Some Inspiration Here, Some Inspiration There!

Happy Whatever Day it is when you read this!

I’m fortunate enough to have people in my life who have ambitions that are moving them out of their comfort zone as we “speak.” I’m fortunate because these people think big; they cause me to reach higher. I’m fortunate because when I start to feel like the process is too much, I can go to them and get advice or a listening ear. From adjusting the business plan to production financing to custom designing, this month the process was becoming bigger than my vision. This month fear was becoming bigger than my vision. Until….

A friend of mine shared a video by spoken word artist Richard Williams, aka Prince Ea. This video needs no introduction, so watch Williams bring to you “A Brand New Ending.”  

 

Natural Beauty

 
     Are you ready for this? It is truly ground breaking! You may need to sit down for this one! I have two words for you: Argan Oil.

     So maybe the intro was dramatic, but I am officially impressed with Argan Oil. I know that it has been blended into hair products and moisturizers for years, so the oil itself is nothing new. I have been in search of one natural product that can either stop my pimple breakouts completely or at least, decrease the breakouts. When I approached my late 30s I noticed I was getting more pimples than I had when I was a teenager! I have used doctor prescribed pills and creams that will work temporarily, but when pills are out, pimples are back in! I refuse to take pills for the rest of my life for some damn pimples.  My current facial product that I use for my cleansing and moisturizing routine is Aveeno. I like how my skin looks and feels after. I also use a Neutrogena acne gel product that does a decent job of killing the pimples once I get them. But I needed more.

     I didn’t want to start buying up brand new facial products or completely change my routine; that’s not good for the skin either. I decided to take a few minutes to ready just a little more on this Argan Oil. Alongside the benefits for hair, the other benefit I bumped into is it minimizes pimple breakouts. I rolled my eyes at that one because it seemed counter intuitive to put oil on your face stop acne breakouts. I took a $7 chance 6 weeks ago, and my pimple breakouts have decreased dramatically. Within that 6 weeks, I’ve only had 3 pimples. When before I was getting 3 or more a week! I use one drop of oil at night: I put one drop in my hand, rub my hands together and press my hands on my face and neck. I started noticing the difference in my skin 2 weeks after using it, but I wanted to use the product a little longer before blogging and recommending it. Even if you have clear, flawless skin, I would still recommend using it as a moisturizer at night, especially if you have combination skin (You know the confusing type: dry one day, oily another, both dry and oily on the third day!).

Have you found any new remedies or have a product you can’t live without? Please share with us and comment below.

Get Some!

 

Damned Debbie Downer!

     The end of the year seems to spark a “List of My Flaws” review session, which then prompts a 20-page list of “Things I Need to Do to Be a Better Person”!  I have listened to and read how people are focusing on a laundry list of every flaw they have; every imperfection; every stupid decision they’ve made. I’m not saying we should live haphazardly and ignore doing things that will give us more patience, more wisdom, and/or more courage. What I am saying is that we don’t need to carry our flaws on our shoulders. We certainly don’t need to carry them to our New Year’s Eve parties either! Buzz kill!

      Every day we have life, we are reminded of our flaws. It’s one thing to be honest with ourselves about what areas we can improve on, make daily steps toward improvement, own our progress, and move on. But, it’s another thing to own our flaws, and instead of recognizing our steps to improve ourselves, we turn our flaws into a depressing song that we replay in our heads; either because our new and improved selves didn’t fully manifest within a certain time frame or because we think if we pay too much attention to our “non-flaws” then, somehow, we aren’t becoming better people.  

     One year I had a friend send a holiday postcard to her family and friends. On the front of the card was her picture and the on the back, she listed her accomplishments and changes she made for that year. Now that’s how you do a year-end review of yourself!

     Review every good decision you made. Review your progress. Don’t negate that progress by saying, “I did this/that well, but I almost messed up and I still need to work on…”NO! Don’t do it. Don’t be a damned Debbie Downer on yourself! Move on to the next fabulous thing about you.

2017..In all of our gloriousness, we are coming for you!