Spring is literally bustin’ out all over. Beautiful flowering trees and bushes decorate the landscapes around us as do the early flowering blooms of daffodils, tulips and other spring flowers. This is my favorite time of year because everything is new, fresh and alive, certainly a contrast from the rather dreary dormant winter. Perhaps you share my feelings about spring.

This is a great time for planting in anticipation of the long growing season of summer and fall. It might be that you’re about to undertake various tasks of spring cleaning - your garage, closets, drawers or even the yard debris that accumulated over the winter months.

All of this is important in the physical realm of our existence. It has long been known that in order for new growth to emerge with ease, it is important to clear away the debris. People generally look forward to seeing the first specks of color dotting the landscapes that herald the oncoming of spring. It is refreshing and uplifting to most people as they realize the long winter is about to be left behind in favor of warm days and outdoor time once again.

So let me ask you this. “Are you blooming? Are you bustin’ out all over with your brilliance? Are you alive with excitement for all that your life is bringing to you right now?” If you are in this place I applaud you, but if you don’t feel that daily excitement for your life, I invite you to read further and find out how to know this kind of living.

As an individual becomes aware of their life purpose, their internal seams feel as if they are continually bustin’ out all over. It’s not that every day brings big changes or opportunities, but every day is an exciting step toward furthering their purpose. Your life purpose is the inborn unique gift you came into this life experience to share with the world, and this purpose is the most important reason for your existence. It will literally transform your life from the inside out!

You see, the joy and happiness that you and most individuals continually seek to experience, is something that must be created from within each person. An everlasting happiness cannot be brought to you from anything or anyone outside of you. Finding your soulmate for example, as wonderful as that can be, does not bring you internal happiness. Although the connection to that person can certainly add a great deal of happiness to your life, it is not what creates your happiness. Things can change oftentimes during our life experience, particularly in relationships, and they can sometimes change in the blink of an eye. What was once the epitome of a happy relationship can be altered by one moment in time, one choice, one behavior.

However, knowing that your happiness is guaranteed to last when it comes from within you is quite comforting to know. People long for security and want to feel safe, but the only thing that is really secure and keeps you excited about life is what you are giving back of you from love. So that brings me back to understanding and actively moving forward with your purpose in life.

What is purpose? Purpose is that inner passion - something that you love and feel genuinely excited about doing and giving. It also involves helping others which is the noblest of responsibilities. It may not even have a paycheck attached to it as you begin doing it, but at some point it probably will. And it literally becomes your life so that it is impossible to detect where the person and the work begin or end - all is combined as one whole.

Perhaps you’re wondering how to discover your purpose if it’s so important for your life. You may have a great job but it doesn’t fill you up, it simply pays your bills. It is of course necessary to pay your bills, but if your job isn’t filling you up with excitement and creativity, then it cannot be your purpose.

Look back over your life up to now. What lessons or experiences have helped you grow and become a stronger individual: illness, job loss or changes, divorce, death of a loved one, empty nest, or narrow escape? Perhaps part of your purpose is to help others as they go through similar journeys so that they have support and wisdom from you. I know without a shadow of doubt that the illness I experienced 13 years ago, and the eventual healing that I created within me, was in preparation to help many on their path to wholeness in all dimensions. Without the experience I wouldn’t have the knowledge or insights to help these individuals. Ask yourself what you absolutely love to do, you know, what brings a real smile to your face? These answers can possibly direct you toward your purpose for being here.

In my book, “The Realness of a Woman,” I devote an entire chapter to finding your life purpose. It includes an exercise with 24 questions that can help you uncover your passion, and I use this often as I coach individuals who want direction in their life. Another way to find your purpose might be to sit quietly and ask for divine guidance. Ask God to help you discover what your purpose is and always express your willingness to move forward once you know that direction. When you ask, it is given, all in divine timing!

Understand that your purpose can change from time to time, although I’ve found that each step builds from the last one and is totally connected. Moving in another direction simply means you’re growing, and growth is vitally important for living your potential.

This is the most important thing you can ever do for your life, and as I said, it will literally become your life. This is how you obtain true happiness and contentment in your life, and what makes you jump out of bed in the morning with excitement for another day to live your purpose. I implore you to find your purpose and then take action to move forward with it. It will change your life in every way!

If you’re feeling lost or stuck and need some guidance, perhaps it would be good to seek out a spiritual wholeness coach who can help you. Don’t let another day go by without taking that life-changing step to find your purpose.

