As we move into the New Year, it is a time to let go of what no longer serves and create new behaviors that will bring total peace and prosperity. Taking a page from The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles tells us:
“You must get rid of the thought of competition. You are to create, not to compete for what is already created.”
This was eye-opening for me and I plan to move into 2008 with a creativity mindset; leaving behind thoughts of competing for the space I need to be in this world.
My new year’s challenge for you is the same. Release the thoughts of limit and lack, and cultivate the habit of creation. We are children of the Divine Creator, it is in our DNA to create the things we need. Look around where you are right now. Everything came into existence from a thought. There was a need, and someone filled that need.
What are you needing to happen in your life? Is it a better job? Is it creating your own business? Is it more peace in your life?
Whatever it is, you have the power to create it. Set the intention and take the action.
Let me know what your 2008 intentions are.
I will hold you all in my heart and thought as you create your 2008!
Create your 2008 with purpose!
Coach Carolyn
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Create Your 2008 with Purpose
The breasts are made up of mammary glands and fatty tissue. The pectorals muscles hold breasts. Your breast has a nipple at its center surrounded by a dark area, called the areola. As your body starts to develop during puberty, a small bump grows under the areola and nipple. As your breasts develop, the bud and nipple get bigger and the areola darker. Your breasts will attain their full size (natural breasts) in 3-5 years from the time your breasts start growing.
Every woman has a predetermined breast size. Some girls have small breasts and some big breasts. Your heredity is the most important factor in determining breast shape and size. Due to hormone imbalances as a result of poor eating habits, lack of minerals and vitamins, excessive stress and lack of exercise, you may have poor breast development during puberty.
Your breast may become bigger if you gain weight, and your breasts may become smaller, if you lose weight. No breast enlargement cream or breast enlargement pill can change the breast size. However, some breast enlargement creams or pills claim to supply phytoestrogens isoflavone to regulate female hormones and show beneficial effects.
Breast enhancement exercise is to keep your pectorals muscles that support your breasts in good shape. This will give your breasts a good cleavage, firmer shape and lift. ....Article Source: breast-pills.be Picture Source:denverbreast.com
- Liver
- Colon
- Lungs
- Kidneys
- Lymph
- Skin
Surrounding these substances with mucous and fat is one way our system tries to shield us from these invading substances. a good portion is stored in our fat deposits!
A detoxification program is a good way of assisting our body to eliminate and neutralize these harmful toxins.
Let us look at the 5 organs for detoxification:
- Liver
- Colon
- Lungs
- Kidneys
- Lymph
Unlike the blood, the lymph does not have the heart to pump it through the body. It must rely on the movement of the body and stimulation.
- Skin
As mentioned earlier, the skin is the largest organ of the body.
There are several benefits of detoxification:
1. Increase your energy by removing toxins that wear you down.
2. Shrink your stomach to its normal size, making it easier to control the quantity of food eaten.
3. Boost your mental clarity by flushing away chemicals, food additives and preservatives.
4. Break your bad eating habits to achieve or maintain your desired weight.
5. Lose weight. A detox program is the first step to safe and effective weight loss.
6. Cleanse your digestive tract of accumulated waste and bacteria.
7. Purify all your major organs allowing you to function at your best.
8. Reduce cellulite, allergies, acne and obesity safely and naturally.
o What is a good Detox program?
A Good Detoxification program should be designed to help the body cleanse itself of toxins, mucus, and waste materials in the intestinal tract and liver, kidneys, and blood, thus helping your body function better. This not only restores new energy to your vital organs, but to the entire body as well. Source: diet-article.com
1. Heat damage
Caused by too much blow-drying and straightening. If you need to blow-dry your hair into style, try to wash it less often. That way you won't need to blow-dry as often. Towel dry your hair before blasting and invest in a deep conditioning treatment and use it fortnightly. Try wearing your hair back at least once a week to give it a break. Get your hair trimmed regularly to remove split ends, and keep the hairdryer at least 6 inches from your head when drying.
2. Horrible cut
If you didn't complain at the time and get them to fix it, you can do one of two things:
Accept it - wear it up/ back or under a scarf, hat or wig until it grows out,
Get it cut again - Go to another salon (if you are rich) or a model cut (if you are not) and get them to fix the cut for you.
Whatever you do, make sure the stylist does what you ask next time.
3. Home dying disaster
- It's gone green: or pink or any colour it shouldn't have. This is a job for the pros. If you've not got the cash for them then try getting an appointment for a model colour at a reputable hairstylist. They are usually free/cheap but do mention your problem when you ring up, as some may not help you. If it's chlorine that's made it green, ask your chemist for a chlorine removing shampoo, and try wearing a swimming hat in the future.
- My highlights are too obvious: Go to a salon and get them to put a colour wash/toner over your hair, or convert half the highlights into lowlights. In future remember to use a toner when highlighting.
