** Chronicles of Vanity by Tara Cabullo

Nanny Rose Sticks and Pulls Queen Bee

2012-01-26T09:46:00.000+08:00

Leave it to me to buy a product based entirely on packaging.

The thing with being a typophile {person inclined towards font types}, is that I tend to get swayed with my judgment based solely on how a package is presented. Blame it on the marketer in me, or the girl with sometimes-low EQ, especially on pampering things, my mind kind of shuts down on all things pretty.

The recycled box, the twine, the font. This thing looks like it's being sold on Etsy.

It was a typical BGC afternoon --- that means an afternoon where the rest of the world, the rest of the Manila workforce are in full swing and it's kind of dead quiet where we are. Lovely as it is, the quiet can come discomforting sometimes and I am always drawn to walk outside and explore, hence chancing upon the newly-opened Watson's on Forbestown.

As a celebration for being reunited with the retail-driven world, I ended up shopping for toiletry necessities and carting this DIY wax from Nanny Rose as well. Truth be told, I didn't need a DIY waxing kit because I've found my solution with Veet waxing strips and most of the time, I go to Strip, Ministry of Waxing anyway.

But like I said, I was a slave of adorable packaging and if I ever meet the designer of the box, I'd like to know what font it was that was used for the word 'Queen Bee.' And thankfully for me, the product wasn't a complete waste of money --- in fact, I loved how it works for me!

What I Loved About It:

Economical at I think Php 100 - ish. See, I don't even remember. The box includes a pot of wax, two wooden spatulas and three katsa-ish cloth strips.
Needs only about 10 seconds to heat. Unlike an old product I've been using, Nanny Rose's wax was easier to scoop out and spread onto the legs. A little word of caution though, the first time I used this, I mistakenly took longer than 10 seconds and burned my skin. :s
I think this can be used cold as well but I am clueless at how one does that plus I've always liked hot wax better.
This is the first honey wax I've ever tried -- the one I've been using some decades ago from Sally Hansen is white and much, much stickier. I think I like honey better.
I don't know if it's the honey that makes it less painful but for some reason, when I pulled the cloth that came with it, it didn't seem so harsh, as opposed to when I wax my legs using Veet Strips.
Given that the roots are pulled off when waxing, hair takes longer to grow!

What I Don't Like:

Actually, I like the idea of DIY and on weekends when I pay so much attention to everything I can do to pamper myself, I like having to heat wax. Though on days that I have no time and is in a rush, it's not really advisable because like me, you might burn yourself.
Cloth strip does not remove all the hair in one pull though I don't think there's a product that does that.
If you're not a fan of DIY, this ain't for you. It takes effort and practice to perform a waxing job perfectly.

Directions for Use:

Heat the wax about 10-15 seconds depending on your microwave setting. Make sure it's the lowest.
Prep your skin with baby powder to make applying wax easier.
Spread wax towards the direction of the growth and even out. Flatten the cloth strip onto the skin.
Close your eyes and pull.
You may have to repeat the steps above to obtain best results. It really {also} depends on how hairy you are :D In my case, I'm only mildly hairy in the legs.

Would I recommend this? Only if you're the DIY-kind, if you like hot wax and wouldn't splurge on waxing jobs. Like I said, practice makes perfect. Goodluck!

Have you tried Nanny Rose?
xx

*Nanny Rose, I believe, is exclusively distributed by Watson's.

Get White Results

2012-01-25T08:00:00.001+08:00

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, and despite being considered light-skinned, some parts of your body are just really --- well, darker than the others.

In my case, I am conscious and insecure with my knees and elbows.

I don't know about normal girls but I have to work very hard to keep my elbows and knees not looking like I've scraped them from playing in the streets. I guess being clumsy has always made me bump my knees on all sorts of edges, that I always have bruises and scratches on my legs. While I diligently scrub them and moisturize every chance I get, they still sometimes come out dark when a camera's settings are too low-lighted or when it's dark.

It must not be so.

The launch of White Result by Tupperware Brands gave us the experience of exfoliating instantly, right before our eyes. I was seated beside Liz while we lunched the deliciously fabulous salads and entrees provided by the wonderful people of Cav at Bonifacio High Street. She explained and demonstrated how easily White Result Exfoliating Gel removes dead skin {because I was late}.

We were treated shortly to a facial at The Spa where we made chika on the latest showbiz happenings. Yes, story of our lives :D

The White Result Line

While I did not experience any redness nor irritation, I didn't use it as much on my face. I've had the exfoliating gel and astringent for more than a month now and I've been using them on my knees. Yes, my knees! And they're incredible!

It was one day that I was sent a picture and I saw that my knees in that photo looked slightly darker than my legs. I panicked and grabbed the first bottle I could reach for and it happened to be White Result. For some odd reason, the astringent worked well with my knees {can't believe I'm saying this} and like we've been saying during the launch, we didn't know our skin could be so dirty. Even when we rubbed the gel onto the backs of our hands, dirt would come off and we would react sadly at how dirty our skin were, despite not appearing so. Ah, indeed the importance of exfoliation. Lesson learned. After this exercise, I have learned to exfoliate everything else, not just my face.

To date, I'm still using the White Result gel and astringent on my knees and elbows and I plan to buy a lot so I can exfoliate my entire body {is that safe? I think so!}. If I remember right, the White Result gel is about Php 425. Fairly reasonable to me! :)

Included in my daily routine are the White Result Exfoliating Gel and White Result Astringent.

Do you exfoliate non-facial parts, too?
xx

Tupperware Brands is the authorized distributor of White Result. For your questions and inquiries on how to purchase or be a dealer, call the hotline number (632) 867-2222.

The List: Redux

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000+08:00

Maybe a little more than a year isn't enough.

It's funny how this list I made back in 2010 still has effects in my life now. Months after I hit 26, I had been meaning to make an entry summing up the goals I've accomplished and the ones I haven't --- should I want to pursue them still, should I make an entirely new list or forget about it all PLUS the lessons I learned through it all. People still come up to me and ask me about it, some are inspired, some gloat that I never finished it. Oh well.

