In Pure Spirit

For open minds

9 of the Creepiest Stories About Twins

by Leave a Comment

Have you ever found the concept of twins fascinating, or even at times a little creepy?

Just the idea of two exactly (or almost exactly) identical people who can seemingly say the same things simultaneously, finish each other’s sentences, feel each other’s pain and even claim to know what the other is thinking can, at times, be a little… well, unnerving.

Mainly because we can’t quite put our finger on how such a thing can be possible.

There are also so many influences we can blame for twins having slightly darker connotations in popular culture; for instance, The Shining is probably one of the most well-known references.

Here’s what biologist Julia Harrisun had to say on the subject:

“Being a biologist by background, I suppose I’m always looking for biological explanations to things. For instance, humans read each other’s body language, more than simply paying attention to what they say. However, most of all, we read the expressions on other people’s faces. Faces are key. So maybe that’s why twins can be a bit disconcerting.

“If you see two virtually identical faces at the same time, then it makes it more difficult to read them; to work out their emotions and intentions. That poses a potential threat. I think maybe Stanley Kubrick clocked that when he made ‘The Shining’.“

So, whether you find twins intriguing or intimidating, I’ve put together the following list of some of the weirdest (and creepiest) stories about twins I’ve ever heard:

1. A ‘special friend’

“My son was meant to be a twin, but we lost his sibling at 10 weeks… However, he often plays with someone who isn’t there and my eldest girls ask about his ‘special friend’.“

2. The ‘Jim’ twins

“Labelled ‘the Jim Twins’, the story of two twin boys raised apart is one that amazes everyone who hears it. Adopted out to different parents at just four weeks of age, the twins were reunited at age 39, never having known they were twins.

“It was the similarities between the two that shocked the most; both boys had been named ‘Jim’ by their adoptive families, both had sons that they had named James Allan, both had a pet dog named ‘Toy’, both hated spelling but excelled in maths, both worked in law enforcement and both had married women named Betty, divorced her, and married women named Linda. SPOOKY.“

Source: Ripley’s Believe it Or Not

You’re tellin’ me! It’s these kinds of stories which make you wonder exactly what kind of connection it’s possible for twins to have! It reminds me of the bizarre phenomenon known as ‘quantum entanglement’.

3. A shopkeeper with ‘The Shining’

“My local shopkeeper was convinced I was in his shop the other day (I wasn’t) with my twin girls (I don’t have kids). Either he’s got ‘The Shining’ or there’s some sort of weird multiverse shit going on.

“Let me explain. When I was in second year of uni with my friend Mel, we shared a flat with three guys, and we all watched too many horror films – including The Shining. The bit that scared me most was the twin girls sequence.

“I ended up sharing a flat with Mel for years, and she’s an archaeologist. One day she’d been looking through old files at work and found a photo of twin girls that were daughters of an archaeologist.

“That lived on our telephone table for a while; it just became a thing, I suppose.

“Oh yeah, and I also I once got pregnant when I was with still with my ex, a month after he’d dumped me, and took the difficult decision to terminate. When they did the scan it was twins. That’s why I was so freaked out!“

4. Identical wardrobes!

“My mum is a nonidentical twin. She also has a younger set of sibling twins, too. Anyway, when they were small and would go clothes shopping, my mum would go off with my Nan, and my Aunt would go off with my Grandad, then they’d meet up afterwards for lunch before going home.

“Every single time, they’d get their clothes out to show each other, and every single time, they’d have the exact same clothes! Even now at 53 years old, they still end up with the same clothes!

“Last Xmas, their partners both bought the exact same Samsung tablet, both white, both with the same protective case. Neither my mum nor aunt had asked/mentioned one. And their partners don’t ever have any contact apart from family get togethers, so they hadn’t discussed it either!“

5. Secret conversations

“I know someone who had a very faint second heartbeat at one of her very early scans, but then had a little bleed and there was only one baby born. At the time, she thought she may have lost a twin.

“When their child was about 1 and-a-half years old, they heard the them playing in their room, talking away and seemingly having a conversation with someone – but the child was all alone in their bedroom, so they got the feeling it may have been the twin that never made it.“

6. Psychic magnetism

“My mum was a twin, and when I was a kid she’d sometimes say: ‘I’ve got a feeling we’re going to see Auntie Sheila today’ and sure enough, Auntie Sheila would turn up on the doorstep.“

7. A boy she thought she knew

“I’m a twinless twin. They thought my mum was only pregnant with one baby that unfortunately died, but my mum was the one to catch sight of the second image (me) in her last scan otherwise they would’ve gone to remove my twin and killed me at the same time.

