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    <title>Gaia: Creative Spirit - Spirit-Based Project Ideas - Comfort Box</title>
    <id>tag:gaia.com,2008,:Gaia</id>
    <link>http://groups.gaia.com/creative_spirit/discussions/feeds/thread/34256</link>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <ttl>2</ttl>
    <pubDate>Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:04:42 GMT</pubDate>
    <description>Gaia: Creative Spirit - Spirit-Based Project Ideas - Comfort Box</description>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Comfort Box</title>
      <author>http://jodi.gaia.com</author>
      <dc:creator>jodi</dc:creator>
      <guid>tag:gaia.com,2006:Gaia-34320</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:04:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <link>http://groups.gaia.com/creative_spirit/conversations/view/34256#34320</link>
      <description>


&lt;p&gt;      &lt;p&gt;hey! great idea. I have so many boxes lying around since we moved. I&amp;#39;ll try it and let you know. :)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

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    <item>
      <title>Comfort Box</title>
      <author>http://DG.gaia.com</author>
      <dc:creator>DG</dc:creator>
      <guid>tag:gaia.com,2006:Gaia-34256</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Jul 2006 04:36:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <link>http://groups.gaia.com/creative_spirit/conversations/view/34256</link>
      <description>


&lt;p&gt;      . . . Yes, it HAS been a while since I posted a project. My apoloiges -- I am swimming in projects lately. But, here's something to make that helps you cope with those lost and lonely moments.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
To make a Comfort Box, you'll need:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
- A box. Whatever size, shape, and materials you like. It should have a lid.
- An assortment of things that represent comfort to you. These might be objects, like your childhood teddy bear, or colors, or scents, or images of favorite places, or pictures of loved ones . . . anything at all, as long as it fits into the box. (By way of illustration, I would include these things in my comfort box: a bit of Lavender oil for scent, a picture of a cup of steaming black tea, a picture of a glorious garden in full bloom, a string of bright glass beads, some striped paperclips, and a glass rabbit that came from my great grandmother.)
- Some creative supplies, like glue, scissors, glitter, paints, etc.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;To make a Comfort Box, spread all your supplies out in front of you. Put on some soothing music, make a cup of tea, and light some candles.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Take a moment to relax. Close your eyes, breathe deeply. Empty your mind of the day's stresses, and fill it with the sensation of comfort, in whatever guise it takes for you -- whether that be a feeling of safety, or physical ease, or nostalgia, or some combination of elements. Fill your mind with your comfort.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Now, open your eyes, and open your box. Fill, decorate, and festoon the inside of the box with your comfort stuff. There are so many possibilities: &lt;/p&gt;
- Maybe you'll want to glue things into the box, in a shrine-like fashion. 
- Maybe you'll want to pack things loosely into the box, so you can shuffle through them. 
- Maybe you'll want to paint and embellish the inside of the box. 
- Maybe you'll want to collage words and images on the insides of the box.
- Maybe you'll want to fill your box with even smaller decorated boxes, and pack on special thing in each one.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Some people like to also decorate the outside of their comfort box, and some prefer to leave it blank on the outside. Again, it's up to you.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;When your box is complete, you can use it several ways:
- Place it somewhere you'll be every day, and use it for a small daily "dose of comfort" meditation.
- Tuck it away in a closet, to use in "comfort emergencies."
- Sit still with your box, breathe deeply, and slowly savor all the sensations you've assembled there. If you're stressed, it may take a while to calm your mind and body, but if you sit long enough, it will work. And you'll feel wonderful. &lt;/p&gt;

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