Archive for June, 2010
The Confusing World of Blinds and Shades
0If you think about it, there are probably very few homes, apartments or condominiums without some kind of window covering. And, yet, this ubiquitous household item seems to fly under just about everyone’s radar – that is until we need them.
Window treatments are not a sexy topic, let’s face. But, we all need them and I believe they are underrated and under-appreciated. It is also my experience that there is a lot of confusion about blinds or shades. There seems to be so many choices, colors, sizes, and functions. Then there are other issues like, how to measure your windows and how to install them. For the uninitiated, I imagine that selecting, purchasing and installing blinds can seem like a real pain. So people turn to professionals and end up spending much more than is necessary. This article is intended to address the most common questions and confusion points, help you get past them, be more satisfied with your purchase and hopefully even save you some money.
One of the most common areas of confusion exists in measuring, specifically height versus width versus depth. So which is which? The height of a blind or shade is how tall it is when it is fully covering the window, normally the long vertical axis of a window (up and down). A simpler way to think of this is the part of the window shade that moves up and down. This doesn’t hold true for window shutters. The width of a blind or shade is the horizontal axis of the window (side to side) and the depth is the space between the window casing and the actual window. A simple way to visualize depth is to imagine where you’d put a pie to cool in the window. All these measurements are extremely important because they will determine the finished look of the installed window treatment, as well as the functionality.
Another common issue that comes up is less about confusion but more about satisfaction, and that is ordering samples. Most window treatments retailers offer free samples so that you can see for yourself whether or not the blind, shade or shutter is the right color and how it might look in your window. This is generally a must and will reduce or eliminate any unwanted surprises.
The next common issue is, once people receive their blinds, they don’t take the time to read the instructions. Most of the manufacturers have gone to considerable effort to help you with your new purchase. I know – reading instructions can be a real drag but it is generally necessary and can often help you avoid common mistakes.
Narrowing your options will help avoid the next area of confusion. Here are some basic discovery questions that you should ask yourself before you start your process. Do you want the blind or shade to add insulation to your window? If so, consider cellular shades, or other shades with an insulating liner. Also, there are types of shutters that offer insulation. How much light do you want in your room? Do you want room darkening, blackout, or light filtering? If you want to preserve your view even when the shade is closed, consider sheer shades or solar screens. If you want room darkening, the choices are vast, from mini blinds to shutters to pleated and cellular shades. If you want true room darkening, consider roller shades or other shades with a blackout liner. You just need to know what you want in advance so you are not surprised when you install your windows.
The next two areas of confusion are measuring and installing. Measuring your blinds is easy. My advice is to go to You Tube and search for “measuring for blinds and shades. ” There are numerous helpful and simple videos that will walk you through the process. It only takes a few minutes. Installing window treatments also seems to get a bad rap. But it is much easier than you think. I was told once that if you can hang a mirror than you can install blinds. Again, I advice that you read the instructions that come with your purchase and make sure you have a few very basic tools like a screwdriver, preferably an electric screwdriver, to save your wrists. All the other parts come from the manufacturer. There are also videos on the internet that will help guide you through this process.
The last issue and point of confusion is understanding the available options. The most common option is top down/bottom up. This is a privacy option common for bathroom and bedroom windows, wherein the shade can be closed but you can let the top portion of the window down so that you let in light but people can peer into your room. Or, you can lift the bottom portion up when you just want to let in light. This is a common option for all types of shades liked pleated shades and roman shades.
Types Of Bamboo Wood Blinds
0Many people like the look of bamboo wood blinds which is why these are becoming a great hit. Not only do bamboo wood blinds look gorgeous in homes but they also help the environment by being a renewable resource that can grow in just a few weeks instead of the years it takes for some trees to mature to be able to be used for lumber. Many people wonder what types of bamboo wood blinds there are. There are two of the more common types of bamboo wood blinds that one might encounter in stores and catalogs.
Slatted Bamboo Wood Blinds
This type of slatted wood blinds is similar to Venetian blinds in both function and look. Instead of the usual plastic or metal strips that compose the Venetian blinds, there are bamboo slats. The slats are usually about two inches or so depending on the preferences of the home owner and they can be opened and closed pretty much the same way as venetian blinds.
These are convenient to clean since all you have to do is to close one side of the slats and then vacuum or wipe off the dust and dirt. Wiping with a dry cloth is recommended for maintaining the beauty of your bamboo wood blinds. For stubborn dirt that refuse to come off with a dry rag, you can try using a damp rag to wipe it off and then follow immediately with a dry rag to prevent water from seeping in.
It is best to clean you bamboo wood blinds daily to prevent the accumulation of too much dust and dirt that will need stronger methods to clean. Slatted bamboo wood blinds also come in a design where woven matchstick size bamboo pieces are placed over the slats. This type of slatted wood blind can be an interesting addition to a room.
Role Up Bamboo Wood Blinds
This type of wood blinds can be very pretty to have since they usually have patterns on them or they look beautiful as plain and elegant window décor. Unlike the slatted bamboo wood blinds, this type use very thing rounded or flat strips of bamboo which may be tied together on a piece of fabric or just tied together on their own.
The bamboo blinds are used to minimize the streaming sun and to ensure privacy. Whichever type of bamboo wood blinds you use or prefer, it may satisfy you to know that you are not only using unique blinds but you are also contributing to the safety of the environment.
If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article’s author on whites metal detector and minelab metal detector.
