In this issue:

1) Welcome Letter by Dream Walker
2) Natural skin care and bath salts by Pat Valle
3) I Hope You Dance
4) Expectations by Robert Taylor
5) Valentine's Day Again, Yippee! by Regena English
6) The Art of Gratefulness by Michael Angier
7) Topaz by Stephanie Pflumm

<<:::>><<:::>><<:::>>

Welcome Letter
by Dream Walker

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope that your Valentine's day 
is all that you are hoping it will be. Just in case it's 
not, I have included a couple of articles to help you with 
that! I personally feel that the day is greatly over-rated, 
and that it puts a lot of pressure on people to be in a 
relationship just to "have someone" on February 14th. 
If we are alone, we feel as if we are missing something 
important, or that we are somehow failures. Hello...
it's just a day. Florists, candy-makers, jewelers and card 
shops are the brains behind this one.
I received a wonderful present this past week from my friend
Deborah. She is such a loving and thoughtful person. It is 
a book, along with a CD of the song, "I Hope You Dance". I 
was so touched by the words to this song, I included it this 
week.
I want to include a special congratulations to my friend Annie, 
who recently became a member or the Cherokee Wolf Clan, and
is now a registered Cherokee! O-Si-Yo, Annie, and welcome.
If any of you have some American Indian ancestry but can not
prove it to the government's satisfaction, you should check 
out the website for the Cherokee Wolf Clan. They are a 
wonderful group of people in Yuma, Tennessee. They will
accept people into the Tribe with less documentation than is
usually required by Tribes. It is a wonderful feeling for all
us mixed-bloods out there to finally be accepted. Their site
is at http://www.cherokeewolfclan.org  Tell them Dream Walker
sent you!
May your week be filled with wonder and blessings. I hope
you dance. 

<<:::>><<:::>><<:::>>

Natural skin care and bath salts
by Pat Valle

Natural products can be made at home very easily and make wonderful gifts for family and friends. Most of these products take very little effort and the ingredients can be found in most health food stores or craft stores.

Bath salts are easy fast and easy to make and can be stored in glass or plastic containers with lids. The recipe calls for 1 cup of dead sea salts or course salt found in health food stores, 1 cup of epsom salts and 1/4 cup of baking soda and essential oils. Below are some recipes for bath salts.

Cold and Flu Bath:
5 drops lavender oil
5 drops eucalyptus oil
2 drops peppermint oil

Relaxing Bath:
5 drops lavender oil
3 drops ylang ylang oil
2 drops rose oil

Sleep Bath:
5 drops lavender oil
3 drops chamomile oil
3 drops clary sage oil
2 drops marjoram oil
2 drops jasmine oil

Mix the salts together and slowly add the oils using a wooden or plastic spoon. Salts and oils should only be mixed in a glass bowl. Never use metal. When you have finished, put the salts into a jar with a tight lid so no moisture gets in. Use approximately 1/2 to 1 cup of the salts to warm water and soak in the bathtub for 15 to 20 minutes.

Bath oils are also very simple and helps to relax as well as soften the skin. Use 3/4 cup of jojoba or almond oil and add 3 drops of chamomile, 3 drops of ylang ylang, 2 drops clary sage and 2 drops of geranium oil. Mix well and place in a glass jar. Add 1 TBS. to bath water and enjoy. You can experiment with other oils to give you the scent that you like.

Perfumes are simple and very inexpensive to make and only require small glass spray bottles, vodka and essential oils. Fill glass bottles 3/4 way full with vodka then add any essential oil that you like or a combination of oils. Try using lemon, orange, germanium, rose, lavender, sandlewood, jasmine, grapefruit or chamomile. Other oils can be substituted also.

Body powders are very soothing and do not have talc which may cause irritation when inhaled. The recipe calls for 1 cup cornstarch, 2 TBS. baking soda, 1 cup white clay, and any essential oil. One of my favorites is revitalizing and calls for 10 drops jasmine oil and 5 drops of orange oil. Another is for men with dry skin: 10 drops sandlewood, 10 drops cedar and 5 drops vetiver oil. The last is a skin cooling powder. This calls for 1/2 tsp. peppermint oil. Dried fragrant flowers can also be added by grinding them into a powder using a coffee grinder. Lavender, chamomile and rose petals are some of the best flowers that add a lovely scent when mixed with the essential oils. The powder can be stored in powder cylinders, glass or plastic containers. Make sure the lids are tight so no moisture gets in.

