Monthly Newsletter-August 2013

Today I am reflecting on a lot of things. My oldest child Dawson, 4th Birthday is today. Brent and I went to Preschool Orientation last night…..where does the time go? I really can not believe that is happening! So much has gone on in the last four years it’s hard to wrap my brain around it! Friday is another special day for me. Brent and I will be married for 5 years. Yep, we came home from the hospital with a new baby boy on our 1st anniversary! Pretty special if you ask me! I am also celebrating some special milestones at work and I’m pretty stoked about everything that is going on. August seems to be a special month in general, but this year….it seems to be a little more special. I am so THANKFUL for all the great things going on in my life right now. I thank you all for a lot of it, because if it wasn’t for all the great clients we have here at Cuts to Dye For, I wouldn’t be sitting where I am today!

August means back to school time. For some, it’s the first time your child will be away from home. For some it’s the last time you have to go to school registration. Sending your kids off to school is a good thing. School can create a sense of independence. Going from the security of your home to the reality of the real world, will be a new adjustment for both students and parents, whether its college, high school or preschool! While embarking on this independent adventure, your child may still make some of the wrong choices. Remember when you went to school/college? You didn’t always make the right choices. You have to let your child learn their own lessons. They can’t always learn from your experiences, but instead they need to learn from their own. No matter what your childs age is, your child still needs you as a parent. If your kids are going to college, it is a different relationship now, however, you still need to stay involved but not be overbearing. Try not to judge, but help guide your child to be the best they can be. Give your child space so they can grow, but find ways to stay in touch. Technology is good for all these things. Most all kids have cell phones once they get to a certain age. Learn to text (because that is what they do) and communicate with your child that way. Continue to be the unconditional support system. They need you through this stage of their life more than they know (it sure doesn’t take long for them to realize this once they are away from you)!

The Pocahontas County Young Professionals are doing a school supply drive to help collect supplies so we can donate them to all the schools in the county. For more information, see the flyer below!

Don’t forget to stop by all the participating business’ for our Semi-Annual Clearance Sale THIS FRIDAY for AWESOME deals that are going to be gone before you know it!

Summer Vacations – Staycation?

August also means the end of summer is upon us. That also means summer vacations are coming to an end. If you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy summer, it’s not over yet. You might consider a few staycation ideas if you are running out of time to get away for the weekend:

1. Throw a cocktail party. Invite your friends for a low key get together for finger food and fun cocktails.

2. Find a bike trail for the family. You don’t have to be an expert rider to have a great time.

3. Check for local events, such as the circus or kids fun run (wink wink—I am part of these events so I will do another post about these fun events coming up).

4. Pack a picnic and go to your favorite spot. This can be as easy as you want it to be (how about PB&J and chips?).

5. Plan a movie night. Pull out the fondue pot and make it extra special (did you get to the Drive in Movie that was in Pocahontas during the Fair?).

Did you know that August 15th is National Relaxation Day? Apparently it has been around for quite a few years. No one really knows how or why this day was designated. Despite that, here are a few ways to enjoy the spirit of relaxation!

1. Take time to spend time with someone you enjoy. This easily puts you into a relaxing state of mind.

2. Sit still and mediate. Find a quiet place, maybe outside under a tree. Turn off your phone and close your eyes and breathe. Sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

3. Take an aromatic bath. Put on some soft music and relax. Pop open a bottle of wine!

4. Pick up a book and read. (Again, shut off the phone and do nothing but read).

5. Watch the sunset. Go outside 15-20 minutes before sunset. Find a comfortable spot and sit and relax. Realize the miracle of being a part of this amazing place!

If you happen to be in the salon on National Relaxation Day, we will be sure to give you a special treatment that day to make it more relaxing!

You can’t have everything. Where would you put it? ~Steven Wright

Monthly Newsletter-July 2013

    Going Short?

Now that summer is here, we tend to think about another hairstyle.  With the warm weather, you might be thinking of cutting your hair shorter.  Shorter hair can be cooler, sometimes edgy, and unique.  You can definitely define your personal style with a short hair style. Are you ready for the plunge?