Then I realized that spontaneous as we are, a well-lived life is like a business case, too. At the end of the day, one needs to achieve the desired result {shoutout to my friend J, who gives his tailor a slide with the title Desired Result}. As I am on a new year kick and that I can't believe that I'm getting all fuzzy and hopeful and getting that clean-slate vibe, I am revamping the list into a five year plan.

2012, and the years to follow will keep getting better.

The Desired Result: Getting the Life I Have Always Wanted, aka My Best Life

What gives, you ask? While I'd been tweeting and blogging about new hopes, and being refreshed, the truth is, I'd been missing my go-get-'em self. I no longer wake up thinking I would want to go to Europe for a holiday and jolting from the bed to dance or feeling that urge to wrap my legs around a pole {while I have done this already, last month I had so wanted to complete an entire routine}. Temperance, while good, can diminish an entire box of passions, kind of like surgery --- where other nerves get hit and become useless {Yes, I watch too much Grey's Anatomy.} Most days, while I am completely functional and responsible and straightlaced, probably the most straightlaced I have ever been in my entire life, I've lost the drive to act upon my instinct, my gut feel because they always get me into trouble. My solar plexus has taken a back seat and I am not sure if it's capable of wanting anything else in the future. Yes, one can count my high emotional quotient, too.

So maybe, there was a reason why I wasn't able to finish that list --- so I can have more years of following a well-crafted plan. I can have a few more years to live the life I've envisioned I will live as a kid before I enter a possibly, slightly-different phase of my life, maybe {referring to my thirties}. Surely, the temperance will remain, for the benefits of going through it is unabashedly worth it. I just need to remind myself to live.

Image by: Garance Dore

And live, I shall.

So the list comes back again, presenting the things I haven't done yet, and then some.These things I'll have to be done by the day I turn 30. You can view the original link to see which ones I've crossed already :)

1. Go to New York City, and see a broadway show, amongst many, many things. STATUS: I am doing the first step to doing this dream in a few short days and my toes are all curling in excitement and I need all the well-wishes I need for this. TIA! When I tried my luck the last time, I can distinctly remember not having this utmost, almost feverish passion as I have now. And being a believer of the universe and its powers, I know that one will get something, anything, if one wants it that bad. And I want it, THIS bad.

4. Cook a five-course meal and eat with someone I love. I have never produced a five-course meal for anyone in my entire life and it would be a great honor to be able to do this for my parents, before I turn 26. First step to undertake: Read recipes, go to the market, PRACTICE.
STATUS: I still have not cooked anything. Still have not set foot in the market and still yet to touch our stove.

STATUS 2: All I did was clean the stove and not use it for cooking, dammit.

8. Learn Spanish. I have two reasons for having this on the list. a) Spanish, IMO, will always be the hottest, sexiest language in my own little world, caliente. And b) My native language, Filipino, is a distant cousin of this so it should be hella easier than say, French.

9. Learn how to swim properly. Over the weekend, after a hazy Saturday night of partying in Manila's newest happening club, I suddenly, extremely spontaneously, found myself in the deepest nooks of Coron, Palawan, staring at the clear waters and wishing I could swim well without my life vest. It was such a numbing, sinking, animal of a feeling I wish I never feel again.

STATUS: Can swim but can't properly tread.

10. Live in a foreign city. I really wonder why this comes in #11 for this is all I've been dreaming of since, well, since the beginning of the year. And life, like you wouldn't expect it, has been throwing me all the opportunities I can get. It's just the chicken in me who wouldn't budge. Yet. Take a leap of faith, and breathe. And rely on faith, and faith alone. You ever read about how people dropped everything for a new life, a new man, a new job etc. without so much as a plan or right amount of money to get by? I want to be just like them.

17. Party hard in Ibiza, Spain. Lie topless in Rio de Janeiro or go walking and weeding in the streets of Amsterdam. Euro-trashing, anyone? Most people want to visit Europe {okay, Brazil ain't Europe} because of the lovely architectural sights and that includes me! But when I visit Europe or Brazil, which should be in the next 1 1/2 years, I want to do something definitive of their crazy lifestyle.

STATUS: So I sort of told my cousin I'm coming to her wedding in Amsterdam this year with no concept of how I'll be able to afford that and the many vacations I will take. Like I always say, the Universe will provide <3

18. Commit.

21. Take photographs of my travels with a real Polaroid camera and pin them on a wall or give them to someone. The thrill of not knowing how your photo will turn out {much like how it is with vintage SLRs, I had one and sold it dirt cheap, stupid move it was} is an insane high for me. Now, the problem is finding a nice Polaroid camera to do this. For the moment, I am getting my pola-fix with my Poladroid program and Hipstamatic on Apple iPhone.

I want my life to be a big celebration.

22. Go Skydiving. There are places that exist all around us, so easy to be in but so hard to get the courage to try. When I went scuba diving, I realized that while it was all so easy {discipline, not skill is key}, I had this little bit of experimental I-wanna-try everything spirit awakened in me. And so what is the most logical step after scuba? Skydive, what else? Oh and bungee jump, too.

Free Fallin'.
Source.

24. Do the tango, preferably with someone as dashing as Col. Slade of Scent of a Woman. When I first watched this movie, back in the 90s on a VHS player, I was taken aback by the arresting charm and dancing prowess {more like grace} of my still-crush Al Pacino. When I get married, my first couple's dance will be to the tune of the song Por Una Cabeza, all because of this. But I want my first tango to be with a stranger :)

If there was a scene I have imagined myself so many times to be in, this is it.

Scent of a Woman, 1992

25. Learn how to play a musical instrument. There is only a handful of instruments I would have the patience to learn {I gotta be realistic for this project, it ain't a wishlist}and they are incredibly expensivo. But it just pains me to be not able to join jamming sessions as they happen. The last time it happened, I couldn't even play the kahon decently. So before I turn 26, I want to be able to learn to play at least one instrument, choose from the drums or the violin, and be able to join impromptu jamming sessions as they happen.

