tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50683704186368729182024-03-05T16:16:51.076-08:00JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!JUST THE WAY WE ARE . . . . .
Celebration the Beauty of Every WomanJewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-15139436885782941232021-10-25T10:21:00.002-07:002021-10-25T10:21:27.934-07:00Starting Fresh<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jOquhJT_HaRujcLzDI69cq1SozgATGopUG7IhoE0jyC-dAMQhTEuQmfESrJCKQsVVXeByLKYT5geu0Iwv7mGNY_khrMN8YzxTJpYK31SVha1Gf-ImF5BQQIFaguACEXqB5WD0sNPNMU/s2048/20200105_102226_pp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jOquhJT_HaRujcLzDI69cq1SozgATGopUG7IhoE0jyC-dAMQhTEuQmfESrJCKQsVVXeByLKYT5geu0Iwv7mGNY_khrMN8YzxTJpYK31SVha1Gf-ImF5BQQIFaguACEXqB5WD0sNPNMU/w281-h158/20200105_102226_pp2.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br />Clearly, it has been a long time since my last post. Life has taken me in directions I never thought I would go. However, my chronic alopecia is still the same, and even worse in some ways. But hey, my wig collection has expanded and I learned new ways to camouflage my hair loss. My husband still thinks I'm beautiful, and so does my Heavenly Father. I need no other approval, and life is great!<p></p><p>Stay tuned for more thoughts and affirmations on true beauty!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXwjvUSwRGjfGtSbIXv64cU5pIAwyxow6rtxjUAnGdS_Up-2pQkVmi-fPi4NxLtMf2RQBFErTgeJgUvcAhNl7ZTP5wYbU1dXlc6zOx9bzalysPzuRYLDVMQw79solBkSNhoyObqcfhEA/s508/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="508" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXwjvUSwRGjfGtSbIXv64cU5pIAwyxow6rtxjUAnGdS_Up-2pQkVmi-fPi4NxLtMf2RQBFErTgeJgUvcAhNl7ZTP5wYbU1dXlc6zOx9bzalysPzuRYLDVMQw79solBkSNhoyObqcfhEA/s320/download.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-11363018215007523722014-05-27T16:19:00.004-07:002014-05-27T16:19:58.687-07:00Beautiful Soul<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought for Today</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">To the people who love you, you are beautiful already. This is not because they're blind to your shortcomings, but because they so clearly see your soul.<i> - Victoria Moran</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Unconditional love is a priceless thing. So is a truly pure, honest and open heart. A pure heart sees beauty in everyone. When you possess a pure heart, you possess beautiful soul, and other beautiful souls will recognize it. If your soul is ugly, a pure heart will also recognize the possibilities there.</span><br />
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<br /><span style="color: #0c343d;"></span>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-2654335140392495342014-04-10T18:09:00.000-07:002014-04-10T18:09:00.796-07:00No Woman Is OrdinaryIf you were to ask a group of women to name something beautiful or even special about themselves, some wouldn't be able to come up with anything. I find this really sad. So many of us consider ourselves ordinary when we are anything but.<br />
No woman is ordinary and there is beauty in each and every one of us. It may not be physical, but inner, which is most important, because when you are beautiful on the inside, it will shine through your eyes, your smile, your whole being. Inner beauty shines far brighter than the physical. A woman who is kind and gracious, possessing a good heart, is beautiful. There is nothing ordinary about her.<br />
It is my hope that we as women begin to realize this and hold on to it. Once we internalize this truth we will begin to see it. We will recognize true beauty and find it in every woman we see, including ourselves.<br />
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<br />Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-36300550285116219582014-02-24T15:57:00.001-08:002014-02-24T15:57:27.333-08:00<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought for Today</span></span><br />
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<em>“Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that
forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes you purest thoughts, for
out of them will grow delightful conditions, all heavenly environment;
of these if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be
built.” ~ <b>James Allen</b></em><br />
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Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-49802756192554552372013-12-19T09:45:00.001-08:002013-12-19T09:45:47.743-08:00<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought for Today</span></span></b><br />
“Honey, God loves you just as you are. As people who have been created
by God, we are infinitely precious to Him because we are His creation.
Regardless of our outward appearance, we are all made with that
spiritual potential to relate directly to Him, spirit to Spirit...<br /><br />You
may not look so favorably on your outward appearance, but when God
looks at you, He sees His beautiful daughter. While God cares deeply
about our own personal struggles with our outward appearances, whatever
they may be, He cares even more for you. Your outward appearance does
not change God’s acceptance of you, and it certainly does not change the
way He feels about you.”