Before you do that, you need to take a few things into consideration. When you get your hair cut short, you will want to keep it maintained.  That will mean getting it cut every 4-6 weeks.   After 6 weeks, the style starts to look shaggy.  Plan your budget accordingly.

1. Know what you want.  Be sure to work with your stylist on the best hairstyle for your bone structure.  Not all short hair styles work with all facial features, hair textures, maintenance and overall desired look.

2. Bring a photo of what you want.  If you are making a drastic change, you will want to show your stylist what you are thinking and let them give you their recommendations.  Sometimes what you are thinking, is not what we are thinking!  “Your short” may not be the same as “our short” and vice versa.

3. Unlike long hair that you can pull back into a ponytail or a bun, you need to style short hair every day.

4. Short hair may require more hair care products.  You will want to spend money on good quality products to give your hair the best results.  Products are a key factor into maintaining a great cut.

5. Play with your new haircut.  Try different looks.  Even though it’s short you can still do different styles or use different hair accessories.

6. Put your new look together with clothes and makeup that goes with your new hair style. Short hairstyles can show more of your ears and necks.  Find some fancy earrings to show off your ears or a shirt that shows your neckline.

Be fearless!

We all are living busy lives these days.  Sometimes I wish there were more hours in the day….but then I think I would just be going non-stop for that many more hours.  So I don’t think it would be better with more hours!  Katie and I are taking a few days off this week with the 4th of July falling on Thursday.  I find it hard to relax because I don’t really ever do it!  But the end of this week and weekend I am going to try to.  This is probably going to be the only time we get to go camping this year because we have so many weddings this summer!  I got all my cooking and baking done on Monday so I am almost ready to head out Wednesday evening!  I thought it was fitting to talk about how to relax and calm ourselves down!  Hope you guys enjoy a relaxing couple days around the 4th.

Ways to Relax from Stress

Everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives. One’s job or situation does not need to be high-profile for it to be high anxiety for you.  The cost of ignoring stress will cause you to show signs of wear and tear. It can range from simple fatigue to obesity or even heart disease. Are you doing everything you can to help your body recover from the effects of stress?

1. Don’t stress eat.  Be mindful of what you put in your body. Don’t be impulsive. Start with a glass of water before making a decision of what to eat.  This seems to be a hard one for a lot of people, myself included.  I LOVE to eat!

2. Let your body recover by sleeping. You know your body. You know how much sleep you need to be comfortable.  Stress can cause insomnia. But being sleep deprived, you can’t handle stress as well.  It is so important to get a good nights sleep…..on a regular basis.  Sometimes that is hard to do, but try as hard as you can to get the same amount of sleep each night.

3. Breathe and meditate.  Slow down your anxious mind.  Try to block everything out. While trying to block out your day, take a few minutes to breathe. Sit with your back straight, close your eyes and relax your shoulders. Inhale and exhale purposefully for several minutes.  Sometimes all it takes is to get our body calmed down and then we can think more clear!

4. Decide if the stress you are dealing with is worth it.  While there is stress everywhere, sometimes you can walk away from the situation or talk it out with someone can help you determine if it is even a stress that you need deal with or if you need to rethink some choices you may need to make.  I find a lot that we are worrying about things we can not change and not worrying about the things we really can change.  Get your focus in the right direction, and it’s amazing how much we can accomplish!

Monthly Newsletter-June 2013

This year, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16^th.  It is a day to show your appreciation for those fathers and father-figures in your life.  When thinking about a gift, don’t just get him a new tie.  Take time to think what kind of dad you have and what he might really like to receive.  Most every time, it’s the thought that counts.  Stop in and get dad a haircut Gift Certificate along with some shampoo or gel.  Keep him looking good!

Tis the season for no school, lots of beach trips, farm fresh foods, and sunny skies.  Yep!  It’s summer!  The first day of summer in the northern hemisphere starts on June 21^st, and is the longest day of the year. The sun reaches its most northern point in the sky at local noon.  After this date, commonly called the summer solstice, the days start to get shorter.  Let’s enjoy all this sunlight while we can!  Someday this rain IS going to stop and then we are going to enjoy some time outside!