- It's patchy: Put it under a headscarf, dash out to the chemists and buy some more, and apply with supervision - If you dye your hair yourself, it is advisable to have someone around who can check you've covered all your hair, or better still do it for you. This is especially vital when you have very long or very thick hair. In these cases it is worth buying two or three bottles of dye to make sure you have plenty to cover it all.
- The colour faded really fast: This is often because of prelightening the hair before dying it, and is especially problematic for reds and bright 'fun colours'. You sometimes find that semi-permanents hold best on bleached hair, and using a shampoo especially for coloured hair can help to retain the dye. As for fixing the fade, dye it again, but if you must use a permanent, make sure you condition your hair well afterwards and continue to do so.
- The colour isn't what I wanted: Ask your chemist for a colour-removing product which will take the dye out (but remember, they contain bleach). Alternatively you could try using a semi-permanent dye to cover up the problem and then try a permanent one when that one fades. If in doubt visit your hairdresser for advice or call the helpline on your hair dye box.
4. Poodle locks (bad perms)
- It didn't take: probably due to incorrect processing. Wait a few days, then go to a professional and get a hair analysis before getting a re-perm.
- I look like a poodle: Comb conditioner from roots to ends on frizzy tight curls ASAP, wait five minutes then rinse it off. Set your hair on large rollers and let it dry naturally. If this doesn't work, go to a salon that offers the reverse perm.
5. It just won't behave
There is no way it's going to look like you stepped out of a salon today, so either go for a hat or headscarf or do the following:
- Long: Smooth some de-frizz serum in it and pull it back into a tight ponytail, plait or bun depending on how bad it's being
- Short: Either throw some wax in it and carry off the ultimate bed head style or twist sections and clip them in place. If it's long enough you could plait it anyway you like.......source: thesite.org
- Begin the work at home. Clean out your closet and drawers. Go through everything you own and separate it into what you will keep, what you will throw away, and what you will give away. Purging your closet will likely give you a lift – you are no longer saddled with clothes you never wear. When deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, ask yourself some basic questions:Do I love it? Does it fit me? Does it look good on me? Does it make me feel good about myself? Am I comfortable in it? You want to be able to answer yes to all the questions. You don't want clothes that make you feel self conscious or cause you to always be yanking at the hem line or itching your arms.
- Once you have purged your wardrobe, organize your closet and drawers. Put clothes in logical groups. Sweaters in one section, summer shirts in another, winter shoes near the sweaters, and so on. And in your drawers, separate out your underwear from your bras and socks. It seems common sense, but many people simply toss in their clothes after washing and then struggle to find what they want when they are in the morning crunch time trying to get dressed.
- After your home is organized, do some research to discover what looks best on your body type. Look at styles in fashion magazines and online, or go to a department store and enlist the help of a personal shopper. Identify what type of body you have (straight, apple, pear, hourglass) and then find out what cuts of fabric do the most for you. For example, women with broad shoulders should avoid wide-collared shirts or short puffy sleeves. This will help you while you are shopping to quickly limit down the choices.
- After you know what styles look best on you, learn what brand names work best with your body. Some designers are more conscious of women with small busts, while others assume that your top is full. Don't waste your time browsing through clothing that will never look as good on you as someone else. And don't get down on yourself about your "flaws". Clothing is cut for different shapes and sizes. If one doesn't work for you, another will. No one person has a body that looks good in every clothing fashion.
- After discovering the brand names that work for you, narrow down the stores that are most tailored to your style and age. While there might be a number of styles that suit you, they may not all suit your taste. Also, some clothing that fits you well may not be age appropriate. Looking too young or old for your age is usually distracting and not nearly as flattering as dressing in something that is more true to your stage in life.
- Once you have all the above done, it's time to go shopping! Buy key pieces to have a strong foundation for your wardrobe. Basic pairs of pants and tops that not only look great on your body and also fit in your closet will start you off on the right foot this year, whether it's in four-inch heels or soft brown leather saddle shoes.
These tips can help you not just begin a new year but any time you want to make a fresh start with your clothing. (...source: suite101.com)
Check Out! Design Editions: Gap's New Euro Must Have
Give Purposeful Permission
Living a life of passion and purpose means surrendering to our own wants and desires in favor of the miracles the Divine has for us. Sometimes we think we know what is best for ourselves, yet we end up with so many people and things in our lives that do not serve us. Then we spend so much time, money and energy trying to undo the things we have done to allow the situations to happen.
Healthy skin is the result of several factors: a healthy diet, right amount of exercise, good skin care practices, a positive outlook, and a relaxed mind. Lots of people at present are conscious of their health and are deciding on using the natural approach in dealing with their health issues. They are now making their own personalized products to treat and take care of their skin. They make use of organic materials to mix their own skin solutions. Actually, it is to their advantage that they are the ones to make them because at least they know what goes in it and how their skin reacts to those ingredients. There are several products in the market that causes an allergic reaction on the skin, and even costs really high. By creating your own product, you lessen the risk of allergy formation as well as save money.