“I had to be delivered on emergency.

“I remember having a little boy I played with as a kid, but my parents say he never existed; that I’d be playing and laughing and when they asked who I was talking to, I said my twin brother’s name despite never having heard it before (they had only ever spoken it while my mum was still pregnant).

“I still remember what he looked like and everything. He’s still around me, so I’m told, like a guardian angel – which is comforting.“

8. The ‘Silent Twins’

“Twins Jennifer and June Gibbons became notorious in the ’80s when they carried out a two-woman crime spree at age 18 that resulted in both sisters being declared psychopaths and sent to England’s most famous high-security hospital for the criminally insane.

However, they already had plenty of experience being creepy before that: As kids they were known as “the silent twins” because they refused to speak to anyone but each other, and even then they used their own secret language that no-one else could understand.

The sisters had been brought up in Wales by their Barbadian parents, however, both refused to read or write during school hours. At home, however, it was a completely different story, with the pair reading

“voraciously” and filling dozens of diaries with handwritten novels and other accounts. They would give them odd names such as ‘The PepsiCola Addict’ and ‘Discomania’.

According to Cracked:

“Like all children, they liked to play games, but rather than settling for Barbies or Monopoly, they had bizarre rituals where they decided which one would wake up in the morning first or which one would breathe first, and the other one wasn’t allowed to do anything until the first one did so.”

“There’s something really quite sinister about that last story; I can’t imagine having a copy of myself controlling me and telling me what to do or when I’m allowed to do it. Shudder.”

Well, we’re almost at the end of this article, but first I felt it appropriate to finish up with my own story, so here goes:

9. He’d always felt alone

“When my granny was pregnant with my Uncle, the doctors said she’d had a miscarriage and lost the baby. Of course she was upset, but later found out she was in fact still pregnant; it had been twins. My uncle wasn’t told until he was much older, but said he’d wished he’d known sooner, as he had felt like he’d always been missing someone.“

Conclusion

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this list of creepiest stories about twins, and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed their own unique stories to me via social media – I really enjoyed reading them!

Do you know any weird, unusual or creepy stories about twins? Perhaps you’ve experienced something yourself – in which case, let us know!

Where Do Nightmares Come From?

by Leave a Comment

This week, I had to redefine my own classification of the word ‘nightmare’. 

In the past, I’ve had disturbing dreams, or dreams where scary or undesirable things happened. Plenty of them. In the past I’d have called those nightmares, easily. 

Some of them, I would wake up crying, or shaken, or feel deeply perturbed by the memory of these dreams. There have even been some which ended up plaguing me for the rest of the day, casting a shadow over everything I did. 

Some of them have actually stayed with me since I was a teenager. I remain adamant that one in particular, a Victorian period horror, is still a very good premise for a novel that I may still get around to writing one day. (It could actually be a decent graphic novel, now I’m doing the Arting thing).

A particularly disturbing dream

I recently dreamt about the death of an old friend, and lying in their arms as they gasped their final breath (disturbing enough, right?), said friend vanished leaving me lying on the bed alone. 

Then, out of nowhere, everything changed and a terrifying, blurred out and extremely speedy entity with sharp teeth and an image full of malevolence started dashing towards me across the dark room, pulling away all the covers from me and muttering strange words as it darted around all over the place.

I was sure it was going to hurt me. I tried to scream, but couldn’t. 

Imagine a Jack Frost-type character, stuck in a blurred out box which seemingly moved in broken up frames, rapidly jumping from one place to another across the room, which one set target; you. 

It was realistic, it was frightening, and I woke up with my heart racing. I don’t remember ever waking up from a dream so terrified before. To be honest, I was too scared to get up to go to the toilet, just in case I wasn’t actually awake yet and had to endure more of the same. 

I eventually had to ask my partner (who was getting up in 10 minutes anyway) to turn on the bedside light for me.

Now, surely if anything was a nightmare, that was. And it got me thinking… why do we have nightmares in the first place? Where do they come from?

Where do nightmares come from?

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, only two to eight per cent of the adult population suffer from nightmares, which is actually pretty good odds. And if what I had was an actual nightmare – putting the rest of my disturbing dreams to shame – then that seems about right. 

Professional dream analyst and author, Lauri Quinn Loewenberg, highlights it’s important to look at dreaming as merely a continued thinking process from events that have occurred during the day.

Here’s what she said to Medical Daily on the matter:

“The nightmare is when we are thinking about difficult issues during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and trying to sort them out. We often try to ignore our difficult issues with distractions during the day but when we are asleep and are forced to be alone in our own heads, these difficult issues will be addressed.”