About the Author:

Carolyn Porter, D. Div.
Empower Productions, Inc.

info@drcarolynporter.com
www.drcarolynporter.com

Carolyn Porter, D. Div., is an inspriational speaker, author of multiple books, ebooks and audios, spiritual wholeness coach, trianer for speaking, and energy facilitator whose passion is helping others find their passion and realize their own brilliance.

http://www.drcarolynporter.com

Collagen is such an important part of our skin. Collagen is a Greek word that means glue producing and another term for it is connective tissue.

Collagen acts as scaffolding for our body. It helps control shapes and differentiation of cells.

Collagen also helps regenerate broken bones and heals wounds. Vitamin C helps produce this important tissue in our skin.

Seventy-five percent of our skin is collagen. However, as we age, our face looses this as an effect of gravity, sun exposure and many years of facial movements such as smiling, chewing and squinting. Vitamin C in whatever amount may not be sufficient to replace the lost elasticity of the skin.

Facial movements cause’s tissues under the skin to breakdown, it thus lost its elasticity, and collagen tissue breakdown means wrinkling. And because the skin breakdown happens in your face, laugh lines, smile lines, crow’s feet and facial creases appear and this strips you of your youthful looking and plump skin.

Your age will now show in your face, which is of course, what most women dread.

I may need to mention as well that wrinkling does not happen to older people only; it may happen to any one at any age. Even for those young girls who are successful in loosing weight may see fine lines in their face due to sunken cheeks. This is especially so for those who lost so much weight so easily.

However, do not despair, modern science have a cure for this, filler injectables using collagen or fat.

This filler injectables help to improve your facial appearance by filling the facial wrinkles, creases and furrows. Collagen injectables also fill tissue under sunken cheeks, skin depression and some types of scar. Is it not wonderful to look youthful and plump cheeked again?

You may need to know that medical experts say that for severe wrinkles such as lipstick lines that form around the mouth and of course, for those who really are older, filler injectables might not be enough. For this case, your plastic surgeon or dermatologist may need to recommend that you under go skin resurfacing procedure if you want to get rid of this severe wrinkles.

However, if your problem is just fine lines and sunken checks, filler injectable treatment might be enough for your need. Take advantage of collagen treatment because it heals faster than any other procedure.

Whether your problem needs filler injectables or skin resurfacing such as chemical peel or skin dermabrasion, your plastic surgeon may be the best person to give you the recommendation.

If finally your plastic surgeon recommends collagen treatment, then he will check you for allergic reaction on the collagen substance. This is because allergic reaction to the collagen substance is the common problem of patients who wants to undergo skin repair using filler injectables.

If your surgeon will find you allergic to the collagen injectable, he may opt to recommend fat injectable instead.

Fat injectable is not prone to allergy because the fat will come from your own body.

However, in most cases in a fat injection procedure, healing is slower than that of collagen injectable.

Finally, you may need to know that filler injectables do not last for very long time. In most cases, the good effect of filler injectable only lasts for three to six month. In rare cases and good post-operative care, the good effect might last for a year.

You may need to ask your doctor for the best care to extend the good effect of collagen treatment if you want that youthful and plump face without the dreaded wrinkles.

James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of
CollagenCenter.com and writes expert
articles about collagen.

Fall’s the time to repair the price paid for ‘fun in the sun’ and prepare for cooler, dryer air. Then experiment with the season’s new looks!

As healthy as being outdoors can feel, the ultraviolet rays of the sun can damage skin cells through sunscreens and sun blocks.** Chlorine and other chemicals in hot tubs and pools, salt water at the beach, and super-conditioned air can leach away nutrients and cause dryness. What to do? Have some fun … create a ’spa’ environment in your bath area and follow these simple steps.

Step one in reversing the effects of summer is to remove the dead surface skin cells that have built up. For your face, select a mask or microdermabrasion product that’s appropriate for your skin type (dry, normal, combination, oily, blemish-prone). Also pick an exfoliator made specifically for the lips. For your body, choose a scrub or buffing cream. If you have sensitive skin, avoid scents and perfumes since they can be irritants. Then follow the product directions for application and use, massaging gently.

Step two is to moisturize the newer, younger skin you’ve revealed. Liberally apply a facial moisturizer (paying special attention to the neck and décolleté), eye cream, lip balm, and body lotion (or cream), allowing time for the products to be absorbed into your skin. You want to replace the moisture that’s been stripped away during cleansing, restore what’s been lost during the summer and start to protect against cold weather and dry indoor heat.