‘Carousel technician’ also keeps music going round
0‘Carousel technician’ also keeps music going round
Max Hurley, 63, operates – and writes for – the 1926-era Wurlitzer Band Organ, Style 165, in Glen Echo Park, one of just three in the world still making their timeless music He arrives early one steamy morning, an hour or so before opening his domain to the public, and kicks open two big doors to start ventilating the place.
Read more on Baltimore Sun
Child Dies At Daycare Due To Mini Blinds – PFWBS. ORG
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Every 2 weeks a child dies from corded window coverings. Consumers and parents are being mislead in America by the industry. The industry is telling them to feel “more confident” about window cords. Why should we feel confident in products that continue to kill children? As the weeks go by, more children in America are killed by these products. Please pass this and our website along to everyone you know. www. pfwbs. org
FORGIVENESS
0SAI BABA – âLife is song, Sing it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a sacrifice, offer it. Life is love, enjoy it. â
SAI BABA ââLife is a song, sing it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a sacrifice, offer it. Life is love, enjoy it. â
SAI BABA- âLife is song, Sing it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a sacrifice, offer it. Life is love, enjoy it. â
SAI BABA ââObstacles are like stones on the path; you walk over them or around them. Never let them upset you. â
SAI BABA: – âLife is song, Sing it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a sacrifice, offer it. Life is love, enjoy it. â
SATHYA SAI BABA ââBe eager to serve, to help, to come to the rescue of others. For this, one must cultivate Sahana (Fortitude, Equanimity). Otherwise, life will be as miserable as resting in the thick shade of a tree infested with red ants! If impatience, anger, hatred and pride overcome a person, of what avail are other accomplishments? In the firmament of the heart, the Names of God must shine as stars and the confidence arising out of the knowledge of Atma must shine like the Moon when it is full and bright. But, the fiery, ferocious poison, Shiva hides behind the blue patch on His throat. That is a lesson for man: Keep under restraint, within you, the qualities and tendencies that are anti-social, the poisonous hatreds and competitive greeds. â Â
SATHYA SAI BABA- âI preach only one religion of love for all, and this alone can integrate the human race into a brotherhood. â
SATHYA SAI BABA ââLife is a challenge, meet it! Life is a song, sing it! Life is a dream, realise it! Life is a game, play it! Life is love, enjoy it!â    Â
SATHYA SAI BABA ââNo one can liberate you, for no one has bound you; you hold on to the nettle of worldly pleasures and you weep for pain. The kite is pursued by the crows so long as it carries the fish in its beak. When it drops the fish, from that moment it is free. â
SATHYA SAI BABA ââRama is immanent in the entire cosmos. Rama is present everywhere. Hence, you have to love all, serve all. . . then one becomes eligible for Rama’s grace. â
SATHYA SAI BABA ââSome say knowledge is power, but that is not true. Character is power. â Â
SATHYA SAI BABA ââThere will also be some people who concentrate their attention on the rituals of worship and the offerings being  made, such as the breaking of coconuts, the waving of lamps and incense, and the devotion expressed through these rituals. The number of people with this kind of vision and interest will be much smaller than those who concentrate on the decorations, the dances and dramas and all the external paraphernalia associated with the festival. â    Â
SATHYA SAI BABA ââWhen we become angry, our nerves become weak and feeble and we lose grip over ourselves. Even a moment of anger takes away our strength , which we gather by eating good food for three months. Anger not only debilitates us and takes away the merit of our good deeds, but also enfeebles our condition. If we are able to control this anger, we shall be in a position to attain merit through the utterance of the Lord’s name. â Â
SATHYA SAI BABAââTo a worldly man, a God-intoxicated person will appear mad and he will laugh at him. But to the God-intoxicated man, the worldly appear insane, foolish, misled, blind. â      Â
SATYA SAI BABA- âAs close as you are to God, so close is God to you. â
SRI CHANDRASEKARENDRA SARASWATI ââOur ancients Jiave included ahimsa as one among the samanya (common) dharmas so that it will at least serve as an ideal to all. â           Â
SRI CHANDRASEKHARA BHARATI SWAMIGAL ââWe forgot that the sensual objects were pleasant and cool only like the shade under the hissing hood of an angry serpent and we sought them as capable of giving us happiness. We only enlisted ourselves on the side of Duryodhana who saw and heard the Lord in person and yet did not profit thereby. â
SRI CHANDRASEKHAREN SARASWATI ââThe religions are there to unite all the people in a feeling of unity of all the Gods. They give us a feeling that we are the children of the same Parmatma and we should live in harmony and unity a Bhava of ikya or oneness. If that comes out fruitful, there will be no quarrels in the name of the God. The animosity and hatred will disappear and there will be harmonious living â Sowjanya Bhava and peace will prevail. â
SRI CHANDRASEKHARENDRA SARASWATI ââIt is not selfishness to strive for the emancipation of oneself alone. It is selfishness if you consider yourself as a separate entity and work with the sole intention of amassing wealth, power, titles and such other benefits for yourself. But in a state of emancipation, when the entity of Self itself disappears, how can there be selfishness?â   Â
SRI CHANDRASEKHARENDRA SARASWATI ââThe samara or equal feeling in the context of yoga does not denote universal equality, but only the capacity to treat good and bad results with the same feeling. The stress is on the performance of one’s allotted duty that duty should be performed well, without thought of reward and with devotion in the heart. While performing it, the act should be dedicated to God. . . A wavering mind cannot contemplate the atman within, by which process alone the ultimate Truth can be realised. When the mind is tossed by indriyas, prajna will” go out of proper course like a ship tossed by high winds in the ocean. â
SRI CHANDRASEKHARENDRA SARASWATI ââTruths contained in Vinayaka are profound. The more we delve into it, the more there is to know. Trying to know Ganesha is like equating a spoonful of sea water to the entire ocean. â
SRI CHINMOY ââCry Within. Meditate within. Dive within. Your inner achievements will far outweigh your outer imperfections. â  Â
SRI CHINMOY ââI sing because You sing. I smile because You smile. Because You play on the flute, I have become Your flute. You play in the depths of my heart. You are mine, I am Yours: This is my sole identification. In one Form You are My Mother and Father eternal, And Consciousness-moon, Consciousness-sun all pervading. â  Â
SRI CHINMOY ââThe Upanisnads tell us that the renunciation of desire-life is the fulfilling enjoyment of world existence. This renunciation is neither self-denial nor self-rejection. This renunciation demands the transcendence of ego to breathe in freely the life-energy of the soul and yet to live a dynamic and active life in the world where one can achieve Infinity’s Height, Eternity’s Delight, and Immortality’s Light. â
