Grooming tips for Men- Part -2

Now that we have done with your face and hair as seen in Grooming tips for Men-Part-1, let’s get to fixing your wardrobe and other basic etiquette. Here goes… 6.Choose the right clothes. Whether it’s your office clothes or your casual wear, it’s important to wear neatly pressed clothes. Also wear the right sober colours to your office and please no neon’s or bright coloured shirts and pants, we don’t want to look out of the crowd right? Even your casuals whatever you choose you should be able to look dignified and presentable. The right fit, colour is all that you need to see. Next time you go out shopping take your female friends with you it could make a lot of difference!   7.Shoes and socks. Thumb rule - Formal shoes in black or brown to the office and the rest of it for your casuals. ( sandals, loafers, kittens , sporty shoes etc.)Please wash your socks after regular use we don’t want stinky feet and odour coming from you when you get to work wearing the same pair for 3 days in a row.   8.Match your belt to your shoes. This one is really simple and makes a world of difference. If you are wearing black shoes, you don't wear a brown belt. This basic tip makes everything you wear look that much better and easier.   9.Posture. No slouching and always stand straight and tall. It’s important to have straight stature as  your body language is a reflection of your personality.   10. Colognes and scents .Remember less is more when it comes to fragrance. It's all right to smell good, but everyone doesn't have to smell it. Fragrance is such a personal preference, and you really must find the one that works best for you. Any kind of strong smells can be a total put off and can give headaches to your colleagues or friends.

Grooming tips for Men- Part -1

  Who said that it’s only women who go to the salons? In the 21st century of the metro-sexual male we now have men who are grooming themselves to look more presentable and neat .This healthy trend which has become a common trend in the cities is slowly picking up in the tier 2 cities also. It’s no longer a woman’s domain to look well groomed .Presenting a few basic tips on how to look presentable and if you think you don’t have time for all this, subject yourself to the hands of your salonist and relax while you get yourself pruned. We start with the face and head in the first part and in the next article we will deal with other aspects of male grooming.   1.Hair should always be trimmed and neat and once you notice the locks grow in length it’s time to get a haircut. Along with that of your have hair in your nose please get trim those or ask your barber to trim the hair for you. We don’t want to look like an ogre do we?   2.Now we know that getting the eyebrows done is a girly affair, but we are asking you not to shape it just get the bushy look out and remove those extras. But you could give it a miss if you are not too inclined. A simple tip take a fine toothed comb and brush them before you leave for the day is that they don’t look too bushy. Same thing with the hair off your ears and neck.   3.Keep your nails short and clean. Long and dirty finger nails are something which has not been acceptable things since our school days where the teachers would examine our nails and hands. The same thing extends as we grow up to. Trimming them as and when they grow is a must and this also extends to the feet. If possible indulge in a manicure/pedicure for clean and supple feet free from corns callous and chapped heels. Buffing your finger nails adds a shine which makes them look nice.   4.Facials and clean up. It’s also important to get a face clean up done once in a month. The sun also affects the men’s facial skin and if you have to drive long distances it is necessary that you apply and SPF – that is a sun protective cream for your face so that the UV rays don’t damage the dermis. Invest in a once a month facial so that your skin stays youthful and bright. This is a plus point when you it comes to impressing women also!   5.Oral Hygiene. Clean teeth and fresh breath is a must have and it doesn’t matter if you have crooked or uneven teeth. Brush twice a day, floss at nights and gargle with mouth wash, again the familiar taunts of childhood. When you are heading for a presentation or meetings its best to keep some mint gum or minteys , the most offensive thing the other person can’t bear is bad breath. If you have any chronic bad breath conditions please visit the Dentist and get rid of it.

Technique to boost your creativity at Work

Researchers have found that people who meditate 30 minutes a day for eight weeks have improved focus, memory, and cognitive flexibility. Meditation triggers high-frequency brain waves associated with attention and perception: it feeds the wellspring of human creativity. So give meditation a try to get your creative juices flowing. Here's how to start. Find a meditation technique that works for you. There are many ways to meditate. What is important is that you find  a technique what works for you. The flame method :Keep your eyes open. Closing your eyes can lead you to drift away on certain thoughts. Stare at the flame of a candlelight if that helps, or a picture of a pleasant landscape. Repeating a simple chant (the  Om mantra ) also helps keep your mind clear and focused and keep a tab on your breating. Begin by meditating 10 or 15 minutes two or more times per week. Gradually build up to 30-minute session over several weeks. Avoid phone calls, appointments, interruptions during this 30-minute period. The spark of creativity is ignited when we are able to get out of our own way by letting go of preconceived notions, inward distractions of day-to-day worries, habitual associations. Creativity, in other words, stems from the state of mind induced by meditation. Practice meditating daily. If you exercise your brain this way you can make it stronger and more innovative than you were yesterday. Thirty minutes of "meditation " can boost your creativity when compared to the outdated brainstorming sessions that are prevalent in offices. Meditation for creativity is  simple to learn and with consistent practice, it  will return increasing rewards as you build them into your weekly or even daily routine.  