Bit disappointing when you think about it like that, isn’t it? It’s hardly the kind of thing Stephen King readers like myself tend to think of first when something terrifying disturbs your dreams. And in this instance, it felt like it had actually invaded by normal dream, changing the atmosphere entirely. 

So, could it just signify I’m scared of death? After all, my friend seemed to die, and then whatever it was decided to come for me. Hmmmm. 

In my opinion, I’ve always seemed a bit too accepting of my own death. I’d like to think when faced with a serious illness, I’d put up an equally serious fight, but when I’m on a plane thousands of miles in the sky, I end up thinking: “Well, if this is it, then I suppose I’ve at least had a nice holiday.”

But I digress. 

Could the culprit be something entirely mundane?

What is the actual cause of nightmares? Is it down to traumatic events, anxiety and depression, the food we eat, sleep apnea, or a manifestation of things we’ve buried in our subconscious minds? 

Perhaps it’s something else entirely.

According to holistic health practitioner Carol Wasserman, it could even be down to unknown allergies. 

Here’s what she had to say on this interesting theory:

“For example, if you have an allergy to peaches, but are not aware, you could be getting nightmares, and once you stop eating peach ice cream at night, the nightmares stop.”

Seem a bit hard to swallow? Carol went on to use herself as an example:

“Every time I ate shrimp I had a restless night and bad dreams. So I stopped the shrimp and now I sleep peacefully.”

Another study suggests it could also have a lot to do with your age, personality type and any recent trauma you’ve experienced; with college students being particularly susceptible. In fact, 47% of the students studied had a nightmare within the same two-week period. 

Makes me wonder exactly how they were classifying nightmares, though. 

Most nightmares also seem to evolve around things like death and murder, however these things aren’t always so clear-cut as they might seem. 

Most of the evidence seems to suggest that in order to get a better grasp of our nightmares, we should take more time to understand and process the issues bothering us during the day – or work out what we’re eating before we have disturbing dreams! 

Curious, how do you define your nightmares? Have you had something like this that’s scared the hell out of you? If so, I’d love to hear from you.

Bed shop turns to a sleep expert to explain dreams

by Leave a Comment

BedKingdom‘s sleep experts have studied the hidden meanings behind some of the most common dreams. 

A standard theory for why we dream is that our brains try to make sense of what has happened and predict and rehearse likely future events. In this case, BedKingdom is also interested in dreams because they offer an impressive range of beds and tempt people who might be in the market for a new one. That’s okay as the dream meanings below are still interesting.

In Pure Spirit has paraphrased some of BedKingdom’s sleep research below but first, here’s what a spokesperson from the retailer said;

Dreams can be linked to events that have happened or are currently happening in our lives.  

Remembering dreams can be difficult. Studies show that people forget 80-90% of their dreams and some people can’t remember anything. Writing dreams down as soon as you wake up can help you to remember and then you can try and interpret the meanings. 

Negative emotions and feelings of anxiety are more prevalent in dreams according to a study of over 50,000 people by psychologist Calvin S. Hall. By analysing dreams, we can problem solve and identify ways to help with issues we encounter in our lives.

Falling in your dreams 

Dreams of falling often represent fear and vulnerability, as well as feelings of helplessness and being overwhelmed. Your subconscious may warn you to be cautious if you dream of falling. In such dreams, losing control of a situation may be symbolized as a fall.

Being chased in your dreams 

Being chased in dreams is often caused by feelings of stress and anxiety. It can also result from feeling threatened in one’s waking life. Additionally, dreams of being chased may indicate a warning to be cautious of potential threats, which can stem from feelings of anger.

Teeth falling out in your dreams 

If you dream about your teeth falling out, it could mean that you feel unattractive or have negative thoughts about your appearance. Communication problems may also be a cause of these dreams since losing teeth can make it hard to speak. Additionally, a lack of confidence can trigger this type of dream.

Being naked 

Commonly brought on by feelings of being exposed, dreams of being naked in public places like school or work can also be triggered by feeling accused by someone. However, dreams of being naked sometimes indicate that a person is comfortable with who they are. 

Flying 

The feeling of freedom is often linked with the ability to fly, but if you experience difficulties or failures in flying during your dreams, it could be a sign of low confidence. Additionally, if other people in your dream are also struggling to fly, this may suggest that they are hindering your progress and preventing you from pursuing your goals in life.

In Pure Spirit

Which common dream do you think has an uncommon reason behind it?