Summer makes it challenging to keep yourself looking flawlessly beautiful.  Summer heat makes your makeup melt and spread.  Harmful UV rays will dry out your skin, causing premature aging. <—-eeeek!

Adapt your beauty regimen to the summer weather by following a few simple guidelines:
1.  Sun Protection.  Proper summer protection is your best beauty secret.  Use sun protection, not only on your face, but your body as well.  Use a high SPF sunscreen, SPF rated clothing and even a hat to provide you with the perfect sun protection.
2.    Moisturizer.  Moisturizing is an important role in your summer beauty routine.  The summer’s heat dries the skin.  Also, find a moisturizing lotion for your body.
3.    Makeup.  The key to long-lasting foundation and color is the primer. Use a small amount of a lightweight, oil free formula.  Apply it to moisturized skin before your concealer and foundation.
4.    Hand Care.  Proper hand care is very important as summer heat and UV rays will dry out your hands. Finding a hand cream that contains SPF and Vitamins A and E will help keep your hands soft and prevent tell-tale age spots.
5.    Hair Care.  Your hair will dry out in the summer time. People tend to wash their hair more during the summer months.  Shampoos can dry out strands.  Use hair conditioner. You can also try a sulfate-free shampoo as a gentle option.  Another option is to mix three parts conditioner with one part shampoo.  The conditioner will diminish the power of the shampoo, which is great for dry, colored, and frizzy hair.

Need a few more style and fashion tips to make your life a little easier during these hot summer months?  Here are some easy tips that are a definite win-win for this summer!

1.  Summerize your topknot.—-The topknot is possibly the best summer hairstyle: The hair is off your neck and out of your way.  This also has a cheekbone-lifting effect.  Dont let those fly away hairs stop you…..just shoot it with hairspray to hold them down and you are good to go!

2.  Finally try dry shampoo. (Or try it again!)—-Still haven’t experienced what all the dry-shampoo hype is about? Now’s the moment to get around to it. Brands have perfected new colorless, residue-free, and ultra-fine mists that will instantly perk up hair that’s been weighed down by sweat. Bonus: You’ll smell like you just showered.

3.  Play with colored eyeshadow—- Now is the time to shine!  Dig out that colored eyeshadow that you have been to shy to try.  I’m telling you…..NOW is the time to step out of the box.  Almost anything goes right now for fashion.  Mix a couple of colors together to create your own unique look.  You will definitely gets some attention with a pop of color on your eyes.

4.  Dig out your headbands.—-You definitely already own the right accessory for this look—don’t you have a whole drawer full of these things that you never wear?—and any old snug headband is an excellent tool for concealing sweaty roots (or redoing your hair after a swim). Pull your hair into a ponytail and slip on a thin black band. It’ll also keep hair from frizzing and clinging to your sticky forehead, all while making you look hot in a good way.

5. Create a distraction with hot nails.—-Here’s your excuse to treat yourself to a mani-pedi ASAP: People are less likely to notice those sweat droplets on your brow when they’re blinded by the awesomeness of your bright nail polish. It’s scientifically proven. OK, fine, it’s not, but we still say go pick the boldest possible color on the shelf. Be on the lookout for the hottest new polish out there coming SOON to the shelves at Cuts to Dye For.  It’s sitting in the back waiting for me to have time to put it out and blog about it!!

6.  Do the twist.—–Twists are quicker to throw in than braids and are an instant pretty-me-up move when your strands are looking soggy and lifeless. Even better, try putting in some twists when your hair’s half-dry after a salt-water swim session; your hair will have the right gritty texture to help hold them in place and make them look sexy. (Don’t forget to throw bobby pins in your beach bag.)

7.  Let your skin shine on.—-You can fight the good fight against the season’s shiny skin, or you could just relax and learn to enjoy the gleam. Hey, it’s summer after all—everybody’s a little misty. Imagine glossy skin as natural radiance, and then go enjoy the sunshine!

