Images pass through our minds constantly. Our dreams are filled with fleeting pictures. The difficulty comes when we try to hold onto an image and the details of it. I have used visualization exercises for as long as I can remember and it's still pretty difficult for me. It takes practice and a strong sense of calm for me. But I find that it helps when I'm feeling pretty stressed out and just need a small escape. For some people this is daydreaming. Visualization is just step further. It is the step of making the imagery into reality. Not everything I picture actually happens but it helps in trying to help me figure out what it is truly want out of life. It changes constantly and may be why some things haven't turned into reality. It isn't consistant.
Some people have a clear picture of something and pursue it until it happens. Mine drifts from one picture to the other depending on mood, day, and current situation. Studies are showing there is a definite connection with mind, body, and reality. Your present reality is your own making. By always keeping that in the back of my mind, I try to guard my thoughts from harmful fears and picture only positive outcomes. Remember fear only stunts and holds you back.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thanksgiving
Every year our nation celebrates this great holiday. Most people think of Thanksgiving as a day to just totally pig out. Grocery stores put incredibly enticing things out on display sure to lure you to add whatever they have onto your menu. Pure and simple most of us think of that day as a day of eating, napping, and sports. I have to admit, I look forward to it every year. A chance to reconnect with my family while eating good food and taking an indulgent nap right afterward.
However, this year I really want to take what the meaning of this holiday is straight to the heart. Every night before I go to sleep, I try to remember the things I am truly grateful for and by Thursday, I'd like to seriously contemplate all of the great gifts I have received this year. Whether they were gifts from friends or strangers, I know there were so many things that I received and at the right timing also. It's as if the universe read my mind and somehow manifested it through the actions of others. Little miracles happened all of the time and I can't believe where I am today. I am not talking about physically, I'm talking about mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. For example, I'm so thankful for the challenges I've had because it's forced me to really step up and take more responsibility over MY life. I'm also thankful for all of the positive role models we do have in our world present day. People choose to focus so much on the negative aspects that the news presents everyday, but what about the people who bring awareness to worldly concerns? Today, more than ever the attitude for protecting and preserving our planet has grown. Also through technology and voices from people who have the resources, we are able to become aware of the concerns and become helpful to people who live in these small corners of the world that normally would go unnoticed. I would say even though it seems like our world may be falling apart on some days, we as humans have come a long way. Philanthropic programs have sprung up all over the place. We do want to lend a hand to our neighbors. I am grateful for the present and being able to witness the kindness that so many of us have.
However, this year I really want to take what the meaning of this holiday is straight to the heart. Every night before I go to sleep, I try to remember the things I am truly grateful for and by Thursday, I'd like to seriously contemplate all of the great gifts I have received this year. Whether they were gifts from friends or strangers, I know there were so many things that I received and at the right timing also. It's as if the universe read my mind and somehow manifested it through the actions of others. Little miracles happened all of the time and I can't believe where I am today. I am not talking about physically, I'm talking about mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. For example, I'm so thankful for the challenges I've had because it's forced me to really step up and take more responsibility over MY life. I'm also thankful for all of the positive role models we do have in our world present day. People choose to focus so much on the negative aspects that the news presents everyday, but what about the people who bring awareness to worldly concerns? Today, more than ever the attitude for protecting and preserving our planet has grown. Also through technology and voices from people who have the resources, we are able to become aware of the concerns and become helpful to people who live in these small corners of the world that normally would go unnoticed. I would say even though it seems like our world may be falling apart on some days, we as humans have come a long way. Philanthropic programs have sprung up all over the place. We do want to lend a hand to our neighbors. I am grateful for the present and being able to witness the kindness that so many of us have.