5 steps to combat climate change and alleviate anxiety

by Leave a Comment

Are you concerned about climate change and pollution and wondering how you can do your part to implement some effective changes? You can ease your anxiety by taking some concrete steps toward a cleaner planet. Even small actions can make a big impact, so here are five ideas from In Pure Spirit to get you started.    

Climate globe

Start a Green Business

If you have an idea for an eco-friendly product that can help in the fight against climate change, think about starting your own business and launching your product on the market. Once you find a unique name for your company, design a logo using an online logo maker. You’ll get a selection to choose from based on your style and preferences. Simply edit your design and download it onto your computer so you can use it for marketing purposes, on your social media accounts, in your email newsletters, and on all your business correspondence.

Find Investors for Your Green Idea 

If you need to take on investors to launch your eco-friendly business, consider forming a limited company. Established investors are more comfortable putting money into a limited company, and it has some financial advantages for you as well. But the legal requirements are stricter than a sole proprietorship, so make sure that you pay attention to details when setting up your company.

Support Other Green Businesses

If you want to help in the fight against climate change, forgo big-box stores and online shopping; instead, make a conscious effort to buy from local merchants and help your local economy. Leave your car at home, walk to the market, ride your bicycle, or use public transportation. And when you’re out shopping, look for environmentally-conscious companies who adopt sustainable policies and practices to manufacture and package their products, as well as use ethically sourced materials.  

You may want to put together a resource for your audience about companies to support. Creating the document as a PDF is a good idea because the format is versatile and professional, and you can use a tool to merge multiple files, making it easier to stay organised; click here for more info. Having this resource guide available will encourage your audience to interact with it and share it with their friends. This kind of engagement not only promotes green businesses but your channel, too!

Explore the Natural World Around You

Flying off to exotic locales around the world is what many people would consider a dream vacation, but as we try to lower our carbon footprints to combat climate change, we need to avoid adding to the problem and stop travelling by aeroplane. Instead, we should consider exploring national parks and other natural attractions closer to home. Spending time in nature and discovering our biodiverse world will help us relax and reset, whether we’re on a week-long vacation or simply out for a leisurely afternoon.

Add Plants and Trees to Your Surroundings

Bring nature into your home and get rid of indoor pollutants by adding houseplants to your decor. Many plants have air-purifying properties that will keep your house fresher, and their calming colours will also provide peace and serenity to the people in your home. If you own a garden, you can also help fight climate change by planting trees that provide food and shelter to birds, insects, and other wildlife. You’ll be contributing to your neighbourhood’s biodiversity, and you can also save money on your energy bill by strategically planting greenery that will shade your windows during the summer months. You’ll be keeping the inside of your house cooler, and you’ll have shady spots to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.   

Are you ready to take action against climate change? Then make a few green changes in your home and life, and support eco-friendly companies that strive to make the world cleaner. You’ll feel good about yourself knowing that you’re making a long-lasting impact!

In Pure Spirit

What are your tips to avoid climate anxiety?

About the Author

Betty Vaughan understands that achieving work-life balance has never been harder. She has experienced first-hand how remote work blurs the line separating one’s work from the rest of their life. That’s why she created Nine To Thrive. Through the site, she hopes to help anyone struggling with a work-life imbalance find and sustain that needed balance so that they can live a life where they can fully thrive.

It’s not the tryptophan turkey making you sleepy

by Leave a Comment

For many people, the end of December is a festive occasion with gatherings, gifts and feasts. Turkey dinners are a family challenge; once everyone has eaten, you may find people yawning and feeling sleepy.

Is there a particular reason why Christmas dinners make people feel so sleepy? You might have been told about turkey being rich in an amino acid called tryptophan.

This is not a medical article, but let’s look at the Turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis.

[AI rendered] Christmas turkey dinner

Turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis

The hypothesis that eating turkey meat causes drowsiness is commonly known as the “tryptophan turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis”. It is based on the idea that the chemical tryptophan, found in turkey meat, is responsible for drowsiness.

The drowsiness experienced after eating turkey meat is caused by tryptophan being converted into serotonin in the human body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and thus can induce sleepiness.

However, studies have shown that the amount of tryptophan found in turkey meat is insufficient to cause drowsiness. It is more likely that the tiredness experienced after eating turkey meat is due to the large amounts of carbohydrates consumed in combination with the turkey, which trigger a surge in insulin levels. This, in turn, causes the body to absorb more tryptophan, increasing serotonin levels and drowsiness.

