The world can be a wonderful amazing place with a lot to know and do. But it can also feel extremely demanding, tiring, and busy. For some people, life is like a roller coaster ride with high highs and very unpredictable low dips that demand enormous energy and focus. If you are like me, life requires you to be in a constant juggling state. Instead of balls, there is work, work, school, work, courses, business, professional development, family, work, etc. And we cannot forget to throw in ‘have a social life’ into the mix! At the end of the day, life is far to short to simply sit still and do nothing. But, lets face it- living can get stressful! Situations can render a person energy-less, fed up, anxious, and aaagggggg!!
So, how does a person keep his or her cool and end the stop the ball of stress from rolling down the perpetual hill of “aaagggghh!”? How do we stay positive when we are staring life straight in the face? The following pointers are simple thing that I would recommend everyone to use or keep in mind when stressful times do come (and they most definitely will). Now there is no guarantee that stress will instantly disappear after you do these things. The only certain things are that there may be a bit more positive feelings created, situations may not look as enormous as they once seemed, and the feeling of stress can be reduced (or at least seem conquerable).
1) Exercise!
Exercise is not only good for the body, its good for the soul! Physical activity (be it strength training, running, yoga, roller blading, jumping jacks, etc) has a way of making the body feel good which in-turn makes the mind happier. The secret is that doing physical activity releases some Feel-Good hormones into the blood stream. Maybe one could say “15 sit-ups a day keeps the stress away!”. Give it a whirl and keep that body moving!!
2) Talk it out!
Human being are, by nature, social creatures who crave social interaction (typically) (Even if that is not always evident in our daily behavior). There is some scientific evidence that talking about our feelings and our emotions also help release positive Feel-good hormones into our bodies and can actually make our physical bodies feel physically better. The key here is that negative feelings are not meant to be kept inside. They are supposed to be set free to literally (and figuratively) set us free!
3) Write it down!
Writing things down, feelings and thoughts for example, has many of the same benefits as talking things out with a trusted friend. It allows you to address the situation which means the feelings and stressful stimulus is no longer being ignored. It allows you to see the situation objectively and take a new or different perspective. And the most important thing it does is get all that tension out from the inside out!
4) Pamper, pamper pamper!
This form of stress relief is usually the favorite. The key thing here is YOU! Shut everything else out and focus on things that make you happy. Spoil yourself a bit! There are many enjoyable activities that yield great spoiling potential. They include, but are not limited to: bubble baths, hot tub soaks, massages, vacations, trips, mani-pedi’s, mini shopping sprees and so much more. Of course we want to be sure that we are not simply sweeping our problems under the rug or applying a temporary band aide instead of dealing with our stress. Treat yourself like a queen (or king), even for a moment and realize that you are worth it!
5) Realize this one thing!
Perhaps the most important lesson when it comes to life or stress is the realization that you are only human. Understand that there is only one thing that you can control in this life- your own personal reactions to the world and things/people around you. Recognize that each and every person in this world battles with their own ‘demons’ and they choose how to live their own life based on their own personal convictions. For this reason, allowing others to continuously negatively impact our life does not only make no sense, it is also self-damaging.
The words of The Serenity Prayer are ones that are great to keep in mind:
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
–Reinhold Niebuhr
6) And always keep smiling!
What things have you discovered works to help reduce stress and/or increase positive feelings? Please share.What would you recommend for those who could be stressed at this very moment?
Thank you much for reading and remember to release the negativity and embrace the positive.
Do you like to follow the classic rules when it comes to fashion or prefer a little more dazzle or uniqueness? Do you truly value comfort over fashion or do you chose a pair of 10inch pumps over classy flats to any occasion? These types of questions give us insight on our individual and personal fashion personalities. Our fashion personality how we choose to express our outlook, our attitude, and ourselves through what we wear and how we wear it! Fashion is not just about clothes and accessories, it is a personal statement of who we are. No wonder our personal styles are indicators of our personality.