Now, after each cleansing, apply moisturizers and, if necessary, increase the intensity of the products. At night, use a specially formulated product for your face that works while you sleep. For problem areas such as elbows, knees, hands and feet, put on extra lotion or cream (wear mitts and footies to bed, as needed). During the day, continue to wear sunscreen or sun block to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays.

As sun exposure or a tan fades, adjust your foundation and/or powder to a lighter shade. Test the shade along your jaw line to blend with both your face and neck; watch to see if it “disappears” into your skin.

The lighter, sun-kissed colors of summer typically transition to darker, earthier colors in fall. If you’re trying to adapt the season’s shades or find the hues that work best for you, try these “tricks.”

For eyes, eye shadows with a base or elements of color opposite that of your eyes (on the color wheel) will make your eyes stand out the most. Consider a wide spectrum of the colors that are in style. If teal’s fashionable, experiment with different tints of blues and greens and blue-greens. Mix colors or tone them down with neutrals until you find the ones that complement your face and wardrobe.

For cheeks and lips, the most flattering colors are usually the ones that pick up the natural warm tones in your face.

Once you’re ready, enjoy the season!

**For skin abnormalities, please consult a board-certified dermatologist.

© Copyright 2005. Charlotte Maddox. All rights reserved.

Charlotte is an experienced beauty consultant.

Be treated to a $10 GIFT CERTIFICATE for the holidays (through December 31st) by registering on her web site: http://www.marykay.com/charlottemaddox

Also receive a seasonal catalog with the latest looks plus samples!

For more information, please stop by http://www.charlottespersonalwebsite.com

In our fast-paced society many people are completely overwhelmed and often feel their lives as being empty and meaningless. Every day looks like “Groundhog Day” repeating over and over again the same patterns and you wonder why. In average we are thinking 60,000 thoughts a day, but the real problem is we are repeating the same thoughts thus getting the same results. We are living our lives mostly based on fear and obligation.

In our society we were trained for the “Survival of the Fittest”, were told what to think and to live up to the expectations of others around us. Whose life do you live? Did you ever ask that question? The good news is that there is much more to life than we realize in our daily hectic schedule! We are driven by the effects in our outer world which we created in the first place. You probably heard it already: The Law of Attraction. We attract into our lives what we think and feel about all day long. No exception. If your thoughts are focusing all day long on the lack you believe you have that is what you are getting: More lack! The Law of Attraction works and matches your predominant thoughts bringing into your life the things of the same kind of energy your thoughts are. Thoughts become things! You are in control! Unfortunately most of us are always running on autopilot. In other words we are sub-consciously thinking based on our belief-system and our conditioning of the past! Our mind is set up in a way to always recognize patterns and follow them.

A Life based on Inspiration is the total opposite of fear and obligation. It means you live based on Joy and Love. Your whole world around you is going to change once you reached that stage and there will be no more that feeling of emptiness. Why do we feel empty and often lonesome anyway? Because in our belief-system we anchored that we all are separate beings disconnected form each other. That’s what we call our “reality”, but it is only the effects created by us in the outer world triggering that feeling. By no means are we “disconnected”; in fact we are all connected together and of course we are connected to “Source-Energy”, to all that is or in other words to God. It is only the perception we have that leads us into this feeling of being “lonesome”.

The fact by itself that you are reading this article is already a sign that you are becoming aware of your connectedness, becoming aware that your life has a purpose to it beyond your imagination. What does Inspiration mean? It means being “In Spirit”! You never lost connection; you are just not tuned in to it. We are all so mind-driven and this chatterbox is making noise all day long telling us what to do, but always form this place of fear and obligation. We must become still to become aware of Inspiration or the voice of your true Self. Your Ego is standing right in your way making you believe that your ego is you. Nothing could be more far away from the truth.

The mystics were teaching all that thousands of years ago already and now it is the first time in the history of mankind that we have access to a science that proves the mystics right! And this science is Quantum Physics. The energy of our thoughts is attracting the very things into our lives we think about. The energy of our thoughts determines whether we are living an inspired life or not.

How could you benefit from a life based in Inspiration instead?

