by Patricia | May 2, 2013 | Beauty, Blog, Empowerment, Featured
The first time I thought of myself as beautiful, I was 21. I saw the picture above (taken at an event, so I was dolled up that day) and thought, “Wow! That’s me?” It was a little startling to think I was the pretty woman in the picture. This was my first (conscious) experience with perspective changing; I unwittingly happened on a tool that relieved me of a self-limiting thought (“I am ugly”) and increased my ability to shine. I just needed to look at myself through the lens of someone’s camera to see my outer beauty. Not that outer beauty is everything – one’s beauty goes so much deeper than their appearance – but I walk in this world with much more light now that I am confident in my appearance. Since then I’ve been on a long long road of learning to see the beauty in the very things I don’t like about myself. I’ve managed to do this successfully in a few areas of life – and if you’re interested, here’s how you too can see the beauty in your ugly: 1. Define Your Ugly. In this step, you start with identifying and getting clear with that which you find to be the darkest, the worst. Dig deeply on this one! Get very specific about why you feel the way you feel. Is it that you are comparing your life (or some aspect of it) to someone else’s? Did someone tell you as a child this thing was ugly, and you believed it? If you are going to change the way you see your ugly,...
by Patricia | Apr 16, 2013 | Beauty, Blog, Empowerment, Featured, Wellness
It can’t be a coincidence that I came across Dove’s new campaign right as I was preparing to write a post on changing your mind about your beauty. This brief documentary (below) compellingly demonstrates just how readily we discount or deny our beauty – and just why we should take the time to appreciate ourselves. I watched this clip and ever since I can’t help to wonder how the way I view myself compares to the way others view me. Watch, and I’m sure you’ll find yourself wondering the...
by Patricia | Apr 12, 2013 | Beauty, Blog, Empowerment, Featured
Well, you are! Whether you believe me or not, just say it out loud- I’m beautiful. I hope you believe it. There was a long time when I didn’t believe it. I didn’t believe I was beautiful and I thought those who told me so were lying. I thought that, because of my fat, because of my acne, because of my flat feet, because of lips, I was ugly. I have since changed my mind about my ugly, and I did so because deep down I knew that I wasn’t supposed to live my life lamenting my body, my face, my hair, etc. I acknowledged that truth and slowly changed my perspective on my imperfect me. As a result, I’ve become empowered and can’t help but to do what I can to empower the lives of others. I’m so committed to helping others recognize and embrace their beauty. I’m so committed to sharing my shine and helping you raise yours. I’ll admit that there are days when I doubt whether I should commit myself to this, but then I’ll come across something or someone that affirms what I’m here to do. Two things I want to share with you: Debenhams’ new ad campaign, highlighting the wide array of beautiful bodies out there. Yes, you can be missing an arm and be glamorous. Yes, plus-sized bodies are as fierce as anyone’s. Documentary: The Light that Shines This features a cancer patient who provides a beautiful testimony to the power of our spirit and the power of love, from your loved ones and to yourself. It’s a gorgeous display of loving...
by Patricia | Apr 9, 2013 | Beauty, Blog, Featured, Wellness
My happy place is where beauty and wellness meet! One of my favorite things about this “place” is how readily I can beautify and groom using day-to-day ingredients, creating beauty solutions that are as high-quality as anything you’d buy in a department store. Here’s one of favorite ways to pamper and beautify while nourishing my skin: 2 part extra virgin olive oil 2 parts sugar (white or brown is fine) 1 part lemon juice Mix the ingredients together, and use as needed! Recommended use: Great as a face or body scrub. After scrubbing, wash off with warm water. Do not use more than once a week. Store in a sealed container. Keeps best in a refrigerator. Aside from the effects of exfoliating, this scrub treats your skin to nutrient rich extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Olive oil is full of antioxidants and phytonutrients, and lemon juice, itself a great exfoliant, also provides a dose of Vitamin C. Give it a try, enjoy your softened, exfoliated skin and let me know what you think!...
by Patricia | Apr 1, 2013 | Beauty, Blog, Empowerment, Featured, Wellness
A couple of weeks ago I posted about the free screening of the documentary Hungry for Change. I have watched it twice and I am SO GLAD I did! Before watching I thought I’d be able to write a post breaking down all the information, but frankly there’s way too much in the documentary to do any justice in a blog post. I plan on using the video as a tool in my coaching – if you work with me, you’ll likely hear all about it! Here are points from the doc that stuck out to me: Diet sodas suck! Aspartame, an ingredient found in most diet sodas, is associated with a build up of formaldehyde in the brain, frontal lobe inflammation, migraines, visual disturbances, headaches, neuralgic problems and is considered carcinogenic. Aspartame is also recognized by many pilots as a big NO because it can cause severe aberrations in their vision. Diet sodas are generally a vehicle for aspartame or another non-caloric sweetener and caffeine, a combo that’s found to kill brain cells. The combination creates excitotoxins that kill the cells. Research shows that non-caloric sweeteners contribute to weight gain because they create carbohydrate cravings. Whenever you trick your body into thinking it’s getting a nutrient (like a carbohydrate) but you aren’t actually eating it, your brain will send a signal directing you to eat until you actually get the nutrient!! (I can vouch for this effect!) What you consume, you wear. Consider that we are programmed to scan people for good health for reproductive purposes. Those with luminous skin, healthy hair , bright eyes, etc....