Boost Your Self Esteem -3

This time around surround yourself with loving people and be loving towards your family and friends.Your life purpose is very important and you should consider what you intend to do further in your life.Try these set of pointers today for boosting your self esteem and we will be back with more. 21. Give and receive affection Offer and receive physical affection from family and friends. Physical touch supports bonding between people, reduces anxiety, improves your mood, and creates connections. 22. Increase your standards Begin to demand more of yourself in various areas of your life. Challenge yourself to do a bit better, go a bit farther, behave more lovingly than you have in the past. Set the bar higher, and you will feel proud of who you are. 23. Have a purpose Start considering what your life purpose might be. Why are you here? What could be your legacy and how can you make that a centerpiece of your life? 24. Live in the right place Are you living in a community or city that makes you feel comfortable and at home? Or are you living somewhere that doesn’t reflect your values and ideal lifestyle? 25. Let go of draining people If there are people in your life who put you down, drain you of energy, or take advantage of you, begin to gently let them slip from your life. Surround yourself with loving and supportive people who value you. 26. Network Expand your network of friends and associates to broaden your horizons and create new life and career opportunities. 27. Ask for forgiveness If you have wronged someone, don’t live with guilt or shame. Apologize, make it right, and ask for forgiveness. 28. Pay off your debts Living with debt can drain your self-esteem and cause on-going anxiety. Pay off your debts  and begin to live within your means. 29. Don’t smoke, drink too much, or use recreational drugs All of these excesses are unhealthy, make you feel bad physically and make you feel undisciplined and dependent on substances to soothe your emotions. 30. Create personal boundaries Know what your personal boundaries are and how you will react when people cross them. Don’t allow others to take advantage of you or manipulate you.  

Boost your Self Esteem-2

As part of the Boost your Self Esteem series we present the second set of actions which can be done to improve your self esteem.Praticising postive affirmations and writing down what you have accomplished so far in life can be a great way to make you feel worthy of your achievements whether they are big or small. 11. Spend time with a friend Good friends accept us as we are, love us for who we are, and provide an outlet for fun and companionship. Our best friends are a reflection of the good in ourselves. 12. Get clear on your values Determine your core values in life, the principles around which you want your life centered. Examine your life to see where you are not in alignment with the values and make the necessary changes to fix that. 13. Write down your accomplishments Think back through your life to all that you’ve accomplished as a youth and adult. List everything you have done that you feel proud of. 14. Read something inspirational Read books and articles that uplift you and make you feel positive. Stay away from negative television programs, web sites, advertising or anything that reinforces a poor self-image. 15. Stretch yourself Step outside of your comfort zone in some way. Stretch yourself to try something new, meet different people, or approach a situation in an unconventional way. 16. Take care of your relationships Focus your love, time, and attention on the people you care about most. Nurture your relationships and find ways to communicate fully and enjoy a richer experience with your loved ones. 17. Teach someone You have skills and abilities to share with others. Teach someone who is interested in learning. Offer your knowledge and experience as a gift. 18. Practice affirmations Keep an affirmation journal in which you write positive, loving statements about yourself. Repeat those affirmations daily when you awaken and before you go to sleep. 19. Challenge limiting beliefs When you catch yourself thinking negatively about your self-worth, challenge the beliefs with evidence to the contrary. Find reasons why your limiting beliefs are untrue — or at least not completely true. 20. Seek your life passion If you have not found your life passion, make time in your life to seek it out. The process of having a goal to find it will give your life a sense of purpose.