When you are inspired you have access to your true power inside and your mind transcends any limitations. Your Consciousness is expanding beyond measure and you find yourself in a new world. Suddenly your hidden talents and gifts, which make you so unique, become alive. You discover that you are by far a greater person than your ego allowed you to be and that you ever dreamt of. You will find that you are OK the way you are, because you are already the most beautiful version of yourself you possibly can imagine.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: We are very near to greatness: one step and we are safe; can we not take the leap?”

Sure you can take that leap, it only requires that you make this conscious choice to personally grow and expand yourself to the greatness you truly are.

Walter H. Groth founded the Institute for Life and Career Transition http://www.truelifepurpose.com with offices in Laguna Beach and Munich. We specialize in Teaching and Coaching Businesses and Individuals the Power of Personal Growth and how to leverage this with a “Life-Strategy” and down to earth steps and actions to take to reach your goals. Your success in Life and Business can only grow to the degree you personally grow!

If you believe also have a lot more potential than your real world success shows, please contact us info@truelifepurpose.com and we will be happy to explain our process to you.

Check it out =>http://www.truelifepurpose.com

Myth: If You Leave Your Acne Alone, You’ll Outgrow It

This is absolutely untrue. If you acne outbreak, it is important to treat it as early as possible. Leaving it alone can often make matter worse. And if it does get worse, it can create permanent scars which not just affect your physical look but also your emotion feeling about yourself.

Myth: Acne Is Caused by Eating Oily Food, Chocolate or Caffeine

There is no strong medical evident that certain type of food or diet result in acne. However if you notice that certain kind of food consistently cause you to suffer from acne outbreak, it is best that you avoid them. For example, some people are very sensitive to food with high iodine content such as shellfish, dried fish and seaweed which result in flare-up. There are some studies theorize that hormones in chicken, beef and dairy products may cause early adolescent acne but that has yet to be proven. However if you have concerned, then you may want to substitute other sources of protein and calcium for these products or try hormone-free organic version of them.

Myth: Acne Is Seasonal

Acne is not a seasonal skin problem. You can suffer from acne outbreak during any time of the year. However temperature and humidity may increase the oil production of your skin and hence result in acne.

Myth: Sunscreen Causes Acne

A heavy and occlusive sunscreen can attract and hold on to heat in your follicles which can result in skin inflammation and causing numerous small red bumps to form. However this reaction is not true acne but a condition known as miliaria. A good non-comedogenic sunscreen will not result in acne.

Sun screen is a very important prevention measure against skin cancer. Hence we will never advice you not to use it. In fact, you should always apply sunscreen to your skin when you need to go under the sun. For people will acne-prone skin, we’ll recommend that they use oil-free non-comodegenic sunscreen.

One important thing to note - Acne medicine such as benzoyl peroxide Rein-A and salicylic acid may increase your skin sensitivity to the sunlight. Hence if you use these medicines, it is very important that you apply sunscreen before you leave the house.

Myth: Drinking Lots of Water Will Wash Away Acne

Although drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water each day is essential for a healthy body, there is no evidence that drinking water alone will wash away acne. While water alone will not eliminate acne, it will greatly assist your skin in remaining healthy and that will be one portion of the pie in fighting acne.

Myth: Sun Exposure Help To Heal Your Acne

With the increasing use of blue light by some dermatologist in treating acne, some people start to believe that sun exposure helps to heal their acne. A small amount of sunlight may appear to help your acne initially as breakout temporary dry up and your new tan help to cover up the red blemishes. However prolonged sun exposure will increase the plugging of your pores, producing blackheads and whiteheads and not forgetting the increase in risk of skin cancer.

Myth: Acne Is Caused By Not Washing Your Face Regularly
Acne is not caused by dirt or uncleanliness. In fact, if you wash your face too often or rub it with alcohol to help you get rid of excess oil and to feel clean, that in fact will stimulate more oil production. Washing your face twice a day is usually good enough to get rid of dirt and bacteria on your skin.

Myth: Blue Light Therapy Can Cure Acne

Many dermatologist are using blue light wave in treating acne today. Blue light works by sterilizing the skin for a short period of time, removing acne bacteria and temporary improve acne when used with traditional topical acne medication.

However it is still too early at the moment to tell whether blue light therapy is in fact helpful and whether its long term benefit out weigh the expenses and frequently visits for the therapy. Will have to wait and see as studies on it effectiveness as studies are still on going.

Alvin Poh shares more ideas and articles like this on the very popular website “Ask About Acne” at http://www.askaboutacne.com