Which other foods have Tryptophan

According to Wikipedia, the top 5 foods for tryptophan to food weight are;

  1. Egg white, dried
  2. Spirulina, dried
  3. Cod, Atlantic, dried
  4. Soybeans, raw
  5. Cheese, Parmesan

Some foods have a higher tryptophan/protein ratio, though, such as;

  1. Chia seeds, dried (2.64)
  2. Milk (2.34)
  3. Sesame seed (2.17)

Why do we eat turkeys for Christmas?

The tradition of eating turkey for Christmas originated in England during the 16th century. At the time, turkey was a relatively inexpensive meat, so it was a popular choice for large family dinners. As the tradition of eating turkey on Christmas spread throughout Europe, it eventually made its way to America.

Turkeys are a large bird, and they can feed many people with one bird. Additionally, their flavour is suitable for a variety of accompaniments. From the classic roast potatoes and stuffing to cranberry sauce and vegetables, the turkey is the perfect centrepiece for a festive feast.

It is thought that in America, the tradition of eating turkey for Christmas was further popularized by Charles Dickens in his novella, A Christmas Carol. In the story, the Cratchit family feast on a turkey on Christmas Day.

From there, the tradition was firmly established and continues to this day.
So, there you have it – why do we eat turkey for Christmas? Turkey is a relatively inexpensive meat, it feeds a lot of people, and it is versatile enough to pair with a variety of sides. As Charles Dickens said, “What could be more pleasant than to expect a good dinner on Christmas Day?”

Where are Turkeys from originally?

In one last twist, Turkeys are not native to the UK.

Turkeys are native to North America and were first domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mexico centuries ago. Over time, they were brought to Europe by Spanish explorers, and eventually, they made their way to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.

In Pure Spirit

What’s your favourite family-sized feast?

Who knew Christmas could be so freaky creepy?

by Leave a Comment

Yep, it’s marketing, but it’s interesting! Doors Online (who sell real doors) have put together a list of unusual Christmas traditions worldwide.

Weird Christmas in Poland

Weird Christmas in Poland

According to Polish folklore, any kid born over the twelve days of Christmas could be a werewolf or other half-human, half-demon hybrid. If this occurs, the only available treatment is to collect blood from the infant’s brow.

Weird Christmas in America

Weird Christmas in America

According to an old Appalachian belief, an unwed lady who goes to a hog enclosure at midnight on Christmas Eve and hears an elderly hog grunting will marry an older man. But if a young hog grunts first, she might expect a young and gorgeous husband.

Weird Christmas in Greece

Weird Christmas in Greece

You probably don’t picture burning shoes when you think of the aromas associated with Christmas. However, in Greece, it is a Christmastime tradition to burn one’s old shoes, and locals believe the terrible odour will scare away Christmas ghosts called Kallikantzaroi.

Evidently, footwear is a big deal in Greece during the holiday season. They also think it’s unwise to give someone a pair of shoes for the holidays for fear that they might one day abandon you.

Weird Christmas in Latvia

Weird Christmas in Latvia

Traditional Latvian Christmas celebrations include carrying the Yule log around the home, an act thought to ward off evil spirits.

In honour of Mithras, the sun god, a Yule log is cut down, dragged through the woods to your house, and finally burned inside your home. Hopefully, the sun will have returned the following year, and the dark days will have vanished thanks to this.

Weird Christmas in Czechia

Weird Christmas in Czechia

Whereas many people in Western Europe like to have beef or poultry as the main course at Christmas dinner, carp is more typically served in Eastern Europe.

It is common practise in the Czech Republic for hosts to lay a single fish scale under their guests’ plates as a symbol of good fortune and a reminder of the season’s plenty.

Weird Christmas in the Philippines

Weird Christmas in the Philippines

There is a significant Christian community in the Philippines, and celebrations start on September 1st for many people. As a result, many age-old customs and beliefs about the holiday season have been passed down.

One such belief among Filipinos is that bathing on Christmas Day is bad luck. Some say that if you do, the gifts of Jesus’ birthday will be lost, and you may develop a mysterious illness.

Weird Christmas in Serbia

Weird Christmas in Serbia

The twelve days leading up to Christmas in Serbia are known as the “unbaptized days,” They were traditionally viewed as a time when demonic forces of all kinds would be more active and dangerous than usual.

These demons, known as karakondula, are most active between midnight and dawn, and if they come across an unsuspecting human, they will hop on their back and demand to be carried wherever they choose.

As a result, the victim wouldn’t be freed until the devil heard a cockerel crowing at sunrise.

Weird Christmas in England

Weird Christmas in England

You might have been expected to help make the Christmas pudding if you dropped in on an English family on the last Sunday of Advent in the past.