Here are a few different types of fashion personalities:
1) Indie: The indie fashion personality expresses an independent style because she sets their own standard of fashion. She gives off a fun and quirky vibe, and mix and match different fashion types and fabrics. This personality avoids dark colors and love floral prints. Zooey Deschanel is an indie style icon and a playful feminine dress is her signature piece.
2) Emo: The emo fashion personality look consists of straight, black or platinum hair and tight clothes. They love wearing eye liner, hair extensions, piercings, stripes and stars. They avoid bright colours. Avril Lavigne wore the trendy emo look with her signature skinny jeans, T-shirt, dark eye shadow and straight hair.
3) Preppy: Preppy personalities prefer the clean cut, prep school look. Such fashion personalities give off an upper-class, intellectual vibe. They like simple, formal clothes, which include sweaters, button down shirts, chinos, etc. They avoid flashy and over the top styles. Emma Watson with her sweaters, stockings and checked skirt aces the look.
4) Gothic: This personality gives off a morbid and mysterious vibe. This cryptic fashion style consists of dark clothes, black hair, pale make-up and black lipstick. They love black!! The goth simply avoids any colorful clothes. Victoria Beckham is a famous Gothic icon whose signature look is a black dress, complete with goth makeup of dark eye shadow and black lipstick.
5) Classic: This is an elegant style that has survived through the ages. Her clothes are simple and classy and she does prefer sleek silhouettes. Classic personalities choose minimal make-up and accessories and like basic colors. Audrey Hepburn is the perfect classic fashion style icon with her signature little black dress.
6) Trendy/Modern: These fashion personalities have a love for new looks and follow the latest trends in the fashion world. They give off a bold, smart vibe, and avoid dressing in traditional clothes. They are big on their adaptable and dynamic attire. Rihanna’s personal style gets reflected in her short party dress and textured skirt.
7) Sporty/Casual: These fashion ladies prefer comfort over glamour at all costs. They avoid embellishments or complicated styling. Their athletic personality give off an easygoing, girl next door vibe. Selena Gomez sports this look with her signature pants or shorts paired with graphic T-shirts or loose tank tops.
8) Bohemian: This fashion personality gives off a funky, free-spirited and exotic vibe. She creates her unique look by blending elements from different cultures and nature. Bohemian personalities avoid dark colors and like to experiment with tribal prints and earthy tones. Kate Moss is a Bohemian style icon with her signature breezy caftan with Aztec patterns.
9) Bombshell/Sexy: These ladies dress to impress and give off a sense of dynamic confidence. Her closet is filled with deep necklines, spicy short, jewelry, and tight-fitting dresses to highlight her great assets. Kim Kardashian is a sexy style icon and looks like a beautiful seductress in her fitted dresses with bling or bold animal prints.
10) Eccentric: This style reflects an unusual and outlandish personality where one can expect unexpected combinations. They give off an unpredictable vibe and choose clothes that are imaginative and creative. They hate to follow the crowd and avoid fixed rules when making their fashion selections. Lady Gaga has an eccentric fashion personality and her signature look is heavy eye make up, high platform heels, peculiar headgear and clothes made of varied materials like bubble wrap and meat.
11) Edgy: This fashion style is also called a rocker chic style because they give off a dark, urban vibe that may be a reflection of their impulsive personality. They like dark colors, boots, metallic accessories and avoid frilly, feminine dresses. Rooney Mara rocks the edgy look with her signature smokey eyes, short hair and sleek black gown.
12) Romantic Lady: This is a powerful yet feminine style. This lady gives off a sophisticated vibe with such fashion selections like pencil skirts, wrap dresses, with simple accessories. They avoid a dark edgy look. Kate Middleton is a royal romantic style icon with her signature silhouette dress, pretty headgear and classic pump shoes.
13) Minimalist: These fashion personalities give off a vibe that reflects modesty. They like timeless single colored clothes that are subtle. They avoid clothes with loud colors and prefer to keep it minimal. Angelina Jolie is a famous minimalist style icon and looks gorgeous in a simple white gown and subtle accessories.