To make a facial toner, you will need 1/2 cup witch hazel, 6 drops tangerine, tea tree oil, peppermint oil or lavender oil. Tangerine is used for a refreshing sensation, tea tree oil discourages blemishes, peppermint oil has stimulating effects and lavender oil is used for calming and soothing.

If you are unable to locate some of these supplies in your local stores, I've included some companies that will send out a catalog for a nominal fee.

Lavender Lane (888)593-4400 Toll-free
Angels Earth (612)698-3601
Sunburst Bottle Co. (916)348-5576

<<:::>><<:::>><<:::>>

I Hope You Dance

sung by Lee Ann Womak
Words and Music © 2000 Mark D. Sanders

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance... I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake but it's worth taking

Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance... I hope you dance

Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder
Where those years have gone

I hope you dance... I hope you dance
I hope you dance

<<:::>><<:::>><<:::>>

Expectations
by Robert Taylor

We expect people and circumstances to conform to our
desires. Is this realistic?

We have limited control over circumstances or other people.
People normally do the best they are capable of doing at
that particular moment. Circumstances and events happen
over which we have little or no control.

When we expect circumstances or people to conform to our
belief of what they should be or do we set ourselves up for
disappointment. People always have and always will do what
they consider best for themselves or in which they are most
interested.

People may not always do what is best for themselves when
they have other things which are of greater interest to
them. For instance, a Mother will make sacrifices for the
welfare of her children. An individual will make sacrifices
for a cause in which that person strongly believes.

Basically, however, we only do those things we consider to
be in our own best interest. Why should we expect others to
behave any differently?

While it is true we can force others to do things we wish
done, it is not permanent. The moment we relent they will
revert to their original nature. This is totally
ineffective and inefficient.

A better way is to set the example for others and hope they
will see it is to their advantage to emulate us. The only
way to get others to become what we wish them to be is to
show them it is truly in their best interest to do so.

When you think about it, you always do your best at those
things which hold your interest and undivided attention. We
are not interested in what we do not enjoy. But what about
pain? Pain may get our undivided attention, but our only
interest is in getting rid of it as quickly as possible.

Pain and pleasure are our greatest motivators. We will do
just about anything to rid ourselves of pain or to gain
pleasure. We put much greater effort into those things we
enjoy and which are of interest to us.

When setting our expectations we can always prefer they
happen as we wish. However, we should not be unduly
disappointed if things do not conform to our desires.

Preferring one thing to another does not set us up for as
much disappointment as when we expect one particular thing
to happen. We can always say that we would have preferred
so-and-so to happen, but since it didn't we can adjust to
the other outcomes.

What are your thoughts along these lines?

Copyright 2001 by Robert Taylor
FREE ebook Exposes Techniques and Principles Used by 10
Winners That Could Make You Rich This Year! This Massive
Collection of Winning Interviews Reveals Strategies You Can
Learn, Copy, Imitate, and Use Today! Finally, Put your
success on autopilot! Get Inside the Minds of Winners at
http://www.traffictoyoursite.com/winners.html 

<<:::>><<:::>><<:::>>

Valentine's Day Again,Yippee!
by Regena English

Ok, so you don't feel enthusiastic about Valentine's
Day as an romantically unattached person. Have you
ever thought about why it is you dread this one day 
out of the year? If you're like most, you feel awkward 
amid a sea of couples. Word to the wise, don't let 
your singleness prevent you from seeing this day as
special.

For far too long Valentine's Day has been interpreted
as a "day for lovers" or romance. Now is the time to 
turn that notion around and see it as a day of appreciation. 
Why a day of appreciation? We tend to take acts of 
kindness and generosity from others for granted, assuming 
it's their responsibility to be kind. News flash, people aren't 
required to be nice to each other.

In this era of "road rage" don't let another Valentine's 
Day pass inwhich you fail to let those softhearted people
in your life know how much you appreciate their acts of 
humanity. Write a simple letter, place a phone call, mail 
a Valentine's card, share some candy, or better yet extend 
a lunch invitation to this person (s) who saw fit to recognize 
you as someone special in this impersonal world. 