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB ââBreaths are counted and with every passing day, thousands of these valuable breaths are wasted in impermanent attachment to this body and life. Attachment to this perishable body composed of five elements is futile and in vain. “Paanch tat ko tan rachio/ Jano chatar sujan/Jeh te upjio Nanaka/ Leen tahin meh maan. ” This perishable body is composed of five elements, ether, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements disintegrate and dissolve after death. Then why not remain anchored in the immortal jot, tuned with the Lord? A wise I differentiation between | matter and spirit is a I must. Only then the link of the jot with the paramjot is established and bliss experienced. â Â
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB ââLife is a dream, a delusion, whereas death is the truth and naked reality “Daatpiari visriya datara Janai nahi maran vichara” Man only loves charities and gifts and forgets the divine donor, the true Lord. Because he has conveniently forgotten the reality of death. âÂ
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB ââOvertaken by the spell of sensual attractions and pleasures, one seeks only material benefits and worldly luxuries. Thus, we remain deprived of the bliss and aura of the divine. Remembrance of death is the only safeguard. “Bol najanay may a madmata Mama cheet na aavay. ” Totally intoxicated with the wine of maya, a mortal completely forgets death and does not know what he talks about. â
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB ââThe mind obtains bliss and eternal peace, meeting with the Deep and Profound Lord. â Â
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB ââThe mind obtains bliss and eternal peace, meeting with the Deep and Profound Lord. â      Â
SRI RAMANA MAHARISHI ââYou know that you know nothing. Find out that knowledge. That is liberation, mukti. â   Â
SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI ââAbsence of thoughts does not mean a blank. There must be one to know the blank. Knowledge and ignorance are of the mind. They are born of duality But the Self is beyond knowledge and ignorance.   It is light itself.  There is no necessity to see the Self with another Self. â  Â
SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI ââBrahmaloka cannot be gained so long as there is any desire left in the person. Desirelessness alone will confer the loka on him. His desirelessness signifies the absence of the incentive for rebirth. â
SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI ââHe who is forgetful of the Self, mistaking the physical body for it, and goes through innumerable births, is just like one who wanders all over the world in a dream; and then realising the Self would only be like the waking up from the dream-wanderings. â           Â
SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI ââProficiency in meditation amounts to fixity in the real. â      Â
SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI ââThe dead are free from bondage. Mourning is the chain forged by the mind to bind itself to the dead. â Â Â Â Â Â Â
SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI ââThe mind always seeks external knowledge, leaving aside its own inner knowledge. â    Â
SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI ââWhat is important is steadfast resolve. It does not make much difference if you concentrate on the top of the nose, the centre of the eyebrows, and so on. The really important thing is to pay attention to the source of the mantra. Keep your attention fixed on that. Perseverance alone counts. The more you meditate the more easy it becomes to meditate. At last it becomes natural. â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââAll the religions follow great paths. But it is the selfish ways of man that make him quarrel and fight for the supremacy of his religion. The motive behind the formation and propagation of different faiths was the same. The founders were all persons filled with love and wisdom. None had the design to divide, disturb or destroy. They sought to train the passions and emotions, to educate the impulses and direct the faculty of reason to paths beneficial to the individual and society. âÂ
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââAnother word for âtyagâ or sacrifice is ‘Bali. The term has several meanings: Offering, dedication, sacrifice, even a tax. . . But the true meaning of ‘Ball’ is the recognition of Divinity in man. Emperor Bali taught that nothing belongs to anyone. All are God-given gifts. â Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââBali surrendered completely to Vishnu all that he had. He told the preceptor: “What is the use of my possessing anything which is not of use to God? When the infinite Divine appears in the role of the seeker of favours, what greater blessing can there be than making the offering to the Divine? It is a great blessing. . . I am ready to offer my mind, my body and my life to God”. âÂ
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââCreation represents God’s leela. Its maintenance and dissolution are also God’s leela that take diverse forms. As leela, one can imagine that the entire universe can disappear Unless one has cultivated an attitude of equanimity towards good and bad, one cannot claim to have understood God. When entire Creation is the cosmic leela of God, to demarcate a few and sing in terms of those few reveals only feebleness of vision,â Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââCreeds, ritual, religion and different theologies are all derived from man’s yearning for the vast Reality beyond. They flow in a thousand different forms, fertilizing many fields, calming many communities, refreshing tired people and, at last, carrying people to the ocean of Bliss. âÂ
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââFive types of Dharma (duties) have been laid down for man. One is Kula Dharma (duties relating to his occupational group). The second is Desa Dharma (duty to the nation). The third is Matha Dharma (duty pertaining to his religion). The fourth is Gana Dharma (duties relating to society). The fifth is Aapad Dharma ‘ (the duty when he faces danger). All these five types of duties are related to one’s life in the phenomenal world and are not concerned with the Supreme Reality All your perplexity has arisen from the delusion that you are the doer, from your ego and the sense of “mine”. Know the Brahman; take up all tasks but renounce the consequences giving up the fruit of activity itself. Karmayoga is far superior to karmasanyasa. â      Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââGod. . . moves the dew to drop, the lotus to bloom, the butterfly to flit and the sun to rise. That is all the power, all the wisdom, all the love, all the miracle that ever was, is, and will be. âÂ