28. Go skinny dipping. And yes, I am totally aware that Mother, you are reading this. Have always been insecure with my body though it's not like I would be parading in the sun buck naked. My idea of skinny dipping is of course jumping into the seashore, running, dipping and going back to my clothes. In the night. No daytime skinny dipping for me lest my mother kill me for going naked in public. If I do, I will never tell. xoxo

29. My bachelorette house and a new car. It's about time. Just because I don't need it doesn't mean I shouldn't.

30. Pursue Yoga. Not to sound rather preachy nor ambitious but I do have been thinking a LOT about engaging regularly in yoga. I have heard multitudes of benefits from this practice and from the looks of these benefits {zen and fitness, among many others}, I think I am going to be a huge fan. Susan Jeffers said, "Feel the fear but do it anyway." I am scared of committing to something {in fact I don't commit to a lot *cry} but if I don't do this now, there might never be a better time. On the other hand, maybe this goal should be rephrased to keeping fitness as a lifestyle and not just when I need to fit into my size 0 dresses. There.

STATUS: While I've been active in pursuing all sorts of yoga, I don't want to cross this off yet because I want to continue doing it and I want this list to be a reminder of My Before Yoga days. What a long way my practice have come!

Wow, that's still a LOT! Looking at the things I've yet to accomplish are scaring me so much now I am thisclose to ducking inside the comfort of my comforter and stay there all day. But one time, I have read somewhere that your dreams should scare you because if they don't, they aren't big enough. I have about four years to work my butt off and earn money so I can achieve some of the expensive things I have to achieve. On the other hand, some of the things are just a matter of instilling discipline into my life, learning something new, and becoming the person I've always wanted to be. I can do this.

Most Days, Healthy Skin in 5 minutes

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000+08:00

Most days, all I'm really aiming for are none of the contoured cheekbones {as I have a siopao-ish face}, a well winged eye or smoothly blended eyeshadows --- just healthy skin. With the barrage of projects I've knowingly dived in, my make up life have taken a back seat, however still allowing a little window to look effortlessly minimalistic {I hope!}.

Most days, this is my look. I always want to look healthy even on days when I know I'd be stuck behind my laptop typing away stories, dealing with rows upon rows in Excel, doing Algebra, editing sound and video bytes or developing strategy upon strategy and maybe saving the world. After all, no one should look dowdy or sullen even at the office. Do I hear an amen?

Face:

Benefit Porefessional PRO Balm

Maybelling Angelfit Concealer

Avon Healthy BB Cream in Light {I love this!}

shu uemura translucent powder

MAC Brow Set in Girl Boy

Physician's Formula Classic Eyelight

Maybelling Liquid Eyeliner

Maybelline Cat Eyes Mascara

Benefit Blush in Bella Bamba

L'oreal Moisture Lipstick in Nude Pink

You think my skin is healthy enough? :)

I'd been getting compliments on how my skin is behaving lately so I guess my slightly minimalistic skin care regimen deserves a post soon.

Oh and here's a close up of the products I used:

Benefit Porefessional PRO Balm {does wonders in making pores appear smaller}, my HG BB cream at the moment, Avon Healthy BB Cream and the 3D blush, Benefit's Bella Bamba.

Benefit's Bella Bamba has super tiny shimmers that make it 3D but not sparkly in a tacky way. Love <3

Physician's Formula in Classic Eyelight. This is an eye-saver --- useful for when I want to put something on my lids but too lazy to do the blending and all. These are available on Tamera Online.

What's your healthy look?
Also, Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Pin+Spire = Win an iTouch!

2012-01-22T23:58:00.001+08:00

There's something about visual boards that makes one gravitate towards realization of these images. I remember re-blogging mostly travel photos for my Tumblr account and they have come into fruition. Sometimes, the board serves as my digital scrapbook where images, quotes, lines, videos and songs that inspire me {or make my blood boil or something} go.

Enter Pinspire, from the words Pin+Inspire. The thought of pinning things on a virtual corkboard makes my toes tingle in excitement!

And so, in celebration with this new visual cork board designed to inspire the artist and the dreamer in all of us, Pinspire.com is giving away 1 iTouch for the most popular board and iPod Shuffles to succeeding popular boards!

The better thing about Pinspire is that there is a category for your pins so it'll be easier for you to sort through your visuals when the time comes that you need to go back and be inspired! You can group your pins in categories such as:

Fashion
Technology
Art and Design

How to win:

Sign up through this link. You can use your Facebook or Twitter account.
Pin at least one original image and the rest can be just re-pins.
Leave the link to your board via the Comments section.

Example: http://www.pinspire.com/board/show/221920
Deadline of entries are on February 25!
Winners will be chosen from all the entries collected from all participating blogs through popularity and creativity, judged by number of pins, board followers, and likes.

What I normally do is have my boards on standby --- so I can pin images, links, or anything at all that catches my fancy! If you're like me who posts things on a ~~daily~~ hourly basis, you just might walk away with a brand new iTouch or iPod Shuffle!

So go, start pinning, inspiring and post your board's link here. I'll be waiting!

xx

Things I Love Sundays: The Little Things

2012-01-22T19:39:00.000+08:00

You have a brain in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

- Dr. Seuss

It's been three weeks into the new year and if there's one thing I have learned so far is that you can pick yourself up from wherever it is that's driving you to misery, you can feel fine, and you'd feel your worst --- but you always have a choice.

Labo.

Anyway, can I just say how much I've missed writing TILS posts? I HAVE MISSED IT SO! I have taken it to writing down on my planner all the things I've been thankful for, as I thank God for them and it's overwhelming how they've taken over the pages of the week. Like that cliche, if we count our blessings, we'll never feel poor. If we take note of the things that we are blessed with rather than the things that aren't in our life, it feels infinitely happier. I promise :)

Milk Tea in the afternoons -- they go so well with chitchats with girlfriends over really funny things {like true things}. C & T. Coming to work and having breakfast. Vanilla-flavored brewed coffee. Chef Tony's mocha popcorn {thank you, Achie W}. Girly iMessaging with my girls and squealing inside. Cheese rolls with Shen and talking about crushes like we were in high school.

I've only been reading the free back issues of Oprah Magazine and already, I feel like a better person after. It is with this Miranda July article that I finally gave in to the $20 investment for one year :D If you have an iPad, the O Magazine has free back issues, and I swear that their mission in life is to inspire through every page.