After you've shown your appreciation to others do 
something just for you. Use your imagination and do 
something really fun. Why not treat yourself to being 
chauffered to a play and dinner? Short on cash? An 
evening of pampering yourself from head to toe would 
be great. Don't spend another Valentine's Day feeling 
sorry for yourself because you're without a date. Instead, 
see it as "Appreciation Day",a day set aside to show love 
and gratitude to both yourself and others. HAPPY 
VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Regena English, the editor of The Leather Spinsters Newsletter
for happily unmarried careerwomen and the author of ebook Leather 
Spinsters and Their Degrees of Asexuality. 
http://www.leatherspinsters.com  


<<:::>><<:::>><<:::>>

The Art of Gratefulness
by Michael Angier 

The word appreciate has several meanings. One is to be thankful
or show gratitude. Another is to raise or increase in
value--such as how a good investment appreciates with time. I
think that by appreciating--practicing gratefulness--the things
we have and want in our lives also increase.

In our hectic, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to forget about the
many things for which we have to be grateful. We tend to be
goal-seeking, achievement-oriented people. 

And there’s nothing wrong with that. 

However, it’s vitally important that we not lose sight of the
things that are near and dear--things we all too easily take for
granted.

What we focus on expands. If we focus on the problems in our
lives, they tend to increase. If we focus on the good things we
already have, they too, have a tendency to grow. 

I see it as another form of prayer. When we worry and fret over
things, we make them bigger than they really are, as well as
attract more of the same. That’s negative prayer--prayer in
reverse.

Focusing on what we HAVE and what we WANT "appreciates" these
things--they grow.

Just before going to sleep each night, my wife and I share at
least three things for which we're thankful. We call it doing
our "Gratefuls". It takes only a few moments, but it directs our
thoughts on the good--on the things we wish to increase in our
life. 

I suggest making the conscious consideration of your blessings a
daily rather than yearly occurrence. If you do, you’ll find them
taking on an even greater presence.

About the author:
Michael Angier is the founder and president of Success Networks
International, publishers of SUCCESS STRATEGIES and SUCCESS
DIGEST. Success Net is an association committed to helping
people to be more knowledgeable, productive and effective. Their
mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their
best--personally and professionally. 

<<:::>><<:::>><<:::>>

Topaz
by Stephanie Pflumm

When the Greek scholar Pliny wrote that Topaz gave man strength
and protected him from poison, he might have actually been
writing about Citrine. The huge (weighs 1,680 carats) Portuguese
crown jewel, the Braganza, is a beautiful clear Topaz was
thought for a few centuries, to be a diamond. Even the origins
of the name Topaz stirs confusion. Some references point to a
Sanskrit word tapas, that means Fire. Or was it named for
Zebirget, an island in the Red Sea that the Greeks once called
Tapazius? Except that Peridot is the gem currently mined on the
island.

Today's scholars write with a higher degree certainty on the
properties and origins of the Topaz crystal. Aluminum, silicate
(Quartz), fluoride and hydroxide molecules were bonded together
during volcanic eruptions. Left to cool in pegmatite's and
granitites for thousands of year, the aluminum bonding with the
oxygen (hydroxide) formed a chain of connected octahedrons, held
together by silicate tetrahedrons, that sometimes grew into
gigantic crystals.

One of the largest Topaz ever found was a 600 pound specimen in
Brazil. You can see it today at the Museum of Natural History in
New York. A rare, perfect blue gemstone was discovered in the
Ural Mountains of Russia in 1965. It weighed 100 kilograms. In
Norway, a 137 pound crystal was found in 1901 that was two feet
long.

Its unique crystal structure makes Topaz a hard and dense
gemstone. In fact, pure clear Topaz has often been mistaken for
Diamond because of their similar density, clarity and hardness.
Topaz crystals can terminate in a variety of ways, some are
dome-shapped, pyramids, prismatic, tabular and often with
striations.

Its crystalline formation also allows the gem to hold an
electric charge for up to 30 hours. You can charge a Topaz by
rubbing it with your fingers. Some Brazilian stones acquire a
charge just by holding the ends of the crystal between your
fingertips. Heating the gem then allowing it to cool slowly
builds an electrified charge greater than any achieved with
other stones. Plus the stone will retain that energy for more
than a day after cooling down. 