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââHowever high a bird may soar, it has sooner or later to perch on a treetop, to enjoy quiet. So too a day will come when even the most haughty the most wilful, the most unbelieving, even those who assert that there is no joy or peace in the contemplation of the Highest self, will have to pray: God grant me peace, grant me consolation, strength and joy. â Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââIf God is a flower, you should feel yourself a bee that sucks its honey. âÂ
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââIn the vast cosmos, man is like a speck. Essentially, there is no conflict between man and creation. Just as a. child is entitled to enjoy milk from its mother and the bee is entitled to enjoy honey from flowers, there can be no objection to man enjoying the resources of Nature. But, as a result of uncontrollable desires and reckless exploitation of natural resources, Nature is exhibiting frightening disorders. Natural calamities like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts and floods are the result of disturbances in the balance of Nature caused by reckless exploitation of natural resources. Mankind today appears like a foolish man who is wielding an axe at the branch of the tree on which he is sitting. â      Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââLove expands; it does not limit itself to boundaries. â  Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââMan has boyhood, adolescence, youth, middle age and senescence, as stages of growth; there are also corresponding stages in the growth of wisdom in him. â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââMan seeks to change natural foods to suit his tastes, thereby putting an end to the very essence of life contained in them. â  Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââPrema or love is the only means to Shanti, or peace. When love is i shared, peace reigns. Speak sweet and soft and spread joy and peace around you. â   Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââRama is the supreme example of how people should conduct themselves in the world, how a country should be governed, how the integrity and morality of human beings should be protected. High-minded actions, ideal qualities and sacred thoughts are basic foundations of character. Rama is the very embodiment of these three attributes. â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââRama Rajya is the reign of morality, truth and virtues. ‘Rama Rajya’ means that which engenders happiness (Ramayati) where there is no ill will towards anybody. â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââSai Baba’s strategy of love calls for action to spread peace and spirituality right conduct and right thinking both for self-enlightenment and betterment of all. It promotes heightened awareness of inner Divinity and the power of intuition to discriminate between right and wrong. â  Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââSince ancient times, in this sacred land of Bharat, many sages, seers and kings propagated the spirit of sacrifice and the principle of spirituality, paving the way to peace and security. Ball was one such king who personified and propagated the spirit of sacrifice by undertaking many sacred rituals like yajnas. King Ball even disregarded the advice of his guru, Sukracharya, who tried to dissuade him from keeping his promise to Vamana. He told his guru that there was no greater sin than going back on one’s promise and that he would abide by his word to Vamana, come what may. â           Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââSorrows and disasters are like the clouds that flit across the sky; they cannot injure the blue depths of space. Your duty is just to strive on from this very moment. Do not vacillate or postpone. Who knows when death knocks? May be, he may knock this very night, this very moment; therefore, do not delay Do you postpone for tomorrow the dinner of this day! Feed the spirit as scrupulously as you now feed the body. â      Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââTeachers are reservoirs from which, through the pt faces of education, students draw the water of life. âÂ
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThe elephant is proverbially the most intelligent among the mammals. . . Ganpati has the head of the elephant for it indicates the intelligence through which obstacles in the path of achievement, secular as well as spiritual, can be overcome. . . In a forest, when an elephant moves through the jungle, it clears the way for others to follow. Likewise, by invoking Ganesha, the path is cleared for our undertakings. â Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThe gesture and the tone, The entrance and the exit. . . â     Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThe mind. . . serves as the supreme benefactor of those, who engage themselves in the contemplation of God, in good thoughts, good words and good actions. On the other hand, the same mind brings disaster to those who take to the wrong path of unrighteousness or outright wickedness. â  Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThe Rama Principle is a combination of the Divine in the human and the human in the Divine. The inspiring story of Rama presents the triple ethical code relating to the individual, the family and the society if society is to progress properly, the family should be happy, harmonious and united. For unity in the family, the individuals composing it must have a spirit of sacrifice. â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThe Rama Principle is manifested in the Gayatri Mantra. Rama is the embodiment of three aspects of time. He is the Lord of the three worlds and is the embodiment of the three gunas. Hence, Sri Rama is the indwelling spirit in every being. Rama thus represents all that is beautiful in nature. â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThe same person has come to Me seeking success at the examination, then a job, then a father-in-law, then a child, then a rise in the salary a transfer in a cheaper place and a seat in the Medical College for his son â a never-ending series of wants, until at last he comes seeking My Grace for an end to worldly pursuits and for initiation into the path of spirituality. â       Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThere is only one caste and that is the caste of humanity There is only one religion and that is the religion of love. There is only one God and that is the Omnipresent God. There is only one language and that is the language of the heart. Hence love is God. âÂ
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThere will also be some people who concentrate their attention on the rituals of worship and the offerings being made, such as the breaking of coconuts, the waving of lamps and incense, and the devotion expressed through these rituals, The number of people with this kind of vision and interest will be much smaller than those who concentrate on the decorations, the dances and dramas and all the external paraphernalia associated with the festival. â  Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââThis is the meaning of surrender. God does not ask for any offering of wealth or position. God is said to be pleased if a sincere devotee offers a leaf, a flower, and a fruit or even water. What is this leaf? It is the body. The heart is the flower, the mind is the fruit. The water that is to be offered is that from the tears of joy shed by the devotee. â    Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââWe should not feel that we are living just because there is a heartbeat. Only when we perform worthy actions can we say that we are alive. Everyday we must resolve to perform service. Whatever we have to do must be looked upon as something divine and noble. Only then will work be transformed into worship. âÂ