Tara vs. Excel and Tara Wins! Pink Nouveau. Excitement over Chinese New Year events. Gossip Girl's End of the Affair episode. Carpools. Pink-themed parties. If Meredith Grey's therapy is looking at newborns, mine is looking at wedding blogs:

*drool*

And the hair. I want that hair.

Photos from Grey Likes Weddings.

Handwritten cards. Always.

Thank you for the nice card, Jewelmer, and for the fantastic gift {not in photo}! It's always a pleasure working with you :)

Elizabeth Arden's Prevage and Red Door and a stack of books adopted from my friend, T {thank youuuuu}

plus my Steve Jobs' bio from Chai <3

De-cluttering for the new year <3 Someone asked me to post a photo of the books I'm reading currently, plus what my bedside table looks like. I figured I'd hit two birds in one stone with this picture:

{Click to embiggen}

Long weekends to lounge, recharge, retreat, refresh and restart.

Happy Chinese new year, new week and new and best life ever!

The Year of the Water Dragon

2012-01-19T20:58:00.002+08:00

While I thoroughly enjoyed 2011, the year of the Rabbit {here's a bit of recap}, I seriously cannot wait for The Year of the Dragon. I have only heard from Chinese friends that it's going to be really lucky for us born in the year of Ox but searching for my own horoscope, as a Scorpio this time, and they seem so much better than last year's, which was mostly lukewarm predictions. I loved 2011 but I am so ready to move on {in fact, I just might have!}. I really, really think The Year of the Dragon and I are going to be working out well!

Scorpios are born from October 24th to November 21st. This year, spectacular changes would come in Scorpion’s way. You will be with great energy and with a positive mindset. To live up an enjoyable year, you will need to depend on your unbounded energy to fully taste the pleasures of life. You are a highly persuasive person who can easily captivate other people with your words and actions. You are also a very passionate individual leading you to attain success in everything you do and plan. In fact, you are in possession of a strength that could overcome any challenges that are seen as insufferable by people around you. So, make sure your admirable qualities will guide you in facing this horoscope 2012 New Year. Expect changes to happen during the first two months of the Scorpio horoscope 2012 New Year on the work front. Your career will be in an upward direction. This will be one of the numerous good news that you will be experiencing in this New Year. Your hard work will offer you gains in the long term. This situation will also make you feel relieved and comfortable. Get ready to welcome a promotion that you have been waiting for quite some time. This is the promotion you have worked for so diligently. Also, you can expect a pay increase during this time. In the middle part of the year, you will still be experiencing good benefits from work although a little bit subdued. But do not worry because this will just be a time for you to get ready for better and more worthy things that will come in your career. Remember to take some time to acquire new skills and knowledge that will help you broaden your career path.

- Source

And true enough, the career part is working well for me *insert big grin here.* Down to every letter.

Speaking of career, the Chinese New Year has always been a milestone for me. 2008's CNY was my first event four years ago, in the company that I work for currently. I remember having had to cover the event the company hosted in the middle of the plaza in Binondo, I remember being completely overwhelmed but thankful. I can't believe I was once a clueless 22 year old girl! :D

In 2009, I wasn't so much of a reporter --- but I did wear one of those gold cheongsams and rode the company float. With the then-president, too!

That's my messy table, right there.

I can't recognize myself, actually :D LOL, the things I did for work.

One of my favorite activities during the 2010 Chinese New Year would have to be the balloon-flying thing, though. We were to write our financial resolutions and I thank the heavens for making me better where I am now than I've ever been <3

And this year, well, I don't know what my part will be --- but I've never felt so happy and excited and feeling like it's going to be my best year so far. Can't wait for you, Year of the Dragon!

The town will be yellow once again <3 Can't wait.

The First Weekend of 2012: Moalboal, Cebu

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000+08:00

And just like that, the first two weeks of January are over.

I haven't been blogging much and while normally, I'd feel some sort of warning that I haven't sat to type away thoughts, this time, reader {hello, Senya! Thank you!} had to point it out to me. I still feel like a different person: have been bland-er than ever, but still as busy and maybe even more and temperance {a goal I have wished to attain in the beginning of the year} doesn't feel like temperance now. It feels normal. This is of course, another story.

A Moment of Silence and Goal-setting

Sometime ago, somewhere, I read that Bill Gates sets off somewhere far, alone, to figure out what he needs and wants to do for the year. I had the same thing in mind with the trip, with the difference that I wasn't alone.

Before 2011 ended, I had randomly booked a trip to Cebu {also because one of my bestest and oldest friends, Chai, is in town and we needed to get away}. It was scheduled for the first weekend of the year. I had no plans in mind, no itinerary and no goals for the end of the trip. When I booked the trip, I wanted to get a fresh rush of blood to the veins, a new perspective, to let the waves of the shore wash away the past and return a brand new person.

The Trip in Pictures

The flight to Cebu via PAL, which was great, except for the high air traffic. :s

I used to be not so much into boat rides until it changed my life.

I felt like I've been cooped up and sedentary, so the first thing I did {under the sun, too} was launch into the bow pose.

Bikini and surf shorts: Roxy

I never get tired of snorkeling, too.

My favorite sundress, from my mom <3

Club Serena's Pool

First order of the day: Brunch at Club Serena

Bikini: Soak Swimwear

Coverup: Details {also seen here}

Flip flops: Roxy

Beach bag: Roxy

Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs

Tara's Beach Essentials: Sunnies, a good book {was reading Samantha Sotto's Before Ever After the entire trip and it was an amazing read, I sobbed my eyes out on the plane ride back}, a camera, an iPod and a beach buddy.

Barefoot White Beach Resort's Honeymoon Suite, is where we stayed.

{Thanks for the recommendation, Mac!}

I woke up to this and I felt things were just right where they are. It's perfect.

Low tide!

Our ride for the trip coming from the city, rough road lang :D. Thank you, Ate Hani!

It ain't a trip to Cebu without feasting on Casa Verde's steaks, tenderloin tips and ribs <3

One week to go before Sinulog, at least when we were at the city. Viva Pit Senyor!

And of course, a trip to Cebu means seeing Cebu-based friends.

Here in this photo with Kaith.

The calmness of waters, waking up to the sound of waves, a lot of introspection, in the comfort and company of people who love you, eating amazing food, no signal and lots of goal-setting, a plane ride --- I must say I have kicked off the year right.

