Raines Realm

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana Today I finished reading  Everybody who was Anybody (a biography of Gertrude Stein).   As I’m putting together the plans for hosting my first salon, it was brought to my attention how valuable it could be to have some background on one of the most famous salons of all. Her story is amazing and I see a great many parallels between her life and my own. I also see quite a few differences. But the thing that resonates the most is seeing how the choices that she made led her to such a glorious life full of the kind of success that most dream of. It’s crucial to our success in life, both personal and professional, to read biographies. To see life through the eyes of those that lived it. To hear personalized accounts from people who were actually there instead of getting all of our historical information from generic history books. Whatever interests you, seek out th...

Do you ever have mornings where you can't even find the energy to get out of bed? Are they most mornings? Do you dread Mondays and the week ahead? I used to be that way, just kind of existing in life. I felt like there had to be a different way. I didn't want to get to the end of my life and look back feeling like it was wasted. So, I started thinking about the things I was passionate about! What goals and dreams would really fulfill my life. And, then I turned them into a way for me to help others! Its not always going to come easy and you will have to work hard for it. But, it is possible for you to live your dream life! It means not taking no for an answer when you're going after your goals. It means looking at the long-term, bigger picture and going after it with every fiber of your being! It also means believing that its truly possible. That's generally where we trip ourselves up. We say things like I'll try and see. Don't try, don't give yo...

I've recently been trying to add a lot more hygge to my life. Pronounced hue'gah, the Oxford dictionary defines it as  A quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture). To put it simply, its the little moments. Its a hot cup of tea by the fire, its a picnic in the woods, its enjoying the sounds of the evening. Its putting the phone down! (After you read this, of course). When you take the time to truly experience and observe your atmosphere, you create a calming and fulfilling effect that benefits you mentally and physically. Our lifestyles can be very demanding and cause us to have to rush around, rarely enjoying life's little pleasures. It is crucial that we take the time to savor those little moments throughout the day. When you incorporate hygge into your life, your mind will start to be able to focus and concentrate in a more productive way,...