Essentially Yours Newsletter>
Essentially Yours Fall/Winter 2010

INNER OUTER BEAUTY
(Feeding Your Spirit Relaxing Your Body Easing Your Mind)
Many spiritual traditions teach that knowing yourself is a lifelong pursuit, but once know thyself, it can help you feel more at peace with yourself and other people. Spending time alone walking on the beach, meditating or journaling can put you in touch with what's really going on inside you. When you acknowledge these feelings, you can make a conscious choice about what to accept and what to change, rather than letting yourself be ruled by unconscious feelings. When you get a feeling that something isn't right, pay attention. That may be a sign of something you need to change. We as human beings have a tremendous ability to deny our inner truths or talk ourselves out of making changes that might seem scary or difficult at first, but usually we know what is right deep down. Pay special attention to intuitions that persist over time or that come with a sense of peace and clarity. The more you pay attention to your inner voice, the more clearly it will guide you.

Many spend too much time anxious about things we cannot change: the economy, the weather, traffic on the freeway, or people who we allow to annoy us. As a result, we don’t have the energy to make the most of the opportunities we do have. Recognizing the difference between what we can and cannot change can help us live more peaceful and productive lives. Reflect on the messages you received growing up. Were you expected to be passive and submit to what others wanted? Were you trained to be in control, so that letting go is more difficult for you today? Sometimes just acknowledging your family or social conditioning can help you to let go of old patterns that are no longer serving you. Monitor your hopelessness thoughts and try to find evidence that makes them to be in error. It is helpful to censor words like "never" from your thinking. Just because something didn't work out last time, that doesn't mean it won't work next time. Instead of simply repeating positive affirmations, point out to yourself the things that you can do to bring a more positive result in the future. Cultivating optimism has been shown to make it much more likely you'll be able to change the things you can, as well as accept the things you can't.

Everyone makes mistakes, but many of us waste too much energy beating ourselves up over them. While psychologists have not agreed on one standard definition of wisdom, they do agree that one of the qualities wise people share is the ability to learn from their mistakes. When things don't go the way you hoped, instead of focusing on what you did wrong or what someone else did to mess things up, think about what you might do differently next time. Life is full of opportunities to let go and trust. Practice with the little things: a lost earring, a flat tire, or an uncooperative child. In such situations, take a deep breath and monitor your thoughts. If you are angry or frustrated, don't pretend you are not. Just observe your own emotion, and then see if you can release it with a deep breath.

Whether it's a spiritual group, religious congregation, Twelve-Step program, or a group of really good friends, community can help us develop wisdom. It’s good to have people who are willing to tell us when we're acting wimpy or pigheaded, as well as point out our strengths and encourage them. It is also good to have a group of people or friends who will support us when we hit tough times and cheer for us when we succeed. Remember to Live and Love life to the fullest!! Zoe

We would like to celebrate the life of Helen Floyd, who has transitioned (passed away). Thank you for your YEARS of loyalty, support and words of wisdom!!


LOVE AND HAPPINESS: Healthy, Strong Families Are A Shared Responsibility

While every community and its members play a role in helping children flourish and succeed, good parenting and a nurturing home environment are essential in helping children grow up to be safe and healthy. A healthy nurturing relationship between parent (don't have to be biological) and child is built overtime.

There are no absolute guidelines to being a good parent except to show the child that he or she is loved! Since different parenting techniques work for different children under different circumstances, the following are suggestions for parents to help build healthy families:

1. Help children feel loved and secure. Make sure they know you love them even when they do something that was not right.

Encourage children by praising their achievements and talents. Also recognize and help enhance the skills they are developing.

3. Spend time with children doing things that you both enjoy! Listen to them and you can learn a lot.
Learn how to use non-physical options for discipline that are appropriate for the child’s age and development, or redirect child’s attention by offering choices.

5. Seek help if need it. Sometimes special circumstances like unemployment, or a child with special needs, can add stress to the family. If need additional support, try to talk to a friend, counselor, or faith-base advisor about what you experiencing. There are also support groups for parents and organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters program that can be very beneficial in helping build healthy strong families.


GIRLFRIENDS MEET AND GENTLEMEN'S CORNER: Dress For $uccess
You just been called to interview or hired for the job of your dreams. The job that will take you to places you never imagined. With confidence, you are ready to jump into your career - until you step into your closet. What on earth are you going to wear?

