Finding the Courage to Follow Your Dreams

"You're studying what? Oh..."
"Are you planning on living in a box on the street? Switch majors..."
"You might as well be studying basket-weaving!"
"That's just not feasible."
"You can't do it."

Have you heard any of the above, or something similar? Whoever utters those words to you is trying to discourage you from following your dreams. They might say that they have your best interest at heart, that they're just looking out for you or some other bogus rationale. However, that's just a cover-up for their true intentions. Whatever you do, don't let them stop you from living your dreams and defining your own path in life!

Ignoring the Naysayers, Haters & the Closed-Minded

For some reason, certain people seem to be threatened by those who follow their dreams, no matter what people say. These individuals could legitimately want to hurt you by trying to instill self-doubt and negativity into your "half full" mentality. They could just be bitter because they didn't do what they wanted to do with their lives. Some people, such as parents or relatives, just want you to play it safe because they want you to have a "secure" and "normal" career path.

Regardless of their reasons, the naysayers are trying to put you in a box and limit your potential whether they mean to or not. Now, we all know that you are FAR too fabulous to be placed in the square of the mundane.

Live the Life You've Imagined

Take the road less-traveled!

You only have one life. I know that's cliche, but I swear it is true. Also, we never know how long we have to live it. I know far too well that life is fleeting. Make the most of it! The other people out there who decide that they are too scared to go for it, do not live life to the fullest. Let them cheat themselves, just don't let them cheat you! It will be you on your deathbed saying, "I wish I had done that." - not them.

Try not to let fear of the unknown, failure or rejection keep you away from reaching your goals. There is no such thing as true success without experiencing failure. If one door closes, it just leaves room for the right door to be opened.

Turning Dreams into Reality - The Practical Way


Once you've found it within yourself to ignore the naysayers, it's a whole other story to find the courage to actually live your dream and reach your goals!

Finding or living your dream is more practical than most people think - it actually takes confidence, time, planning and serious introspection. To think, most people actually think you just woke up one day and decided to become a makeup artist all willy-nilly! It might seem that way from an outside perspective, but you have probably secretly had that dream for a long time.

Take the following steps to create your own reality:

1. Create a "life goals journal" or a "goal-setting workbook." Make sure to take some time away from the daily grind and dedicate at least 10 minutes a day to writing about what you want out of life. You can't achieve anything until you have concrete goals.

2. Inspire yourself. It's hard out there for a bold, fabulous risk-taker (You thought I was gonna say pimp...)! Make sure to prepare yourself for criticism or set-backs by repeating a mantra to yourself every morning before you go out into the world. Type it out on a small paper and tape it to your bathroom mirror. This mantra can be anything you find personally inspiring. You can even have more than one for different situations! One of my mantras is: "Don't block your blessings. Embody positivity. Live your dreams every day."

3. Research, Research, Research. If you are going to give your all to doing something, you better make sure that you know everything there is to know about it. Make yourself an expert in whatever field you want to go into. Once you are an expert, you already have an edge and will feel more confident in going after your dream. For instance, doctors know everything about the body. You wouldn't want a doctor who went to Roscoe's Med School and practices out of a van! It's the same for anything you choose to do.

4. Be Yourself. Put a bit of yourself into everything that you do. Be unique! You are already being bold, by going off the beaten path, so why not go all out and let your fabulous personality and creativity shine through? It's easy to look to successful people in your field for inspiration. That's perfectly fine and recommended, but don't try to emulate them. Be the next YOU.

5. Don't Give Up. Times will be guaranteed to get rough along your journey to the top. However, let your true inner strength shine through when you are faced with adversity. It's easy to quit, but you will be cheating yourself if you don't fight past the obstacles that come your way. Whenever you think of quitting, look at it this way - If you quit now, all the work you already did will be in vain and you will have wasted your precious time. That wouldn't be cool at all! Wasting your time is only hurting you. Remember: the night might seem long, but the morning is quickly approaching.