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââWhen the time came for Emperor Bali to leave, a saddened Bali told his people: “I cannot be without you and you cannot be without me. Every year shall appear before you and give you joy”. Onam is the day on which Bali fulfils his promise. â Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââWhere there is faith there is love; where there is love there is peace; where there is peace there is God; where there is God there is bliss. â  Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââWith a genuine keenness or readiness to serve others, one can attain happiness in any group or community, and the eagerness to serve others will endow you with the power and skill necessary for the required service. Nowadays, we tend to regard it as derogatory to serve, but there is great worth in service. â  Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââYou might have heard people talk of the ‘miracles’: of my ‘making’ this, and ‘giving’ that, of my fulfilling your wants, of my curing your illnesses, Of course, I confer on you these boons of health and prosperity, but only so that you might, with greater enthusiasm and with less interruption, proceed with spiritual sadhana. â        Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââYou must cultivate unity, cooperation and mutual trust. â Â
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ââYou must render service out of spontaneous urge from within, with a heart filled with love. â  Â
SRI SATHYA SAL BABA ââRama for you should mean the Path He trod the ideal He held aloft and the Ordinance He laid down. They are eternal and timeless Now you worship His Form, you repeat His name; ignoring His orders. Without practising the discipline laid down by Rama to purify the mind, all else is mere show, empty rituals. When Rama is installed in the heart, everything will be added unto you â fame, fortune, freedom, fullness. â   Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââ0 my son, the whole affair consists in spiritual sacrifice. If you are able for this, it is well; if not, do not occupy yourself with the futilities of the Sufis. Abu Muhammad a worldly man is miserable, he blames the people around him, the system, and the world in general. When a seeker is miserable, he blames not only the world , he also blames the Path, the Knowledge, and himself. It is better not to be a seeker so that you blameless. . . A certain level of maturity is needed to see things as they are and not to blame the Path, the Self; or the world. â    Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââA smile costs nothing; anger is so expensive. â  Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââAgain and again, remember that you are peace, you are love, you are joy, and that you host the Creator. If you donât realise you are the host, you live like a ghost. Like the birds returning to their nests, again and again come back to your source; only there can you realise that you host the Divine. â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââEvery event touches life on the surface and creates ripples/ Take with both your hands all that comes/ Don’t resist anything. / By surrendering to it completely, you outgrow it/ This is crucifixion/ The pain is excruciating, but it cannot destroy me/1 am larger than the event. â Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââEvery storm expands the horizon of our awareness, makes us deep and more powerful/ It pulls us out of our likes and dislikes/ and destroys the pettiness that is limiting us/ But if we are knowledgeable, we laugh. . . / Know your infinite nature and you are indestructible. â  Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââFocus means what? Fulfilled in the moment, being centred, looking to the highest and remaining in that space of peace is focus. No peace means no focus. When you are at peace, focus is happening already. Similarly if you focus, you attain peace. â  Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââLife is caught up in storms so often/ All concepts, ideals, devotion, love, even meditation don’t help/ The mind is like a burning furnace/ A whirlwind throws you off And even when the storm has subsided/ The memory torments us even more/ You are not yourself in a storm/ You are yourself only in between storms. â Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââLife is nothing to be very serious about. Life is a ball in your hands to play with. Don’t hold on to the ball. â       Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââLove is your nature. What is your nature cannot change. But, the expression of love changes. Because love is your nature, you cannot but love. â Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââNothing in life is more worthy than your laughter. Never lose it. Events come and go. Some are pleasant, and others, unpleasant. There is some area deep in you that are left untouched. Hold on to what is untouched. Then you will be able to keep laughing. â      Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââOften people say: “Be the same outside as what you are inside”. I ask: How is this possible? Inside, you are a vast ocean, an infinite sky. Outside you are finiteâjust a small limited form. All that you are inside â the love, beauty, compassion and Divinity â doesn’t show up fully outside. What shows is only the crust of your behaviour. Don’t mistake the outer crust for who you are inside. And don’t show your infinite lordship outside, for Divinity is not easily understood. â   Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââOneness is not a concept; it is reality. Every celebration happens when you recognise the abundance that life has provided you. If you are grateful; you celebrate and to be grateful, you need simple recognition. â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââShadows appear very big, much bigger than you, but they have no existence. Smaller the light, bigger the shadow appears. If it is total darkness, then also there is no shadow So partial knowledge, a partial light, partial vision, brings the shadow And it makes the shadow appear very huge, very big. But know it is just a shadow. â     Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââThe realisation that life is very short brings dynamism in your life. Unwanted things will fall off as well as distractions. . . When you realise that life is short, you no longer tend to procrastinate. When you are expecting a result, know that life is eternal. The ignorant person does it the other way he hurries for the result and is impatient and frustrated. Impatience goes away when you know that life is eternal. When you are looking for return of a favour or a result from your good deed, you want it quickly but when you know that there are many lifetimes, you realise that if you don’t get it sooner, you get it later. â Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââWhen a storm arises, just be with it/ Your looking for perfection creates imperfection within you. / Peace comes from within/ You are the center of the universe/ Why are you looking outside?