Boost your Self Esteem-1

Self-esteem is how we value ourselves; it is how we perceive our value to the world and how valuable we think we are to others. Self-esteem affects our trust in others, our relationships, our  work – nearly every part of our lives. Positive self-esteem gives us the strength and flexibility to take charge of our lives and grow from our mistakes without the fear of rejection.  Begin to practice self-esteem fostering thoughts and behaviors. Start acting as though you believe in yourself and love who you are even if your feelings haven’t caught up. Give yourself legitimate reasons to feel proud, accomplished, and worthwhile through learning, personal growth, goal-setting and achievement. Once you accept the unique perfection of whom you are and what you offer the world, you will find that you are more deserving than anyone of your own love and affection. We present a 5 part series based on key areas which you can work on to help boost your self confidence and esteem. Here are the first set of 10 actions you can start with to  begin improving your self-esteem: 1. Become proficient at something When you practice and become skilled at something you enjoy, your increasing competency and the discipline of practice will be a source of pride and fulfillment for you. 2. Reclaim your integrity If you are living outside of your integrity, you will feel disoriented, guilty, and drained. Define what integrity means for you, and make the necessary changes to live in accordance with it. 3. Exercise Exercise makes you feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. It provides a sense of control over your health and vitality. 4. Volunteer When we serve and support other people, we feel uplifted and valued. We have found a way to show empathy and connection through service. 5. Take care of a pet Pets offer unconditional love and fulfill our longing for attention and affection. Pets teach us compassion and responsibility, taking the focus off of our own problems. 6. Care about your appearance When you look your best, you feel better. You project an outward image of self-esteem and confidence — even if you don’t feel that way. But when you act “as if” you have self-esteem, eventually your feelings will catch up. 7. Do something creative Creative endeavors put you in the “flow” state in which you are intently engaged in what you are doing. It stimulates the brain and potentially leads you to a passion or avocation. 8. Heal past wounds Past issues and traumas can keep you trapped in low self-esteem. Seek the support of a trained counselor to help you heal the wounds of the past. 9. Plan something exciting Plan for a trip or adventure so that you have something exciting to look forward to. Just the planning process with make you feel engaged and purposeful. 10. Have a change of scenery Actually going on a trip, working from another location, or spending time out of your house will give you a boost of energy and motivation.  

6 Easy to Steal Rituals of Extremely Successful People

      1. Do the work… practice, practice, practice your craft! There are no shortcuts in life.  There are no overnight successes.  Almost everyone has heard about the 10,000 hours principle, which states that it takes roughly 10,000 hours to completely master a complex skill, yet despite sound evidence, so few follow it… except extremely successful people of course. Whatever you decide to do, do it well.  Do it so well that when others see you do it, they enjoy it so much that they want to come back and see you do it again… and they also want to bring their friends along so they can show them how incredible you are at doing what you do. 2.  Build trust by standing behind every one of your promises. If you say you’re going to do something, DO IT!  If you say you’re going to be somewhere, BE THERE!  If you say you feel something, MEAN IT!  If you can’t, won’t, and don’t, then DON’T LIE.  It’s always better to tell people the truth up front.  Don’t play games with people’s heads and hearts.  Don’t tell half-truths and expect people to trust you when the full truth comes out; half-truths are no better than lies. 3.  Focus more on less. Having too many choices interferes with decision-making.  Here in the 21st century, where information moves at the speed of light and opportunities for innovation seem endless, we have an abundant array of choices when it comes to designing our lives and careers.  But sadly, an abundance of choice often leads to indecision, confusion, and inaction. 4.  Only use quality tools. While we’re on the topic of focusing more on less, make sure the only tools you’re using are the only ones you truly need.  There’s no point in keeping low quality tools around.  For instance, trying to cut through a thick piece of fresh lumber with an old, dull handsaw would be a pretty foolish endeavor.  You would have to work extremely hard to make the even the slightest impact. This very same principle applies to everything in life. Don’t let inefficiency defeat you.  5.  Spend quality time with quality people. You are the average of the people you spend the most time with.  And that’s why it’s not always where you are in life, but who you have by your side that matters most.  Some people drain you and others provide soul food.  So be sure to get in the company of those who feed your spirit, and give the gift of your absence to those who do not appreciate your presence.  There’s no need to rush into a relationship you are unsure of, or socialize with those who hold you back. Spend more time with nice people who are smart, driven and open-minded about personal growth and opportunity.  Use websites like meetup.com to search for local community groups of people with similar passions and goals.  These people are out there. 6.  Study, rehearse, and get super comfortable with the art of selling. Keep in mind “selling” in its truest sense isn’t an act of manipulating, pressuring, or being deceitful.  Selling is explaining the logic and benefits of a decision or point of view.  Selling is convincing other people to work directly with YOU.   Selling is one of the principal foundations of both business and personal success.  When you truly believe in your idea, or your business, or yourself, then you don’t need to have an enormous ego or an overly extroverted personality.  You don’t need to “sell” in the traditional sense.  You just need to communicate your point of view clearly, cordially, and confidently. The floor is yours… So there you have it, six rituals we’ve seen repeated over and over in the lives of some of the most successful people we’ve studied and interacted with over the years. Source: marcandangel.com  