<br /> ― <i>Corallie Buchanan</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4340313.Corallie_Buchanan"> </a>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-67151489677824216332013-11-18T07:16:00.000-08:002013-11-18T07:20:04.859-08:00What Makes You BeautifulOne of my daughter's favorite songs is <b><i>What Makes You Beautiful </i></b>by One Direction and it is now my ringtone for when my husband calls. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen. It will perk you right up:-)<br />
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True beauty goes so beyond the physical.</div>
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Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-38886130799234188862013-07-23T08:48:00.002-07:002013-07-23T08:48:32.988-07:00Accept You!<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought for the Week</span><br />
Since we bring about what we think about, say to yourself each day, "I am beautiful, healthy, happy, and I love and accept myself no matter what." You will soon become those things.<br />
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<br />Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-13457716952224107452013-06-30T16:43:00.001-07:002013-06-30T16:43:13.281-07:00You're Perfect ; Trent Shelton<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/k7mActuXuTI" width="459"></iframe>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-22458836209019052062013-05-15T19:24:00.002-07:002013-05-15T19:35:03.063-07:00True Beauty Comes From the Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the
sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed
only if there is a light from within.”
<br />
<i>―<b>
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross</b></i><br />
<br />
“What's the whole point of being pretty on the outside when you’re so ugly on the inside?”
<br />
<i>―
<b>Jess C. Scott</b></i>,
<i>
I'm Pretty
</i><br />
<br />
“When you're a beautiful person on the inside, nothing in the world can
change that about you. Jealousy is the result of one's lack of
self-confidence, self-worth, and self-acceptance. The Lesson: If you
can't accept yourself, then certainly no one else will.”
<br />
<i>―<b>
Sasha Azevedo</b> </i><br />
<br />
“If love is blind, then maybe a blind person that loves has a greater understanding of it.”
<br />
<b><i>―
Criss Jami,</i></b>
<i>
Salomé: In Every Inch In Every Mile
</i><br />
<br />
Through the years I have discovered the truth of each of these quotes. No matter what we look like on the outside, no matter what we do to create a beautiful outer package, if we carry ugliness within us, everything else is just an illusion. The light of true beauty cannot live in a dark heart. So what if others are prettier, thinner, more talented, have more money, more attention from men, and more of things we desire? If we can be just as happy without those things while reaching toward the things we desire in life instead of harboring a covetous attitude and letting it eat at our insides, our true beauty will shine brighter and reveal more sparkle than any material possession we can acquire.<br />
That is the beauty we want to possess.<br />
And that is the beauty others will see.Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-39974086501555486932013-01-13T20:49:00.000-08:002013-01-13T21:00:37.184-08:00A Beautiful Soul!!!<b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought For Today</span></span></b><br />
People are like stained glass windows -- the true beauty can be seen
only when there is light from within. The darker the night, the brighter
the windows.<br />
<i>Elizabeth KublerRoss</i><br />
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If you haven't already met her, today I'd like you to meet Lizzy. If every woman possessed as beautiful a soul as Lizzy, the world would definitely be a better place.<br />
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Twenty-two year old Lizzie lives with a rare undiagnosed syndrome that
only 3 people in the world currently struggle with. Lizzie can't gain
weight, no matter what she eats. Even though she only weighs 60 pounds,
nothing can get in the way of her dreams<br />
and goals. She faces
hatred, judgement and prejudice every day, yet she puts her faith in God
and uses the adversity for so much good. Her story will warm your heart
and remind you that YOU are beautiful by God. Support Lizzie! <a href="http://www.aboutlizzie.com/">http://www.aboutlizzie.com</a>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-85944631454114060432013-01-01T17:16:00.001-08:002013-01-01T17:16:26.495-08:00Beautiful People<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought for Today</span></span><br />
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The most beautiful people
we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known
struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These
people have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life
that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving
concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. ~ <i>Elizabeth Kubler-Ross</i>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-91591867894571247032012-11-30T08:16:00.000-08:002012-11-30T11:57:37.248-08:00Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful Excerpt: Your Thoughts<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;"><b>As a man thinketh . . .</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">There is a phrase that says, “What
we think about, we bring about.” If we only dwell on the negative
things in life instead the positive ones, we will surely bring
ourselves down, because while positive thinking brightens my outlook
and makes us feel good, negativity drains our energy and brings us
down. Yes, there are a lot of terrible things going on in the world
and our country is steadily sliding downward, but there is still so
much good, and so much good we can bring to the world. We only need
to synchronize our thoughts and actions and do what we can to make
things happen.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Since we are all here for a reason,
it is up to us to determine how we will spend our time in this life.