14) Vintage: Those who like the vintage look love old school dresses, beautiful fabrics and floral prints. They avoid dark colors or eccentric patterns and give off a classy vibe. Drew Barymore is a lovely vintage icon with her classic looks and love for vintage gowns.
What fashion personality are you??
Where you able to find and identify your unique personal fashion style??
Most of us have experienced that specific moment (quite often during mid-bite), when we ask ourselves.. “What the HECK am I eating?!”. Some of us even go further and allow our mind to think back and recreate the list of our chosen entrées and snacks for the past few weeks. Yes we shake our heads and with a reflective sigh ask ourselves again… “what the HECK have I been eating!!??”
And this, this very moment is where I found myself many times this week; asking this very question. I have recently been requires me to work a sequence of overnight rotations. And boy! Let me be the first to type that overnights are NOT good for my figure!!
I think I ate in an attempt to stay awake and my mind tried to find comfort in the fact that I really should be asleep in my warm bed. The list was long and vast: burgers, fries, chips, sweets, fried foods, fast food….. and a generous amount of it all. And the funny thing is that the more I thought about it, the more I kept on eating. After all, I had already been eating badly all day… so why stop now? And so begins the perpetual cycle of unhealthy eating.
The through process:
I want to eat healthy today -> I actually started to eat unhealthy today -> I didn’t eat healthy today -> I’ll keep eating unhealthy and try to eat healthy tomorrow -> I want to eat healthy today -> I actually started to eat unhealthy today -> and so on…
I have just discovered an alternative way of thinking.
Instead asking myself …. “What the HECK have I been eating??!”…. I ask myself “What have I NOT eaten today?”
What HEALTHY things have I NOT blessed my body with lately??!
And then… precede to eat THOSE things!
How about:
-healthy nutrients.
-vegetables and fruits.
-good protein.
-water.
-whole grains.
-nutritious foods.
Focusing on those things that are great and wholesome to the body is more beneficial than fixating on what has already been ingested.
Stay healthy and Happy eating!!!
Art, Art, Art!!
I came across a picture of some 3D street art and fell in-love with everything about it! The creativity, the skill, the technique, the illusion… Its just amazing to me how the mind and human senses work with human illusions and perceptions. And its even more amazing the amount of human talent and potential there is in this world!
I wish I was this talented!
I spent hours looking for different sorts of 3D art online and picked a few I liked to share on this blog.
If you were able and willing to put in the time and effort to paint a piece of 3D street art; what would you create?
I think I would paint a gigantic underground magical kingdom with mountains and forests, and beautiful elegant unicorns.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.” Johnny Cash
Sun protection
As this side of the world inches slowly towards Summer Time, we can’t help but be filled with happy thoughts and smiles. The expectation of outdoor fun, new discoveries, and sunshine fill our minds and bodies with excitement. Many of us have planned holidays to exotic locations, camp trips, and road trips. The aim is ultimately to soak up as much sunshine as we can before old-man Winter comes strolling by once again. Though Summer Time symbolizes fun and games for most of us, it is definitely not all fun and games on our skin. As we enjoy the sunshine this year, its important to make an effort to protect our skin from harm. Also, what can be said about the need of sun protection for dark-choloclate-ebony-toned individuals?
The truth about Mr./Ms. Sunshine!
Though many of us would love to live in Mr/Ms Sunshine’s warm embrace forever, the human body and skin does not fully share the same sentiments.
1) The sun provides the human bodies with needed Vitamin D. Doctors recommend 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight a few times a week.
2) Sunshine contains UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB ray that are both harmful to skin.
3) UV ray can cause many serious cancers such as melanoma, premature aging, and sunspots.
4) Melanin, which occurs naturally in our skin, determines skin tone and also provides some protection from the sun’s ray. People with darker complexions generally have more melanin in their skin.
5) Sunburn forms when the exposure to UV rays exceeds the ability of the body’s protective pigment (melanin) to protect the skin.
6) SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures the amount of UV the skin absorbs. A SPF of 15 means there is an additional protection above what the bare skin can absorb. A SPF of 30 reduces the amount of UV that would be absorbed into the skin.
