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Your Acre of Diamonds REALIZING IT’S CLOSE TO HOME
My son, David, is a fourth-grader. He’s a really interesting kid who is curious and likes non-mainline things. For Christmas, we got him a metal detector. He loved it … but my yard did not. He and the other kids will go out with several digging apparatuses and start looking for “treasures” in our yard. They are ever optimistic and seldom discouraged. In fact, they have an expectation that they will find something cool in their “sandbox.” It makes me smile, and I try to appreciate it — because for some reason, as we get older, it is hard to hold onto that expectation. There is a true story, made famous by Russell Conwell in his “Acre of Diamonds” speech. I came across it again very recently and took that as a sign to share it. The story is about a wealthy, content Persian farmer who is visited by a wise Buddhist priest. Sitting by the campfire, the priest tells the farmer about how the world was formed and how all the stones, metals, and jewels of the earth came to be. He talked about granite, silver, gold, and diamonds, “a congealed drop of sunlight.” The farmer became captivated by the description of diamonds and wanted to know more. The priest talked about their value, how a diamond the size of your thumb can buy the county, and a mine of diamonds could put his children upon thrones. The farmer went to bed that night a poor man. He hadn’t lost anything, but he was
poor because he was discontented, and discontented because he feared he was poor. He said to himself, “I want a mine of diamonds.” The next day, after finding the priest, he asked how to find diamonds, sold his farm, left his family under the care of friends, and began his quest to find these coveted jewels. He traveled to Africa and Palestine and Europe — always searching, but never finding. After all his money was spent and he was worn out and in a fit of desperation, he threw himself into a river and drowned. Meanwhile, the man who had bought the farm was leading his camel to a small brook on the property one day, when he noticed a strange flash of light from the sands of the streams. He pulled out a black stone with a center-eye that reflected the colors of the rainbow. He took the stone into his home and put it on his mantel. Over time, he forgot about it. A while later, the same old priest came traveling through the area. He entered the new farmer’s home and noticed a flash of light on the mantel. After rushing up to it, he nearly fainted.
My “diamond” hunters
That location became home to the mines of Golconda, whose diamonds and stones adorn many crown jewels. Sometimes it is hard to see that our biggest opportunities are right beneath our feet, in our own “sandbox.” The saying “the grass is always greener” is a warning because, as humans, we are hardwired to feel that way even when it is not true. I’m glad for little reminders like this that help me focus on what I have instead of focusing on what I don’t. Yours in looking for my “acre of diamonds” close to home,
He asked the farmer if he knew what he’d found.
When the farmer said no, that he thought it was a piece of crystal, the visitor told him he had found one of the largest diamonds ever discovered. They ran to the place where the first stone was found, ran their hands through the sands, and found many more.
P.S. It has been a rough week for me at work. Maybe that is why I got this little nudge. P.P.S. I hope you have found your acre of diamonds wherever you are!
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A Mindful Space Creating a Mental Health Sanctuary in Your Home
LIGHT YOUR HOME The Environmentally Friendly Way
Did you know that if you aren’t using the right bulbs or even the right fixtures to light your home, you could be negatively affecting our environment? Believe it or not, major changes really aren’t necessary to make your home more energy-efficient, especially when it comes to lighting. Every household in America can make a few small adjustments that can have a big impact on the environment as well as your finances. If you want eco-friendly ways to light your house, try out the following ideas. Switch out your lightbulbs. Did you know that the standard incandescent bulb only puts out 5%–10% of the energy it converts as light? The rest goes out as heat. If you’re still using traditional lightbulbs, it’s time to upgrade. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) cost a little bit more but last for 10,000 hours. CFLs use a fraction of the energy that traditional bulbs use but are often much brighter and safer. You can also make the switch to LED bulbs, which reduce energy consumption by 80%–90% while also lasting for 100,000 hours. Whatever option you choose, dispose of your old bulbs properly. Every city has different stipulations for recycling, so learn how to dispose of them before you recycle.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health Disorders, an estimated 26% of Americans over the age of 18 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder. With increases in the cost of living, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising tensions in Eastern Europe, that percentage could increase even more throughout the next few years. If you’re someone who struggles with mental health, you’ve probably tried all of the traditional methods to improve your situation, but have you made any adjustments to your actual home? If you’re unsure where to begin, try out these tips.
Give each room purpose.