If we are striving to embrace the good in life, we will make the
world better because we are here. When we will truly know who we are
and know our worth, our making the world better is automatic.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Request a free copy of the complete booklet: jewela40@gmail.com</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Have a beautiful day!</span><br />
<br /></div>
Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-9654102690380114282012-11-05T16:57:00.001-08:002012-11-05T16:57:29.290-08:00Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful Excerpt: Judging<span style="color: blue;"><span class="quotation">“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be
ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin
and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out
of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”</span></span><br />
<span class="quotation"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Roald Dahl </b></i></span></span><br />
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<i>Booklet Excerpt</i><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;"><b>Judging.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Have you ever looked at parents with
troubled children going astray and thought, “I wonder what they did
or didn't do?” Or, “What kind of parents would let that happen?”
Or here's the big one: “Boy, I sure wouldn't let my kids do that.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Once upon a time I thought that way,
but not anymore. Do you know why? Because I have learned you don't
judge someone or a situation you know nothing about. I have learned
this, and I have the scars to prove it. Some of those scars have
healed, and some are still open because of ongoing lessons.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">What about a successful couple that
have been married for years and they have no children? Some would
assume the couple have chosen not to have children because of
selfishness, but in fact, the couple may not be <i>able</i> to have
children. This could be their major trial and here we are, judging
them.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Or, there is my case. We have eight
children. Some may judge my husband and I and think we have too many.
They may say it is because of people like us that the world is
“overpopulated.” We are the reason the earth's resources are
depleting. Have you ever heard anything so dumb? The only resources I
ever see depleting are the groceries in our fridge and pantry.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">We don't know what goes on in the
homes of others. When don't know what others are dealing with in
their lives. We also don't know what others are dealing with
emotionally. We don't know any of these things . . . but God knows.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">And suppose we really do know about
others? Suppose we have even witnessed some poor choices of others.
It is still not our place to judge. Judge between right and wrong,
yes, but judging others? No. and if we truly know who we are, we
won't feel a need to be judgmental. When you truly know who you are,
you feel sorrow and empathy for others, yet steer clear of judgmental
thoughts.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">For a free copy of the complete ebooklet, email me at jewela40@gmail.com </span></b></span></div>
Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-3473370300927516762012-10-20T17:11:00.002-07:002012-10-20T17:16:15.035-07:00Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful Excerpt: Choice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now I would like to share another excerpt from <i><b>Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful</b></i> that I hope will help bring us closer to knowing who we are and our worth:-)<br />
<br />
<b>Understanding Choice</b><br />
To quote a line from one of my books: “It is a fickle thing, this word choice. For upon this word sits all others. Upon this act sits every consequence. Upon it is the vast and unknown fate of all things decided.” When I tried to come up with a couple of sentences that would completely encompass the word, this was the inspiration I received. Because truthfully, every single thing we do in life hinges on that one word.<br />
We can choose our actions, but not the consequences. Even when we are going through trials, we still have choices. Sometimes our choices are poor, and sometimes choices are inflicted upon us and are beyond our control, but as I said, how we let the trials affect us sometimes determines the value we place upon ourselves.<br />
Here is an example for you:<br />
My step-father sexually molested me from the age of six until eleven. Every time he entered my room and defiled me, he made me think I was only going to be good for one thing in this world, and that thing was the thing he was doing to me.<br />
<br />
Now, picture a new white canvas, completely pristine and ready for the painter's first brush stroke. Each time I was abused, a stroke of dark color was painted on the canvas. Each time he subjected me to pornography to make me believe what I saw before me was what I was supposed to willingly do, another dark stroke appeared. Soon the picture began to take on a gruesome image–the image my abuser wanted me to see–that I was worthless and created for that life.<br />
As I got older, I made choices that added different dark hues to the canvas. I got married at sixteen to someone I didn't love, just to escape home. I became a widow at eighteen when he drowned while swimming, and with the insurance money came the start of my drug and alcohol addiction, as well as my complete loss of self-respect–marrying again without love, and then binging, sleeping around, waking up next to strangers and not even remembering how I got there. How do you think my canvas looked by then? What kind of picture did it show? It showed exactly what my step-father wanted it to show. I was good for one thing . . . but I allowed myself to be painted that way. Remember Joe's words to Mia? “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Well, guess what? I consented. I wasn't strong enough to fight it, because I did not know who I was.<br />
<br />