Eating a healthy diet is also vital to having radiant skin. You should at least eat five servings of fruit and vegetable everyday to cleanse the body of toxins that may affect your metabolism. There are a lot of fruits and vegetables to choose from, each with their own contribution. If you are not used to eating these kinds of food, you can try to look for one that appeals to your palate.
Drinking water is also important to keep the skin healthy, supple and soft. Almost all natural skin care recipes require water for externally cleaning the skin and for regular consumption. It helps a lot when the required amount of water, about eight glasses a day, is followed. After using this therapy for several days, you will be noticing differences in the way your skin feels and how your body functions.
Drinking an herb based tea can help hydrate the skin and at the same time get your daily requirement of vitamins and minerals. There are several examples of teas that greatly promote healthy skin and body function. The examples are black alder, used for skin eruptions, bergamot tea which cleanses the body system, burdock, dandelion, horsetail, nettles, oat straw, sarsaparilla, stevia, and yellow dock.
Herbs for the Skin and Hair:
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Black alder (for skin eruptions)
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Bergamot tea ( cleanses the system)
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Burdock
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Dandelion
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Horsetail
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Nettles
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Oat straw
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Sarsaparilla
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Stevia
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Yellow dock
Regular exercise enhances blood circulation necessary to maintain healthy skin. Most people find exercise to be a burden. Try to look for a type of exercise that you can enjoy doing since it will be easier for you to do it regularly. Exercise also relieves stress and helps in having a healthy mental disposition. These are the all ingredients you need for better looking skin.
Wedding Attire
Wedding Invitations
Black invitations with gold lettering would look stunning.
Wedding Decorations
With a black and gold color scheme for your wedding, you'll want to keep the decorations understated and simple. Accenting is the key here. Here are some ideas which you could use:
- Use tall black and gold helium balloon bouquets as decorations near doorways, food tables and corners of the room.
- Hang gold foil stars hung from the ceiling which will reflect the lights and "twinkle"
- Paint some bare tree branches in black and some in gold. Secure in sand filled pots. Add clear twinkle lights to the branches
- Drape the front of serving tables and the head table with gold colored tulle. Secure each loop at the table edge with a black and gold satin bow.
- Use candles on serving tables, desert tables, etc. for added ambience. If you can afford it, place round mirrors under the candles to reflect the light.
- Use black tablecloths instead of white. Sprinkle the centers with gold colored confetti. If you can buy some fairly inexpensive tablecloths, you may even wish to draw a swirled star design in the centers with gold glitter fabric pens.
- For table centerpieces, you could use a clear or black bowl filled with water and add gold colored floating candles.
- For flower centerpieces, create an arrangement of lilies, spray roses, and freesia in all shades of yellow in a tall, gold colored vase.
- Place 3 black shiny metal or ceramic candle holders on a mirror in the middle of the guest tables and insert gold dripless taper candles of different lengths for a simple, yet elegant arrangement.
- Cut out black paper silhouettes of people or items to use as place cards. Write the guest's names on the place cards in gold glitter pen.
- Fill clear, uniquely shaped vases with gold and black colored sand in varying patterns. Place between two taper candles on the tables.
- Everyone loves chocolate. Present your guests with a small box of Godiva chocolates in a gold favor box wrapped with a black ribbon.
- Fill miniature black top hat and cane favors with mints or candies.
- Wrap 2 or 3 floating gold and black colored candles in tulle. Tie with gold and black curled ribbons.
"Breathing in I calm my body. Breathing out I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment!" ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Physical breathing transports oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide out of the body. Breathing supplies over 99% of your entire oxygen and energy supply.
Spiritual breathing is like physical breathing in that:
*When you inhale, you breathe in the power of love, peace, and joy.
Usually, we don't think about our physical breathing. But spiritual breathing is something that requires conscious action.
“Fear less, hope more;
Eat less, chew more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Love more, and all good things will be yours.” ~ Swedish Proverb
First and foremost, you have to keep your hair clean. Use a mild shampoo and conditioner or better yet, ask your stylist what kind of products would work best your hair and your extensions. When taking a shower, it's recommended that you gradually wet your hair instead of putting on the full pressure of water on your head right away, which could cause a lot of tangling.
Going to the pool or the beach? Feel free to toss around your newly-lengthened tresses while you're frolicking in the sand or lounging around beside the pool. But when the time comes for you to take a dip, tuck your hair under a swim cap. Chemicals and saltwater can do great damage to your hair. Wash your hair afterwards in case some of these seeped into your cap during your swim.
Don't worry about putting your hair in buns, braids and ponytails. Your hair will still hold up when styled in different ways. Just make sure you use some good clips and bands which won't stretch out your hair.