8.  Waves—-What you’ll need: an old-school waving iron (or a crimping iron that also comes with waver plates), heat protector cream (so important—it’ll keep the iron from creating the crunchy-wavy look from the ’80s), and a shine mist (because heat-styled waves can sometimes look dull).        How you pull them off: Well, first you’re going to put on your heat protector, then very lightly press your hair in the waving iron for just a couple of seconds. You want the suggestion of a wave, not full-on bends—that’s what keeps this looking more modern. Then when you’re all done, just add your shine spray and be on your way.

With just a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can stay beautiful all summer long!  Tips/Trends gathered from Glamour.com

Monthly Newsletter-January 2013

Happy New Year everyone!  First of all, I want to say thanks to everyone who supports Cuts to Dye For every year.  We just keep kicking butt and every year keeps getting better and better.  Katie and I are so blessed to have such awesome clients that make our job so much fun!  With that said, I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every one of you!

How was your Holiday?  Crazy I’m sure! (whose isnt!?)  In this months newsletter lets talk about New Years Resolutions.  Honestly, I don’t really get involved with resolutions.  I don’t want to say I don’t believe in them, but who honestly keeps them anyways?  Let’s first about some resolutions you can make without really having to “push” yourself to go crazy trying to keep that dang new year’s resolution.

The most important factor in keeping your resolutions is to make the right resolution. If you make the wrong one, you won’t keep it.  You don’t want to add more to the infamous “fail” list.  So why not have some resolutions that you can just work into your daily/weekly/monthly routine and not really stress about.

1. Spend more time with friends.  We all know that life seems to be so much better when you are with people you love.  Don’t get yourself feeling lonely, make it a priority to reach out to the ones you love to keep yourself feeling great!  It can be as simple as meeting up with your girl friends/guy friends once a month.

2. Everyday, find a way to give something to somebody.  It’s so easy to forget how awesome our life really is.  We get busy and forget to appreciate all the small things.  Make it a priority to “give” something to someone once a day.  It can be a helping hand, a compliment, a much-needed $5 bill—even if it is just a tiny act of kindness.  When we make giving a habit, we make gratitude and kindness central themes in our lives. In so doing, we transform our lives with joy.  This year I am going to try to do a 365 day project.  What that means is, I’m going to write down one thing each day that I’m thankful for or the one thing that brightened my day.  Seems simple I know, but then on those days I’m feeling down, I can go back and remind myself there is a lot to be thankful for.  Even the simple things.

3. Make a budget.  This seems totally like a no brainer, doesn’t it?  I don’t even think this needs much of an explanation.  If you have a budget and stick to it as much as you can, you will know exactly when and where your money is going.  I am terrible at this…….maybe this should be my one realistic goal for myself!  :+)  Every year I say I am going to be better at it, maybe this IS my year!

4.  Declutter your life.  This can be as simple as keeping your kitchen counters clean from all the junk mail or things you leave out.  It’s amazing how much better you feel when there isn’t stuff laying everywhere.  Take this one step at a time of keeping one room at a time clutter free and soon your house will be clutter free.  Do this same thing at work, in your home, in your head, in your vehicle….you get the point.  Little by little things become a lot easier to do.

5.  Strive to be a better person.  This one sounds a lot like what many people resolve to do, but I do think it is an important goal for everyone. There are many ways we can improve our lives.  Remember to start simple and you can gain more progress from there.

How about making some beauty resolutions that are simple.  Here is a short list of resolutions that can be easily implemented and kept:

1. Always wash your face before you go to bed
2. Exfolitate once a week
3. Don’t pick at your pimples
4. Throw out all makeup you haven’t used in 3 months
5. Clean makeup brushes weekly
6. Get more regular sleep
7. Drink more water
8. Take a multi-vitamin
9. Smile more
10. Tell yourself that you are beautiful every. single. day.
11. Wear a spectacular outfit once a week
12. Make wise fashion investments
13. Take small risks with your fashion/makeup
14. Take the extra steps to protect your hair and skin
15. Try not to wash your hair daily

That is just a short list.  When you take a little bit of time and be realistic about it, I think we all can do it.  Pick one thing to focus on.  You don’t have to be a “superstar” and have multiple things you want to change.  Make sure your heart is in it, do what you need to do to stay motivated and be realistic about what you can actually do. That makes it sound so simple. But it really never is.  Make 2013 the best year yet!