Thank You for making this happen.

How was your first 2012 weekends?

*Photos by me and Chai

A Different View

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000+08:00

In the movie Dead Poets' Society, John Keating {played by Robin Williams} tells his Poetry students to walk over the teacher's desk to see the world from another perspective. Soon enough, all his students were traipsing through his desk and around. "Sometimes, you need to see things from a different perspective," says Keating. A slight change in height, in position or direction shows a varying point of view.

I remembered this particular scene when my yoga teacher rationalized the headstand pose. "Your heart will be pumping new blood into your veins, and you will see the world differently. Just like in life, sometimes, to see the answers, you need to look at life from a different perspective."

And then I understood. I originally thought it was just an exercise on who can lift themselves well.

I'm standing across my former self. It's been a while since I've seen things differently and for the first time, I was not afraid to be on this side. All it took was climbing some tables, an attempt at a headstand, shoulder stands, a different perspective.

Needless to say, I am sticking with my yoga place, no matter how hard it is to come to it. And will work on that headstand, too. Funny what a yoga session can do.

xx

God knows we're worth it.

2012-01-04T12:00:00.000+08:00

It's out. It's finally out.

This is perfection. xx

PS: Toca's voice is haunting me like crazy.

2012, I Like You Already

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000+08:00

On the first of January, I prayed. I prayed that prayer from a book my mom gave me, called The Prayer of Jabez. On a rainy day sometime last 2011, I was cooped up at home reading it since the power was out. It is such a powerful prayer, I am literally empowered every time I start my day with it. I tend to get scared, too --- don't get me wrong, but that's the reason for the 'hold my hand' part. Yesterday, I gave two friends a copy each, hoping that praying it will bless them everyday, too. Today, I'm sharing you the lines that have been helping me soldier through days that seem crazy or boring or empty. Most of all the empty days.

Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!

And true enough, my first workweek is proving to be an exercise in enlarging territories, a lot of handholding but ultimately, a proof that faith will really get one through and emerge with a huge smile :D

Here's a snap of my to do list for the week {which keeps adding on by the minute} but no one is complaining! =)

PS: I mistakenly ordered a BDJ planner via Cash Cash Pinoy and its taking too long {delivery starts January 11}. I hope they declared that in the fine print, ugh. But oh well.

How has your 2012 been so far?
xx

Start the Year in Beauty

2012-01-03T19:26:00.000+08:00

One of my favorite brands, all the more Marketing-wise, is giving away Php7,000 worth of VMV Skincare Goodies! The best thing is, all you need to do is like their Facebook page. That's not a bad way to start the year, yes?

Seriously lemming over the bronzer {and that bag!} so I'm joining!

Adieu, 2011!

2012-01-02T20:00:00.000+08:00

I know it's already the second day of 2012 but here I am making a yearender post when the year has obviously ended. This blog has been and will always be a documentation of my successes, joys, and some minor annoyances, the lessons I've picked up and the wisdom I've hopefully acquired through. I hope you join me in that journey as I review the year that was.

It's funny, the magic of the new year, as it is in my case can change how I'd been feeling in the last week of December. On January 1st, I woke up feeling like a different person albeit the lessons of 2011 jutting out like a brightly-colored post it.

Because as I still am a bit incoherent to put together a seamless and structured yearender post, I'm following Lyn's template here and will answer some questions to recap what has transpired. Let me know if you do, too :)

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before? Braved crazy waves at the surfing capital of the Philippines and was able to stand up.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? In the eve of 2011, I mandated myself to live a happier, more passionate life. I sure did that, but that's not to say everything was peachy keen because happiness called for a heartbreak here and there, a skinned knee and nights you ~~won't want to~~ can't remember. For this year, I have written down goals {rather than resolutions} and they fall under one overarching theme: The Year of My Best Life {as inspired by Oprah}.

3. Did anyone close to you die? No one close but my paternal grandmother died this year.

4.Did anyone close to you give birth? None.

5. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? Groundbreaking experiences. The thrill of indulging in something you've never done before is high-inducing.

6.What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? July 18, 2011. I've never cried so much.

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Standing up.

8. Did you suffer illness or injury? In February, I was in the hospital for one week.

9. What was the best thing you bought? An iPad 2. I don't think it's a thing everyone really likes but I do find myself smiling everytime I use it, most probably because I read Oprah Magazine through it and I watch Grey's Anatomy {what a late bloomer, I know} through it.

10. Whose behavior merited celebration? None that I can think of now.

11. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I'd say things related to current events in the Philippines but then this post will never end.

12. Where did most of your money go? Traveling, gifts, investments and myself {ergo, shopping}.

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Toronto. More than traveling somewhere far, I was to meet with my parents then, whom I haven't seen for year.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011? Beautiful Girl by INXS.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

Happier or sadder? Somewhere in the middle.
Richer or poorer? Richer.

16. What do you wish you'd done more of? Stop and smell the flowers...

17. What do you wish you'd done less of? Freefalling.

18. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent it with my baby cousins with them pouncing on me thinking I'm a mattress.

19. Did you fall in love in 2011? Yes. With life. #showbiz #meynteyn

20. What was your favorite TV program? Definitely Suits.

21. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hate is a feeling I ~~am incapable of~~ avoid.

22. What was the best book you read? Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh. My copy is lost and I don't know who has it but I don't mind because out there, someone is learning the lessons I've learned and that book is going to change someone's life.

23. What was your greatest musical discovery? Not really a discovery but a reminder, I guess: Mandy Moore's Extraordinary.

24. What did you want and got? To spend time with my parents, which I got to do :) Thankfully.

25. What was your fave film of this year? Easy --- Crazy, Stupid, Love.

26. What did you do on your birthday? Was a recluse, completely un-contactable and gave in to techie retail therapy.

27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? Streamlined, classic with pops of color.

28.What kept you sane? The thought that the world is bigger than what I think it is.

29. Which celebrity figure you fancy the most? Chris Evans, Patrick Adams, and the wardrobe of Serena Van Der Woodsen.

30. Who was the best new person you met? Just one would be an injustice so I won't answer this anymore.

31. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011? Trust is earned and not given away every day and to everyone. Naivete sure was a convenient trait but it burned me in more ways than one. Am not burning bridges but it was tough to be trusting everyone. Not anymore!