If you're going to style your hair, remember not to use too much heat because it could turn your hair frizzy. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and let it air-dry afterwards. If you really must use a hair dryer, go with ionic dryers for best results.
An important reminder for you would be to stay away from coloring or perming your hair yourself. As always, consult your salon first and leave all treatments in their hands.
Following these simple tips will keep your extensions looking nice and natural. Best of all, you will get to keep your goddess-like locks for a longer period of time!
Also see: Natural Bristle Hair Brush?
Exfoliate Your Skin Naturally - for a Soft, Supple, Glowing Complexion
As we age, exfoliation is vital for smooth, supple, healthy skin; however it is the one step that is commonly skipped in a skincare regimen.
Exfoliation
To loosen, remove and slough away dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. Our skin continually exfoliates itself, a naturally occurring process that slows down as we age. Administering a mechanical (sugar, salt, crushed nuts, luffa, pumice, etc.) or chemical (fruit enzymes, salicylic & glycolic acid, etc.) exfoliation helps to accelerate the process. This article will cover natural mechanical exfoliation.
Benefits
Exfoliating exposes the supple layer of smooth skin and promotes new cell regeneration. Usually, a single treatment will produce results; your skin will be soft, smooth and free of, or display less dry patches and rough spots. During and after a treatment the pores can be more thoroughly cleansed and skin is properly prepared and more receptive in receiving skincare products. Select an exfoliation product that fits your skin type; this may differ throughout your body.
Facial Exfoliation
Gentle natural facial exfoliation products may contain mild clays, soothing colloidal oatmeal, soft fruit seeds & powders, herbs and other non-abrasive ingredients. A natural exfoliating facial masque can be quite soothing for tender skin.
When choosing a cleanser or scrub, take care not to over work/scrub your face. Begin with wet skin and apply the product using a light pressure, moving around the face and neck in a gentle circular motion being careful not to tug or pull on the skin. Do not use around the delicate eye area.
Below the Neck
A good multi-tasking exfoliating product for the rest of the body is a sugar scrub, which can also be used for shaving your legs. Sugar Scrubs will not burn if you have any little nicks or cuts, as a salt scrub would. You would not want to use a salt scrub for shaving. The smaller the granules, the easier it will be on your skin and of the two, sugar is better suited for sensitive or delicate skin.
A natural scrub with an oil base not only exfoliates, but also conditions and moisturizes the skin, which eliminates the need to apply moisturizer afterwards. When choosing a natural sugar scrub, look for healthy ingredients including organic sugar, cold pressed oils and essential oils; avoid products made with fragrance oils. If you find the scrub you are using leaves you feeling more moisturized than you would like, simply give a quick wash after you have exfoliated. A bath mat is suggested when using oil based products.
Feet
While it is perfectly fine to use your body scrub on your feet, it is also okay to use a product with an intensified scrubbing action, should you have extra dry or harder skin there. Ground pumice, luffa and finely crushed nuts, such as walnuts or almonds are all good natural choices for feet.
Length of time between Treatments
Refer to the product label instructions, keeping in mind that they are common guidelines, every one's skin may respond differently to the same treatment. Listen to your skin, if it feels sore or raw after a treatment, stop using it immediately. People with sensitive facial skin may only want to exfoliate one or twice per month with a very gentle natural product. The rest of your body may do well with a weekly treatment, again if this is too often for your skin type, cut back to a couple times each month. Take charge of and personalize your own beauty care regimen, make sure that it suits you.
Part Asia Zen, part French chic, part little pain at the cash register for lots of panache, the mini collection is one good reason for inveterate North American shoppers to cross The Pond; Gap Design Editions, you see, is only available in Europe.
Gap had already launched Hardy's debut trio of women's looks for fall/winter 2007/2008, which hit retail shelves on November first in the UK. But this week in Paris, Gap presented a fuller collection of spring/summer 2008 models, which will retail for prices ranging up from 55 pounds Sterling, or $110 at current exchange rates.
The debut trio featured a low cut, slim line pointy slipper style ideas in black patent, gold Napa or two-tone leather; ballet flats with buckled cut-outs in hues like petrol blue or berry red; and super black patent leather platforms with square buckles, mid way between Edith Piaf and posh punk.
"Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing my creations. And I have to admit that does not happen every day of the week on the street. I would not have done this project just for any price. But I know the people who take care of design at Gap and I knew they would not distort my style," Hardy told FWD.
The fuller spring/summer 2008 selection seen in a Marais showroom expands to include some great Geisha looks in naïve floral blue fabrics with wooden sides, bulky wooden platforms with sturdy olive hued cotton straps and sea view villa owning rock star sandals in aged gold. All of them looked great and as if they cost twice the price: in a word, hip realism at a bearable cost.