One of the biggest interior design mistakes you can make is using a room for more than one thing. This is even more important if you work remotely. Each room should have a dedicated purpose. If you work from home, your office should not be in your bedroom or even in the area where you exercise. Plan out every bit of space that you have and add personal touches to it to remind you of what’s really important in your life.
Get rid of distractions.
Unplug your power strips and keep your lights off. The power strip is one of the most commonly used items in households across America. They’re extremely convenient, especially if your home lacks a sufficient number of outlets. While some power strips turn off when not in use, others consistently pull energy when they’re plugged in. Save energy by unplugging any power strips when not actively in use. Additionally, try and keep your lights off when you’re not home or actively using a room. It doesn’t make sense to keep your lights on when nobody is in the room. If the sun is shining, make use of that sunlight to light your house. You don’t need to depend on electricity for light during the spring and summer months so much. Just open your windows!
Social media, mainstream news, and cellphones as a whole can have disastrous effects on your mental health. When you’re in your home, try to minimize your use of these technologies. If you’re not using the television, keep it off. Also, try to keep your home as clean as possible because clutter and dirt can easily bring you down.
Use natural light and calming colors.
When designing your living space, try to incorporate as much natural light as possible. Regular exposure to sunlight gives you more energy, makes you happier, and even improves your appetite. If you’re painting, avoid any loud colors and use calming neutrals instead. Adding the right colors, natural light, and some plants will help create an aesthetic that will boost your mental health.
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IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR LAWN
In 3 Easy Steps
Summer has finally arrived, which means the birds are singing, the skies are blue, and the grass is … hopefully green? Maintaining a green lawn is an incredibly difficult task, especially if you don’t get much rain. Your lawn may also have sunspots or issues due to pet waste, but don’t lose hope. You can do a few simple things to turn your brown grass to green, and it shouldn’t take the entire summer to see results. If you’re unsure where to begin, try some of these tips to bring new life to your lawn. Make sure you mow properly. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they mow their own lawn is cutting their grass too short. If your blades aren’t set to the proper height, you can easily cut too much of your grass, leaving it stressed. As it struggles to
recover, your lawn will turn brown, and then weeds will grow more easily. Ideally, you should mow your lawn once a week and sharpen your blades regularly before they get dull. Water in the morning. There’s proven science behind the best time to water your lawn. If you water at night, you’ll see excess humidity, which can lead to turf disease and the destruction of your lawn. If you water in the middle of the day, water will evaporate quickly leaving your lawn dried out. Instead, try watering in the morning so your lawn has the opportunity to absorb the water. Watering for 45–60 minutes twice a week will allow ample time for the water to soak into your lawn. If you live in a drought-affected area, be sure to follow local guidelines for water use. Fertilize for health. Sometimes our lawns need an extra boost to become as green as possible. That’s where fertilizer comes in. Fertilizer contains various mixes of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium — three important nutrients for a healthy lawn. You can find many different fertilizer options, so conduct a soil test to understand which mix is best for your lawn.
TAKE A BREAK
SWEET AND SPICY BBQ CHICKEN SKEWERS Inspired by RecipeRunner.com
Summer is here, and you know what that means: It’s time to break out the barbecue and meat skewers!
Ingredients
Directions
1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients.
For the Marinade
• 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 3 tbsp honey • Juice of 1 lime • 3/4 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp salt For the Skewers • 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes • 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes
2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade. 3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight. 4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes. 6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides!
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INSIDE
1
Your Acre of Diamonds
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How to Create a Mental Health Sanctuary in Your Home Eco-Friendly Ways to Light Your Home
3
Make Your Lawn Healthier!
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers
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3 Alternate Ways to Utilize Closet Space
Re-Invent Your Closet Space
wiring and adequate space for a chair, put a desk inside, set up your computer, and get ready to work in cozy comfort. Dressing Room Our closets are designed to hold our clothes, but where do you try them
on? You can convert any size closet into a dressing room with the right use of mirrors and light. Bar Small closets can easily be turned into bars. Simply put your furniture inside, add your preferred drinks and mixers, and take a sip!
Sometimes it just doesn’t feel like we have enough space in our homes. However, there might be a few spaces hiding in plain sight that you can utilize, like a closet! Not sure how to start? Check out these three closet transformations. Office Space If you have a walk-in closet that isn’t full of clothes or boxes, you may benefit from turning it into a home office. Ensure you’ve got proper
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