6. Surround Yourself With A+ People. Have you ever heard the saying, "Misery loves company"? Well, it's true! Imagine yourself - a bold, dreamer - surrounded by people who limit themselves to what's "normal" or "expected." It will be ten times harder to stick to your dreams when you are surrounded by such horrible energy. Surround yourself by people who share your goals and also strive for the best! Also, don't let your ego keep you from surrounding yourself with people who know more than you do! That is a key mistake that many people make. If you hang around with A+ people and you're a strong B, it's only a matter of time before they help you to become an A+ too! I'm not saying, ditch people, now. Try to help your friends expand their mentality to one of positivity and success, but if they aren't being open minded and are discouraging you - re-evaluate their position in your life.

Remember, you can do anything that you set your mind to. Only you can limit your potential. Don't let fear or other people decide which path you take in life. Listen to Robert Frost and "take the road less traveled." You might end up somewhere amazing, beyond your wildest dreams!

[Product Junkie]: Beauty 911 Kit

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! Take this time to have fun with your family and friends, relax or do whatever makes you happiest.

In a previous post, I mentioned the importance of looking presentable at all times. One of the easiest ways to do this is by always having a "Beauty 911 Kit" that you can transfer from your school bag to your handbag and more. Here are my picks for the essential products that can fit in every purse you own!




The "Beauty 911 Kit" gives you a sense of empowerment and versatility. Even if you decide to leave the house without makeup, if you get invited to dinner or have to run to a last-minute meeting, you can quickly give yourself a boost with these items, or similar products of your choosing.

[5ive]: Ways To Always Look Your Best {on the GO}

We all have those days where we just don't care how we look or what anyone has to say about it. Those days where you don't even mind leaving the house in sweats, hair undone - looking a mess. We have all been there, so there is no shame in admitting it!

Yet, have you ever been caught looking thoroughly unpolished in public, by a friend you haven't seen in ages? All of a sudden, that "I don't give a ----" attitude goes out the window and all kinds of shame kick in. That kind of embarrassment is a horrible feeling! Wait... here is the holy grail of embarrassment...

You're in Publix browsing the ice cream aisle in your pajamas (or what might as well be pajamas... yes, Vickie's PINK counts as pajamas), when all of a sudden you see a great-looking guy, who is impeccably dressed. You want to flirt, but all of a sudden realize you appear to be a bum.

Basically, some opportunities only knock once, so don't be caught unprepared to answer the door!

You might be in college with an amazing internship, but face the facts - if you look like a bum, people will perceive you as such, regardless. It's human nature to make an assessment of people you meet based on your first impression, which includes how people are dressed.

It's hard to look your best 24/7. Lord knows I went on a late-night run to Burger King the other day in my pajamas. Did I care at the time? No. But I was definitely ashamed. I was praying my car wouldn't break down, etc. so I wouldn't have to be seen by a soul. It was not a good feeling. I vowed after that to make sure I never feel that way again.

Here are 5 ways to always look your best on the go. Even if you might not have time to primp and preen, that is no excuse to not look presentable.

1. Always Have an Beauty 911 Kit: Every woman should have these things in her purse/bag at all times. Get a little, cute makeup bag to keep everything organized and portable. Make sure you have extras of your products specifically for this kit.

• Mascara
• Lip gloss or balm (one or two... or several in my case...)
• Blush or bronzer
• Body spray or a perfume sample
• Breath mints or gum
• Oil blotting sheets

This way, even if you leave your house in a rush, you can quickly fix yourself up on the way to your destination (never while driving though)!

2. Plan your outfits in advance: If you plan your daily outfits from at least the night before, accessories and all, you reap several benefits. You can afford to hit the snooze button one more time. Also, you have the added confidence that comes with knowing you are well put together. Life is too short to spend time worrying about why you didn't put more effort into your appearance, especially when something as simple as planning ahead can save you that stress.

3. Buy cute "bum-wear": To avoid potential embarrassing situations, purchase cute yet comfortable lounge wear. You can buy a nice sweatsuit or "comfy" jeans and some nice hoodies so that even if you don't feel like being dressed to the nines to go to the store, you will always look presentable. Note: Say peace out to your ratty high school P.E. uniform. It is NOT okay to wear that in the streets!

4. Stand up straight: Listen to what Grandma told you. Even if you were to wear the ratty, 7 year old P.E. uniform, if you were standing up straight you might look like you were trying to rock a new style. Confidence makes anything look good. Yet, it's hard to be confident when you know you are not presenting yourself to the world as the fabulous chica that you are. I have posture issues because of my scoliosis, but I try to make a constant effort to keep my shoulders back. It has to be a conscious decision to do this.