Any yearender posts? Share?

Love, Sparkles and more love!
Happy 2012!
xx

Move

2012-01-01T08:00:00.000+08:00

Every now and then, someone's gotta move.

The video inspires one to travel all that he can. I've always liked my traveling self the most.

Soon.

Video Games and Tears

2011-12-30T08:00:00.001+08:00

It's one of those days when I spend the entire afternoon eating gelato, sipping Bundaberg beers and sit in front of my laptop devouring fashion and design blogs. In one of the blogs I was reading, I caught an odd looking photo, nonchalantly clicked the play button and before I knew it, I was weeping.

And to think I was in the most perfect mood.

My gosh, Lana del Rey, what is with you and Video Games that can turn a perfectly calm person into a basket case? And I don't even have a reason to cry!

Swinging in the backyard
Pull up in your fast car
Whistling my name

Open up a beer
And you take it over here
And play a video game

I'm in his favorite sundress
Watching me get undressed
Take that body downtown

I say you the bestest
Lean in for a big kiss
Put his favorite perfume on

Go play a video game

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls
Honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame

Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
Video games

He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of

Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul's
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls
Honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

(Now you do)

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls
Honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

Have a listen and tell me you did not feel like your heart was plucked out of your chest and tied to a runaway truck like stones. And stuck with little pins.

The thing is, it kind of illustrates a major chunk of women today: that sector that believes that doing everything for a man would win them the man. I sure had that phase, a phase I wish I never have to go back to. If I could give an unsolicited advice to anyone who's reading, love has and will always be effortless. Sure, marriage is work and all that {what do I know, meh}, but I do know for sure that if we have to fight tooth and eye to be in that person's life, then maybe it's a one way thing. No one wants to be in a one way thing. At one point in our lives, we'd shake and ask ourselves why do we give everything? We don't want to be there with nothing more to give, do we?

Monkey see, monkey do. Men will find a way to pursue the things {and people} they want, you don't even need to lift a finger or make an excuse for his behavior.

Okay, saan galing yon?

Love, light and glitters!

The World You Want Can Be Yours

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000+08:00

Dearest:

Never let anyone tell you otherwise.
xx

She Likes Red Lipsticks

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000+08:00

She likes red lipstick, fish and chips and trips to the seaside.

Some kinda oily. :D

I like things that don´t make sense
No need lies no false pretense
No pop-up polls or pasted pictures
Dreams of fame or chasing riches
I like girls who like their friends
Not chasing blokes or fashion trends
She doesn´t care if she´s looking daft
That kind of girl always makes me laugh

Oh really girl I must confess
Yeah really girl I´m quite impressed

She likes red lipstick fish and chips
Orange juice and trips to the seaside
She likes red lipstick fish and chips
Oh this girl does things for me
Alright

And I don´t mind when I look a fool
When I try being nice try and stick to the rule
Your face goes blank like you´re trying to test us
And I´ve used my bank of romantic gestures
I don´t mind when you laugh at all of my lines
I´ve tried to impress you a million times
You brush them off but you still looked flattered
My minds gone blank and my brains are scattered all over all over
And then you win be back with a look of affection
Your timing was done to real perfection

Oh really girl I must confess
Yeah really girl I´m quite impressed

She likes red lipstick fish and chips
Orange juice and trips to the seaside
She likes red lipstick fish and chips
Oh this girl does things for me
Red lipstick fish and chips
Orange juice and trips to the seaside
Red lipstick fish and chips
Oh this girl does things for me
Alright
She likes red lipstick fish and chips
Orange juice and trips to the seaside

Twenty Questions by BJG

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000+08:00

So there's another draft waiting to be published at the haystacks but here I am and all I am capable of blogging are bullets. Or maybe single-themed thoughts. Wala lang, baka dahil Pasko. And so before I forget:

Merry Christmas!!!! xx

I've been meaning to share nice things from my Christmas weekend but I'm unusually incoherent so I will just be answering some questions from one of my favorite blogs, Bethany Joy Galeotti. Yes, of the One Tree Hill cast. Every now and then, she interviews women through her blog and the 20 Questions section, the last being my favorite OTH character, Sophia Bush, and has always been my favorite-st part of her blog. Today, indulge me as I pretend to be one of her 'guest' interviewees =P

1 Were You Named After Anyone?

Where my name comes from has multitudes of stories wrapped around it --- that Hindu etymology {Tara meaning star and Jerika meaning princess} but my favorite would have to be that I was named after Scarlett O'Hara's home in Gone With the Wind, which was called Tara Hill, where I named our home after --- Tara Hills =P Which is kind of funny, because also, there's a real Hill of Tara in Ireland. Bongga.

2 Do You Like Your Own Handwriting?

Actually, yes. People tell me I can make a font out of it and that I can use it on Hallmark cards {do people still send those? I want one!} And maybe one day I will make a font out of my handwriting. Soon.

3 What Would Your Superpower be if you could choose one?

Transport myself anywhere I want to. It would be so cool to be anywhere in the world anytime I like.

4 Are you an Optimist or Pessimist?

Eternally an optimist but lately, I've taken it down a notch because optimism led me to become too trusting and that got me into trouble.

5 What do you collect?

Happy, unforgettable memories, the best kwento ever for my future grandkids, books I can pass on to grandchildren and stamps on my passport.

6 What movie would your friends be surprised that you like?

My Amnesia Girl. As I type this, it's trending on Twitter because it's being shown on Cinema One and most people from work were surprised that I watch Tagalog films now. I used to shy away from them especially the ones with politicians in them or really cheesy beach-singing scenes. I hated those. Philippine cinema is so much better now {as if I have a right to judge, ha!}

7 What are your favorite smells?

A newly-born baby, baby products, vanilla, green tea, the scent of people I love and lemongrass.

8 Coffee or Tea?

Coffee. I cannot kid myself to drink tea except The Spa's Ginger Tea <3

9 Wine or Beer?

Wine if I'm feeling grown up and if I'm , beer on regular days. Never together, I'm going to be really messed up then.