When a painter finishes one picture, what does he do? Does he stop painting? Does he say, “That's it, I'm done?” No. He pulls out a clean canvas and creates a new one. As my choices began to change, a new painting was started, with brighter, bolder colors. Each stroke of these new colors contributed to the beautiful painting emerging. I was finally beginning to learn who I was– who I have always been.<br />
Each of us is still a work in progress, and some paintings are further along than others, but as long as we let God wield the brush, we are guaranteed to be a beautifully-finished product.<br />
<br />
Email me at jewela40@gmail.com for a free copy of the ebooklet! <br />
Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-34467676302039195902012-10-11T08:38:00.002-07:002012-10-11T08:38:56.772-07:00Introducing- Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Yes, I've finally finished <i><b>Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful</b></i>, a booklet I wrote especially for women. Too often we forget how amazing we really are and how much we are valued, not in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God. I hope this booklet will touch us all in some way and help us remember.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Over the next while, I will be posting excerpts from the booklet. If you would like a free copy of the ebook, email your request to <a href="mailto:jewela40@gmail.com">jewela40@gmail.com</a> and I will send you one. feel free to share it with family and friends:-)</span><br />
<br />
<i>Excerpt</i><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Perception: To become aware of
directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing. The
way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
“<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">The beauty of a woman is not in
the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she
combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because
that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True
beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she
lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a
woman only grows with passing years.” <br />―<i><b> Audrey Hepburn</b></i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">How many of us truly know who we are?
How many of us love ourselves? How many of us stand in front of the
mirror once a day and say, “Man, I'm beautiful? I'm amazing! I'm
smart, funny, and a good person. I'm the total package, baby!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">I have two daughters and two sons who
do this everyday. I call it the Gaston complex. And you know what?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, because they know who
they are. We should all take the time to do this. It does amazing
things for your self-esteem.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Too many of us don't understand our
worth–not the world's superficial idea of worth, but God's. The key
to truly understanding our worth encompasses different things, and
none of them can be left out.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">One of my favorite movie quotes is
from The Princess Diaries. When Mia has to deal with her neurotic
friend's opinion of the changes in her appearance, Joe shares with
her a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;"><i>No one can make you inferior
without your consent</i>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Brilliant, isn't it? Completely
brilliant! Because never has there been a truer statement. If the
opinions of others bring us down, it is because we allow it to. The
only opinion that matters should be God's.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">So why do we let the world determine
our worth? Why do we allow our value to be deemed by an
increasingly-growing Godless society? Why do we value and try to
conform to the masses instead of recognizing our worth in God's eyes
and placing importance on his opinion?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">The world doesn't know us . . . but
God does. The world doesn't care what is inside us, or what we deal
with daily. The world doesn't know our hopes, dreams, fears, or what
touches us deep . . . but Heavenly Father and His Son do. The world
has no clue what is important to me or you. It couldn't care less.
However, the world does try to dictate what beauty is. We are made to
believe we have to be a certain size and dress a certain way to be
beautiful. The world brainwashes women, and then counsels us to
conform and do whatever it takes to sell that worldly image, in which
case the world then sells <i>us</i> out. Then it abandons us, and
what happens to our real selves then? We become so lost, we can't
even find our real selves anymore, because we lose sight and have no
clue what is real.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Store magazine racks are full of
perfect photos of women that are not real. We know this, yet we still
fall into the money trap, and believe me it is <i>all</i> about
money. The more women these advertisers can get to believe their
product can make them beautiful, the more money they pocket. They
don't want us to be confident. They try to convince us our looks are
more important than anything, so they bombard us with photos of
perfect-looking women. With a little air-brushing and retouching,
anyone can look perfect. The keyword is <i>look</i> perfect. These
advertising companies use Photoshop on a regular basis and they are
pros at the art of deception.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Many of us have daughters, and we
don't realize that when we obsess over weight and looks, these
impressionable young women will follow our example. They will never
be content with themselves.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Actress, Kate Winslet has always been
outspoken about Hollywood dictating the perfect weight and she
refuses to conform. When a British magazine digitally enhanced her
photo to make her look thinner, she issued an official statement
saying: “I don't look like that, and more importantly, I don't
desire to look like that. I can tell you they reduced the size of my
legs by a third.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">The world has conditioned us to hate
our bodies. How many of us are actually satisfied and happy with our
looks? Not many. Once a woman gets in a mindset where she is
disgusted with her body, eating disorders are just around the corner.