5. Try to keep a positive attitude: A smile does a lot for one's appearance. Now, I know that nobody is happy at all times. It's impossible. Sometimes mustering up a tiny smile can seem the most gargantuan of tasks. I'm not saying that you should be fake either, but trying your best to accentuate the positive in your life goes a long way. You will feel better and others will feel better about being in your presence. Also, it's free! As India Arie so wisely sung, "It doesn't cost a thing to smile. You don't have to pay to laugh." Hell, even that notion should make you smile with gas prices as high as they are!

Follow these 5 principles and you are guaranteed to feel better about yourself at all times. Again, life is too short to worry about not looking your best!

[True Self]: Makeup & Self Esteem (Includes Poll Results)

"Do you feel beautiful without makeup?" was a question that I posed to you, the readers, last week. According to the results, 66% of you said "Of course!," 25% said "Somewhat, I can make it work," and 8% said that they "Never leave home without it."

Makeup is something that is used for manifold (I love that word) reasons. It is used "to color and beautify the face," to cover up zits and scars, to create illusions and to just have fun with (it is definitely fun to play grown-up "dress-up" from time to time). As great of an invention as makeup is, should it be used as a security blanket? At which point does makeup use become a mask to hide behind, which is ultimately detrimental to one's self esteem?

Who is to blame for this phenomenon? I'm sure it is the perennial scapegoat - the media - yet again. You always see those "Celebrities Without Makeup" pictures plastered on tabloids. God forbid someone left their house without makeup. The media has persuaded women all over the world that we NEED makeup to validate our self image, instead of just want it to create fun looks or enhance natural beauty. I'm sure companies like Estee Lauder don't mind that you have low self esteem....

Aishwarya Rai with and without makeup. I think she looks nice without it, but the media always makes a huge fuss!

I will bet money that every single human being on this earth had a problem with self esteem at some point in their lives. Nobody is THAT arrogant (sometimes, it is even those seemingly arrogant individuals who have the worst issues).Yet, throughout all of the struggles with self-image, many people have that one thing that they do that makes them feel better. It could be a hobby, playing a sport, retail therapy or going to real therapy. Is putting on makeup equivalent to all of those things? Should it be?

Personally, I love makeup. However, I think that those of us out there who sincerely do not feel pretty (inside or outside) without makeup need to unhand the eyeshadow - even just for a day - and sit down and think about what qualities really make a person beautiful. If you sit down and write the qualities that you see in those who you think are beautiful, I'm sure that you will have jotted down something besides how they look on the outside. Trust me. You are beautiful. You have to see it too, or nobody else will. They won't be seeing the real you, but only a painted on facade.

Actually, I think that regardless of anything, every single last person who reads this should sit down for 5 minutes and write this list. Include characteristics about yourself that you find beautiful. When you've finished, you can use the list as a daily affirmation or to boost your spirits on "one of those days."

Some of my list is as follows (prepare for random stream of consciousness):

eyes, heart, kindness, giving, caring, goal oriented, smile, curves, laugh, voice, honesty, talent, jokes, intelligence, unique soul, poetic, joyous, dedicated, spontaneity.... What is on your list?

This list will be a reminder of who the REAL you truly is.

Besides this little exercise, here are some helpful tips to help boost your self-esteem in general or on a "fat"/"ugly"/"bad hair"/"horrible, terrible, no good, very bad" day:

• Get enough sleep, eat healthily, get regular exercise, take good care of yourself hygienically, etc.
  
• Plan a "Me, Myself & I" night in or out! Go to a movie, take a nap, get your nails done, plant a tree, buy a poodle, learn to meditate-whatever you love to do!
  
• Remind yourself of your strengths & achievements by making a list of things you like about yourself (We already did this).
  
• Forgive when you don't meet all of your goals. We are truly our own worst critic! Go easy on yourself sometimes, especially when you already feel down.


• If all else fails, fake it 'til you make it! When you treat yourself like you deserve to feel good about yourself, you'll begin to believe it!
  

I really hope this helps! I know I'll be referring back to this myself when I feel down (tee hee)

Source: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/selfesteem/selfest.html