"The idea was to respect my standards of quality, even at that price. In return, I integrated the price restriction and a certain realism, like not making too high heels… In the end, having limits proved to be stimulating," added Hardy, one of the world's most acclaimed shoe designers, who first grabbed attention in the Eighties, creating footwear for Christian Dior.
Oddly, though Gap initially announced that the new line would be named Gap by Pierre Hardy, the collection has ended up with the title Gap Design Editions.
Hardy also created some neat men's looks including very natty all white canvas and suede sneakers, Roman Ibiza sandals and classical gents Portofino aperitivo leather loafers – to be worn without socks, naturalmente.
Gap has previously collaborated with hipster designers like Roland Mouret, who created some rather swish looks for the retail chain. Gap also used Hardy in its European ad campaign, shot by Mikael Jansson, who focused on iconic Gap products worn also by Amanda Harlech, Iman and Coco Rocha.
Hardy, who has also designed men's and women's shoes for Hermes, launched his own label in 1999, adding men's shoes two years later, and opened his first Pierre Hardy store in Paris in 2003. Currently, Hardy is also responsible for the shoe collection of Balenciaga, whose show invitation is probably the most exclusive in the world of high-end runways.
As natural as nursing is, it can prove difficult for some women. We show you how to get it right.
But don't be fooled: For some women, the first few days or weeks of breastfeeding are a challenge. "Breastfeeding is natural, but it's a practiced skill, almost an art form," says Corky Harvey, R.N., M.S., a lactation consultant and co-owner of The Pump Station, a breastfeeding-support center in Santa Monica, Calif. "You could read a book about playing the flute and learn a lot about the instrument," she explains, "but you won't really learn how to play the flute until you actually do it." Breastfeeding is no different. As with learning to play a musical instrument, success comes from a combination of motivation, knowledge of essential skills, and practice.
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latch: step a | latch: step b |
And as the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Use the photos here as your guide to the techniques and positions you need to know for successful breastfeeding.
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latch: step c | latch: step d |
The latch
Any good lactation consultant will tell you: Latching is everything. Here's how to do it:
- Position the baby on her side so she is directly facing you, with her belly touching yours. Next, prop up the baby with a pillow, if necessary, and hold her up to your breast; don't lean over toward her.
- Place your thumb and fingers around your areola (see step a).
- Tilt your baby's head back slightly and tickle her lips with your nipple until she opens her mouth wide (see step b).
- Help her "scoop" the breast into her mouth by placing her lower jaw on first, well below the nipple (see step c).
- Tilt her head forward, placing her upper jaw deeply on the breast. Make sure she takes the entire nipple and at least 1 1/2 inches of the areola in her mouth (see step d).
THE HOLDS
1. cradle
Position your baby on your forearm, her head in the crook of your arm. Support her bottom with your other hand. Pull her in close to you, belly to belly, with her ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line.
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Cradle | Football |
2. football
While useful for all women, this position is particularly helpful for mothers who have had a Cesarean section. Place your baby on a pillow, tucked close to your side. Rest your arm on the pillow to bring your baby's mouth up to your breast; support her head with your hand.
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Side-lying |
This position is also helpful if you had a C-section or want to rest while nursing your baby. Lie on the side you will be breastfeeding on. Place your head on a pillow and draw your baby in close to you, using your arm to support her bottom. Use your other hand to bring your breast up to baby's mouth.
BWP Goes Facebook
Okay passionate and purposeful divas, Becoming a Woman of Purpose has gone Facebook! Yes, I have launched a BWP Group on Facebook where women can join the conversation from all over the globe. I am quite excited about this because my mission with BWP is to equip, empower, and encourage women worldwide with the message of inner peace, passion, and purpose.
Facebook is a social networking site that not only allows you to connect with friends, but it has so many cool and funky apps. I go to my profile page and just play. I have also made some rockin connections with some cool folks. I have joined many groups, social justice causes, super poked friends, adopted a pet penguin, given and received gifts from friends, and just plain had a blast.
Facebook has become my latest drug of choice! Yes, I am totally addicted. Perhaps you can tell that from my photo on the sidebar of this blog. I so prefer it to MySpace, because being an HSP (highly sensitive person), I find MySpace a bit “loud” for my system. Facebook is a lot calmer, more peaceful. I can stay on Facebook for hours, whereas I can only take MySpace for a few minutes – the intensity of the music and colors are too overwhelming for a sensitive soul like me. I do have a MySpace page that is only a page – nothing on it, except my mug shot.
My Mogulette sister Carmina Perez, who is one of my Facebook buddies, has just gotten bitten by the bug! She has an awesome post about Facebook on her blog, Mogulettes in the Making. Check out her post called Facebook Basics if you are still a bit skittish about yet another social networking site. As Carmina says, "Facebook is networking on steroids!"
So if you are on Facebook, look me up and give me a poke; and I’ll poke you back!