:+)  Erica

Thankful Moments

Hey Everyone!  November has quickly come and gone (don’t they all). I have been seeing all month long on Facebook with everyone participating in the Attitude of Gratitude.  What this consists of is everyday you say something you are thankful for.  It has been great reading all the things that people are thankful for.  It sometimes is the simplest of things.  So many people these days take the littlest things for granted (I do, too).

I will never forget the time when Brent and I weren’t married yet and we lived outside of town a few miles.  This is when they were re-doing N28.  Not that it was THAT big of a deal, but when they got close to where we lived, we had to drive around the acreage and through the field to the gravel road to get to town.  Like I said, not THAT big a deal, but it was a nuisance.  It made me think, wow….I take for granted just being able to drive right out the driveway and hop on the highway.  Right?  Seems absurd, but if you really think about it, there is WAY to many people who take the simplest of things for granted.

If I had to pick my top thing I am thankful for…it would no doubt in my mind be my mom.  Most of you that know me, I wouldn’t have to even explain all that she does for me.  Let me just give you a little background info on what my mom has/does for me.

Back in the day, she was a single mother for quite some time trying to work her behind off to raise my sister and I.  What did I learn from that?  Hard work pays off.  SHE. BUSTED. HER. BEHIND. FOR. YEARS.  She provided us with all the things we needed. (let me emphasis needed….now-a-days the things we seem to need is different from twenty years ago.)

Let’s fast forward about 18 years (I can remember that better than all those years ago!).  When I had my first child, Dawson, my mom started to work part-time to help me out and babysit.  Then not too long after, she quit working at the Dr. Office and started babysitting for me full-time.  WOW!  BINGO!  See, I’m lucky.  Guess what, Tuesdays are usually the one night I don’t let myself work late so we always plan 6:00 pm supper….guess where….AT MY MOMS!!!  Lucky.  If she is watching my boys over the weekend when we are gone…..Brent and I will come home and the house will be clean and the laundry done.  Blessed.  She picks up Dawson and brings him to Sunday School and then heads to my salon and cleans.  Yep, she is the Cleaning Lady for Cuts to Dye For.  I just ran out of time to do it myself so I’m lucky enough to have my mom do it.  Don’t worry…I pay her for that!  :+)  O yeah, and this past Sunday she brought Casey’s subs home for lunch when she brought Dawson back from Sunday School.  Ok. Ok. Enough, you get it.  I’m lucky.  I’m blessed.  I’m so dang proud to have the best mom EVER.

I am thankful for LOTS of other things, don’t get me wrong, but it all started because of my mom.  She did create me after all!  :+)

My point of this whole thing is to be thankful.  In every way possible.  We live such fast paced lives anymore, it seems to all run into a big blur.  Especially this time of year, take a moment out of your day to say thanks, to appreciate all that you have.  You never know how you will make someones day by maybe even just saying hi or smiling.

I was in Deb’s Country Kettle the other day getting lunch and have kind-of a standing joke with a good friend that is a regular there also.  We are always joking who is going to buy…..well lets just say I snuck one in on him and bought his lunch without him knowing.  It’s about the simple things people.  Make a difference.  Give back.  Live life to the fullest.  Appreciate who YOU are and what you have.

I want to finish this off with a good story I just read on Facebook.  It just goes to show that we should be grateful for ourselves, no matter what life has thrown at you.

Good story-> A well-known speaker started off his seminar holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it…?” Still the hands were up in the air. “Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air. “My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special-Don’t EVER forget it.” If you do not pass this on, you may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it may bring. Count your blessings, not your problems.