There are even websites now that teach people how to become anorexic.
They teach you how to binge and purge, and offer ideas on how to keep
losing weight. It is sick and wrong.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Every woman's body shape and features
are different, especially when it comes to ethnicity. When I was
younger, I dreamed of one day looking like Wonder Woman because she
was my idea of what the perfect woman looked like. Well, guess what?
No matter what I did, it never happened. Do you know why? Because a
Black woman is built completely different from a woman of another
ethnicity. When I finally figured that out, I stopped trying.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">In magazine ads and commercials, we
are nothing but objects. The last thing these companies want is for
us to love ourselves. We are meant to look at these ads featuring
so-called perfect-looking people, and feel inferior and not good
enough. They want us to think if we could just lose weight, use their
cosmetics or wear their clothes, we will be better women. It is
really degrading how the world demoralizes women, getting us so
wrapped up in becoming the world's ideal when we should be
concentrating our efforts on being an ideal daughter of God.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.27in;">
<span style="font-family: Gentium Book Basic;">Look at how women are treated in some
other countries. They are beneath the men and treated like they are
worth even less. The worth of women in the US has been lowered as
well, only it has been gone about differently.</span></div>
Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-19262788756191802382012-09-12T06:21:00.002-07:002012-09-12T06:21:31.202-07:00Beauty Quotes for Today“Beauty – in projection and perceiving – is 99.9% attitude.”<br />
– Grey Livingston<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br />“Taking joy in living is a woman’s best cosmetic.”<br />
– Rosalind Russel<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<i>This one made me laugh:-)</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
“I hope you have lost your good looks, for while they last any fool can
adore you, and the adoration of fools is bad for the soul. No, give me a
ruined complexion and a lost figure and sixteen chins on a farmyard of
Crow’s feet and an obvious wig. Then you shall see me coming out
strong.”<br />
– George Bernard Shaw, to Mrs. Patrick Campbell</div>
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</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
Here is one of the most beautiful songs and videos ever created, and it makes me teary every time I hear or view it. I hope it touches your heart the way it does mine:-) </div>
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Have a beautiful day!</div>
Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-58270914422662302372012-08-27T08:46:00.003-07:002012-08-27T08:46:59.098-07:00Accept Yourself<div style="color: purple;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought for Today</span></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d;">
That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.
--<b><i> Ninon de L'Enclos </i></b></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d;">
I think happiness is what makes you pretty. Period. Happy people are
beautiful. They become like a mirror and they reflect that happiness.<br />
<b><i>- Drew Barrymore</i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Something to ponder:-)</span>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-48811841971494987602012-08-21T19:36:00.000-07:002012-08-21T19:36:28.580-07:00Seeing the Real Me<span style="font-size: large;">Thought for Today</span><br />
Beauty – in projection and perceiving – is 99.9% attitude. – <i>Grey Livingston</i><br />
<br />
These days when I have to run out early in the morning -like to the grocery store to pick up some things- I usually forgo donning the wig, put on a little makeup and wear a scarf and baseball cap. The first few times I did this I felt self-conscious, and the looks I got from others were the sympathy looks a cancer patient might get. The looks are always accompanied by a warm smile. I soon learned to shrug off the self consciousness and greet those smiles with a cheerful one of my own.<br />
Hair or no hair, I'm still me, and I still feel beautiful. Sometimes it's hard, but I try to project that, and hopefully help others see the real me. And though I absolutely love my wigs, it's nice not having to hide behind them. I wear wigs, but I refuse to let wigs wear me.<br />
I am just me, and I will never stop working to better the real me, so that when people look at me, my outer appearance will radiate my inner one, despite the flaws perceived by the world.<br />
That is all any of us can do:-)<br />
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<div style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="quotation">“People are like stained-glass windows. They
sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”</span></div>
<span class="quotation"><b><i><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elisabeth Kubler-Ross </span></i></b></span>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-6976034474687090972012-07-31T08:40:00.000-07:002012-07-31T08:42:36.111-07:00Beautiful GratitudeThis past Sunday I attended my son's ward. During the last meeting, a lovely woman approached and asked my daughter-in-law to introduce me. She told the woman I was her mother-in-law. The woman- with a surprised look on her face- squatted down next to me and said, "Wow! You're her mother-in-law? You're beautiful and you barely look twenty-five!"<br />
