulness is the state of simply being, in the present, with all of your attention in the present.  It is compatible with any spiritual or religious belief, or lack thereof. It’s both simple and difficult, and it has been found by numerous studies to be useful in a variety of situations, including easing chronic pain, depression and anxiety. It doesn’t (necessarily) involve any special equipment, can be done (nearly) anywhere. 

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