“Be thankful for what you have;  you’ll end up having more.  If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough”  Oprah Winfrey

Thankful for my beautiful family

Erica

Monthly Newsletter August 2012

Summer is coming to an end, and let me guess–your body needs a little TLC after being a beach bum for the last 3 months!  (I wish I was in that category!) Our skin is easily damaged in the summer months.  When skin is exposed to sunlight over time,  the top layer thickens and darkens as a defense.  Because of that, it more than likely means your pores are more clogged.  We tend to sweat more, creating a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.  Stay clear of those nasty blemishes by regularly cleansing, exfoliating, and still applying sunscreen.  Use a cleanser with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, ingredients that keep pores clear.

Don’t forget about your lips, too.  They get chapped and dry, so make sure you are applying sunscreen to those regularly.  Are yours in really bad shape?  Try applying a small amount of petroleum jelly on top of your lip balm to help lock in some moisture.

If you have had a nasty burn this summer, you need to pay special attention to that area.  That burnt area is more than likely going to absorb more UV light, so don’t let it go unattended.  Trying to cover sunburned skin with foundation will only make it look worse. Instead, smooth on an aloe vera gel to soothe the burn. Then, tone down redness and shine with a gold-tinted moisturizer. Look for a golden lotion with a touch of shimmer for your body, and a sheer bronze or gold-tinted moisturizer for your face.

If you are living outside this summer you are bound to have some crazy tan lines to show for it!  Wheather it’s a tan line on your feet from your sandals, on your wrist from your watch, or around your neck area from your swimsuit, don’t worry.  If your heading to a wedding or big event, try mixing 2 parts liquid bronzer with one part moisturizer–blend over the tan lines.  It’s better to try to blend them than trying to cover them up completely! Works like a charm for the time being!

Another area that is more than likely on the road to disaster is your hair.  A good choice for this time of year is a deep conditioner.  For all we do to our hair, most of us could have dry hair to start with before summer even rolls around.   Throw all the sun and chlorine from being a pool rat into your hair and you are going to need a treatment ASAP!  Cuts to Dye For carries an amazing treatment by Kenra and recommend that done at least once a week (depending on how bad your hair is) .  Women who color their hair should be extra attentive because their hair tends to fade out in the summer months.  Come and get your color touched up and darken it a shade or two, or even just put some lowlights in to break up the color.

How about trying a new haircut?  Trade in your beach waves for a nice structured cut .  Dive into fall with a sexy new do that will get heads turning with some bold bangs or noticeable layers.  It could be a change as easy as parting your hair a little different, like down the center for something new and sexy.  Some of those options are a good way to get rid of those dead ends that are soaked to the cuticle of chlorine.  If you’re not feeling like a big change, no worries.  Plan for a nice trim on the ends though, you don’t want to rock split ends on the first day of school!

Choose Happiness

Your probably wondering why I’m blogging about this today.  Well, let’s just say life is WAY to short.  We are being reminded of it by day-to-day experiences.  Today I heard the news of a fellow Pocahontas Graduate, who was just a year younger than I, passed away.  How can life be taken away from us at such a young age.  For anyone who knew Aaron Wernimont, there was always a smile on his face.  I really don’t think a person could be any nicer.  He was such a wonderful young man and I am so glad I can say I knew him.  Any posts that I’m seeing on Facebook about him are so very positive.  I truly believed he touched everyone’s life that he came in contact with.  Not even just in Pocahontas, but everywhere his journey of life took him.  If you would like to read a post about his passing in the wcfcourier.com paper, click here.

I want to talk about choosing happiness because you never know when your day is going to come to an end, so we need to live everyday to its fullest.  I read a post in my e-mail and it totally fit the situation.

Happiness is a choice.  For every minute you are angry or irritated, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.  Be happy.  Be yourself.  If others don’t like it, then let them be.  Life isn’t about pleasing everybody.

If you have the courage to admit when you’re scared, the ability to laugh even as you cry, the nerve to speak up, even if your voice is shaking, the confidence to ask for help when you need it, and the wisdom to take it when it’s offered, then you have everything you need to get yourself to a happier state of mind.

