Pamper Time

~Enjoying my full body massage in my own private room ~

So I wrote about the blog about tips on pampering yourself. However, it doesn't hurt once in a while to go away to a spa to have someone take care of you. Spa time for me is like therapy. Well, I try to do it twice a month, if my schedule permits. I go to this wonderful spa here in Korea and it is an "ALL DAY" event. It starts with a healthy breakfast, then a full body wash, fullbody scrub, then an awesome full body massage. Then after that, they put you in a full body wrap called "MERMAID WRAP" for two hours which gives you enough time to nap in an elegant room with candle light, fresh flower scent, and a soft music. Then they come and wake you up with a great green tea and small snack. Then they begin the magnificent facial that last about 2 hours to include cold/ice compression. Then they bring you a wonderful light lunch. After that, here comes the mani/pedi time. Then they wash your hair, trim or curl if you like, and then fix it up for the evening. Once everything is done, they offer you a scrumptious dinner and a bag full of great gifts and surprises. I hope you find a place and take the time to do something to refresh you and make you feel good all around. You deserve it!

~ Love my tiger print nail art design ~

Pamper Yourself

There are women all over this country who feel like they’ve lost themselves somewhere along the way of life. While their reasons are many, the answers are all the same, “There’s just not enough time in the day for me.”

Without adding that 25th (or even 26th or 27th) hour to your day, there are little things you can do to incorporate the four R’s (we’ll get to these later) of pampering into your daily routine. Remember when you had all day to and for yourself? You’d sit and perhaps do your hair or nails for hours. Boy were those the days. That was then though and this is now. Whether it’s your career, children, or other priorities, taking time out for you is more essential than what you think.

When you feel good, you have the ability to make those around you feel good. If you feel dreadful and unoptimistic about yourself, those around you will of course pick up on this. For example, have you ever noticed the mom at the supermarket who seems frazzled that all three of her children just happen to be misbehaving at the same time? This is usually because they’ve picked up on her stress and went with it. One is crying in the front of the cart and two are at the end of the aisle fighting while the mom is all but losing it trying to find her credit card or checkbook to pay for her groceries and hightail it out of there.

Taking time out to relax, refresh, renew, and revitalize doesn’t have to mean three hours a day for complete alone time. Here are few simple and little ways in which you can incorporate them into your daily life:

1. While running errands, or doing yard work, play a relaxing CD rather than an upbeat one. This will not only soothe your mind, but your soul as well. (This trick works will young children and falling asleep or calming down in the vehicle as well.)

2. While the children are napping or getting ready to come home from school, grab a quick face mask, apply, and then lay back in silence for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off the mask, and get ready for a great second-half of the day.

3. Have a home office? A plug-in scent diffuser with essential oils will help with little whiffs of pleasantness throughout the day. Do a little research on which oils appeal to you and you are on your way. If plug-ins aren’t your thing, all-natural candles and scents may be just way you need.

4. After the children are in bed, hubby is busy or not home for the evening, seize this opportunity for all its worth. Grab a relaxing CD, some candles, and go draw a nice warm bath. Soak for at least 15-30 minutes in the dark. Afterward, you’ll still have time for sugar scrubs or any other products you rarely get to use.

5. Warm up a spa neck pillow and watch some TV while your senses unwind.

6. Keep your favorite sugar scrub next to your hand soap and give yourself a mini-manicure. This literally takes less than thirty seconds and gives your hands the go signal for the rest of the day.

7. When stressed to the max, secure yourself a ME time block. This can be day or night, weekend or weekday. No one is going to regret that you need a break. Personal coaches that cost thousands of dollars to obtain, place this first on their list of things to do for their clients. You are getting the information for free. Save the money and purchase some new pampering goodies.

8. Drink lots of water and walk. Water helps flush your system of impurities and walking helps keep your physically and mentally refreshed. Offer to walk the dog from now on or if you are already the family dog-walker, make it a point to think about all the things in your life that make you happy or you are blessed with. Make your walks positive with a rule of no negative thoughts.