â  Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââWhen a worldly man is miserable, he blames the people around him, the system, and the world in general. When a ‘seeker’ is miserable, he blames not only the world he also blames the Path, the Knowledge, and himself. It is better not to be a seeker so that you blame less. . . A certain level of maturity is needed to see things as they are and not to blame the Path, the Self, or the world. â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââWhen one sees everyone as one’s own body, then attraction is not there, but there is so much love! Enormous love is there, bliss is there, surrender is there, devotion is there. It takes quite a lot of maturity to get to the point. â Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââWhen one sees everyone as one’s own body, then attraction is not there, but there is so much love! Enormous love is there, bliss is there, surrender is there, devotion is there. It takes quite a lot of maturity to get to the point. â   Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââWhen we are joyful, we donât look for perfection. If you are looking for perfection, then you are not at the source of joy. â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââWhen we feel high we have no problems. The problem comes when we feel low. No one wants to feel low. When one feels low, then the more one tries to feel high, the more the low feelings persist. This seems to be the biggest problem. . . Don’t simply follow your feelings. What is the nature of your feelings? When you feel clear in the mind, then naturally you have good feelings. When you are unclear in the mind, then you don’t feel good, your mind also is not clear. Any decision that you take when your mind is unclear is not going to be good for you. Instead of that, base it on just the clarity of your mind. â     Â
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââWhen you observe, all that is negative falls away. And the nature of positive emotions is that they grow. If you observe when you are angry, the anger will fall away and if you observe if there is love, love grows. âÂ
SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ââWho doesn’t face problems? In order to solve a problem, knowledge is required. We may receive this knowledge in different ways; we learn from our experience or from the experience of others who teach us valuable lessons. But always: knowledge is the key to the solution. â  Â
SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR ââDance; stand up on your feet and dance. Be intoxicated; move intoxicated. â          Â
SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR ââWhen a worldly man is miserable, he blames the people around him, the system, and the world in general. When a seeker is miserable, he blames not only the world â he also blames the Path, the Knowledge, and himself. It is better not to be a seeker so that you blame less. . . A certain level of maturity is needed to see things as they are and not to blame the Path, the Self, or the world. â Â
SWAMI RAMDAS ââFor you the world outside will now stand transformed as the very expression or manifestation of God everywhere the Light of God will dazzle your eyes; even in the apparent diversity and activity of nature you will strangely be conscious of an all-pervading stillness and peace of the Eternal, a consciousness which is unshakably permanent. You will also feel that you are liberated from the harassing dualities of life followed by the crowning experience of an abiding state of ineffable ecstasy. â        Â
SWAMI RAMDAS ââWe try to acquire so many things of the world, but find no peace in them. The source of all happiness is within us. We have only to find out, know and realize it. â          Â
SWAMI SHIVANANDA ââSattva is white, the colour of purity, worshipped as goddess Saraswati. The colour of Rajas is red, represented by goddess Lakshmi. Rajas is of the nature of activity, passion and ambition, the source of thirst for physical enjoyment. Lakshmi bestows on her devotees the inexhaustible divine wealth or Daivi Sampat. Tamas is black, represented by that aspect of mother Durga we worship as goddess Kali. A tamasic person acts under the compulsion of the body. He has no power of judgment. His actions are not guided by reasons. His senses are dull. We pray to mother Kali, as Durga the terrible, as the Supreme Power and force, who destroys all our impurities, our vices, our defects. She is to fight and annihilate these demons. â Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââA famous dancer was to perform but she was ill that day The show was a sell-out; the audience waited anxiously for the show to begin. The anchor announced, “Ladies and gentlemen; welcome to the performance. The bad news is that the famous dancer is unwell, so she cannot perform. The good news is that her student will dance instead”. Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââAn iron curtain might be a blockade for a long time. You might not have expressed your love and gratitude for years. Let your curtain of inhibition drop right away this very moment. Reach out; express yourself wholeheartedly, for you may not know what the next moment holds in store. â       Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââEach one of us is a wonderful being. Encourage bringing forth hidden ability and wonder in an individual. â  Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââEncouragement involves a little loving effort, which will result in a very big difference in the life of other. â  Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââEnjoying work is nothing but love made visible. Knowledge is pointless if one does not enjoy what one does and does it creatively. âÂ
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââEvery day is a new adventure, a new challenge. A new moment that was never lived before. But you come with an old mind. You have to set yourself free of the old mind that binds you. â   Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââFreedom is being free both in freedom and bondage. Once this is understood, life will become rich and fulfilling. â              Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââGrace is a bigger word than success or failure. Grace the divine melody always exists. It is like music existing in the musical instrument. One has to bring it forth. Grace exists but the ego should disappear. Grace never makes anyone egoistic. You feel very humble and blessed. Whether your desire is fulfilled or not there is a sense of being blessed. Such a man will bring a new quality into existence. He becomes a vehicle of the beyond. â  Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââLearn first to connect before learning to disconnect. The factors to be considered in a relationship are physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual & financial. â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââLearn to see all these factors are present while considering a relationship. Don’t also be an idealist. All these factors may not be present as you wish. But keep them in your vision. â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââLearning to enjoy the peaks and valleys is a part of wise living. In life the ups and downs are very scenic. Learn to see and enjoy the scenery of success and failure that are the peaks and valleys of life. â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââMountains have peaks and valleys. Learning to enjoy the peaks and valleys is a part of wise living? It is foolish to say â I will enjoy only the peaks and not the valleys. In life the ups and downs is very scenic. Learn to see and enjoy the scenery of success and failure that are the peaks and valleys of life. When you enjoy both success and failure then you are an integrated person. Your understanding is based on strong foundation. Then you are not a perfectionist. You will see elegance in a green leaf and beauty in a dry life. You are beautiful as you are. You need not be a perfect beautiful person. You include imperfection. Your perfection is inclusive and not exclusive. â  Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââOne’s effort becomes divine when one tries to bring in a new quality in oneself; the quality where one is non-attached and at the same time concerned; where one is able to convert his business into a temple and not a temple into a business. â   Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââPeople are as happy as they decide to be. â    Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââTelling others constantly that they are useless, stupid and unimaginative only destroys any possibility of their improvement. But if we were to be encouraging and generous with praise, chances are we would make others realise their potential. â  Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââThe audience was obviously disappointed. The student dancer gave a wonderful performance. Yet no one applauded. I Her little son from the sidelines ran to the mike and exclaimed loudly “Mummmmyyyy, you dance great! I love you!” Overwhelmed, the audience joined the little boy in a deafening applause. â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââThere was a noble tailor who had become a great sage. The king came to pay his respects and presented him with a pair of golden scissors encrusted with diamonds. But the sage refused to accept it. “What can I give you that can be of use to you”: The tailor said, “Give me a needle?” The reason is symbolic. The scissor cuts and divides. But the needle sews two pieces together. Our minds are like scissors that cut and divide. â  Â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââTo be aware of our emotions and direct it towards health is a part of enlightened living. Learn first to be aware of your emotions. â
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA ââWhen you enjoy success and failures then you are an integrated person. Your understanding is based on strong foundation. Then you are not a perfectionist. You see elegance in a green leaf and beauty in a dry life. You are beautiful as you are. Â You need not be a perfect beautiful person. Your okay ness includes imperfection. Your perfection is inclusive and not exclusive. â
SWAMI TATHAGATANANDA ââExistence precedes thinking or doubting. One can never doubt the existence of one’s Self. The body is compared to a cart and the soul to its driver. Coordination between the body, the mind, the organs, and prana, is possible due to conscious spirit, the knowing Self. . . Every human being is individualised Universal Consciousness, the Self of the universe. All individual minds are parts of a cosmic mind. â Â
SWAMI TEJOMAYANANDA ââA narrow vision is divisive, a broad vision expansive. But a divine vision is all-inclusive. â  Â
SWAMI YATISWARANANDA ââWhen we worship Christ, we come to have Christ consciousness. When we worship Krishna, we come to have Krishna consciousness. When we worship Ramakrishna, we come to have Ramakrishna consciousness. And each can lead us to the Absolute consciousness. â
SWAMI YOGANANDA ââEnlightenment is your ego’s biggest disappointment. â
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Year Round Holiday Homes
0Though it is obviously a daunting proposition to take on any large scale DIY project, decorating your holiday home carries extra pitfalls. As holiday homes are generally rented out to guests for much of the year you need to be sure yours appeals to the largest number of holiday makers possible. You also therefore need to do your research when it comes to the surrounding area in order to know what type of people make up your biggest target market.
The most time and cost efficient way to do this is by using the internet. You could go for a few extra holidays with the perfect excuse of “research” but this could get a little costly in the long run. Joining a forum related to the country where your holiday home is situated will help you gain a good understanding of the holiday makers who frequent the area.
Once you know your market make sure you bear them in mind when making big decisions on the décor. Generally it is best to go for a neutral backdrop of whites, off-whites and creams then from here you can tailor the look slightly in favour of your personal taste. Allowing a little of your personal style to show through is fine as it shows the home is cared for. Rather than do this on the larger things like flooring and fitted kitchens it is best to stick to details like throws, cushions, curtains and other soft furnishings.
If your holiday home is in a hot climate remember to include either blackout curtains or horizontal blinds or both on your shopping list. Horizontal blinds allow you to deflect the suns rays without compromising your views. Blackout curtains help if you want a late start or want to keep the house cool whilst you enjoy a day’s site seeing.
If all of this feels like a little too much work- it is a holiday home after all, help on such matters can easily be found. Furniture packs can be bought from local companies who have experience in decorating similar homes. The advantage of using such companies is they have done all of the research for you already and will be familiar with local tastes. There are packages to suite various budgets but is wise to get the best you can afford as good quality furniture will last longer and is a further sign that you care for the property. If you show you take good care of your home then so will your guests.
Once you are more familiar with your competition through time spent in your holiday home you will learn how make your home standout to potential tenants without bucking too many of the local trends or traditions. Keeping your home as authentic as possible to these traditions is certainly advisable, most holidaymakers are there to sample the lifestyle and soak up the atmosphere of wherever it might be and a successful holiday home will help people do exactly that. Adding some quirky ornaments relevant to the area, or choosing some commonly used colours is easiest way to do this without making your home resemble a themed restaurant.