Morning Habits of Successful people-Part 2

      “If it has to happen, then it has to happen first,” writes Laura Vanderkam, time management expert and author of “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast.”The early mornings offer a fresh supply of willpower, and people tend to be more optimistic and ready to tackle challenging tasks. Based on Vanderkam’s study of morning rituals of the successful entrepreneurs .We present the 12 things in a two part series as to what the most successful people do when they wake up .Presenting the 2nd part of the series.   7.They network over coffee. Especially if you like to make it home for dinner, the mornings can be a great time to meet with people for coffee or breakfast. Plus, networking breakfasts are less disruptive than midday lunches and more work-oriented than boozy cocktail parties, Vanderkam notes. 8.They meditate to clear their minds. Manisha Thakor, a former corporate executive who founded and now runs MoneyZen Wealth Management, practices transcendental meditation to clear her mind. She does two 20-minute sessions a day, the first before breakfast and the second in the evening, and focuses on breathing and repeating a mantra in her head. She’s found it to be “one of the most life-enhancing practices” she’s ever experienced, she told Vanderkam. Before they head out the door, many successful people devote themselves to a spiritual practice such as meditation or prayer to center themselves for the rush of the day. 9.They write down things they're grateful for. Expressing gratitude is another great way to center yourself and get the proper perspective before heading to the office. Writing down the people, places, and opportunities that you’re grateful for takes just a few minutes but can make a real difference in your outlook.Pharmaceutical exec Wendy Kay told Vanderkam she spends a good chunk of her morning “expressing gratitude, asking for guidance, and being open to inspiration.” When she gets to work, she always has a clear vision for herself and her staff. 10.They plan and strategize while they're fresh. Planning the day, week, or month ahead is an important time management tool to keep you on track when you’re in the thick of it. Using the mornings to do big-picture thinking helps you prioritize and set the trajectory of the day. Banking exec turned teacher Christine Galib wakes at 5 a.m. on weekdays, exercises, reads a few Bible verses, and reviews her tasks for the day before making breakfast. She told Vanderkam this ritual makes her days more manageable and effective. 11.They check their email While time management gurus may suggest putting off email as long as possible, many successful people start the day with email. They may quickly scan their inboxes for urgent messages that need an immediate response or craft a few important emails that they can better focus on while their minds are fresh. For instance, Gretchen Rubin, author of “The Happiness Project,” wakes at 6 every morning before her family’s up at 7. She uses the time to clear her inbox, schedule the day, and read social media. Getting these tasks out of the way from the start helps her concentrate better when she moves on to more challenging projects, she told Vanderkam. 12.They read the news Whether it’s sitting in the corner diner and reading the papers or checking the blogs and Twitter from their phones, most successful people have a pre-breakfast ritual for getting the latest headlines. For example, GE CEO Jeff Immelt starts his days with a cardio workout and then reads the paper and watches CNBC. Meanwhile, Virgin America CEO David Cush uses his mornings to listen to sports radio and read the papers while hitting the stationary bike at the gym. By the time they get to work, they have a pretty good idea of what’s going on in the world. Then, they can get down to the business of changing it.