The reason why I wanted to talk about being thankful is because I can personally say the more I have taken notice of all the wonderful things in my life, the more positive set of circumstances I have attracted. And you can't just say you are thankful for this and this and not mean it. It has to come from the depths of your being. You have to truly feel how lucky you are to be given something. It could start off small like being thankful you were able to sleep in a bit longer today or that your boss let you go home an hour earlier than usual. Eventually this attitude escalates and the next thing you know, you start to notice how much more you have to be grateful for. Believe me, try this for a week. A lightness will start to come from you. Your burdens become less worry some. You start to have faith that really, everything will work out.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Standard of Beauty
Who creates the standard of beauty for each society? Oprah's episode today was about sharing beauty secrets from all around the world. In the African country of Mauritania beauty is defined as the bigger you are the more chances you have of getting married. They even take dangerous medication in order to increase in size and they practice something called force feeding in the more rural sections of the country. Small girls are forced to eat until they vomit and then eat some more. Amazing.... in the United States women are obsessed with being practically a size zero. Why do women subject themselves to these kinds of torture? To attract a partner? Do some women see in themselves as being so unworthy that they resort to all kinds of things just to be notice and receive some attention? How many anti-aging products do we see when we walk down the beauty aisle in a drug store? Why is growing older such a bad thing?
In France beauty is found in more mature women. I would have to agree. In my opinion, I think beauty is the grace, wisdom, and strength that some women possess. Shouldn't we celebrate the years that we have learned, grown, and experienced from? What good is youth if young girls don't even see how beautiful they are because some "boy" doesn't like them? Beauty is today and at every age. True beauty just radiates out of a woman who loves herself and wants to give back to the world. You have to feel beautiful in order to be beautiful. Smiling at a random stranger and receiving a smile in return feels beautiful. Doing what resonates most with your soul will bring out happiness in you that will show when you look in the mirror. For some, it's painting, writing, singing, or decorating. Whatever you do to lose yourself and find the hours just flying by is beautiful. Instead of following someone else's definition of beauty, why not create your own?
In France beauty is found in more mature women. I would have to agree. In my opinion, I think beauty is the grace, wisdom, and strength that some women possess. Shouldn't we celebrate the years that we have learned, grown, and experienced from? What good is youth if young girls don't even see how beautiful they are because some "boy" doesn't like them? Beauty is today and at every age. True beauty just radiates out of a woman who loves herself and wants to give back to the world. You have to feel beautiful in order to be beautiful. Smiling at a random stranger and receiving a smile in return feels beautiful. Doing what resonates most with your soul will bring out happiness in you that will show when you look in the mirror. For some, it's painting, writing, singing, or decorating. Whatever you do to lose yourself and find the hours just flying by is beautiful. Instead of following someone else's definition of beauty, why not create your own?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Simplify
As a new mother there are things I no longer I have time to do. It will be even more so once I go back to work after my maternity leave is over. So I have been in the process of getting rid of clutter I no longer need and activities that no longer serve my life. That means the tons of makeup I have collected over the years, must somehow go. Well..soon..or at least not buying anymore! Why did I buy so many when I didn't even use half of them? Now all I have time for is a basic face and a pretty lip gloss. I still want to look nice when I leave the house, just with less gunk on my face and you know what I noticed? I feel stronger and better not wearing as much. It's as if I had to put a mask on before facing the world everyday. I don't need the latest eyeshadow kit or makeup bag. These are just stuff. Stuff collecting on my dresser.
By trying to get rid of certain things in my life, I have made room for more internal changes within. It's as if my authentic self is slowly trying to emerge and it feels beautiful. All that clutter also paralleled with the chaos in my life. How could I direct my energy towards a particular focus if I'm often trying to sift my way through the mess around me? I'm not saying I'm going to be all zen and have only a bed in my home, but honestly why do we sometimes feel the need to hold on so tightly to material things? Comfort? Collection? We constantly need to buy more "stuff" when most of the time it ends up in our trash can and later into a landfill. Every action has a consequence. I'm a total believer in trying to protect our environment especially now that I have a child. We only have one Earth. We don't have to always get new things? How much energy goes into making these things when the old would be perfectly fine? As I have delved deeper into myself, I realize there are more actions I can do that will be better for the environment. I don't need to get new books from Border's. There are libraries and second hand bookstores. The list goes on from there but I won't get into that here.