But superstition demands a specific procedure. You need to get up and move from east to west like the Magi did on their way to see Jesus. By doing so, you’ll be granted a wish for the future year and bestowed with good fortune.

Weird Christmas in Portugal

Weird Christmas in Portugal

In Portuguese culture, family is extremely important year-round, especially during the holiday season. That’s why it’s common practise in Portugal to arrange an extra seat at the table during the traditional Christmas feast for loved ones who have passed on.

It is a way to honour ancestors who have passed away while bringing good fortune and financial success to the home in the following year.

Weird Christmas in Ukraine

Weird Christmas in Ukraine

Have you ever been curious about tinsel’s genesis? We may ask, but why do we use this sparkly, fluffy-looking substance to adorn our Christmas trees? It seems this weird Ukrainian ritual could be to blame.

If a spider’s web is discovered in the Christmas tree on the morning of the 25th, it is said to bring prosperity to the home and its inhabitants. Small spider tree ornaments, complete with webs, have become a tradition in Ukraine, where they are said to bring prosperity.

Weird Christmas in Guatemala

Weird Christmas in Guatemala

It’s lovely to have a spotless home before the holidays anywhere, but in Guatemala, cleanliness truly is next to Godliness. The locals have a superstitious fear of the dark and think evil spirits reside there.

One of the most labour-intensive Christmas traditions occurs on December 7th, when Guatemalans go on a massive cleaning frenzy, piling up trash and undesired goods they’ve collected over the year outside the front door.

An effigy of the devil is burned at the end of the year in a ritual known as La Quema del Diablo (or “Burning of the Devil”) to clear away any negativity from the previous year and make way for a fresh start that the new year brings.

Weird Christmas in Spain

Weird Christmas in Spain

This Christmas superstition could help you if you’re buying a present for someone you don’t particularly care about. If you’re shopping for a loved one, it’s advisable to steer clear of anything pointy.

A superstition in Spain says if you give your friends and family sharp objects like blades or scissors for the holidays, your bond with them will inevitably become strained. Please don’t give them anything wrapped in yellow, as that will bring them nothing but misfortune forever.

In Pure Spirit

Are there any odd Christmas traditions that you, friends or family have?

The healing power of a simple smile

by Leave a Comment

We all sometimes take the little things for granted. And there’s one simple remedy for many of life’s ills that we all carry around with us every day but probably rarely give a second thought to — our smiles.

Sure, we look for smiles to see whether someone is angry with us or enjoying our company, and we offer a friendly smile to a child or someone who could use a little reassurance. But how many of us ever consider the healing possibilities of that simple little facial expression?

Smiling flower (slightly creepy)

Smiling enhances your mood.

It may seem contradictory to recommend putting a grin on your face when you’re down, but wearing a smile even when you not feeling happy can put you in a better mood. Of course, thinking of those things that inspire joy and happiness will put a smile on our faces and thus lead to a better disposition. But even the act of smiling itself can trigger a brighter frame of mind. Emotions are not only activated by thoughts but also by physical cues. The next time you find yourself in a sour mood, try lifting the edges of those lips and see if it doesn’t lift your spirits.

Smiling can reduce stress and lower your blood pressure.

An added benefit of the elevated mood our smiles bring us is its effect on our physical well-being. Sour moods can cause our bodies to tense up, tightening our muscles and restricting blood vessels. Not only is this a recipe for discomfort, but it can also noticeably increase our blood pressure. Taking a deep breath, thinking happy thoughts, and putting a smile on our faces will relax those tense muscles and allow the blood to flow more freely, improving our health in the short and long run.

The healing of a smile is contagious.

Not only does smiling make us feel better, but wearing a warm smile can brighten the mood of other people around us. Human beings have a natural tendency to imitate, or ape, others people around them, often subconsciously. One or two moody individuals will usually bring down the whole group. But the reverse is also true. Going into a social situation with a large smile on your face will trigger a reaction in the faces of others in the group, and before long, everyone is smiling and feeling happier. Smiling regularly within a group you frequent, such as work or school, can set into motion a chain reaction that improves the overall atmosphere for everyone.

Smiling even has its own day.

You may be wondering why, if smiling has so many amazing benefits, it has not received more recognition. Well, it has. Graphic designer Harvey Ball, famous for creating the iconic smiley face design, founded the World Smile Foundation in 1999 to promote “good cheer and good works”. In addition to backing several children’s charities, the foundation established World Smile Day on the first Friday of each October. The event’s motto is “do an act of kindness — help one person smile,” a worthy gem of advice to follow every day of the year.

In Pure Spirit

Do you believe in the healing power of smiles?