In the past I would have responded to the compliment by pointing out my flaws, but I have since learned to simply say thank you, feeling gratitude in my heart for the looks I still have, despite having no hair beneath my wigs. I try to happily embrace every kind word spoken and each compliment given, because they are always given in sincerity.<br />
And this is my challenge to you. The next time someone pays you a compliment, instead of immediately dwelling on your flaws, thank them and embrace it. Because sometimes others see in us qualities that we never do, and those closest to us have a clearer vision and see even more:-)<br />
<br />
<i><b>Beautiful In My Eyes</b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnXGP_TOzidLghTbgHF9ln3rvGukjcekAv8z6NH_NczVffbyCK4A5xdPkyax0ph-783M3C_yahk3hLxjk_MiJQhrG0VECGZAKvfPR6tM4B-_tAxMc6C066-0rgqyF3ZTDIbZPs7eGC8c/s1600/BeautifulInMyEyes-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnXGP_TOzidLghTbgHF9ln3rvGukjcekAv8z6NH_NczVffbyCK4A5xdPkyax0ph-783M3C_yahk3hLxjk_MiJQhrG0VECGZAKvfPR6tM4B-_tAxMc6C066-0rgqyF3ZTDIbZPs7eGC8c/s200/BeautifulInMyEyes-600.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<i>Excerpt</i><br />
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>Three
years ago.</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>Glasgow,
Scotland</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>Famished
after a long day of shopping, we stopped in a pub to grab a quick
bite before heading back to the bed and breakfast we were staying at.
The place had just started getting busy when this tall, muscular,
drop-dead gorgeous man walked up on the small stage with his guitar
and started singing. He was amazing! My eyes immediately connected
with his and stayed connected for the entire hour. I was glued to my
seat. Our food was long gone and my friends had been ready to leave
for some time, but their attempts to get me to leave were futile. The
Scottish god and I smiled at one another the entire time. It was as
if we were the only two people there and he was singing just for me.
Little did I know he was the owner of the pub, as well as a few
others scattered all over Scotland.</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>As
soon as his set was done, he approached my table. He had looked
astounding on stage, but up close he was walking perfection!</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>He
greeted the four of us, but his gaze was still fixed on me. “I'm
Julian Mackenzie,” he said, introducing himself, and before I could
give him my name in return he asked, “Do ye believe in love at
first sight, love? Please tell me ye do, darlin', because if ye
should get up an' leave, ye will be takin' ma heart with ye.”</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>My
friends sighed and giggled like school girls.</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Really?”
I said, smiling.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Oh,
aye. I cannae let ye get awa' now. T'would be the death o me, an' ye
wouldnae wan' tha' on yer conscience now, would ye?”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>No,
I wouldn't want that.”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Then
we are in agreement. For the sake o ma health, ye must stay til I can
see ye back safely ta where yer goin', and then ye must promise me
the opportunity ta win yer heart for ma own.”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Girls,
I think that's our cue,” my friend, Merrilyn said. “Good to meet
you,” she gushed, ushering the others away from the table. “See
you later, Giselle.”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Giselle,
is it?” Julian said, his smile wide. “A bonnie name for a verra
bonnie lassie.”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>My
face grew warmer. “Thank you. And you are an ummm . . . bonnie
laddie . . . did I say that right?”</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Och,
aye. An' I thank ye, Giselle. Now, gettin' back ta ma heart, tis at
this verra moment beatin' only for ye, an' if I donnae make ye mine,
ye may as weel bury me because the life will be bleedin' right oot o
me.”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>So,
are you saying I would be saving you life?”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Aye,
tha's the truth o it.”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>I
heave a dramatic sigh. “Well, I guess I should do my part in
helping to preserve your life.”</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>He
grins. “Aye. I thank ye, fair Giselle.” He held a strong hand out
to me and I placed mine in it, basking in the warmth of his smile as
he closed his fingers around mine.</i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0.36in; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><i>And
that was it for me. My heart was already his and I hadn't even given
him my last name. With his lightly-bearded face, brilliant blue eyes,
muscular physique, and lush black hair, which was secured in a
ponytail, I should have automatically assumed this was a rehearsed