by Patricia | Mar 26, 2013 | Blog, Empowerment, Featured
Ever felt like you were called to do something, but held off on acting on that call because you didn’t have [insert thing here]? Ever had this happen, and the more you ignored that call, the more you felt like you needed to do what you were called? I have. This blog, my lifestyle coaching business…I was called to start this a long time ago. I held off on this for years because I didn’t feel like I didn’t have [insert many many things here]! I started my education and training at IIN because I wanted to fill in some of those blanks, and that it did. But there was a point where I learned everything I needed and I still felt like I needed to have a bit more and to get perfect with what I had before I launched. And at that time, everywhere I went I got this message: Do it anyway. And here I am, doing it. The message that really sent me over the edge was this story by Ali Brown that I think you should read. I read it and thought if SHE could do it, then I had no excuse to launch Shine! I mentioned this story to a friend yesterday, and I realized that stuff like this story deserved to be shared. So please read: Why You Should Not Wait for a Clear Vision before You Move Forward, by Ali Brown. The most poignant part for me (apart from the ATM story!) Back then, my only “vision” was to be self-sufficient. To pay my rent on time and in full every...
by Patricia | Mar 19, 2013 | Blog, Empowerment, Wellness
Sign up for a free online screening of Hungry for Change, a documentary that’s credited with helping many create the health, life and body they deserve! I haven’t seen it yet but the trailer (above) definitely has my interest! If you sign up you’ll also get access to “take action” videos by some of the most popular health experts (that action directed towards a healthier lifestyle), free detox recipes, a DVD giveaway and live Q&A. The screening begins March 21st. Sign Up Now! I’ll be watching the doc and the take action videos and trying the detox recipes – not sure if I can make it for the Live Q&A. Anything worth sharing from that experience will be shared here! Stay tuned....
by Patricia | Mar 18, 2013 | Beauty, Blog, Empowerment, Featured, Wellness
Rise to challenges as they come. Rise above them. Rise above what you conceive to be your level – go higher than you think you can go. When you rise, you awaken whatever magnificence lies dormant in you. Rise to the greatness you are, and go higher than that. Your gifts are needed in the world. If you haven’t been sharing them, it’s time you do. Your talents are not just meant for you. You share your gifts and you glow. Why hide your light? Why shrink away from what calls you? Why play life small? Whose life is helped by keeping your magic in? Shine! Let your being emanate with the radiance of your glory. You are the descendant of stars – your being is formed of stardust. There’s no need to “reach” for that which you are. Intensify the massive source of light that is you. In a Universe of darkness, in a world full of those who don’t know their own light, your radiance is needed. Consider me your...
by Patricia | Mar 10, 2013 | Beauty, Blog, Featured
Beauty and grooming can provide an instant mood boost. If you doubt this, the next time you’re in a bad mood immerse yourself in a little beauty and/or grooming and see how you feel after. The picture above was taken on a bright sunny day, but my mood failed to match. I pulled out this vibrant shade of lipstick and voila! Instant mood boost. And I could say it’s about the lipstick (it’s so bright and fun!) but I’ve also witnessed my fiance’ experience the same mood boost when he gets his beard shaped by his barber. The smile on my face isn’t happiness with the lipstick, it’s just happy! Beauty and grooming provide this mood boost because when you’re in the process of beautifying, you’re in the act of raising the vibration on an aspect of your life. It tends to be a rather convenient way to pick up one’s energy, which can make it a crutch for some. I would recommend NOT relying on beauty to feel good about yourself! Rather, treat beauty and grooming as a means to show love to your physical self. Think thoughts of love when you apply your favorite shade of lipstick or treat yourself to a haircut – you’ll be raising your vibrations much higher than you would if you were using the lipstick as a cover for whatever’s bothering you. So in those times when you need to feel a little loved, show yourself some love by beautifying, and watch your shine...
by Patricia | Mar 5, 2013 | Blog, Empowerment, Featured
So I had this blog idea all lined up for my “premiere” post about the power in taking small steps (yes indeed, it’s powerful) but no, that’s scrapped because as I was writing it I happened upon VH1’s Behind the Music about Nicole Scherzinger. Nicole Scherzinger, apparently, struggled with body image issues and bulimia for several years. Body image issues? Builimia? This beautiful woman didn’t like her body? It just goes to show you that no matter how shiny and gorgeous you are on the outside, you are not exempt from having shit to deal with. Everyone has their shit! I’ve struggled with body image issues, self confidence issues, issues with my parents, issues upon issues upon issues. But I, Nicole, and YOU, are here to show the world that even though you have your shit, you shine too. Additionally, having shit to deal with is not an excuse to NOT shine. We all have our shit, but that absolutely DOES NOT have to stop you from living as brightly as possible. Even when you don’t like YOU, you are great and that greatness is meant to be shared. I’m so thankful that Nicole had the courage to share this part of her story with us. It’s interesting to me, because apparently she suffered with bulimia just as her star rose. She shone in her career while battling a major disorder and as far as this Behind the Music shows, it was her rock-bottom moment with bulimia that pushed her to new heights – didn’t have anywhere else where to go but up. And now, this woman who suffered with body image issues is...
