What if this moment, this fleeting moment in time, is all we get in life. What if the future is as flighty as the decisions we make today. What if the happiness that we have right now is the best happiness we will ever get...
I would like to think that my life has counted for something. I would like to believe that I have made a difference. Yet, as I look around at the things and people in my life, I am forced to question whether this is true. Have I really done anything in my life worht while? Yes, I have accomplished things; things that most people would consider worthy of praise. Yet I cant help but think that I should have, could have done more with my life thus far. I start things that I never finish, I daydream about places I will never go and people I will never associate with. I tend to remove myself from the difficulties of life by daydreaming of greener pastures. I have had plenty of opportunities to follow my dreams, yet haven't thus far. Fear, of failure perhaps, has always held on to my heel as I tried to take the first step forward. I could possibly be in a different, more exciting place right now if I hadn't given in to that fear. However, what if this is exactly where I am supposed to be? What if all the seemingly lousy decisions I have made up until this point have lead me to the exact spot where I was destined to be all along? What if I am supposed to have this "Aha!!" moment right now to show me that my life is exactly where it should be?
We always want what we dont have and are rarely satisfied with what we do have. Therefore, instead of daydreaming about the places I dont live or the things I dont have, why not be content with the things I do have. The loving spouse (even if he's not perfect!), the adorable baby (even if she was a bit of a surprise that I might not have been ready for), the chance to start over with any career I choose, the supportive family.....etc., etc. I tend to live with my head in the clouds so I dont have to deal with the crummy weather down below. I am beginning to realize, however, that in order to get ahead in life, you have face the rain head on! I cannot continue to wish I were somewhere or someone else. I must face the realty of life...as unglamorous and unfashionable as it might be sometimes.
This is the only life that we get! Don't waste the precious minutes being unsatisfied. Find the good around you and focus on that...and slowly, your path will emerge and dreams will come true...or something like that I hope!
With a three week old baby at home, I am discovering a whole new meaning of being tired. However, just because you feel tired does not mean that you have to look tired. There are several easy ways to look fabulous even when you are lacking on sleep. So the next time you stay up late to finish that novel or pull an all-nighter to complete that work project, you can leave the house in the morning with confidence and a hint of glamour.
Makeup
When you are exhausted, it is tempting to want to pile on makeup in hopes of covering the dark eye circles and fine lines. However, less is more when it comes to looking awake and refreshed. Concealer, blush, lip-gloss and several coats of mascara should brighten up your face without looking too heavy. Highlight the area just under your eyebrow with a shimmering ivory eye shadow to make your eyes stand out and appear less tired. Avoid pink and purple eye shadows as these shades can make your eyes look heavy. Neutral colors will brighten your eyes without calling too much attention to them. Soft, rosy blush will add just a hint of color, making it look like you just returned from an energizing jog instead of just rolling out of bed. Finally, don’t forget your lip gloss to brighten your smile!
Hair
If you have a few extra minutes, avoid the temptation to simply pull your hair back into a ponytail. Instead, give your hair extra volume by applying a volumizing styling product and blow drying from the roots to the tips. This will draw attention to how fabulous your hair looks instead of how tired you may feel. Trying something new with your hair will not only have you feeling more confident, but also have you looking amazing!
Clothes
Use exhaustion as an excuse to get dressed up a little. It is easy to want to leave the house in sweats or the first outfit that we pull out of the closet in our sleep-deprived haze, but don’t! Always have a great looking outfit on hand for when you wake up late. Wear something that you feel outstanding in and you will automatically hold your head up a little higher!
Avoid bright, bold prints as these tend to distract and can look “busy”. You don’t want to become even more exhausted just looking at your own outfit!
Even if it is a quick trip to the supermarket, I make sure to add a pair of colorful strappy heels to my jeans and tee shirt ensemble. When I take the time to make sure that I look amazing when I leave the house, I always feel more confident and more awake.
Hydration
With all the caffeine you will be drinking before you can catch up on your sleep, remember to keep drinking water as well. Caffeine can dehydrate you, making your skin look shallow and tired. For every cup of coffee that you drink, also drink two cups of water. Being dehydrated can make you feel even more tired and that’s the last thing you want when you are sleep-deprived to begin with. Don’t forget to eat when you are tired so you can balance out the caffeine and keep your energy levels up. Avoid the doughnuts and burgers. Instead, reach for fruits and vegetables that are full of vitamins and your body will feel even better and have the energy needed to make it through the day!
Moisturize your skin often and generously. If your face is dry, it will tend to look flaky and uneven. Soft, smooth skin looks more radiant and allows your makeup to go on evenly. Remember to hydrate from the inside of your body first by drinking plenty of water. I like to add Crystal Light packets to my bottled water to trick myself into getting the 64ounces a day that I need. Drink more ounces if you are consuming a lot of caffeine.
I am reading the book "Basic Black" by Cathie Black, President of Hearst Magazines, and I cannot put it down. Each page inspires me to become the person I have always wanted and dreamed of becoming, and yet never have.
In life we are faced with many challenges that can derail us from our original path. Some challenges are large, such as job loss, death of a loved one, or a painful relationship. However, most of the challenges that we face are the small, seemingly insignificant things that seem to come up daily. As we struggle through these small challenges, we are robbed of our most precious comodity: time. Time is something that once lost, or wasted on something trivial, cannot be regained. When we waste time on the small things we can never find the time to accomplish the big things. Small things in life could be as simple as watching too much television, chit-chatting about nonsense with friends, or anything that eats away at our day. We must budget our time wisely so that we can accomplish our dreams. How many times have we said to ourselves, "I wish I could do that, but I just dont have the time!" Where does all of our time go? Is it wasted working a dead end job that we hate which leaves us too drained at the end of the day to do anything but zone out in front of the TV? Is it wasted on putting the needs of everyone around us before our own, leaving us with no energy for ourselves. Is it wasted on meaningless activities that, while enjoyable, do not bring us any closer to our dreams?
I challenge you, as I am challenging myself, to take a close look at where all of your time is being spent. When you find yourself saying..."I have no time to accomplish my dreams" it may be time to reevaluate your priorites. You MAKE time for what is important to you, so dust off those dreams and make them your number one priority. Don't waste another minute wasting time.
This morning, as I sat down to sip my morning coffee and slowly wake up, I casually turned on the television to a news station. I often watch the news, or scan the headlines online, to keep up on my current events. This morning, however, I was disturbed by the headline news story of New York State Govenor Eliot Spitzer. Spitzer is resigning his office due to his involvement with prostutes. I have to ask myself two questions: how did the american people overlook this character flaw when voting him into office in the first place...and how does such a powerful man let an addiction get so out of control that it ruins his entire career? Why are our governing officials allowing themselves to be controlled by addictions in the first place. It reminds me that anyone, no matter how great or small, can be affected when they allow themselves to be controlled by something so damaging. Addiction damages relationships, careers, family and health, and it usually starts when we give in to something small. I am reminded to be careful in what might seem like an insignifficant, "experimental" activity; for what starts out small can grow into a monster.
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