7) Sun Tanning?: The skin getting darker, due to time in the sun, is the body’s defense mechanism. Generally, the more you tan, the more melanin your body produces in an effort to decrease chances of further damage. Tanning is a defense mechanism.
8) Sun damage is caused by an accumulation of small day-to-day damages.
9) Sunscreen helps protect the skin from harmful sun rays.
Sunscreen
Think of sunscreen as the skins umbrella from harmful ray. Though sunscreen does not completely (100%) block sunray, it does provide a strong and vital shield against harmful effects of the sun. The best sunscreen contains chemical absorbers and reflectors. Once sunscreen is applied, chemical absorbers become activated to a high-energy state. It typically takes up to 30 minutes for the chemicals to reach the energy level required to absorb the right amount of UV rays. The reflector chemicals (often zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) reflect harmful sunray and keep it from penetrating the skin. Chemical absorbers typically have a shelf life of 2-4 hours. This means that sunscreen will need to be reapplied to maintain maximum protection.
Do people of color need Sunscreen?
Science and research all answer this question with a great emphatic “YES”. Yes people of color can get sun burns, sun spots, and are susceptible to all sun factors. People of all skin tones are encouraged to use sunscreen outside at all times to protect themselves from the negative effects of the sun.
Many people of color may be skeptical of the suns effect on their skin. It is true that darker skin tones do have higher levels of melanin, which provide more natural protection from the sun. Research has discovered that the average medium African American skin tone has a natural UVB protection of 13-12spf. This, however, is not complete protection. The skin is still susceptible to skin cancers, wrinkles, and sunspots. Sunburns, for example, can form on the skin of a light skinned person after only 15 minutes of midday sun exposure. A darker skinned person, on the other hand, may be able to tolerate hours of that same midday sun before any sign of skin damage. Research has also found that skin cancers (particularly basal cell carcinomas and malignant melanoma which is one of the most aggressive and quickest to spread) are more common among people of color.
Sunscreen Alternatives
Many oils (such as sunflower oil, and shea butter, and peanut oil) provide a low SPF against harmful sunrays. Applying these oils to skin creates some barrier from the sun and can help against sunburns. Even a little protection is better than fully exposing skin to direct harm.
Perhaps the three most common natural alternatives are:
-Sesame Oil (protection from about 30% of the suns rays).
-Coconut oil (protection from about 20% of the suns rays).
-Aloe Vera (protection from about 20% of the suns rays).
Note: It important to note that these natural products must be applied very frequently (every 1 to 2 hours) in order to maintain its maximum level of sun protection. There are also store products that use all-natural ingredients.
Conclude:
Our skin is like our lives: we only have one! It is our job to care for and protect it. The sunshine is not a respecter of persons, colors, tones, or creed. It shines on each one of us with the exact same affection. A healthy moderated dose of sunshine is beneficial to our bodies. For long-term exposure, however, each one of us needs to be safeguarded from harmful rays. Be sure to smile, laugh, play, and enjoy the sunshine- but remember to stay, and always remain protected.
Sunscreen: Guideline
1) Always use a sunscreen of 15SPF and above or at least 30SPF if you have a darker complexion.
2) Avoid sprays and powders which can send toxic chemicals into the air.
3) A SPF of 50 or above does not necessarily mean better protection.
4) Buy a sunscreen labeled ‘Broad Spectrum’ which means it provides protection from all harmful sunrays.
5) Buy a sunscreen that contains zinc oxide (5-10%), titanium dioxide (5-10%), mexoryl S (3%+)
6) Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone, benzoic acids, dioxtbenzone, retinyl palminate and other.
7) Waterproof/sweat proof sunscreens should indicate exactly how long the product is water resistant so it is clear how often you must reapply.
8) Sunscreens typically should be reapplied every 2-4 hours.
9) Be sure to also use other forms of protection such as sunglasses, hats, and clothing.
10) Limit the time you spend in direct sunlight.
Be sure to do your research when it comes to your health!
After reading this and doing more research about sun/sunscreen, do you think you will now start using sunscreen?
Are you convinced about the need and benefit for sunscreen use? Why or why not?