Ways to Connect With Your Community and Help Others in Need

by Leave a Comment

There are so many ways you can give back, pay forward, and otherwise contribute to the overall well-being of your local and global community.

Even if you aren’t set up to be a major philanthropist and don’t have tons of time on your hands for volunteering, you can still contribute to the overall betterment of those you share the earth with.

people in an grassy field helping to pick up littler

In Pure Spirit presents some different options for helping others, depending on where you are in your life right now.

Help Others Financially
Whether giving directly to individuals or supporting charitable organizations, financial donations remain an important way to help others.

  • Donate to a reputable charity (do some reading to figure out which charitable organizations have the best ratings for making the most of their funds and being the most ethical and transparent).
  • Find a good sponsorship program and use it to support a child, making sure they have access to food, water, clothing, health care, and education.
  • Contribute financial support to a local group or nonprofit that provides services to the less advantaged in your community. Better yet, you can set up your own nonprofit to a cause that’s near and dear to your heart.

Volunteer Locally or Globally
Volunteer work can be a great way to get involved on a more personal level, connect with like-minded persons, and find out more about the needs of your community at home and around the world.

Help People on an Individual Level
Often you can make a difference by going out of your way to help people you know of who are in need or in a rough spot.

  • Keep an eye out for GoFundMe or JustGiving campaigns and other fundraisers to support individuals and families needing financial help to get them through difficulties, such as illness, job loss, or bereavement.
  • Find out whether there are any local programs for helping veterans. Veterans may be in need of food or transportation assistance, or simply a friendly face and someone to talk to.
  • Offer to help the elderly clean up their living space and declutter. These efforts may seem small, but they can reduce stress and increase mood, which are both important for older adults who may feel isolated. Your time there will also help them feel connected to others.
  • If there are immigrants in your community, see if you can help them settle in, find work, and make connections. One way immigrants can earn a living is to work as translators, so find out how much translators make, and see if you can help set them up as freelancers.

Get Involved Politically
As a public official, you can put your energy into supporting, promoting, and spearheading initiatives for community betterment.

  • If you’re up for it, consider a run for office – but make sure you give some serious thought to what this entails, and discuss it with family and loved ones first.
  • Even if you’re not ready to run for office, find a political cause and get involved. Perhaps you’re interested in climate change or LGBTQ rights. Find organizations in your area pushing for national change in your passion areas and volunteer.

Whether it’s helping one person or a whole community, it’s always worth your while to plug in and make a difference. And hopefully, you will inspire others to contribute their gifts and talents to help people around you.

In Pure Spirit

Are you looking for interesting reading that will inspire you to believe and think differently? Then check out In Pure Spirit. We offer a variety of readings to inspire your curiosity.

About the Author

Betty Vaughan understands that achieving work-life balance has never been harder. She has experienced first-hand how remote work blurs the line separating one’s work from the rest of their life. That’s why she created Nine To Thrive. Through the site, she hopes to help anyone struggling with a work-life imbalance find and sustain that needed balance so that they can live a life where they can fully thrive.

Photo Credit: Anna Shvets via Pexels

Using Google to track cryptids

by Leave a Comment

The travel site Next Vacay has used what people search for to work out where in the world we might see cryptids.

How? Here’s what they say;

We utilized our keyword tool to identify countries and states which had high levels of search volume in relation to these cryptids, as well as associated terms ([Cryptid] Real, [Cryptid] sightings, [Cryptid]. For each cryptid, we divided the search volume by the country’s population, which provided us with the country that had the highest search volume per capita. A limitation present in this study is that we were unable to look into each country’s search volume for cryptids in their native language. Additionally, we could not consider every local variation of the cryptid’s name. The country with the highest search volume for each cryptid was avoided, as only a couple of countries dominated due to the size of their population.

Cryptids of the world

Using Google to track cryptids

There are some weird stats and Next Vacay noticed that California gets a lot of people searching vampires whereas Georiga looks for mermaids and worryingly Texas focuses on chupacabra.

Where in the world are Banshee?

Where in the world are Elves?

Where in the world are Werewolves?

Where in the world are Unicorns?

Where in the world are Mermaids?

Where in the world are Fairies?

Where in the world are Vampires?

Where in the world are Yeti?

Where in the world are Leprechaun?

Where in the world are Chupacabras?

Where in the world are Bunyip?

Where in the world are Jumbee?

Where in the world are Kappa?

Where in the world are Kraken?

Where in the world are Ningen?

Where in the world are Wendigo?

Where in the world are Bigfoot?

In Pure Spirit

What do you make of the work? A useful tool or just a marketing stunt?