come-on, but the intensity of his gaze said it wasn't. We truly
claimed one another's hearts that night.</i></span></span></div>
<br />Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-10521542270196906692012-07-16T09:56:00.000-07:002012-07-16T09:57:50.413-07:00No Matter What Anyone Else Thinks . . .No matter what everyone else thinks . . .<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgDlFj8kGeOu5I4ylaFIzW_nYZ0hVnDTnth3PnwXd66uVLB78F6jRC8Hl_uRa0F7U8wcay4394idOUM6Tv4FR7Ej-LivqqvSSi3a1HZudtk3vUq8qqX1rLPs7v41VW5RPu94sydzFNio/s1600/480710_407905599246160_1975258060_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgDlFj8kGeOu5I4ylaFIzW_nYZ0hVnDTnth3PnwXd66uVLB78F6jRC8Hl_uRa0F7U8wcay4394idOUM6Tv4FR7Ej-LivqqvSSi3a1HZudtk3vUq8qqX1rLPs7v41VW5RPu94sydzFNio/s320/480710_407905599246160_1975258060_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Every good thing I do or say,<br />
Every unspoken dream, thought or aspiration,<br />
Every tear I cry, whether from sadness or joy,<br />
Every hope, fear, weakness, strength,<br />
Everything about me,<br />
Matters.<br />
Maybe not to the world, but that is okay.<br />
I matter to those who matter most to me.<br />
And that is all I can ask, because that is everything, and it is enough.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #20124d;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Event Reminder</span></div>
<div style="color: #274e13;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summer Signing Event</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #274e13;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">July
17, 2012 from 11-2 pm.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lakeview
Hospital</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">630
East Medical Dr.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bountiful,
UT</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Enter
at emergency room entrance)</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(230, 230, 255); font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Come out and help us celebrate the beauty of women! </span></span></span></span></div>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-39902808068640812362012-07-02T18:43:00.002-07:002012-07-02T18:47:02.993-07:00Beautiful In My Eyes Event Kick-off!<div style="color: #20124d;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought for Today</span></b></div>
<div class="quote3">
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."</div>
<i><span class="author3">~ Judy Garland</span> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJkptGEoPEjsYsfoCbp1eZ-Mkk_b2lamtyeelaUmwSDkMzZ9grRorOlPzzWWZnVRSVf2v0ZkaHGe_TLAhDu_yRMOHt7oxR74RPNG4HGvub1NTmX1FO_a8sCyIxDSkgmK7gLVq_h04DB0/s1600/551625_463231120357155_1912052088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJkptGEoPEjsYsfoCbp1eZ-Mkk_b2lamtyeelaUmwSDkMzZ9grRorOlPzzWWZnVRSVf2v0ZkaHGe_TLAhDu_yRMOHt7oxR74RPNG4HGvub1NTmX1FO_a8sCyIxDSkgmK7gLVq_h04DB0/s400/551625_463231120357155_1912052088_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #073763;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #073763; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNsK8QeKPtDlzoeiUgu9SJOTB6w2DHi3VMrnAuvpuNbsVNzAfCoJr5DmszKuLx7V_X28CO7-nWKWFHNdR2GDFKZBuYyFRZ7vyyUdjHwzh4GNhWuQXk8DV8oKVI_AO2MQzMWJoEFRlp8Y/s1600/BeautifulInMyEyes-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNsK8QeKPtDlzoeiUgu9SJOTB6w2DHi3VMrnAuvpuNbsVNzAfCoJr5DmszKuLx7V_X28CO7-nWKWFHNdR2GDFKZBuYyFRZ7vyyUdjHwzh4GNhWuQXk8DV8oKVI_AO2MQzMWJoEFRlp8Y/s200/BeautifulInMyEyes-600.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>Summer Signing!!!</b></div>
<div style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I'm so excited about the paperback release of <i><b>Beautiful In My Eyes</b></i> and the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of women, as well as Alopecia awareness! The first event is going to be a blast! On July 17th, I will be signing at Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful, Utah. There will be freebies, drawings, and plenty of chocolate! There will also be several other authors there signing their books, so if you are in the area, be sure to stop by.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>Lakeview Hospital</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>630 East Medical Drive</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>Bountiful</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>July 17</b></div>
<b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">11-2 pm.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Enter through the emergency room</span><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">doors and the room the event is being held will be</span><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">straight ahead.</span><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Come and join in the fun!</span></span></b>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-90878914427020097162012-06-26T11:10:00.001-07:002012-06-26T11:10:30.705-07:00What Is Real Beauty?<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thought for Today</span><br />
<br />
<span class="mtext">That which is loved is always beautiful. - Norwegian proverb</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #0c343d;">
<span class="mtext">So, what makes a person beautiful to you?</span></div>
