It's that time of year again. The time of year when we all swear off bad habits, make new goals and leap into a new year with lots of hopes, dreams, vows and probably a couple of extra holiday pounds.
Almost everyone says "My New Year's resolution is to diet and exercise". That's why you'll notice that the gyms are packed in January, a little less in February and even less in March. New habits are hard to sustain. The rule of thumb for ditching or keeping up a new habit is 3 weeks. If you can make it 3 weeks you're golden.
I used to always make resolutions about diet, exercise, finances etc...This would be the year! I knew it! And every year I would make a great start and then it would slowly fizzle out. I think that's a pretty common trend. It's what keeps places like Jenny Craig, Planet Fitness and credit card companies in business.
This past year I changed my mindset about New Year's resolutions. I made all of my resolutions about things I knew I could do. I am doing the same this year. It feels so much better to have that feeling of accomplishment than disappointment.
So for the next 365 days I am going to....
Live life to the fullest
everyday. I am going to laugh, have fun, try new
things, make memories, go new places, do things that scare me to death, not take a
second for granted and spend time with the people I love the most and soak up the good things in life.
I think I can handle that list.
You shouldn't vow to change your life on January 1st just because it's a new year. Everyday you wake up with the opportunity to make life what you want it to be. It's your choice where you go in this big beautiful world!
This year with my blog I am going to do everything I can to help you feel great about yourself from the inside out. That's a gift we all deserve and it's something we should resolve to do each and everyday.
Happiness = Beautiful
Have a safe and Happy New Year!
xo
Bethany
Amy Nowill has a smile that can light up a room. The minute you meet her you instantly know that there is something so special about this kind soul. I met her earlier this year through a mutual friend, who is also an amazing woman. I am lucky to find these women and count them as friends.
Being that we all grew up in a small town, I realized that Amy's husband Dan and I went to school together and that we in fact have many mutual friends. After meeting her I found out something very special about her that I find completely heartwarming and admirable.
Amy is a former preschool teacher and is now a stay at home mom of two boys. In 2011, as part of Love in Motion, a ministry of Monadnock Bible Conference that has been in Haiti since 1983, she made her first trip to Port Au-Prince, Haiti with
a group of 12 strangers for mission work. A trip that has changed Amy's life forever. According to Love in Motion's website this is what they do...
"As we meet
physical needs of hunger, thirst, nakedness and sickness,we have the
opportunity to speak to their spiritual needs in Jesus’ name.
The
majority of our efforts are focused on: building schools and
orphanages, medical clinics, food and water distribution, and child
sponsorship. Some of these are initiatives that Haitians could not
provide or would have a difficult time providing, like medical clinics
and food distribution. Others are done side by side, encouraging our
Haitian brothers and sisters to take part in the project."
To hear her talk about what they do makes your heart smile. It also makes you very aware of how lucky we are and how fortunate we are to have "Amys". Amy will head there again in 2013.
To fund her trip to Haiti, Amy makes beautiful wrap bracelets. The bracelets are available in a variety of bead colors, leather
choices and lengths to suit your personal taste. Each one is made to
order, so it is a custom piece - unique to you. They are $15 each. Amy donates all of her time and money to this cause. Once she has reached her $1700 goal to pay for the trip, any money over and above that goes towards medicine and food to help the Haitians that she takes care of during her trip.
Her bracelets have caught on like wildfire. At this point, she needs 6 weeks to fill orders. If you are interested in ordering a bracelet, you can contact her through her facebook page .
Amy is also looking for donations. Even if you are just cleaning out your medicine cabinets and want to bag up what you have, she'll take it.
Things like:
Emergen C, Aleve, Ibuprofen, iron pills, anti fungal cream, eye drops,
Selsun Blue original shampoo, LOTS of prenatal vitamins, Children's Tylenol chewable for ages 2-6 and 6-11 and Tylenol infant drops, etc...
Even if it's expired, she'll take it. It's better than nothing. Amy is willing to accept donations at her home. You can bag them and leave them at her home 8 Glen Rd in Keene, NH.
So check your cabinets, maybe scope out the clearance section or pick up an extra item when you shop. It is greatly appreciated by Amy and the people that she cares for.
Amy is the true essence of what makes someone beautiful. It shows in her actions and on her face. I hope that she inspires you to do something for someone else.
Smiling heart,
xo
Bethany
Anyone else feeling fa la la la frazzled instead of feeling dazzled by this time of year?
The holiday season is in full swing! Shopping, baking, parties and events fill our schedules faster than you can say "Merry Christmahanukwanzakah"! Wow...that's a mouthful! I can barely say it after 3 cups of coffee never mind a glass of Christmas cheer!
My schedule has been a little nutty as of late but I am trying to enjoy the holiday season and not dread it. See, my normal 9-5 (well 5a-12p) job makes it so that I get inundated with everything Christmas. As wonderful as that is, it makes it hard to keep it up 24/7.
I am a big fan of enjoying the important part of the holidays. Not the commercial spend, spend, spend part. I try to make sure the true meaning of the holidays is not lost on me. I want to do for others and spend as much quality time as I can with the ones I love. That being said, I know gifts are bought and received. It's part of it. If I can choose, I love a gift that makes the recipient feel good.
So in keeping with the "do for others" theme, I have a few things going on.
First, during this month I will feature some health and beauty companies that give back to others. By supporting them, you are helping to support other amazing organizations that can really use our help.
Second, after being asked by several people, I will be offering a few different types of gift certificates/services for holiday giving. Maybe for yourself or someone on your list. Here's what I have available...
Makeup Application
Do you have a party or function to go to over the holidays and want an extra special look? Let me make you sparkle for the evening.
Allow about 30 minutes
Show Me The Way - Consultation/Shopping/Application
Want to learn how to do your makeup and what products to use? We shop (with whatever your budget is) and then we sit side by side while I show you how to apply your makeup and teach you what I know.
Allow an hour and a half
Make Me Over
This could be a combination of many things. Maybe you want makeup, hair or fashion advice or a lesson on false eyelashes. The possibilities are endless!
Inquire for options
Feel free to message me on Facebook or email me at radiobethany987@gmail.com for questions about gift certificates or consultations.
I hope you are all enjoying the season so far and not stressing out. It's so easy to get caught up in it. If you are stressed out and feeling fatigued, check back tomorrow. I'll have some helpful tips to get you through!
xo
Bethany