See you on Facebook!
Coach Carolyn
Being Grateful on Purpose
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~ Albert Schweitzer
Living with passion and purpose means living with an attitude of gratitude. When you are grateful for your present light, it becomes brighter. When you are grateful for the things you do have, more will come into your life.
Take a moment to think of five things you are grateful for. Write them in your day planner on this day. Then smile for those five things. Your day will become a little sweeter for having taken the time to love.
Live in the spirit of loving gratitude,
Coach Carolyn
Being Broken on Purpose
“God breaks the heart again and again and again until it stays open.” ~ Hazrat Inayat Khan
When a tragedy strikes, our hearts are broken open, allowing us to be absolutely present to and for another person. We put our own needs and agendas aside, placing ourselves in the shoes of the one who is suffering and in pain. We stand with them, sit with them and hold their hand as they grieve.
Then, all is well and our hearts close again. Not that they become hardened, but they just close. A closed heart is a complacent heart, an apathetic heart, a heart that merely goes about the day to day without thought to anyone else’s day to day. Yes, there are extremely humanitarian people who care deeply about the injustices of society; this is not what I am speaking of. I am speaking of the ordinary; just ordinary people in ordinary situations doing ordinary things.
Then another tragedy strikes, be it a personal tragedy like a loved one dying from cancer; or a public tragedy, like terrorism. Our hearts open again, as we go about doing for the common and greater good. Yet one day, our hearts will break to the point when they can no longer close, but remain open. We no longer become indifferent to what is going on anywhere except in our own little worlds. We think about our neighbor whom we haven’t seen for a couple of days. We think about those who have no running water and make the choice to not waste water. We stop thinking that it is someone else’s concern, someone else’s fight, someone else’s struggle, and remember that we are our brother’s and sister’s keeper.
Maybe we can smile more. Perhaps we can make eye contact with someone distributing flyers on the street. Maybe we can make a way that our hearts become so soft, that they just remain open, not just waiting for tragedy to happen in order to break our hearts.
Live in loving brokenness,
Coach Carolyn
Positivity, Purpose, and Passion
Week of Positive Blogging Day 7: After blogging about positive things for a week, what affect has it had on you and your life? What blogs that took part did you find the most inspiring? What do you plan to do to inspire the world going forward?
Positivity is the backbone of what I do – it is the beauty of what I love and do. It can only have a peaceful affect on you. I pray that this week’s posts have had a peaceful and passionate affect on all those who visited and read. Thanks to all for the comments, on and off post.
I enjoyed reading all of the blogs that participated in this week’s posts. I cannot single out any one, as anything positive is a great thing, no matter where it comes from. The one thing I loved the most is connecting to new people in a profound way. I blog for that reason, to build relationships and create awesome connections. I can truly say that I have done that and hope to continue making those wonderful connections.
To inspire the world? I plan to keep on keepin’ on! I’ll just keep doing more of what I am doing until I have no more life to do it, or everyone in the world is operating in love and not fear – whichever comes first!
I want to thank my brother, Ehav Ever for this amazing opportunity to share more of my positivity with the blogosphere. His love and bright light is what this world needs. I am truly honored to be standing in his rays. I also thank my fellow positive bloggers who sojourned on this trek.
Okay, Ehav, what’s next?
Live positively on purpose!
Coach Carolyn
Words of Wisdom on Purpose
Week of Positive Blogging Day 6: Before you take your last breath in life, what words of wisdom would you want to impart to the next generation.
“Let the beauty of what you love, be what you do.”
Live a life of inner peace, passion and purpose; and whatever you do, do it in love!
Live passionately,
Coach Carolyn
Saving Lives on Purpose
Week of Positive Blogging Day 5: Discuss a time in your life when you helped someone or saved someone's life.
As a Spiritual Life Purpose/Life Transition and Leadership Coach, Spiritual Grief Counselor, Inspirational and Motivational Speaker and Writer, teacher, facilitator, blogger, singer and storyteller – that all goes without saying. I am privileged to help and save lives daily.
I am so blessed to be living a life of passion and purpose; being given the opportunity to be a guide, a coach, a counselor, and a mentor to so many women and men. I get daily emails from someone who has either attended one of my seminars, workshops, or has read my blog telling me how I made an impact on their life. I either gave them a new way to look at a present situation, I told a story that resonated with them, they were ignited by my passion or calmed by my peaceful demeanor – or charmed by my winning smile! I do get that, too!
Whatever the circumstance, I have traveled the road less traveled because it is a painful, lonely and dark road. I had to travel it in order to come through it. Now, I am in a privileged position – as Spirit Woman guide for others traveling that same dark and lonely road. I do not know every individual pain and trauma, but I do know pain and trauma, this accredits me as traveling companion and guide.