Your clothing choices can make the critical difference between earning your co-workers’ respect and raising their eyebrows. Unless in a creative industry, one should dress fairly conservatively. By following a few simple tips and adding some basic pieces to your wardrobe, you can eliminate closet confusion and walk into a business office projecting a professional image every day. If the workplace has casual Friday, don’t abuse it.. It is OK to dress down on those days, but keep good taste in mind. And if you catch yourself wondering whether an outfit is a little to risqué for work, it probably is.

Now take a look inside your closet. Is it under-stocked for dressing professional? If so, it’s time for some shopping. But don’t blow your budget. With some planning you can build a versatile wardrobe for less than you might think. By selecting three coordinating colors (dark, light and accent) and creating three piece outfits in each of the color families, with one additional bottom piece in dark color, you can create more than 20 outfits from those 10 pieces! Instead of spending a lot on 20 outfits you can create and entire wardrobe for around $17 per outfit. Remember to make sure the clothes you purchase wear easily and can be cared for without a lot of effort. TIP: Test fabric to see if wrinkle prone by squeezing a handful for 20 seconds. If it looks a mess afterwards, it will look like a mess on you too.

Another good thing to do is to clear your closet of chaos. Weed out clothing you no longer wear. If it is outdated, do not fit or does not make you feel good when you wear it, let it go. That 20 year-old jacket will be much better going to charity than hanging in your closet waiting for shoulder pads to come back in style. Charities like Goodwill, Industries accept clothing and shoe donations. Some charities will even pick up clothing donation from your home.

A good professional wardrobe should offer versatility. If you are catching a child’s soccer, basketball or meeting friends for dinner, you will need an easy way to go from office attire to after hours casual. At the end of the day, remove the office jacket and replace it with a casual shirt or jacket.. Change your shoes and accessories and you have completely changes the look of your outfit.

Once you get your wardrobe in shape, remember to go through it several times a year to see what you may need and what could be replaced. If you ever need an inexpensive update, a new tie, scarf or belt can work wonders. With your organize closet and your polished, professional look, you’re ready to head to the office. Don’t keep your future waiting!


INVESTMENT BAR
Why More Women & Men Of ALL Ages Are Investing In Themselves Now To Look Better In The Future

It is so often happen in life that some people have money but no time, some have time but no money, and too many people have neither. Quality of life requires that we have adequate funds, time and the gift of health. There are many business opportunities that allow independent owners to increase earning and in time, the ability to reduce the number of hours spent on the job, which help people create the quality of life they want. Every business (don’t matter what the business is) has to answer two questions. First, how do you get customers? Second, how do you develop customer loyalty? Companies in the direct selling industry answer these two questions by paying for access to customers and customer loyalty. The more effectively business owners help corporations answer those two questions, the more they reward. It’s good for the corporation, business owners and consumers who love the convenient way of shopping. It’s a Win-Win situation when it’s all said and done well.

THE BENEFITS
Research shows some of the most popular reasons people choose direct selling are:
*Direct selling is a good way to own a business.
*Direct selling offers flexible work schedules.
*Direct selling is a good way to meet and socialize with people.
*Direct selling is a good way to earn extra income.
*Earnings are in proportion to efforts.

ANYONE CAN DO IT
Anyone can become an entrepreneur, but it takes time to think and work as an entrepreneur. Most of us have been taught to think like an employee. In an employee mind-set: I work for an hour, I get paid for an hour. I work for a month; I get paid for a month. Entrepreneurs live with a completely different mind-set. They are perfectly comfortable starting out working for very small sums of money, no money, or even spending their own money on the front end, expecting little return in the immediate future. Entrepreneurs are willing to be patient for large, long-term returns down the road. Employees want to be paid immediately and they get less, entrepreneurs say pay me less now and more down the road. Making the leap from employee to entrepreneur can be challenging. With appropriate expectations and an understanding that success takes perseverance it is easier to be patient and confident in the efforts.

There are no required levels of education, experience, financial resources or physical condition. People of all ages and from all backgrounds have succeeded in direct selling. People from literally all walks of life, of all ages, are successful in direct sales. About 75 percent of those working in direct sales are women, 10 percent are African American, six percent are Latino and three percent are Asian, Native American or other. Many people start part-time, and later leave their other careers when direct selling becomes more lucrative.