Morning Habits of Successful people-Part 1

      “If it has to happen, then it has to happen first,” writes Laura Vanderkam, time management expert and author of “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast.”The early mornings offer a fresh supply of willpower, and people tend to be more optimistic and ready to tackle challenging tasks. Based on Vanderkam’s study of morning rituals of the successful entrepreneurs .   We present the 12 things in a two part series as to what the most successful people do when they wake up . 1. They wake up early.  In a poll of 20 executives cited by Vanderkam, 90% said they wake up before 6 a.m. on weekdays. PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, for example, wakes at 4 a.m. and is in the office no later than 7 a.m. Meanwhile, Disney CEO Bob Iger gets up at 4:30 to read, and Square CEO Jack Dorsey is up at 5:30 to jog. 2.They exercise before it falls off the to-do list. Xerox CEO Ursula Burns schedules an hour-long personal training session starting at 6 a.m. twice a week; Christies CEO Steve Murphy uses the mornings to do yoga; and Starwood Hotels CEO Frits van Paasschen runs for an hour every morning starting at 5:30. 3.They work on a top-priority business project The quiet hours of the morning can be the ideal time to focus on an important work project without being interrupted. What’s more, spending time on it at the beginning of the day ensures that it gets your attention before others (kids, employees, bosses) use it all up. 4.They work on a personal passion project. Novel-writing and art-making is easy to skip when you’ve been in meetings all day, are tired and hungry, and have to figure out what’s for dinner. That’s why many successful people put in an hour or so on their personal projects before they officially start their days. 5. They spend quality time with family. Judi Rosenthal, a financial planner in New York, told Vanderkam that unless she’s traveling mornings are her special time with her young daughter. She helps her get dressed, make the bed, and occasionally they work on art projects together. They also make breakfast and sit at around the table and chat about what’s going on. She calls those 45 minutes “the most precious time I have in a day.” 6.They connect with their spouses In the evening, it’s more likely you’ll be tired from the day’s activities, and time can easily be wasted with dinner preparations and zoning out in front of the TV. That’s why many successful people make connecting with their partners a morning ritual. Source: What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam  

Enhance Abundance with the Merchant’s Stone-Citrine

      It is mentioned in history and in many cultures that the unique crystal Citrine also known as the merchant's stone is considered a wealth stone. It is associated with the energy of money and abundance and placing it your home will increase abundance and prosperity. The Citrine stone or crystal contains a solar quality of energy; where it is  traditionally considered a good healing crystal for the solar plexus/third chakra issues. It also helps in the vibrant flow of energy in and around one's body and strengthens the energy levels of a person. So apart from the home it is also beneficial for the body. For the Stone to work it has to be placed in the money and abundance area which is the Southeast corner of your home. This is also the same in Feng Shui principles. You could keep the unpolished and extracted ore of Citrine or you could place the tumble stones as they are called in a simple bowl and bring beautiful energy of abundance and prosperity in to your homes. This powerful crystal can be bought through private distributors and online also. But it is best to see and buy the crystal directly for better clarity and originality. The unpolished rock can be quite expensive and you can buy the smaller tumble stones which are equally potent. A great way to benefit from the energy of citrine is to wear the crystal as jewelry. Because citrine works on the third chakra - self esteem and power issues - a long necklace with a citrine pendant can be an excellent piece of jewelry. You can also find a variety of citrine bracelets,  rings ,angels and now you also have citrine jewelry created by designers which are not only beautiful to wear but which boost your power and energies. So start the Telugu New Year with Abundance and Prosperity!

Get yourself a Soul Spa

      In the current trend of holistic healing which involves making changes to your body in the metaphysical sense , our age-old wisdom of chakra cleansing has once again come in to prominence. Once considered knowledge of only the Sages and highly learned beings, the study of the 7 chakras and how to boost each chakra and gain higher energy is being done by new age holistic Gurus also. This chakra cleansing session involves scanning of the chakras and the aura in detail. Once the healer identifies any imbalanced Chakras it is cleansed using various crystals. This session helps let go of the negative blocks and psychic debris, thereby rejuvenating and recharging your spirit and helping you experience divine bliss. One of the simplest ways to help balance the whole chakra system is to place a stone of the appropriate colour on each area. This will give each chakra a boost of its own vibration without altering its energies or the overall harmony of the system.   For this you will need crystals each corresponding to the colour of a chakra and a tourmaline crystal to help ground you afterwards. Each Chakra has a corresponding colour which will be mentioned below. Choose your crystals and arrange them in sequence beside where you will be lying. Lie down and relax. To gently balance and realign your chakra energies, place one stone of the appropriate colour on each chakra area for a few minutes. Crown Chakra-Violet Place a violet crystal or clear quartz crystal just above the top of the head. This will integrate and balance all aspects of the self - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, and will promote positive thought patterns, inspiration and imagination. Brow Chakra-Indigo or Blue Place an indigo or dark blue crystal in the centre of the forehead to promote intuitive skills and memory and to increase understanding and self-knowledge. Throat Chakra-Light blue Place a light blue crystal at the base of the throat to bring peacefulness, ease communication difficulties and to promote self-expression. Heart Chakra-Green Place a green crystal in the centre of the chest to promote a sense of calm, create a sense of direction in life and to balance your relationship with others and the world. A pink stone can be added for emotional clearing.   Solar Plexus Chakra-Yellow Place a yellow crystal between the navel and the ribcage to reduce anxiety, clear your thoughts and improve confidence. Sacral Chakra-Orange Place an orange coloured crystal on the lower abdomen. This will balance creativity and release stress and blocks in your life that prevent enjoyment. Base Chakra-Red or Black Place a red or black crystal near the base of the spine between your legs, or alternatively place two red stones, of the same sort, on the top of each leg. This will balance physical energy, motivation and practicality and promote a sense of reality. But this cleansing is best done under the Guidance of an expert in Chakra healing expert, as his/her guided meditation and placing of the right crystal at the right place and energizing them will be more beneficial.