Slip into your finest stilettos! Grab your suits ad ties! Its time to take off and strut your stuff along-side the most fashionable men and woman of our time. Are you ready to travel to the most stylish havens and streets on our planet?
As the excitement builds and the plane inches slowly to the runway, you may realize that the beautiful scene outside appears somewhat unfamiliar. For many years, Milan, New York, Paris and London have been the ultimate fashion capitals of the world. Now lets take another look at the fashion arena. Some obscure destinations have recently claimed the spotlight. You may be surprised to find these exotic spots hogging the space of your Fashiondom-must-visit-bucket-lists.
These 10 exotic destinations are filled with style, fashion, and fun! Lets take a closer look; the flight deck has been cleared for landing!
#1 Johannesburg
Following Africa’s fame as the World Cup Host in 2010, Johannesburg earned attention and interest, not only from travelogue savants but also from the global fashion police. In summer of 2011, the fashion scene was laden with explosion of colors, patterns and accessories – most of which were reflective of Africa. Johannesburg has and continues to produced talented fashion designers featured in Fashion Weeks all across the glob.
#2 Morocco
Morocco has long been the apple of the eye of the Ibiza set. But before sexy beach cover-ups reigned, floor-length caftans were what covered the beach scene. During the great days of the 1960′s two ends of the fashion spectrum mashed up and gave birth to what we presently know as “hippie style.” And the rest is history.
#3 Beirut
It may used to be an unfamiliar place to fashionistas, but Beirut recently made a buzz as the new exotic hub for style. World-revered haute couturiers Elia Saab and Zuhair Mrad hail from the country. Both received fondness from stylistas during the Milan and Paris Fashion Week, claiming top designer titles from Valentino’s fashion World.
#4 Bhutan
Apart from being the dwelling of the most beautiful gods and the Thunder Dragon People, Bhutan is abode to world-class textiles and breath taking fashion. For what it’s worth, you could be a first hand witness to intricate hand weaving made from incomparably soft silk yarn and yak hair.
#5 Tokyo
More than the “kawaii (means cute)” costumes, Tokyo is the home of popular designers like Junya Watanabe and Rei Kawakubo. This is not surprising as the district is distinguished for its edgy, quirky, sleek, modern and elegant style trend.
#6 Russia
If you ever wonder where the art of layering clothes came from, you can ask Russian ladies. They have been tastefully mix and matching pieces long before fashion magazines took notice. Look around the area and you may find inspiration from the cotton shirts and pinafores, along with the not-too-shabby loose A-line shape of traditional peasant dresses.
#7 Singapore
Speaking of shopping, Singapore is not to be outdone for its Oscar-worthy designer dresses and other high-fashion items. These are all featured in Singapore Fashion Festival that runs annually from April to May.
#8 Mongolia
China may be the largest producer of raw cashmere, but it is only in Mongolia that you will find the wool of the rare white cashmere goat – and you don’t need to climb mountains to purchase it either! Just get your travel toes in Ulaanbaatar markets and be the subject of envy in cashmere gear.
#9 New Delhi
Bollywood made India famous, but it is the high quality fabrics, interesting pattern, and to-die-for combination of colors that made New Delhi legendary in a non-fortuitous way. New Delhi textiles found their way to the global catwalk over the last few years, as designers like Manish Aurora star various Fashion Weeks.
#10 Miami
Three words: hot! Hot! Hot! Some of the world’s best architecture and beaches are found in Miami, and its fashion stakes are keeping quiet. Miami Beach International Fashion Week is among the most anticipated events every March as it showcases the biggest Latin American designers.
Are these the places that come to mind when you think of Fashion Centrals? I sure wouldn’t have thought of any of these places before now.
What other cities could be added to the list? Nigeria for sure! yes?
Happy shopping!!
And remember…. always…. always…. celebrate fashion!