Most Topaz is found in its purest form, clear. Sometimes
referred to as silver or white Topaz. Blue and green are the
rarest colors. Most commercial blue Topaz are clear crystals
that have been irradiated then heat treated to create the color.
Imperial, or golden Topaz is the second most common variety.
These stones often contain chromium and are heat-treated to
bring out a rosy-red to pink hue in the gem. Pink Topaz does
occur naturally more often than the rare blues. Still it's
always best to ask your jeweler if the stones you are
considering have been treated to enhance their color. Topaz is
found around the globe; Australia, North and South America,
Russia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Tasmania, Africa, Pakistan, Norway and
China. Tourmaline, Fluorite, Quartz and Mica are just some of
the gemstones that can occur with it.

Many ancient traditions and beliefs have created a brilliant
history for Topaz. Clear, terminated Topaz was referred to as an
iris stone because of is double refractive qualities and the way
its facets would project Light's rainbow spectrum. If worn in a
ring on the left hand, the gem was believed to restrain lustful
desires.

Egyptians thought the Imperial Topaz was the captured light of
the Sun God Ra. It was worn in amulets for protection from
accident or attacks. Greeks and Romans also associated the
golden crystals with their Sun God, Jupiter. They believed the
stone increased their strength and could neutralize enchantments.

Bushmen in Africa used Topaz in healing ceremonies and rituals
to connect with ancestral spirits. In medieval courts, Kings,
Judges and other noble persons were often presented with an
engraved Topaz to win favor and cultivate positive
relationships. Falcons were a favorite carving subject. A powder
ground into wine was believed to relieve asthma. Leaving a
crystal in wine for three days produced an elixir that was used
on the eyes to improve vision. Some beliefs held the stone could
make you invisible during moments of danger.

Today Topaz is honored as the state gemstone in Texas and Utah.
Blue Topaz is recognized as a fourth anniversary gift - Imperial
Topaz for the 23rd anniversary. It is also one of the
birthstones listed for November.

If you are on a journey of spiritual change, Topaz makes an
excellent companion. It teaches you to trust in the Universe to
guide and provide. Aiding you in fully recognizing the magical
laws of attraction and manifestation and your ability to
manipulate them. Meditations with a stone will help awaken your
sleeping gifts and illuminate your co-creative energies.

The crystal helps you become more aware of your personal world,
and the power you have to bring about positive changes. It
strengthens your confidence to make decisions that are correct
for you, giving you the fire and motivation you need to follow
through on your choices. Work with Topaz to make your dreams
your reality.

Artists may be attracted to the gemstone because it promotes
your individual creativity. Stimulating you creative energies
like a Muse, lifting your art to new levels. The crystal can be
used as an energy battery when your demanding schedule threatens
to overwhelm your day. Carrying a stone during those crazy days
will help you stay mentally alert, while protecting you from
unseen dangers that could thwart more than just your next
appointment.

The color of your crystal has some impact on the energies it can
bring. Here is a brief list of additional qualities you'll find
in different Topaz. Always be open to what you feel or hear from
your own stones as well. You may find Topaz assists you in ways
not mentioned in this or any other article. Honor and accept
that. Clear Topaz: This is a stone of confidence. Giving extra
strength to be yourself, unafraid to creatively express the
beautiful voice the Universe gave you. Helps stimulate natural
gifts.

Blue Topaz: Works with your Throat Chakra allowing you to voice
the perfect words for bringing your desires and dreams into
reality. Unites body, mind and spirit with the Universal All.

Imperial Topaz: A stone of Fire, burning with the energies of
Grandfather Sun. This is the stone that will see your goals
through, never allowing your confidence to waver, your
motivation to fail. Use the crystal for a quick charge when your
battery is low. Stimulates the first three Chakra, opens the
Crown.

Rose Topaz: Opening the base Chakra and stimulating the
Kundalini - this crystal is great for balancing the exhausting
energies of passion and power. If you are quick to anger,
carrying a rosey gemstone may help you temper and channel your
anger into productive resolutions instead of fights.

Healing traditions for Topaz still recommend the crystal for
relief from asthma and digestive problems. Patients undergoing
long convalescence may use the stone to improve stamina, helping
the body recover from its inactivity. It should help with
insomnia by warding off nightmares, unproductive thoughts and
allowing you to relax. It may promote the healing of wounds,
strengthen your back and spinal cord and possibly aid in weight
loss by raising your metabolism.

About the author:
Stephanie Pflumm is the editor and publisher of the monthly
ezine ORE FEATURES. Each issue uncovers the geology, magical
history and healing features of a different stone. Pflumm also
owns the website www.ozarkrockexchange.com