Golden Laws to Greatness: #11 Relax/ Sleep . . . The Best Ideas Happen when You are Dreaming

"Inside my head there lives a dream that I want to see in the sun. Behind my eyes there lives a me that I've been hiding for much too long"

                                               

                                                India Arie, "Strength, Courage & Wisdom"

Ever woke up from a dream or was zapped out of a mental zone, only to pull out a great idea or simple solution to a complicated problem?  This semi-conscious or other conscious dimension is something that is spoken of from known names such as Zehanda of Zimbabwe to Albert Einstein (he studied African culture like Sigmund Freud).  They all have recounted dreams or visions in which they received their most brilliant or inspirational ideas.

If you look around today, we are caught in such a rat race, our dreams are disturbed with recurring nightmares of late bills, pending projects, children's tuition, or the recurring reality shows we can not shake from our psyches.  Two of top three under-diagnosed health/mental issues are sleep deprivation and untreated stress. 

Our bodies have been conditioned to operate in a "state of emergency" mode for so long, it seems normal after a while.  We are functioning on of coffee and anxiety, with little substance. Consequentially, we are dwindling to these mindless robotic machines.  Beyond the health and mental issues, we've lost our art of dreaming and interpreting our dreams. 

Dreams are very profound.  Even Oprah sleeps with a journal by her nightstand to log what she says are her "thoughts".  Read behind the lines.  She is journaling her dreams and writing what they mean. 

Destination: Chill out and drink some Kava Kava in Samoa, Fiji, or Tonga Islands in the South Pacific.  These islands enjoy warm climates year round, and are opulent in natural beauty and also known for its whales in the surrounding waters.

Lifestyle: Visit Birdland Jazz Club, a famous jazz spot named after musician Charlie Parker.  It's in New York City, located on 44^th Street. www.birdland.com; In Johannesburg, South Africa, the supper jazz club "Back of the Moon" was designed to honor Sophia Town musicians www.backofthemoon.co.za ; In London, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club helps revitalize the city's Soho district that is noted for its vibrant culture; Listen to the smooth sounds of Bossa Nova in Sao Paolo, Brazil's, "Ao Vivo Music Club".

Alternate Lifestyle: Support your local jazz club.

Beauty:  Honey Milk Bath

• 1 cup honey
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup baby oil
• Fragrance oil of your choice
Combine honey, milk, salt and baking soda in a bowl. Fill your tub and pour the mixture in. Add the baby oil and a few drops of the fragrance.

Health: Kava Kava can also be purchased at your local health store.  It is a natural calmative that gives you a pleasant tingle.