Add Elegance To Your Space With Window Coverings
0Window coverings and window treatments are a great way to add elegance to a room. Architects give a lot of thought to windows in a building because these are the openings that allow for ventilation, view, and shadowing of the interiors. A window in the right place of a room can add a lot of meaning and comfort to the room and the right window treatment can improve the ambiance of the room a lot more. Interior decorators spend a lot of time trying to find the right window treatment for the window. Depending on the amount of sunlight the window lets in they may choose heavy blinds or they may choose window coverings that will play with the sunlight and highlight the print on the curtains or the blinds. The fad of today is to use window blinds. These can be vertical or horizontal blinds. Blinds come in a variety of designs. The shape and the size can be customized to suit individual windows. These window coverings are made from vinyl and plastic. However, when they were first used they were made from wood. Thick strips of wood were built into the outer doors of the rooms. The slats could be raised to be horizontal with the floor to let in wind and light or they could be lowered to overlap each other to block out all the light. The vinyl and plastic strips used to make modern blinds are much lighter and portable not to mention affordable. Some of the main manufacturers of shutters and window treatment products are Hunter Douglas and Vista. They make blinds to suit every ambiance and cater to individual requirements. Some suppliers offer an album containing hundreds of fabrics and designs that one can choose from. These are then crafted into the perfect window treatments anyone can have customized for their windows at home or the office. Shades and window coverings come in many designs, materials and colors. There are bamboo shades and shutters that are very elegant and cost effective. Very narrow and fine bamboo strips are woven into sheets that are lined on all four sides with some fabric. These can have designs painted on them or woven into them. They are easily installed on a window just like a curtain. These bamboo curtains cannot be pulled to the side like the other window coverings. They can, however, be rolled up by pulling on a string and fixed at the top of the window when required. Shutters are made out of wider strips of wood or vinyl fixed on above the other. They are just like horizontal blinds just wider. Shutters can come in many shapes and designs. Your interior designer will be in a better position to guide you as to the kind of window covering that will be right for you. Or, you could walk in to the leading suppliers of Hunter Douglas or Levlor and have a look at the various quality window treatments available for your space.
Visit us at shadesshuttersblinds. com/blog. For the best deals in window treatments and window coverings. You will learn a lot about blinds, shutters and more so how to measure them before placing your order.
Using Window Shades When Facing Problems With The Light While At The House
0For cost effective style coupled with a sleek modern practical feel, today’s modern roller shades are a great bet for creating a fashionable look. Modern window shades are a breeze to operate and add a simple smooth look to any home.
Historical blackout shades have come a long way promising a look of uncompromising quality for modern homeowners. These classic shades are composed of fine weave cloth backed with solid PVC backing providing exceptional value for money. The smooth lift operating system of these classical type window shades will provide years of easy use. These smooth acting shades also provide unmatched privacy for any home.
For those who prefer more pizzazz to their window shades, roller shades provide several exceptional decorative options for choosy homeowners. Whether its bold patterns or stylish accents that accent a fashionable color scheme, roller shades come in a variety of designs and patterns to suit the most discriminating taste.
Climate stresses can affect the tone and comfort in a home. That’s why today’s modern roller shades have evolved for the option of using light filtering solar shades to regulate the temperature within a home. Window shades are climate controlled fabric shades paired with high quality polyester backing that can help to reduce up to 80% of the sun’s heat providing a highly effective way to reduce a home’s energy consumption by keeping rooms cooler while balancing humidity plus temperature. An additional plus to the use of modern window shades in the home is their ability to block out sunlight allowing people who work during the night to sleep peacefully during the daytime.
Current trends in interior design provide wonderful options to create a decorative look for the home. Pairing cream and natural striped roller shades can bring a calm relaxing air to any room while pairing premium sand and earth tones with sky blue can create a peaceful look for a child’s room. For a classic country look, try matching deep earth sand tones with burgundy for a warm relaxed feel for living rooms and dinning rooms. Pairing varying shades of blue with green accents to matching valances can bring a very put together look for a teenager’s bedroom.
The latest decorative accents abound for modern roller shades allowing for special personalized touches that include scalloped hems paired with color-coordinated trims for an overall seamless look. Personalizing your roller shades is a snap with shaped bottoms and fabrics that come in stripes, flowers and geometrical patterns. Parents will appreciate that modern window shades come with cordless lift operating systems that can help keep their children safe. Most modern shades are easy to clean using a soft cloth or vacuum cleaner attachment giving a wonderful feeling of freedom to allergy sufferers. For fabric roller shades cleaning, check to see if your window shades come with the (P) symbol that lets their owners know that they can be dry-cleaned.
Roller shades are also an economical alternative to more expensive window treatments. Where traditional window treatments such as custom made curtains and valences can run into hundreds of dollars. In these more fugal economical times, today’s window shades provide stylish window fashion at affordable prices.
Working together with a roller blind specialist of your choice allows for discussions of shape, patterns and prices. And it’s highly recommended to purchase the right window shades for your personal lifestyle and home.
So if it’s a roller blind to help save money, a stylish statement about personal taste or a way to cut the cost of fuel bills, today’s window shades allow for class, quality and design for home owners at an affordable price.
As an interior designer trained in narrative writing, Judith Persit focuses in window treatments themes. Judith is concerned about roller shades. Educate yourself about window shades at her site.
washing vertical blinds in a washing machine
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a very informative video i made on how to wash blinds safely and properly in the washing machine. i hope you can follow my tips and let me know how you went. you can film yours too if you want