Since more of my authentic self is emerging I realize often I have gotten dressed or spoken to somebody with fear of what they will think of me. Honestly though, who cares? Because of those fears, I either think too much of what to say and end up saying the wrong thing or I put on this armor on and say something completely off base not reflecting what I feel at all but wanting to protect myself. It's funny because all this time I have being at home with my baby and just contemplating how my life was and how I was, I realize I'm really an introvert. To my friends who might read this, they would probably laugh because when I meet strangers I'm pretty outgoing and friendly. However, I honestly hate crowds. It would explain why I felt the need to totally numb myself with alcohol whenever I was in a bar surrounded by strangers. The outgoing persona is just a way of deflecting others from getting to know the real me. The real dreams, beliefs, and motivation. Blogging has been one of the best ways for me to be able to share the true me.
And now that I realize a stranger's judgement of me no longer matters, I don't have to spend a lot of wasted time on clothing I'm not comfortable in, makeup that masks my face, and attitudes that I don't agree with. And you know what? I'm happier. It's so simple. If we had no fears can you imagine the endless possibilities? If money wasn't a motivation what would you choose to do with your life? Below is a picture of when I was 6 months along. I hardly had much makeup on but didn't care that day because I was basking in my pregnancy and I must say it portrays how I feel on the inside a lot more than when I have a glob of makeup on.
May mor
e love and peace shine from you to those are reading this blog :)
By trying to get rid of certain things in my life, I have made room for more internal changes within. It's as if my authentic self is slowly trying to emerge and it feels beautiful. All that clutter also paralleled with the chaos in my life. How could I direct my energy towards a particular focus if I'm often trying to sift my way through the mess around me? I'm not saying I'm going to be all zen and have only a bed in my home, but honestly why do we sometimes feel the need to hold on so tightly to material things? Comfort? Collection? We constantly need to buy more "stuff" when most of the time it ends up in our trash can and later into a landfill. Every action has a consequence. I'm a total believer in trying to protect our environment especially now that I have a child. We only have one Earth. We don't have to always get new things? How much energy goes into making these things when the old would be perfectly fine? As I have delved deeper into myself, I realize there are more actions I can do that will be better for the environment. I don't need to get new books from Border's. There are libraries and second hand bookstores. The list goes on from there but I won't get into that here.
Since more of my authentic self is emerging I realize often I have gotten dressed or spoken to somebody with fear of what they will think of me. Honestly though, who cares? Because of those fears, I either think too much of what to say and end up saying the wrong thing or I put on this armor on and say something completely off base not reflecting what I feel at all but wanting to protect myself. It's funny because all this time I have being at home with my baby and just contemplating how my life was and how I was, I realize I'm really an introvert. To my friends who might read this, they would probably laugh because when I meet strangers I'm pretty outgoing and friendly. However, I honestly hate crowds. It would explain why I felt the need to totally numb myself with alcohol whenever I was in a bar surrounded by strangers. The outgoing persona is just a way of deflecting others from getting to know the real me. The real dreams, beliefs, and motivation. Blogging has been one of the best ways for me to be able to share the true me.
And now that I realize a stranger's judgement of me no longer matters, I don't have to spend a lot of wasted time on clothing I'm not comfortable in, makeup that masks my face, and attitudes that I don't agree with. And you know what? I'm happier. It's so simple. If we had no fears can you imagine the endless possibilities? If money wasn't a motivation what would you choose to do with your life? Below is a picture of when I was 6 months along. I hardly had much makeup on but didn't care that day because I was basking in my pregnancy and I must say it portrays how I feel on the inside a lot more than when I have a glob of makeup on.
May mor
e love and peace shine from you to those are reading this blog :)
Friday, November 14, 2008
New direction
I am going to completely take this blog into a different direction. Beauty comes from within and oftentimes women forget that. I have taken down most of the entries from this blog because I don't want to just focus on makeup any longer. Although I love makeup, I have always believed that true beauty shines from the inside. In order for it to make it's way outside, we must nurture ourselves and find different ways of going about it. So from now on I will make this blog a focus on that. I am very excited to talk about the things I have learned in the past and things I am still learning about. :)
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