With St. Patrick's Day over and spring just a week away we are seeing an abundance of green.

     Every spring we see new leaves budding out and out world becomes green again.  It's a good feeling, one we all look forward to experiencing every year.  Did you know that our eyes see more shades of green than any other color?  That makes it a natural choice to use in your home decor because we are used to seeing green as a backdrop everywhere we look.

     Green is a very soothing color.  Surrounding ourselves with some green helps us to relax and generates feelings of hope.  It is also used in color therapy to help alleviate depression and nervousness.

     Try adding a few touches of green to your home.  Do you find yourself feeling more relaxed when you are surrounded with green?

     One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of red and green is Christmas.  But your room doesn't have to look like Christmas if you use these tips.

1. Use of of the colors as an accent.
2. Take a cue from nature and use darker and lighter shades together.  Darker greens with very light reds can create a subtle romantic look.
3. Use some art work to thie the two tegether, such as the featured photo this week.  Abstract art is a great way to tie together the colors in your room.

     Don't forget to explore the framing and matting options in my online store.  Frames can really make your art work stand out.

     Beauty in our everyday life is something that we often overlook.  But those ordinary things or moments can really give us the balance we need in this busy and chaotic world.

     I really enjoy the featured photograph today.  That little leaf with the holes in it make me stop in my tracks when I saw it.  I found it while hiking in early Autumn.  Seeing the beginning of the yellow color reminds me of that day.

     I often wonder what caused those little holes.  But even with that imperfection it continued to grow and serve its life purpose.  Seems like there is a life lesson there.  I think that is why I enjoy sitting and looking at this picture.  Simple, imperfect, and peaceful makes it perfect for a home or office wall.

  
     Science is proving what many of us have known for a long time.  Nature has a positive effect on the human brain.  Experiencing nature is good for us!

     National Geographic talks about this research in detail in the article This is Your Brain on Nature.  Testing is being done and is proving the health benefits of disconnecting for a period of time every week.  It's not just good for children to play outside, adults need it just and much.

     Like you, I have know the trials of being a busy parent that also works outside the home full time.  You are so busy trying to do it all that you don't take the time you need to refresh and rewind.  It's hard to find that time to give yourself a nature break.

     The testing has also shown that virtual nature also has some of the same positive benefits.  Bring nature into your home in some form is beneficial.  Hang a few nature photos in your home.  Perhaps in your bedroom and take a few minutes before turning off the lights to meditate while focusing on the picture.  It just might help you de-stress from the day and it certainly can't hurt to just enjoy a peaceful image.

     Green.  It brings to mind so many things. I often hear Kermit the Frog singing It's Not Easy Being Green.  We also have the 'Green Movement' that is so often in the news. But green is and should be so much more in our lives.

     Green is the color of balance and harmony.  From a psychological viewpoint it creates equilibrium between the heart and head.  That's quite a task to balance the emotions and the logical thought.

     Green also represents growth, spring and renewal.  It can helps us to renew and restore our energy levels which helps to give us our sense of well-being.

     Green is the color of those who love garden and home.  Doesn't it make good sense t have some green in your home?  You can visit my Nature Gallery to see a beautiful selection of stunning nature photography.  Several selections of my green images are also being featured on my Home Page.

     I chose the above photo today because it always reminds me to go towards the light.  That little leaf seems to be directing me to go that way.

     It's already March which means that spring is almost here.  It also means that St. Patrick's Day is almost here. There is no better time to be thinking about green.

     I love to have green around me in my home.  I use a lot of plants in my home decor.  They are so soothing. I touch them whenever I walk by.  We also have conversations.  Although they seem to just listen while I do all the talking.  How often do you have conversations without interruptions?  It's wonderful!

     Did you know that the human eye recognizes more variations of the color green than in any other color?  There are so many shades and variations of shades of green that everyone should be able to find one that they like.  From gray-greens to chartreuse having a some color of green around us helps to restore our equilibrium.  Maybe that's why a walk in the park makes us feel so good!

     Add some green to your home today.  Or even your office if you spend your day in a cubicle.  Add a plant or a picture, something to get your green on and get ready for spring.