A REVIEW: “Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health”, written by Dr. William Davis
Dr. Davis introduces the idea that today’s wheat is not the same as yesterday’s wheat. The wheat we consume is different from the wheat our parents and grandparents ate in the 1950′s. This newer, genetically-engineered “dwarf wheat” of today, according to Dr. Davis, is harmful to our bodies and leads to health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity (or “wheat belly”), diabetes, and heart disease. Dr. Davis reminds us of the fact that obesity was not a major health epidemic in the 1950′s as it is today.
In this book, Dr. Davis encourages readers to not only toss out all foods containing wheat; but completely remove wheat from the diet! The result, he says, is weight loss, better health, and no more wheat-belly!! Whooohoo!
Now before you panic wondering what on earth is left to be eaten, just breath. Dr. Davis does help by providing readers with a good list of wheat-alternatives.
The Inside scoop
It is a known fact that wheat contains high-levels of gluten that can cause some health/immune problems and allergic reactions. It is also a fact that, as with everything, excessive amounts may not be too great on ones figure.
But is wheat really the root cause of all the health and nutrition issues we see today? Can the elimination of wheat single-handedly revolutionize the health field?
Dr. Davis does include other food types that should also be avoided to help promote health. There does not seem to be conclusive evidence that this dwarf wheat is responsible for increasing the risk of various health problems. But then again, there is also no decisive evidence showing that the opposite is true. In other words, the true and complete effect of wheat in the body is inconclusive.
Blaming the obesity epidemic on dwarf wheat consumption by comparing today’s lifestyle with that of the 1950′s is almost like comparing bellbottoms and Louboutins. They are completely different worlds!!
There has to be more factors effecting our health and wellness than just wheat. For example, we cannot forget that today’s children and adults are spending more time in front of the TV being inactive. A sedentary lifestyle must play a big role in our overall health especially in combination with the mere quantity of food we consume a day.
Lets conclude
Dr. Davis sheds light on the very real health hazards present in today’s processed food. For that reason alone, the book is work a read. On the other hand, some research shows that diets that encourage the complete elimination of a particular food ingredient, especially one such as wheat that is so widely used, usually do not have a long-term success rate. Health professionals, and even those who advocate natural, organic food sources agree that the healthiest diets are those that include a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.
It is impossible to disprove Dr. Davis’ premise about wheat. At the end of the day, there is nothing inherently unhealthy about omitting wheat from the diet. Weight loss would be inevitable because wheat is, by nature, a high-calorie food. But as for definitive support for the idea that unhealthy hazards exists from eating dwarf wheat? There is none.
And finally, I will conclude with this: …..moderation and self-control is key.
What do you think readers? Can you survive without wheat? Do you see the potential benefits or problems that could arise from removing wheat from your diet?
When life throws you lemons…..
…… add mangos
…… squeeze oranges
…..toss in strawberries
….. squash banana
……and make a massive-yummy-delicious smoothie!!!
I thought of this the other day and realized that we are given many things in life, good or bad. It is our job to use those events/things/circumstances/etc for the better good. By adding our talents, skills, resources, and a little creativity- many wonderful things can be created.
Many women and men have routines they follow at bedtime. Some people have a hot shower and brush their teeth, others have a cup of tea, and the rest of us unconsciously prep their mind/body before jumping into bed. These conscious or unconscious actions sends signals to our brain and help us transition swiftly into dreamland. But how do we prepare our faces for rest and sleep before we place it gently on our pillow and close our eyes?
It is important to wash the day away!! Here is a simple and basic bedtime routine for the face. It’s a way to clean and cleanse the face so the skin can rest, breath, replenish, and maintain optimal health.
Lets start with the facts-
Fact one: The world can be an ugly place. Just like air, bacteria and dirt are all around us. They can and do stick to our skin and clothing wherever we go.
Fact two: Pores get clogged up. During the course of the day, our pores (the tiny openings in our skin that allow it to breath) get clogged up with everything! Things like make-up, lotions, and dirt/bacteria fill our pores and clog them up. This little situation can result in many different things such as: pimples, premature wrinkles, and poor skin.
Fact three: Getting rid of the clogging is key for wonderful skin! Helping your skin breath well is essential. It allows the skin to relax, rejuvenate, and replenish itself.