When you're your own boss, this means you can:
*Work part-time or full-time - you choose when and how much you want to work.
*Set your own goals and determine yourself how to reach them. *Earn in proportion to your own efforts.
*The level of success you can achieve is limited only by your willingness to work hard.
*Own a business of your own with very little or no capital investment.
*Receive training and support from an established company.

FACT: People like to shop through direct selling.
According to recent surveys, 74 percent of Americans have purchased goods or services through direct sales. That's more than the number who have purchased through television shopping and on-line computer services combined. People value the products available through direct selling and 45 percent of Americans want to buy from direct sellers.

FACT: Direct selling is a growing industry.
Sales in the U.S. have more than doubled in the last decade to more than $30 billion and are now more than $100 billion worldwide.

SUMMARY OF WHY IT WORKS IN PEOPLE FAVOR:
FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY: Flexibility is perhaps one of the most appealing aspects. The freedom to choose when and how much to work is something that traditional employment does not offer.
SOCIAL ASPECT: Enjoy the relationships that are developed through their home-base businesses. It’s not just moms with small children who crave interaction with other adults, but also retirees who want to remain active and even those who are new to a location and want to meet new people. Direct selling organizations offer a community of positive interaction for many around the world.
PERSONAL GROWTH: In too many cases, people stop learning when their formal education ends. Owning your own business, and being part of a direct selling business in particular, fosters the need for continued personal growth. From overcoming personal challenges such as shyness to discovering how to make the most of your best character traits, direct selling companies provide information for personal growth.
RECOGNITION: When was the last time someone cheered when you walked into work? Recognition is something that is practically nonexistent in an adult’s day-to-day life, but not if you’re part of an industry that praise its workers. Being recognized for efforts and achievements in a part of the experience.
FINANCIAL SECURITY AND CONTROL: Job Security is a myth. Building your own business allows you to control your financial future. Whether you’re using your business to create a savings cushion, to make ends meet or to replace a corporate income, direct selling gives you options and the ability to take control.
TAX BENEFITS: This is not the most exciting part of owning own home-base business, but the allowable deductions can make a difference in what you pay each year. From deducting utilities from a portion of your home (if you have created and utilize office space) to supplies and mileage, the savings can add up. Be sure to check with a tax advisor who specializes in home-based businesses for the latest in acceptable deductions.
NO LIMITS: When employed by someone else you rely on them to give you a raise. When you’re the boss, you decide! Direct selling offers representatives a chance to set own goals, dream big and create the life want with no restrictions or territory income. Perhaps that’s one reason that more are choosing this alternative career path over the corporate world.


HEALTH NOTES: How To Cope With Any Dis-ease
While undergoing treatment for cancer or overcoming other dis-eases can be stressful for people and caregivers. Fortunately, there are coping techniques that can help to calm a person’s mind and sharpen his or her ability to focus. Relaxation Techniques and other mind/body practices offer creative ways to reduce stress and maintain inner peace. For example, some people with cancer and their caregivers use these techniques to help them relax as they wait for treatments or tests results.

DEEP BREATHING TECHNIQUES: At the core of life is breath. Laughing and sighing are the body’s natural ways of forcing us to breathe deeply. That is why people often feel calm or rejuvenated after these experiences. Anxiety and stress can make us take in short, shallow breaths. Shallow breathing does not allow enough oxygen to enter the body, which can make us more anxious.

SIMPLE BREATHING EXERCISE CAN BE DONE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE:
* Take in a deep breath from your diaphragm (the muscle
between the lungs and the abdomen).
* Hold it for several seconds; however long is comfortable and then exhale SLOWLY.
* Repeat the above steps at least two more times.
* Afterwards, relax for a moment and let yourself feel the
experience of being calm.

The goal is to relax the body and especially the mind, which has a natural tendency to jump from idea to idea, from one worry to the next. You can concentrate your focus on your breath in order to relax your mind. As the mind jumps from idea to idea, practice non-judgmental awareness, simply observing the pattern of your thoughts, while guiding them back to focus on your breath.

Observing your emotions in a non-judgmental way allows you to separate yourself from them rather than getting pulled into them. There are many stress-reducing techniques that includes deep breathing. For example, you can imagine a peaceful scene, often from a memory, as you practice deep breathing. While in a state of calm relaxation, you can envision pain washing away from the body and the body getting stronger and healthier. Relax your mind/body and briefly transfer your emotions to a place in which you feel more safe and secure. For me, it is the by the ocean, at a warm climate Beach!

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