10 What is the best thing you've ever eaten? (Where?)

A brownie I've eaten maybe ten months ago. I forget where we got it. It was three layers of foodgasm that made me forget about a lot of things.

11 Mac or PC?

I rarely open my laptop -- these days, if only to blog. I am usually on my iPad and at work, I use a PC with the body of a Mac. Winner lang di ba?

12 What are you listening to right now?

Florence + the Machine, Skint and Demoralised and Pitbull. Yes, I cannot get over him.

13 What career would you pursue in another life?

A fashion photographer and stylist. Sort of like Garance Dore. Or Annie Leibovitz. Wait, I can do that this lifetime. Maybe I will.

14 What sound or noise to you love?

Uncontrollable belly laughs, live music, the voice of people I love and French baby talk.

15 What sound or noise do you hate?

City sounds like bickering in the streets {during traffic jams in Manila, you'll hear so much of this}, jeepney tires screeching and incessant nagging.

16 Mountains or Beach?

The beach, definitely. This girl loves the seaside and the waves when it kisses the shore.

17 Cook or Bake?

Neither. I'd love to say I am an expert at cooking but I am only mediocre at both. I really should hone those skills.

18 Do you go to restaurants and movies by yourself?

Of course! Gone are the days that people will think you're a weirdo for going on alone-dates and maybe they would but I really don't care much. I love my own company, it's the time that I hear my own thoughts and I get inspired for my next projects thoroughly.

19 What is your favorite fairy tale or childhood story?

The Princess and the Pea.

20 What would you tell the 13 year old you?

It's not the end of the world and your life gets better each day.

If you feel like answering BJG's 20 Questions, feel free to do so and I invite you to share with me the link at the comments section. xx

Happy Holidays!

Morning

2011-12-26T15:55:00.000+08:00

Morning (Love Sonnet XXVII)

by Pablo Neruda

Naked you are simple as one of your hands;

Smooth, earthy, small, transparent, round.

You've moon-lines, apple pathways

Naked you are slender as a naked grain of wheat.

Naked you are blue as a night in Cuba;

You've vines and stars in your hair.

Naked you are spacious and yellow

As summer in a golden church.

Naked you are tiny as one of your nails;

Curved, subtle, rosy, till the day is born

And you withdraw to the underground world.

As if down a long tunnel of clothing and of chores;

Your clear light dims, gets dressed, drops its leaves,

And becomes a naked hand again.

Because a dose of Pablo Neruda in a day always makes things even better.

Image via

OOTD: I'm With the Band

2011-12-26T08:00:00.000+08:00

Holidays mean parties here and there ---- which almost always equal to incessant dressing up, some creative styling to make sure our outfits are as diverse as the themes this Christmas season.

Where I work, our theme was pretty simple --- and fitting since our guest performer was Journey's front man, Arnel Pineda.Rockstar.

Photo by Leslie Araujo, from the Sun Life Financial Christmas Party, Sun Life Rocks

I thought that rockstars do not really think much when dressing up --- I mean, don't they just grab whatever is in their closet and ruffle their hair a bit? I mean, look at this:

Kurt Cobain

Axle Rose

Probably my favorite ever: Courtney Love

Another favorite: Alanis Morrissette

Dolores O'Riordan

Shirley Manson

Their clothes look so lived in, so in character. Their clothes look like items they wear on a daily basis and well, since I am not a rockstar, that was pretty hard for me to conjure. So I figured I'd grab some of my own stuff {shorts} and whatever catches my fancy a day before the party.

I had my mind set on something like this:

Or this, nevermind that it doesn't look like a rockstar, but more of a rockstar's girlfriend:

I had wanted to dress up in lace badly but couldn't come up with ones that were appropriate for public appearances.

So I ended up pretty much like this:

I'm With the Band

In this photo with friend and colleague Marge, photo by Arren Lateo

Sheer top: Details

Tank top: H&M

Shorts: Cotton On

Lace tights: Terranova

Boots: Aldo

Clutch: Fab Manila

Accessories: The Ramp

Man, do I love dressing up. What did you dress up as this season?

I'm Ready to Be Extraordinary

2011-12-24T08:00:00.000+08:00

On a Thursday night, amidst the rush of Christmas shoppers, the squeal of children running towards boxes and baskets of toys, the thud of shoppers rushing to squeeze in forgotten gifts, and whilst chomping madly on a humongous bacon and burger with blue cheese, I was put to a shocking stage of calmness by a song.

Christmas rush can make us overwhelmed --- or underwhelmed in some cases. I was completely apathetic, I wasn't feeling the Christmas spirit and I had wanted to walk away and be gone and forget and hibernate because of all the annoying things that come with the season. But this song --- which reminds me of those 1990's songs from Anna Nalick, Alana Davis and of Ally McBeal, picked me up from the muck from which I'd been swimming in for days now. Sometimes, I feel like my life is a cycle of chick literature plots, always waiting to come of age.

For a time, I had felt like I was moving backwards --- felt like I was sort of in a vacuum, like the world was trying to mold me into something else and it felt a little like how a crumpled paper would. It felt like I had to act accordingly to what my manual, and the boxed-in set I came in with said I should.

But I was never good at following --- I always was the stubborn one, at least according to my mother. Maybe I should become more like everybody else, is what I thought, a quandary rather unusual and alien that I saw facet of who I was. Maybe I should act how everyone acted then maybe I wouldn't be ostracized too much. Maybe if I posed less of a threat {a threat of disruption, that is all}, people would stop caring so much about my life and move on with theirs. "But you always stand out," a friend I've helped cultivate his inner standout told me. "Blending in is sometimes much easier, mas walang masasabi sayo," was what I responded. "I was wrong to have told you to always stand out." I have had my fix of being in conversations just for being myself and while surely, being the subject of many conversations, good or bad, was tolerable, it came to a point wherein it wasn't fun anymore. This is in no way to imply I am some popular girl, only someone who have bared herself too much that people around me became experts at how I should run my life.

And so I folded. I filtered my words and I tapered my actions because they're what's appropriate. The shameless, irreverent, risque me took a backseat and went on vacation.

But just as I had predicted, instructing myself of all of these would drive me crazy --- and back to my old ways.