Photography Tips & Tricks for Capturing the BEST British Wildlife Images

by Leave a Comment

Interested in wildlife photography? Whether you’re a beginner or pro, our helpful guide from experts at Lafayette Photography will ensure you snap award-worthy pictures of these native creatures and critters. 

British Birds

British birds

There’s nothing more iconic than images of a Robin Redbreast set against a wintry background. These common birds are easy to find, but why not discover rare British birds for an even more striking photograph.

From dainty Willow Tits to majestic White-Tailed Eagles, you can stalk these super rare subjects to ensure jaw-dropping dramatic shots with every click. 

Scotland is home to some of the most magnificent winged wildlife in the world. So head to the highlands armed with weather-resistant lenses that allow maximum zoom and Panasonic settings to include breathtaking backgrounds. Make sure your camera is blur proof by using a tripod and shooting in burst mode. Choose secluded areas like glens and natural parks and try to blend in by wearing muted colours.

As a last resort, why not befriend a fellow birder who can lead the way to an excellent experience with remarkable birdlife and secure that winning shot. 

Butterflies

photo credit Chemihv Flickr
(Photo credit Chemihv Flickr)

British butterflies were born to be photographed. Thanks to their aesthetics and elegant flutter, these special species are a real treat for wildlife photographers everywhere. 

The best time to capture butterflies is early morning or late afternoon. This is when you’ll find them perched upon a plant absorbing warmth from the sun. When approaching the butterfly, be as gentle and lightfooted as possible because they’re super sensitive to vibrations and will depart before getting your picture.

Butterflies aren’t super fast. In fact, their dainty, ethereal movements can be shot on your everyday iPhone. But if you want a more professional feel, choose a digital camera with a fast shutter speed and lie on the ground to capture them mid-flight. 

If you’re one of the lucky people to have a butterfly alight upon your body, then put your camera away and just enjoy the magical moment. 

 

Squirrels

Photo credit Ervin Kobakci
(Photo credit Ervin Kobakci)

Red squirrels are rare, so snapping one in their natural habitat is a real feat. These fluffy-tailed animals are super fast, so it’s essential to remain stealthy and give them a wide birth for natural-looking pictures. 

To find British Red Squirrels, head to woodland in Autumn time. A practical tip to attract them is to take some squirrel snacks along, like pine nuts and sunflowers seeds and sprinkle them around as you scour the scene for the perfect picture. Next, use a camera with a fast shutter speed lens which will enable you to keep your distance without startling your subject. 

Timing is everything when it comes to capturing images of squirrels. And waiting is the name of the game when trying to take excellent shots of nature. So, wear comfy shoes and wait for your furry friends to strike a pose. 

 

Foxes 

Focusing on foxes can produce images of all kinds. Whether dark and macabre or lighthearted and humorous, these cunning Canidae make the best photography subjects. 

photo credit Naturetti
(Photo credit Naturetti)

Foxes are super easy to find too! Most urban areas in the UK have a wondering fox or two, making wildlife photography a breeze. The tricky part is they only surface after dark, so make sure you stay safe when searching for your foxy pictures. 

Even though you’ll need to edit night images, it’s critical to use lenses with a dynamic range when shooting without light. Otherwise, you won’t have clear, crisp pictures of your Mr Fox. Equally important is the need for reduced noise, so a camera that allows for sensory control will help you get those exciting shots without scaring your subject away. 

British Badgers

photo credit Robert Canis
(Photo credit Robert Canis)

Trying to shoot pictures of wild badgers can get a little complicated. Of course, this is excellent news for the more adventurous photographer, but if you’re a beginner, here are some simple tricks to get you started.

Badgers come out after dusk, so head to woodland areas before that time. Getting there early gives you a chance to look out for badger droppings, so you know where to set up, bait and wait. 

If you didn’t already know, badgers are fierce, have an epic sense of smell, and move quickly in the opposite direction if you’re wearing strong scents. Remote photography would be best for these unique animals if you have the specialised equipment. 

To create the clearest, most charming photographs of badgers, always use a wide lens to paint a storybook picture people can invest in. 

In Pure Spirit

What tips do you have for wildlife photography?

This article was written by Faye Lord on behalf of Lafayette Photography, UK and Ireland’s leading photography company since 1880; services include portraiture, corporate photography, graduate ceremonies and historical photography. In Pure Spirit was not paid to host it and received no other compensation.

Disclosure

This blog discusses ideas and causes. Urban myth, science and faith combine here. So do editorials and technology; In Pure Spirit uses affiliate marketing and some links might earn us money. You can read more about that here.

Policies

Member of The Internet Defence League