Perseverance

Starting over. It’s a concept that’s not new to anyone. At some point we all do it. Whether it’s a new job, home, city, relationship or life, we all make changes. Some changes are more drastic than others and some we do on a daily basis. It’s a cyclical thing, this change.

Starting over can be cleansing. Like taking a shower, it can wash away mistakes from the past and bring a new perspective. But often times, when we think of starting over, it’s the scary kind. It’s the unknown. Can I do this? Can I make this work? Can I change? And then there’s all of the “what if’s” after that.

Even through all of the doubts, and questions, we inevitably change. We look back one day and realize it wasn’t such a big leap. And for a moment, we are proud. Proud of accomplishing something that at one point we thought was so far-fetched it haunted us.

But that pride won’t last too long. There will always be another change on the horizon. We don’t stop changing. We’re in a constant state of evolution. Sort of like Madonna. So, since we’re stuck on this cyclical path of change, we might as well enjoy the ride.

Let every doubt and every fear fuel the fire that lights your path. Use every “can I?” and turn it into an “I will” because we already know the outcome. We will get through it. It might not be pretty, and it might not be how we thought it would be at the end, but we will preserve.

It’s a human trait, perseverance. The circumstances are often different but the end product is the same.

I always think of my mother when I think about perseverance. We were talking about what it was like when she was raising my sister and I one day. I’ll never forget when she said, “I don’t know how we were able to afford food and diapers or even the hospital bills after you were born. We just did.”

Perseverance is something I greatly admire about most people. I think it’s what gives you character. You can be knocked down 99 times but it takes true strength to stand on the 100th time.

“I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.”

- John D. Rockefeller

Stressed Out About Breaking Out???

It happens to everyone, right? Just in time for a special occasion, a date or any other time when looking your best is imperative, you get a dreaded pimple. Fear not, functional chicklets, I have some tips for you!

First thing is first, DON'T STRESS ABOUT IT. It's a pimple for crying out loud, not the end of the world (although I know it may feel like it). Take a second to remember that you are much, MUCH more than your looks. And confidence is the sexiest thing you can have.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get down to the nitty gritty, shall we? Applying ice (for several minutes) to a pimple that is above the skin (you can see the white head) will help to take the redness and swelling down. Applying a warm wash cloth (for several minutes) to a pimple that is below the surface of the skin will help to bring moisture to the surface and thereby heal faster.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU POP A PIMPLE. It can cause scarring and possible infections. However, if you do, make sure your hands are clean, you apply ice afterward and then also apply a small amount of acne medication with benzoyl peroxide.

Let's talk a little bit about benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid for a quick second. There IS a difference. Both are great for clearing up your skin, however, benzoyl peroxide is a lot safer to use repetitively. I recently learned from a Clinique consultant that salicylic acid can actually cause skin damage if used to often. It's a much harsher chemical on your skin, especially if you have a fair complexion or sensitive skin. So be careful and pay attention to the ingredients of your acne treatments.

Now that we've gone over a game plan for what happens when you get that awful, little swollen, red surprise, let's tackle the root of what's causing them.
The two biggest factors that cause breakouts are dehydration and high levels of caffeine. So, make sure you're staying hydrated throughout the day and that you keep the sodas and multiple cups of coffee to a minimum.

Another thing to remember is to keep yourself happy. My physician once told me that, "when you're happy, your body is happy."