Friends are forever

      We all have had fun filled lives before we tie the knot and have moved on to forge a new life and relationship with our spouses. Some of us especially women take a back seat when it comes to staying in touch with our old friends and then come children and our jobs and the priority changes. Then sets in the monotony of life- which is restricted to work, home, groceries and children and visits to the doctor.   Let us put a pause to this for a minute and rewind .You remember how much fun you had with your boy/ girlfriends before marriage? Having a spouse shouldn't change that. Make time out for your old friends and meet them and unwind. The men can meet over a drink or a game at the club, the ladies can catch up over coffee or spa. Plan a movie with your friends and either of you can take care of the kids when you are gone. It’s important to make time for yourself and friends where there is a different kind of sharing and interaction. It puts the spunk back in your life and leaves you revitalized. Cell phones and Social Media tools are the latest trend in catching up with your friends and their lives. Live updates and photographs through these media are a rage and there is no reason why you shouldn't be part of the bandwagon. So go ahead and catch up on the latest gossip, seek advice check what’s’ new in the market or go shopping , meet the boys at the Tennis club, Happy hours, coffee at the club- the list is endless . As they say friends are forever and for keeps. So make that friends time-out for a happy life.

The Magical Crystals

      Crystals are the greatest gift from Mother Earth to us. The crystals are a source of high energy which can be accessed by us to heal, meditate and protect us. The crystal energies also help us in becoming more aware, build intuition, boost self confidence, relieve stress and so on. In fact crystals can be used for over thousands of uses. Crystals have been mined and used for over centuries. They have been used as part of jewellery, architecture (to adorn ancient temples) and also used as paint (for example Lapis Lazuli was ground to powder and used to paint the walls of temples). If you wonder how a crystal affect the human body? Well the answer is that we all have life force or energy flowing within us. The energy is focused in the  body in form of Chakras. We have seven major chakras: The Root Chakra, The Sacral Chakra,The Solar Plexus Chakra, The Heart Chakra, The Throat Chakra, The Ajna Chakra and the Crown Chakra. I will write in detail about Chakras and how to heal them in my next article. Write now I will discus about  crystals. Each Chakra has a specific function, when we're tired, stressed, unwell or depressed our chakras can slow down or even stop working (which really isn't that uncommon in the stressful society that we are a part of). Crystals are used by healers to help realign chakras, they can assist the healing process, and can be programmed for particular jobs. Crystals have their own energy and frequency. They can enhance, promote and bring in chosen energies for our benefit. Like for instance - •    Rose Quartz has love and nurturing energy. If you feel down or depressed, holding a Rose Quartz in your hand and meditating upon it will help you release the negative energy and harmonize yourself with the crystal energy and feel uplifted. •    Tourmaline helps at times of change.Within the tourmaline family there are different types: Black deflects negativity, Green brings emotional well being, watermelon (pink and green) and red help during times of change although in different ways. •    Topaz brings clarity, higher perspectives, and enhance creativity. •    Diamond is an amplifier and purifier •    Rubies strengthen the will and gives courage •    Emeralds help to turn negativity into positivity. Choosing the right Crystal for you The best way is to let your intuition guide you, if you feel really drawn to one piece that’s the one for you. It can be incorporated into jewellery or be raw pieces. Crystals in their natural form are the most powerful. When crystals are cut, shaped and polished they can lose their natural force. However if the piece you like has been shaped and polished, wearing the stone will bring energy and life back to the stone and it will perform its natural function.There are lot of places that sell unnatural crystals that do not give the desired results so it is very critical to note that crystals need to be procured from authentic sources. Contact abundancegarden@gmail.com to buy crystals. About the author : Suvarna Avvari by passion, is a metaphysical coach and counselor. She also works extensively with crystals for healing, Chakra balancing and other therapies. By profession, she is a HR Professional heading HR in an IT company.