Begin today by taking responsibility for your own contentment.  Here are ten ways to choose happiness:

1. Choose to be the best YOU can be.  —We are all our own individuals, so don’t try to be someone who you aren’t.  Be the best that YOU can be, and that’s perfect.

2. Choose to be around the right people. —Spend as much time as you can around the people who are most like you.  It’s amazing how much more positive we can be when we are around people who are positive.  Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.

3. Choose to focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.  —We need to appreciate all the good things we have in our life and when we do that, it brings us more sense of satisfaction.  Don’t get yourself down on what you don’t have.

4. Choose a good attitude. –Isn’t it great to roll out of bed with a smile on your face.  When you think today is going to be a great day, it’s going to be.  Be positive and smile, it makes the world a difference.

5. Choose to smile more often. —Life is so much better when you see people smiling.  That just might make someone else’s day when they see you smile.  Don’t wait for someone to do it, show them how it’s done!

6. Choose to take care of your body. —If you are physically drained to get through the day, it’s pretty hard to make it though the day emotionally. So be active and your mind will stay active also.

7. Choose honesty. —It’s easy, start being honest with yourself and everyone else around you.  Don’t get yourself involved in the self-inflicted drama that is a totally not worth the time and energy.

8. Choose to help others when you’re able. —Care about other people.  You just might make someones day by the simplest things.  You really do get in return the things that you put into life.

9. Choose to let go when you know you should. –Sometimes you have to learn to let go even when it’s really hard to.  Love is a two-way street and if you’re the only one fighting for it, maybe it’s time to let go.  Holding on is being  brave, but letting go and moving on is often what makes us stronger and happier.

10. Choose to embrace the next step in your life. —This last one I have to take totally from the blog I follow.  It said this: You can hold on to the past, or you can create your own happiness  today.  Never let success get to your head and never let failure get to  your heart.  Every day is a new beginning and a new ending.  Embrace it,  make the best of it, smile, and keep looking straight ahead.  And don’t  forget, a smile doesn’t always mean a person is happy right now;  sometimes it simply means they are strong enough to face their problems  going forward.  I couldn’t have worded that any better.

Again, I bring this up in this post because all of these things remind me of Aaron.  I was blessed to know this great young man.  He chose to be happy, to smile, to surround himself with wonderful people.  He focused on things in life and was very successful at everything he did.  He always carried a good attitude and most definitely smiled OFTEN.  He chose to take care of himself and did so of others also.  He would lend a hand to a perfect stranger.  He had a great life because it does hold true that in life, you get what you put in.  He will be greatly missed by all.  RIP Aaron

Love and live life with no regrets, you never know when it’ll be taken away from you!  Tell someone you love them, appologize for your faults, say thanks more often, appreciate waking up and being able to live the day to the fullest.

To read the full article from Marc and Angel Hack Life, click here.

18 Secrets Guys Wish You Knew

I just can’t get over how much I’m getting in my email today about Valentines Day!  I have to share more!!  There is some interesting stuff out there!

18 Secrets Guys Wish You Knew

• Men Will Talk About Feelings
• Men Say ‘I Love You’ With Actions
• Men Take Commitment Seriously
• He Really Is Listening
• Shared Activities Form Bonds
• Men Need Time for Themselves (so do we! haha)
• Men Learn From Their Fathers
• Men Learn From Their Fathers
• Men Don’t Pick Up on Subtle Cues
• Men Respond to Appreciation
• Men Think About Sex … A Lot
• Men Find Sex Significant
• He Likes It When You Initiate Sex
• Guys Aren’t Always Up for Sex
• Men Like Pleasing Their Partner
• Guys Get Performance Anxiety
• Men May Stray When Needs Aren’t Met
• He’s Vested in You

You have to read more at WebMD because this is so interesting.  Most things you would say, yeah I know that-but sometimes it’s a good reality check to read things about the opposite sex.  Females are so different from males and I myself am really trying to remember that when I can’t figure why men “don’t get it”! (they probably think the same thing about us!)

Happy Valentine’s Day Sweethearts!