As I opened this week with the quote from Rumi, “Let the beauty of what you love, be what you do,” my beauty is my Spirit Woman emerging from my spirit center, embracing all that hurt and all that live in fear; bringing them to a place of love – living with inner peace, passion and purpose!
Live your beauty with passion,
Coach Carolyn
Spending $30 Million On Purpose
Week of Positive Blogging Day 4: If you had 3 months with which to spend $30 Million in order to change the world what would you do?
I teach at the St. Francis of Assisi Adult Education Center and every night that I leave there, the homeless men and sometimes women congregate along the sidewalk of the church to sleep. They are allowed to sleep in front of the church, and no one tells them to move. Every morning at 7 am, the church distributes sandwiches, coffee, and a word of encouragement.
Leaving there last evening, some friends and I were talking about the sad state of this wealthy nation not being able to house these people. Thirty million dollars may not be able to do everything, but it can get the ball rolling. What has happened to the SRO’s (single room occupancy) in the city? We need to work towards getting the people off the street and into dwellings with addresses – addresses then lead to work. Being able to work is part of the dignity of the human person. Even if someone is unable to work because of a disability, where would their disability check go to? The street?
The Good News of Living on Purpose
Week of Positive Blogging Day 3: Post about some good news that has taken place in your city, community, etc. that has happened in the last 3 months?
Good news? In New York City? As if!
Okay seriously though, I must admit this post did give me a bit of trouble. Not because this is New York City and nothing good ever happens. But because I have conditioned my life to only see the good. I have fasted from mainstream news for the past ten years, so I do not pollute my brain with the barrage of media crap. I have exorcised most of the negative people out of my life, including the boyfriend. Oh well. Yes, there will always be some negativity, but I can magically make it go away with my winning smile! Okay, seriously again! At least, I try.
This is not that I turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the social injustices that are going on. Absolutely not. It is because I can live in a positive space that I can bring awareness to social injustices, being an advocate for peace and justice in our world.
So, on to the good news. I would have to say that when I live my passion and purpose, nothing but good news can come from it. I am empowering women and men to live their passion and purpose. I am in the midst of teaching a course called A Spirituality of Purpose and I am absolutely in love with the class! The students give of their time to come and listen to me carry on for an hour. How cool is that?
The Becoming a Woman of Purpose Meetup Group is simply divine. I meet wonderful purposeful women each moth who come to share and give and receive support on their journey to a live of passion and purpose. There is wonderful discussions and I come away knowing that I have made a small difference in the lives of these women. This is what I was put on this planet to accomplish.
Our monthly Women in Transition Group is such a blessing. It is amazing to be a witness to women going from loss to abundance. The women have bonded so beautifully and when new women join they are embraced, validated and loved into newness of life. I am so honored to be a part of this process.
So in living out my divine assignment, I find a daily dose of good news in that. As long as I stay on the path of my purpose, accomplishing it with passion and peace, what better news could you hope for?
For good news, live passionately on purpose,
Coach Carolyn
Dying on Purpose To Live
Week of Positive Blogging Day 2: Post about a person who inspired you to excel in life or who actually saved your life.
When two people decide to become one and pledge their lives to one another, part of what they pledge is “…for better or for worse… till death us do part.” A young couple could never imagine that worse or death could come so soon. Their heads and hearts are filled with beautiful dreams, lovely hopes, and bright plans and pictures for the future; never thinking about health care proxies, end of life issues, or cremation arrangements.
One of the most difficult realizations is knowing that in order for one of us to live, one of us had to die. Yet this realization also revealed that both had to die in some fashion. So, he died. In his dying, my life was not only spared, but I was resurrected because I too had to die. I had to die to what was not growing, what was stagnant and not flourishing, and that what me.
It was tragedy and grief that inspired me to excel and become a woman of passion and purpose. My work to empower women would never have been realized. My light would never have begun to shine so magnificently. My heart would never have been so broken as to remain open – open to others whose hearts break through life transitions and loss.
I do miss him terribly. I am eternally grateful for the lessons, the light and the love that I have gained from being reborn. He is forever a part of all that I am and all that I do. Probably no one will ever truly understand my journey. But it doesn’t matter because you see, I can walk with you in your pain, silently. That is my gift.
Visit the initiator of the Week of Positive Blogging, Ehav Ever's blog, Hochmah and Musar; and visit the other bloggers participating in this week of spreading positive messages.
Positive Blogging - On Purpose
So, last week I blogged about bathrooms, this week I am participating in A Week of Positive Blogging, initiated by my blog brother from Israel, Ehav Ever. The blogosphere is so amazing – I have met folks all over and had some awesome connections. I have to tell you, if you are not on Facebook, get yourself over there. I have been having a blast on Facebook, and have not even scratched the surface. Yes, I have nothing better to do. NOT!