Follow your own path and let people talk, Dante said {Kung sino si Dante, hindi ko din alam, basta si Dante.}. So go ahead and talk. I'm ready to be extraordinary.

In the chick flick that is my life, this is where I have that epiphany, the clouds open and I burst into resolve and a big smile. And this song starts playing.

Extraordinary | Mandy Moore

I was a daydream
Quiet and unseen
I lived in stories but inside I kept a mystery
I was a starling
Nobody's darling
Flying in perfect circles just for company

And now I'm ready
And now I'm ready
And now I'm ready to be extraordinary

A midnight airplane
A window blowing
I know I am another sparkle in the sky
I shine on copper
Still undiscovered
But you might see me in the corner of your eye

And now I'm ready
And now I'm ready
And now I'm ready to be extraordinary

Waking up to wake up someday
I am my own parade
Stopping off at a sidewalk cafe
Wind is playing in the trees
Kick up confetti leaves
Seems as if it's all to say

And now I'm ready
And now I'm ready
And now I'm ready to be extraordinary

And now I'm ready
And now I'm ready
And now I'm ready to be extraordinary

I'm ready to let go of what I can't have now and just be extraordinary.

Happy Holidays!

xx

PS: Thanks to my friend Carla who just knew this song was by Mandy Moore. #Blashing

OOTD: Daytripper

2011-12-23T10:43:00.000+08:00

"You look like you're about to fire someone," a colleague told me, upon my descent from the car at the Sun Life Centre on Fifth Avenue {sounds like the beginning of a New York novel, hrhr}. I was running fashionably late and I was a bit cautious not to hit my head again.

"I wish," I responded, half chuckling. This was the second time that someone told me this observation. I am not sure if it was because I haven't had a full cup of coffee that morning or if it was because I looked scary with a gray and black ensemble that is kind of unusual for me because I always wear something colorful to the office. On both occasions, I wasn't exactly about to fire someone. As if. Nevertheless, as it was an ordinary work day, I therefore conclude this outfit is my Daytripper outfit:

The blazer's winning detail are the oversized pockets and deconstructed details.

1,2, 3, EMOTE!

Dress: From Singapore

Blazer: Pink Manila

Shoes: Promod

Accessories: Nacara South Sea Pearls

PS: I realize I only have one expression. HA!

What's your work wear like?

Shot on location and with permission: The President's Office. Of course, paying tribute to the best dressed president I've ever worked for.

*waves* Hi Ms. Riza! Thank you for letting me use your beautiful office. Special thanks to my creative director, Issay Jovellano.
Photos taken by TJ Reyes.

Real Friends Are

2011-12-21T08:00:00.000+08:00

To the ones whom you do not owe an explanation, or to prove that you're worth being friends with. You don't have to be with each other everyday, but you never need to look over your shoulder if they will change their minds about you. They are the ones who respect your craziness --- and maybe have the same brand of kookiness, too. They're the ones that when everything comes down right to it, when the questions pile up, there will be everything and anything but there will be no doubt.

To you, I am eternally grateful.

To the girls whom I've shared everything with, thank you for making me realize that the word friend is hard to just throw around.

The Truth is Not Far Behind

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000+08:00

"Hindi ka mukhang nagtatrabaho sa isang insurance company," was what a friend told me immediately after seeing me alight the elevator.

"That's the point," I said, completely unaware of how insurance company employees should look like. Despite being in an insurance company, the word "insurance" being an instant turn off to some as the images of an education plan fiasco comes to mind, I somehow had this vague idea that we, "insurance folks" are expected to be in our stiff suits and palettes of black, gray and white.

But last Saturday was not about me being one and the same and meant to blend into the crowd. I was playing host to an afternoon of exhibiting our endorser {Yes, Piolo Pascual's} photos and paintings of him drawn by his scholar Omar Flores. I was not about to look plain beside Piolo.

But I didn't want to go crazy with the colors, too, so that Saturday morning, when I woke up, I closed my eyes, ravaged my closet and brought out the following to wear:

The only full body shot I had that day.

So yes, the truth is not far behind.

Tank top: George

Sheath top: Pink Manila

Skirt: Urban Behavior

Nude Pumps: Aldo

And of course, I just have to pout.

What's my take on dressing up the part? I have taken bold choices when it comes to dressing. I always think that I'd rather be overdressed than under dressed and so far {so far!}they all have turned out to be great choices, they have paved ways for me to express my individuality, a trait that goes farther than dressing up as who you are expected to be. They tell us to speak the truth. I believe in the same philosophy even in dressing up.

Speaking of Piolo Pascual and our project with him, here's a little invitation to help raise funds for Hebreo Foundation, which sends poor but underprivileged kids to school. By bidding on the photos taken by Piolo Pascual and the paintings taken of him, you can help more kids attain education they so deserve.

www.sunpiology.com

Stop.

2011-12-19T18:30:00.000+08:00

This is not my writing. But today and maybe in the next few days, I'd need to remind myself of these, if only to stay sane. There's only one piece of literature I read over and over again when I need answers, prior to stumbling upon this. Now, this is the second. If you're feeling like the virtues, the lessons and pieces of wisdom you've gathered throughout the years are all a mishmash in your head, the only thing left to do is stop.

**
30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself
By Marc and Angel

As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Nothing could be closer to the truth. But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth. And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on. No, it won’t be easy. There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems. That’s not how we’re made. In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall. Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time. This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself. Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves. Read The Road Less Traveled.
Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too. Yes, help others; but help yourself too. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else. Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success. You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us. We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire are expensive. But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either. You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else. Read Stumbling on Happiness.
Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place. Evaluate situations and take decisive action. You cannot change what you refuse to confront. Making progress involves risk. Period! You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely. It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company. There’s no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you. But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others doing better than you. Concentrate on beating your own records every day. Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own. Ask yourself this: “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you. You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough. But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past. You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation. So smile! Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart. You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate. Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.” It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.” Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself! And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too. If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway. Just do what you know in your heart is right.
Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things. The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done. Read Getting Things Done.
Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile. Don’t take the easy way out. Do something extraordinary.
Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while. You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well. You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life. When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out. But making one person smile CAN change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. So narrow your focus.
Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy. One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time? Three years? Five years?” If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen. Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story. If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.