Here are the Four commandments to wash the day away and maintain natural-healthy skin:
1) Thou must cleanse thy face!!
Rid the face of dirt, chemicals, and other unnecessary products by cleansing or washing it away. There are hundreds of daily facial washes to pick from. It’s all about picking which one works best for you. There are also many tips and recommendations about how to pick the best cleanser for you. Start by knowing your face. Buy a product made for dry, oily, or combination skin types.
Wash with warm water to help open your pores and allow for a deep clean.
2) Thou must tone it up!!
Toners are important for evening out your skins pH levels. After the hustle and bustle of the day, the skin has literally been attacked by unnatural elements. It is almost impossible to know what kind of work all that bacteria is doing to your skin. This is where toners come and help the skin return back to its natural state of being.
3) Thou must and finally moisturize!
Use a gentle night cream that does not clog your pores. Moisturizers help keep your skin soft and healthy. Many products also add helpful minerals to the skin. Simply massage gently into the skin and neck before enjoying a wonderful sleep!
4) Thou shall also exfoliate regularly!
Exfoliating the skin gets rid of dead skin and cells to reveal healthy skin. The act of exfoliating can be as simple as using a soft brush or sponge to scrub the face. Using an exfoliating scrub found at any beauty store could also be an option. If so inclined, there are many home-made exfoliating scrubs to try. Note: exfoliating can be done after or before cleansing the face. You may not want to exfoliate every single day.
That’s it! Add this simple routine to your life and your face will thank you with open smiles!! Wash the day away and watch, feel, and see the difference!
The secret to life is…… *fill in the blank*
The secret to living a wonderful, fulfilling, and satisfying life is… ????
I have asked that those questions a few times in my life. And if you are like me, you quickly realize that no one can really pinpoint one precise answer. After all, no one is an expert in life. We are all, literally, learning as we go. There are no two people who live in the exact same set of circumstances, feelings, perceptions, or environment.
Yes its easy to say “Just be happy” and join the bus on the pursuit of happiness. But like we all know it is easier said than done. Bad still happens, death, heartbreak, heartache, etc. Bad things do happen to good people. Its hard to stay happy and positive.
My life is very far from perfect. And I do not claim to know exactly what I am talking about every single time I speak….. However, I just wanted to share some profound elements of The Secret. If you have never read or watched The Secret, you should stop what you are doing and take a look. I recommend an open mind. Take what you can from it and simply leave the rest.
The Law of Attraction 
The Secret is the Law of Attraction. It is a secret because We often forget/don’t know just how much power our thoughts and feelings really have.
The Law of Attraction states that the thoughts we think and how we feel sends messages or energy to the universe. Those thoughts and feelings then attract things to us. If our thoughts are negative, we attract negativity. If our thoughts are positive, we attract positive things. The message here, is that because we have the ability to control our thoughts and our feelings, we literally have power over aspects of our world/life/destiny. When bad things do happen, The Secret says do not dwell on them. Spending time thinking of the positive helps up cope better when life happens.
Now how true is this Secret!
Well… we can find aspects of these ideas in medicine and even in the bible. Scientists have found that positive thinking can increase health, healing, and wellbeing. It has also been proven that stress or negativity can actually harm the body emotionally and physically. The bible touches on a joyful heart being healthy and it also speaks about how important your thoughts are (guarding your thoughts, etc).
Now I know many people are uncomfortable with the ideas behind The Secret. And many are completely against The Secret because of it does not place God or any other deity in the center of its premise.
What do you think?
I say… what you think is generally what you are and what you see. For example- if you think everyone hates you, be it right or wrong, that’s what you will see and feel. A simple gesture or suggestion can seem like a personal attack.
To me… The Secret is within us. It is knowing that the thoughts we think and feel are powerful and understanding that we have the strength to change and manipulate them. And at the end of the day, it is finding the sunshine even on the cloudiest of days.
Check out The Secret http://thesecret.tv/index.html
What do you think? Can everyone apply some element of The Secret to his or her life?
Think positive, speak positivity, be positive!
Gallery
Google+
Sites