Anyway, for the first day of the Week of Positive Blogging, we are asked to blog about any person, place or thing that has created a positive memory. Well, I don’t have that much time and my fingers cannot type that long – so I will narrow that down a bit. And although I could list many, many things here, I will focus on one of my favorite quotes from the Sufi poet Rumi:
“Let the beauty of what you love, be what you do.”
When I first read that quote, I was just getting into personal development and empowerment work. I love empowering women and being a witness to their “aha moments.” This I find extremely rewarding and an honor. Because I have found my passion and purpose, I have also found so many ways to manifest that in my life and in the world. This blog is just one of the ways I make my passion come alive. I am able to connect with so many women, and men, across the blogosphere.
When I allow the beauty of what I love and what I am passionate about to become what I do, not only does it create positive energy in my life but also in the lives of all those I come in contact with.
When you can allow the beauty of what you love to be what you do, you will find that more of that beauty coming to you. You cannot help but draw to you more beauty and more passion. Operate in beauty and love, and receive more in abundance.
Live in beauty and passion,
Coach Carolyn
Creating Your Own Reality
This past week, I had an executive board meeting for the Pink Collar Club. As part of the opening, our wonderful servant leader, Randee Krumwiede, asked each of us to name one pet peeve we were dealing with. Now, if you have been reading my blogs, you know that I don’t have just one, though they all amount to the same thing – fear.
So, I shared that what gets me is when folks are wanting to make changes in their lives, they say that they want change in their lives, yet, are unwilling to take the action to make the change happen. Randee quipped, “Spoken like a true coach!” Well, it’s true! People want the results, yet are not willing to do what it takes to get those results.
I have been really meditating over this because I want to get to the root cause of this. I want to unlock the block with folks. I know the block is fear. This morning I opened my email and received my ipopin, my daily, one minute affirmation from my blog sister, Kirsten Harrell. Today’s affirmation is “I create my own reality.” I must find out if Kirsten is bugging my brain because her daily affirmations are just what I am working on, either in my own life or with clients.
This all reminds me of the Tea Cup Story. If I want my life to be filled with passion and purpose and surrounded by peace, then I must do what I can to make that a reality. I have the power of choice – I must first choose to want to change. This story tells is all.
There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.
One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup.
There was a time when I was brown and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'let me alone', but he only smiled, 'Not yet.'
"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. Stop it! I'm getting dizzy! I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'
Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head, 'Not yet.'
Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'
Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'
Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself. And I did.
I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'
'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up.
I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.
I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any color in your life.
And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.
As Kirsten says, “I create my own reality.” Your first step? Being willing to create your own reality. So I invite you to stop... sit and have a cup of tea... and think about the changes the teacup went through to be the beautiful teacup you hold right now... then make the choice to create your own reality.
Create your reality passionately!
Coach Carolyn
Being Passionate and On Purpose
At our October Meetup, we gathered and discussed living your dreams. We were in the wonderful Elizabeth Seton Women’s Center and enjoyed a lively discussion about following your passions and living your dreams. I learned that several of us will be on Oprah together!
One tip on living your dreams is to write down your dreams. Get them out of your head and into your life. Dream big and let the Divine take care of the “how.” You just focus on what you want your dream to look like and don’t worry about how it will show up. If you take your right actions, the Universe will do its part.
I was honored to give a seminar to the Sistahs in Unity Meetup Group on Fears, Negativity and Limiting Beliefs. The sistahs were wonderful, the conversation was stimulating, and the aura was on purpose. Although it was pouring rain that evening, the ladies gathered. When sistahs want to live a life on purpose, a little rain won’t stop them! Thank you ladies for gathering with me.
Pictured: me with Alexis Etheridge, the CEO of Sistahs in Unity (in white blouse) and the sistahs!
Our Becoming a Woman of Purpose Blog was listed among other women blogs on the Virtual Woman’s Day Blog List of inspiring women blogs. Rockin’! A passionate thank you to Heidi Richards for the love link.
Also, the W Magical List is still alive and growing. I get emails daily from women wanting to add their blogs to the wiki. If you are a woman blogger and have not joined the wiki, then join the wiki!
Becoming a Woman of Purpose was also featured as the Facebook W List Weekly Meet n Greet Blog. If you are on Facebook, look me up and hook up!
If anyone wants to subscribe to this blog’s feeds, fill in the box on the sidebar. If anyone wants to subscribe to the BWP ezine, then shoot me an email. I am stopping the print edition and only doing a online version. Saves paper and trees.
Other stirrings: I am putting the finishing touches on my ebooks, and am praying about Internet talk radio. The Spirit is moving and sending whatever is necessary my way. Just too much to ignore. Will keep you posted on that.
But do connect with me, shoot me an email, Facebook me, link up on LinkedIn – I am easy to get to, except by phone! Lord, do I loathe the phone! Let me know what’s working for you and what you need.
Living passionately and on purpose is a collective journey and I am here to be your Spirit Woman guide. Thanks for visiting.
