December 2008 Archives

We recently returned from the Miraval Health Resort and Spa in Tucson Arizona where we were probably the only guests to order Bloody Mary's for the ride to the airport.  I was asked to speak which paid for the stay, but what I hoped to get out of the time there was perspective.  

I wanted perspective on what is going on in our world, and how what I do relates to it.  I wanted perspective on why we have been so fortunate this past year when according to the news, so many have not.  I wanted perspective that only comes from time alone, in a dessert, with a shaman chanting, beating drums, shaking rattles and sticking pins in your body.    

The service I am describing is called a "spirit flight" and it was, so I was told emphatically, going to change my life.  My spirit was supposed to take flight but my chiropractor tells me it must have gotten caught between my T3 and T5.   

So last night I chose my perspective enhancement of choice:  Vicodin.  It works.  Especially with a nice single malt scotch.  With a cup of Senna Leaf Tea you avoid the restraint of the bowel and move though the next day with a fluid disposition.  Just the kind of perspective I like.  Peace, tranquility and a happy colon.     

I've felt lately,however, fear.  Not for myself or my life, but fear in general -- from the media. You can see it in people's faces.  And more irritating, in how they drive. I keeping hearing about fear for the economy, fear of the weather, fear of collapse, fear of attack...fear. "The sky is falling," said Chicken Little.   

As FDR said at the height of the depression in his inaugural address "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  Words that will be repeated or rephrased, I am sure, on January 20th.  Fear feeds whatever is sown in its name so I choose to plant, instead, positive expectancy and fertilize it with confidence.  That's my kind of garden.

I don't like to be fed fear.  Nor do I want to spread it.  I'd rather give energy and power to the positive.  To the improvement.  To the betterment of the world through the perfect shade of lipstick.  Yes, that is where my perspective lies.  Does it look good on you?  

Fear flatters none of us. Fear makes your butt look big.  I say buy not into this season's fear trend but recycle your confidence.  Listen and heed when you hear the words Merry Christmas.  Happy New Year.  Joy to the World.  Peace on Earth.  

And...my personal favorite: Bottoms up!  

I admit writing a blog is more work than I thought. If, of course, writing a blog was my full time job, or even part time, or 1/16th time for that matter it would be easier. But what content am I to provide you that you can't get elsewhere? That is usually my main question.

I guess that, they tell me, is where I step in. People want to hear it from someone with whom they've built a rapport. And I am only beginning to discover that there are actually people who read this and glean some sort of nugget on occasion from it. That alone keeps me going.

I think what the average reader may not understand is that thought I get SOME response, you can pretty much click onto any of my previous blogs and discover out of all of them I have gotten, perhaps, 6 comments. Sometimes people drop me a direct email, and I respond directly. Another thing I love to do, it's a great way to procrastinate and feel I'm working.

You see, I like to chat. I could probably go back and forth in an email in perpetuity. At some point I realize I am probably wasting someone's time, or in some instances, it is getting too personal. Not for me, mind you. I'm a spiller. But I do realize that TMI is TMI. So as I tend to give TMI, you at least have the great advantage of a simple click.

So what's on the horizon now? What am I working on? Let me give you the list. And, HELP! I LOVE ideas and thoughts from people who have a general idea of what might improve the process of getting the information to as many of you as possible. That is my purpose you know. To help people realize their ultimate image. I need to come up with a better one though. To help make you beautiful. Maybe that's better.

My mission (and don't worry I'm getting to what's on the horizon) 20 years ago was written like this: To create a comfortable, peaceful, and professional environment to help people attain and maintain their ultimate image potential.

It evolved to "To help people realize their ultimate image." In "the environment" though I tend to scare staff and clients for my own entertainment. So, I probably nixed the peaceful and professional part. It is, however, comfortable at reVamp! salonspa (check out our new website!) and my staff is rather professional (for the most part), and if you go downstairs to the spa department is truly is peaceful. (If I'm not creeping up on a manicurist).

Anyway, the horizon.

First in the works is the "Beauty Revival Guide," a workbook to accompany "Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45." I'm having Larissa, who is the fabulous designer behind the book, help me create the mate to the comeback system.

Next, I need some auxiliary products to sell when I have speaking gigs. You know, the point truly is to get as much insight, inspiration and information to as many people through as many means as possible. That includes my book on CD, DVD's of how to's, podcasts and/or video podcasts. I'm creating a new a cosmetic, yet to be revealed, to help the appearance of thinning hair. And I really need to find the right cups to go with my casual dinnerware. I also need to get my press package for my speaking organized and updated. Each and every one of these seems to require me to start at square one and research who what why when and where.

And, I want a new computer. So I have the PC people screaming to keep my PC, and the MAC people giving that superior nod that I don't really know what the enlightened do. Kind of like a Jehovah's Witness who knows you're gay. Love the sinner, not the sin. I know the look.

But that's another blog.

What I have done though is finish my blog for this morning. Updated you. And, as always, welcome comments. I am, still, figuring it all out. I have the information; I'm just not always adept at compiling it, editing it, printing it and publishing it.

I cannot speak any louder than the voices of the people who are touched. In fact, I'm pretty speechless. Imagine! But these quotes taken from emails that have been sent me, keep me going. Quotes from readers of SYC ""The book is my answer to prayer - "I am", beginning today, taking the step by step challenge" - Connie "I'm so impressed with your information, artistry, presentation, conversational tone, and , and most of all-- your inspirational makeovers on real women. Your book is heads and shoulders above other books that purport to cover the same topic." - Helen "I bought the book for my girlfriends as we're all 50-ish. The book is a solid hit! Congratulations." - Kathy "I completely responded to your book and am grateful you do what you do! Thank you for sharing your outstanding talents!" - Stephana "I have just re-read your book "Staging Your Comeback", and I want to thank you for championing and yes, liberating! women of a certain age." - Scarlett "Thanks to you I have a starting point, thanks to you, for the first time in a long while I believe I can do and know I will. You've made it easy." - Lori "Thank you so much for giving me hope. I really don't think that you have any idea how you are touching so many women in my situation."- April "I have read your book Staging Your Comeback (I'm recommending it to my friends) and it was so fun, insightful, and hopeful. You have a wonderful outlook on aging." - Malana "I've read a number of books on how to look better as you age, they were all helpful; but yours was absolutely awesome!! It really is inspiring and so truthful, you really are the best at what you do. Thanks so much." - Dee "Your book has saved my life. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge and help with all of us who so desperately need it." - Maria "I rushed home from Walmart last night, your book in tow, and read every page cover-to cover. I have been looking for you for 10 years!!!" - Fay "Thank you so much for addressing this often neglected season of life." - Joan "Thank you for a writing style that is to the point but takes the time to have a little fun along the way. There were several instances when I nearly fell out of my chair with laughter!" - Toby "But most of all, thank you. Somehow, over the years, I had forgotten that I was worth that effort. You rock my world!" - Kelli. "It is a wonderful book, and you made the process simple." - Chrissy "Thanks for thinking of us "Second Act" ladies and giving us the chance (and empowerment) to be beautiful again". Jennifer "You made me feel pretty again, Mr. Hopkins. I have now resolved to curl my hair every day and put on makeup, even if I don't feel like it." - Katie "I WILL make a comeback. And it will be YOU that inspired it." - Rebecca "Thank you for this book i feel more like a beautiful women than a factory worker mom person. I have found me." - Kim