Posted by Geri on September 17, 2010Just Imagine. Two very powerful words.
I remember a business trip many years ago that was the perfect example of these two words…. Just Imagine.
There were ten of us at a business dinner in London. It had been a long day of business meetings and we were unwinding with a nice dinner and a glass of wine. Together we represented a good part of the globe, some from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. I remember feeling honored to have such a great opportunity to meet people from around the world. Someone asked the question “if you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing with your life?” We went around the table and people gave their answers…. owning a wine shop, writing a book, volunteering, traveling, opening an art gallery, owning a spa (wink, wink…that’s me…). There you go. Just imagine.
Spend 5 minutes today answering that question for yourself. If you weren’t doing THIS, what would you be doing with your life? What’s stopping you? Not all the blah blah blah, I mean what’s REALLY stopping you? Probably you. Probably all that ‘grown up stuff’ like self-doubt, lack of courage, lack of resources, etc. etc. etc. We know the list can go on forever. But remember, you get one life, one chance. Don’t waste time doing what you don’t want to do. Go do what speaks to your heart. Go. Just Imagine.
Posted by Geri on September 4, 2010It’s Labor Day weekend. For many people this weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. For the younger crowd it means the end of the carefree days of summer and the cruel reality of alarm clocks and school schedules. Either way, it marks a change. A change that brings more structure to our calendars, more commitments to our daily family chauffeuring tasks, more places to be, more homework to get done, more stress.
For me, the change from summer to fall has always left me a little sad. Not exactly sure why or what particular incident may have driven this annual change in emotion, but I always feel a little blue this time of year. So, in the spirit of optimism, here are some ideas for helping to chase away the blues. Give these a try and you’re bound to say “I had the BEST day ever”….
1. Go to the farmers market and pick out 3 of your most-favorite fresh fruits or vegetables.
2. Visit the apple orchard. There is very little that compares with the fun of spending the day picking apples.
3. Bake your favorite pie. If you visited the apple orchard or the farmers market, chances are you have the PERFECT ingredients for that lovely pie. Pie makes everything better.
4. Pop some popcorn and watch a movie in the comforts of your own living room. Take a full afternoon or even the whole day to watch movies. Maybe something old, maybe something new. Whatever you like best. Just family, popcorn and movies.
5. Go window shopping. Peruse that perfect little antique shop, art gallery, boutique. Go with no expectations. Just enjoy wandering through the store to find those perfect little gems that ‘speak to you’.
6. Get a massage. It makes everyday better.
7. Do whatever else will make you smile. Lots of smiles and laugher will ensure the BEST DAY ever!
Oh, and one more thing…. stating the obvious, NO BLACKBERRIES or iPHONES allowed. Declare today an electronic device ‘free zone day’.
Happy Labor Day everyone. Have fun.
Posted by Geri on August 29, 2010September 1st is just around the corner. The sun goes down earlier and we are waking up to cool mornings. Fall is almost here. Now is the perfect time to make changes in your skin care regimen to protect and nourish your skin. Give yourself a new routine to recharge and renew your skin.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is a process of scrubbing the face and body to remove dead skin cells to expose younger, fresher skin. This process helps to unclog pores that can also help to reduce acne breakouts. You should exfoliate once per week. Don’t scrub hard. Just a light touch in circular motions across the face and body. Rinse well to remove all the cleanser as well as the dead skin cells. Your face will feel refreshed.
Cleanse
Use a gentle, all natural cleanser. Read your ingredients and check the cosmetics date base to be sure the product you’re using does not contain harmful chemicals or additives.
Hydrate
Living in a high altitude environment makes hydration extra critical. Dry skin ages more quickly than hydrated skin. During the fall and winter your skin is extra thirsty. Give it extra hydration. Again, check the label on your current moisturizer. It should NOT contain anything that contains the word ‘paraben’. It should NOT contain sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate. No DMDM hydantoin and NO methylchloroisothiazolinone. Let’s make it simple….. the fewer ingredients in the product, the better. If you can’t pronounce it, don’t buy it.
Protect
The last and arguably the most important step in your daily routine is to add sun protection to your skin. We all know the harmful affects of too many UV rays. Apply an SPF of 15 to your face on a daily basis. Many moisturizers now include SPF protection. Again, read the label. Choose a protect that is all natural with ingredients you can pronounce.
Follow these steps and your skin will thank you. You’ll see a noticeable difference in the vibrancy of your skin. Now, you’re ready for the seasons to change. Enjoy!
Posted by Geri on August 22, 2010And so it begins….
The morning chaos of getting kids up, dressed, fed and on their way to school. The more kids, the potential for more chaos. Although not always. Some parents have it down to a science, a routine that might resemble a ‘boot-camp’ exercise! Precise timing for each activity. Shower 10 mins, getting dressed 10 mins, breakfast 10 mins and BHAM….you’re out the door.
The morning music of “…no, just let me sleep 5 more minutes… I don’t need a shower…..I can’t find my shirt, shoes, I hate that cereal…etc, etc….” fills the house with a special ‘tension’ that isn’t resolved until everyone is safely in the car or on the school bus.
As we give way to the dog days of summer and yield to the morning chaos called ‘back to school’, remember to take a deep breath and ENJOY these times. The kids will grow quickly and soon your house will be as quiet on the first day of school as it might be on any other day of the year. You won’t be worried about where to buy the box of 64 crayola crayons, or who has the coolest new backpack. Your kids will be grown.
Take a deep breath and ENJOY!
Posted by Geri on August 16, 2010Today, I’m going to use my blog as a place to release a little of life’s ‘overload’. I know that everyone goes through periods of time when things seem harder than usual. When you can’t catch a break for nothin’. When if it weren’t for bad luck, you’d have no luck at all. You know those days…. right? Please tell me I’m not the only one who has those days!
I’ve read A TON of self-help books that say, just ‘ask for what you want and life will deliver it’. All you have to do is: 1) WANT it and 2) ASK the universe for it. Well, I’m here to tell you, I think they left a few chapters out of those lovely books. No offense intended. I’ve been throwing my wishes to the universe for quite a long time now…. it’s not exactly workin’ out!
Sure, wanting and asking are two biggies. If you WANT something, you’re more likely to work hard to get it. But, there are also times when WANTING and ASKING don’t cut it. It takes sheer perseverance and determination. It takes a tenacity you never thought you could muster. It’s just plain hard.
Growing up I always heard my mom say “life is what you make it”. In some ways, I agree. But, these days for many many people, life IS NOT what they made it. It was MADE by the knotheads on Wall Street and in Washington who believe bailing out the crocked and dishonest will ‘keep our economy on track’. I keep hoping they’ll figure out. Hello… it’s US, THE LITTLE PEOPLE, they need to bail out. So many are still out of work, with the headlines now focused on a ‘double-dip’. Really? Double-dip? It just doesn’t have to be this way.
I decided I can no longer wait for Mr Obama to wake up and smell the coffee. As a small business owner on Main Street USA, it’s time to take matters into my own hands. Time to make some lemonade!
Starting today, I vow to:
1. No longer give emotional energy to that which I can not control.
2. Stop watching the news. If something earth-shattering happens, you’ll know.
3. Be grateful for that which I HAVE. instead of wishful for that which I don’t
4. Hugs your kids. Kiss your husband. Life’s WAY TOO SHORT not to.
5. Pour a glass of wine and enjoy the company of family and friends. The nonsense can wait. It’s not going anywhere. For once, Make it WAIT for you.
6. Smile and know that tomorrow is another day….. thank god!
Lemonade isn’t so bad, is it?