9. Quick showers are great refreshers, but what if you life depends on how quickly you can get in and out? Sugar scrubs are a great 30-second revitalizer. Apply all over after washing and just allow shower to rinse it away. The shine and softness will last all day long and you’ll feel and smell great.

Remember, this is YOU we are talking about...don't wait...DO IT NOW!

Irish Blessing

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,

May good luck pursue you each morning and night.

~Irish Blessing

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For every L O V E

For every beauty, there is an eye somewhere to see

For every truth, there is an ear somewhere to hear

For every LOVE, there is a heart somewhere to receive it.

~ Ivan Panin

Love Conquers All

Love is the voice under all silences

The hope which has no opposite in fear

The strength so strong mere force is feebleness

The truth more fierce than the sun

More lasting than a star

~ E. E. Cummings

Missing L O V E

L O V E is life

And if you miss L O V E,

You miss life.

~ Leo Buscaglia

Beginning of L O V E

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

~ Mother Teresa

Love is Invisible

Love is a force more formidable than any other.

It is invisible - it cannot be seen or measured,

yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment,

and offer you more joy than any material possession could.

~ Barbara de Angelis

Whisper of the Heart

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

~ Judy Garland

H O N O R

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What kind of example do you set with the people who surround you? Are you authentic or do you wear a mask? Do you connect with the people or keep your distance? Do you love and honor yourself or do you beat yourself up with self doubt? Do you walk your talk?

I am such a believer in self reflection and taking a look inside. If you asked yourself these questions and they trigger you, perhaps its time to make some changes. It all begins from the inside out. If your insides are a shamble, it will eventually leak out and show itself on the outside to the people who surround you.

Deep reflective work on your SELF will be the best gift you can give yourself in your personal and professional life. Honor yourself and others by showing your authenticity, from the inside out.

STOP DOING TO YOURSELF #10

STOP BERATING YOURSELF FOR OLD MISTAKES

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We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure....mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us. We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But YOU are NOT your mistakes, and YOU are NOT your struggles. YOU are here now with the power to shape your day and your future. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.

STOP DOING TO YOURSELF #9

STOP BEING SCARED TO MAKE A MISTAKE

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Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it and every failure is leading towards success. You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did. You have to remember that mistakes are the beginning of discovery....especially discovering yourself!

HUGGING

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Hugging is healthy. It helps the immune system,
 cures depression, reduce stress, and induces sleep. 
It's invigorating, rejuvenating and has no unpleasant
 side effects. It's nothing less than a miracle drug.
 Hugging is all natural. It's organic, naturally sweet, has no 
artificial ingredients, environmentally friendly and is 100% wholesome. Hugging is also the ideal gift. Great for any occasion, fun
 to give and receive, shows you care, comes with its own 
wrapping paper and, of course, it’s fully returnable.

STOP DOING TO YOURSELF #8

STOP TRYING TO HOLD ON TO THE PAST

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You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one. Although there is/are some great learning experience/s, you can't let the sadness of our past and fear in your heart linger on to your present and future. Don't do that! Never let your present and future look gloomy just because you can't let go of the past. There is so much more out of life that promises to bring you great memories and greater lessons. Don't be stuck in the past or you will never go forward. Movement is the key. Learn to let it go and LIVE!

STOP DOING TO YOURSELF #7

STOP HOLDING GRUDGES

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Don't live your life with hate in your head and in your heart. You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate or dislike. Forgiveness is not saying, "What you did to me is okay." It is saying, "I'm not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever." You must learn to let go, find peace, and liberate yourself! Remember, YOU ARE THE BETTER PERSON with a great life ahead of you.

Real Change

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CHANGE - real change - comes from the inside out. It doesn't come from hacking at the leaves of attitude and behavior w/ quick fix personality ethic techniques. It comes from striking at the root - the fabric of our thoughts, the fundamental, essential paradigms, w/c give definition to our character and create the lens thru w/c we see the world. Change has to be genuine!