Things and Stuff

     Hey guys and gals! I again forgot yesterday's blog. Yikes. Okay, so this blog is another update since I can't think of anything to write about. Sorry!

     Some of you have asked about my YouTube channel, and I realized I don't really promote that here, so I guess I will take the time to do that today. http://m.youtube.com/user/HeidiMyWorld

Also, if you are local and would like updates on upcoming deals/specials I'm having with my makeovers, I post them frequently on my Facebook page: facebook.com/heidimyworld

     I had mentioned a few months back that I had been working on getting my website up: heidimyworld.com and that should be up with before and after pictures as well as a price list in the next week or so.

     I also want to take the time and say a HUGE thank you to all of you who support me. I know my writing isn't always interesting or exciting and I'm so grateful for my readers. Sincerely, thank you.

     I would like to use this opportunity to say if you happen to be local, I am giving away free makeovers for 5 people who are willing to let me post before and after pictures and free products for referrals that book appointments.

     Here is my latest video. Please take the time to watch, like and subscribe if you like what I do.

   http://youtu.be/aWLLUc-D5uU

Perspective

     Hi everyone! I hope that most of you are having enjoyable Fall weather wherever you happen to be. I know I have said it before, but there is nothing like Autumn in the Pacific NW. I am so happy to be back in sweaters and boots, sipping hot tea and starting a new knitting project.

     As usual, I am having a hard time getting my blogs out on time. I'm going to have to post on Fridays whenever I remember. Sorry! It is so much extra to sit down and write twice a week. I usually have at least one idea, but I struggle with a second. This week, I failed to do my Tuesday post, so that is why I am posting today. Sorry for the weirdness.

     I read something earlier today that mentioned how people need to learn how to explain why they like something. This is especially important for when others feel like it is there obligation to scorn you for liking whatever it is. As I read that, I was thinking, "You shouldn't have to explain anything. You like what you like, and haters can back off". But the more I thought about it, I realized that there are so many opinions about everything, as well as preconceived notions. This means, by having an intelligent non-defensive response to someone who questions your taste, you may be able to allow that person a perspective or side they have not yet seen. Even if they leave still feeling disdain for this said thing you like, you have stood up for yourself in an adult manner.

     True, you can like whatever you want without having to explain, but I like this concept so much. In fact, I can think of a few different times when I mentioned liking something that someone immediately verbally beat me up for liking, or made fun of me for liking it and that person left somewhat convinced they needed to try it, because I shared my passion and explained what I enjoyed most about it. This could be music, books, religious/political views, movies, etc. 

     I would consider myself to be defensive and impulsive sometimes when discussing things that I love, because my mantra in life is be yourself, so when I am being myself and someone puts me down for it my initial response is not always so good. Maybe that is them being who they are. Having a respectful intelligent conversation is so much better than trying to defend something constantly. 

     I have never been very good at avoiding dispute or confrontation, so I am looking forward to making a concentrated effort in this area. I believe it will improve my interactions with others, as well as give me insight and understanding into who my friends are as people. I hope all of you can join me in this challenge. Let's have healthy respectful conversations this week.

     

      

     

Fear

     This will be a bit of an update blog for everyone. I had my first speech tonight!! I got a lot of great feedback. There are a few things I need to improve on, but all in all I am quite pleased with myself and can't wait to do it again. I have to get through 10 speeches in 6 months, and I feel as though I can do it in 3.

     If you have a fear of speaking, or are typically shy or nervous around people, I highly recommend you look up your local toastmasters club and try it out. http://www.toastmasters.org/

     I am a procrastinator, so I prepared my speech the night before, and tried to memorize it today. I don't suggest that. It causes a lot of anxiety.

     Public Speaking is the #1 Fear in America, and I have to say I am feeling pretty proud of myself. I was told once that when you feel fear or nervousness, it is actually your adrenaline trying to push you forward. It is your body's way of telling you you're about to do something awesome. I'm not sure if that is true, but I hope it is, and it has certainly been the case for me. I am so glad that when I have been so fearful or nervous that I have continued on anyway.

     I had to prepare a 4-6 minute speech and only talk about myself. That was way harder than I thought it would be. I would much rather talk about someone else or even an event going on then go on about myself. I feel like I do that enough in writing.

     I just want to say thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart to those of you who suggested this, and have been my cheerleaders and support group pushing me to challenge myself.

     I hope to be speaking on self esteem to women in shelters by the end of November, so this is really challenging me. Thanks again. Talk to you all on Friday.

     

Self-Forgiveness

     Hi everyone, I hope you all had a good weekend. This is my favorite time of year, and I have been thoroughly enjoying all of the weird weather here in the Pacific NW.

     Over the past week, I got together with several friends, and one way or another this topic came up, and I decided to talk about it. Our human nature is to dwell on the things we have done wrong.

     Although I have been just as guilty of this as anyone else, I feel that I have come a long way. Sure I still doubt, and sometimes think of things I could have said or done better, but for the most part I can let things go.

     In the grand scheme of things, our lives are very short. However, being human means that you on occasion offend other humans, sometimes even significantly hurt their feelings, and a month can feel like a year when there is tension between two people who were once close.

     Unfortunately, even when we resolve these issues, we have tendencies to replay that moment in time over and over and begin to not only dwell on the mistake, but let that define who we are. "I am a horrible person because I said this, or let this happen". Everyone makes mistakes. We must learn to accept it, take responsibility for it, find it within ourselves to forgive and move on.

     I, personally ask forgiveness on three levels: I ask the Lord for His forgiveness (please don't judge, this is simply my process and does not have to be yours). Then I ask forgiveness from the person I have wronged. The last is probably the absolute hardest one for me; I ask myself to stop blaming myself and to forgive me. Then I try my best to pick up the pieces and move on.

     I understand that there are circumstances where you don't get the opportunity to make it right with the other person, in which case it is often a lot harder to forgive yourself. This is when I count my blessings. You guessed it, I make a list! I write down everyone who is currently in my life loving and supporting me. People who know my worth and make me feel good when I am around them. If I was really such a horrible person, would I attract such love from others? I am probably being too hard on myself. You are only human, and unfortunately this will probably not be the last mistake you ever make.

     To all my friends currently hurting, I want nothing more than for you to see that you are worthy of forgiveness, and you are not defined by the mistakes you make.

I wish I could forgive myself for the amount of odd pictures people have been able to take of me...