<span class="mtext"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Leave a comment along with your email address and I will send you a free e-copy of </span><b style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Beautiful In My</i></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span><i style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Eyes</b></i><span style="color: #0c343d;">!</span> </span><br />
<span class="mtext"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baroque Script;">B</span>eautiful
<span style="font-family: Baroque Script;">I</span>n <span style="font-family: Baroque Script;">M</span>y
<span style="font-family: Baroque Script;">E</span>yes</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="font-size: large;">Signing Event</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="font-family: ChopinScript;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be
Your Own Kind of Beautiful!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola,fantasy;"><span style="font-size: large;">Raising
Alopecia Awareness</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><b>Purpose
of Tour:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;">To
help women with Alopecia (hair loss) understand how beautiful
they are and help them to recognize their worth. The event is a
self-esteem builder for all women. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I will be there signing my new novella, <span style="font-family: Baroque Script;"><b>B</b></span><b>eautiful
</b><span style="font-family: Baroque Script;"><b>I</b></span><b>n </b><span style="font-family: Baroque Script;"><b>M</b></span><b>y
</b><span style="font-family: Baroque Script;"><b>E</b></span><b>yes.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
will be drawings for mini beauty baskets of products samples donated by
local sponsors.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
plenty of chocolate!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Come
out and help us celebrate the beauty of women!</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="background: #e6e6ff; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Details coming soon.</span></span></span></div>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-16166543877199213752012-06-18T19:43:00.000-07:002012-06-18T19:44:43.671-07:00Trials Are a Part of Your Happily Ever After<div style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
"The phrase “Once upon a time” promises something: a story of adventure and
romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of
courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice
overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love
it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and
we see the enchanting words “And they lived happily ever after.”
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"Isn’t
that what we all desire: to be the heroes and heroines of our own
stories; to triumph over adversity; to experience life in all its
beauty; and, in the end, to live happily ever after?</div>
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For
a moment, think back about your favorite fairy tale. In that story the
main character may be a princess or a peasant; she might be a mermaid or
a milkmaid, a ruler or a servant. You will find one thing all have in
common: they must overcome adversity.</div>
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Cinderella
has to endure her wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters. She is
compelled to suffer long hours of servitude and ridicule.</div>
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In
“Beauty and the Beast,” Belle becomes a captive to a frightful-looking
beast in order to save her father. She sacrifices her home and family, all she holds dear, to spend several months in the beast’s castle."</div>
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<b style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Dieter F. Uchtdorf</i></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFFjm88BWuVZvJXT55aI8I5x_fFUgW887pXejFfKXR7cH9uOJQ-gwhWahbUTcAV6-2VdOKLQP0KGLGz1KnSMX0pwlLVt_lrxMTFdnYeIgtlqXwj2ihyphenhyphenNbYLcJ4ZPj8pkI9ChpANTK8l4/s1600/SANY3305.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFFjm88BWuVZvJXT55aI8I5x_fFUgW887pXejFfKXR7cH9uOJQ-gwhWahbUTcAV6-2VdOKLQP0KGLGz1KnSMX0pwlLVt_lrxMTFdnYeIgtlqXwj2ihyphenhyphenNbYLcJ4ZPj8pkI9ChpANTK8l4/s200/SANY3305.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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That is one of my favorite quotes and I had to share it because it represents my thoughts for today beautifully.</div>
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We <i>do</i> all want that coveted happily ever after. I know <i>I</i> always have! But I discovered something a long time ago: In our quest to be happy, we have to remember to seek the positive in both good and bad times-during both trials and triumphs. Because each experience we live through, overcome and learn from, brings us closer to that happiness.</div>
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In the Black culture, we women are taught from childhood that out hair is our crowning glory, and for me, it seemed my hair was my only redeeming quality when I was growing up. Neighborhood girls loved to play in my hair. Because it hung down my back, the girls loved combing and styling it in different ways.</div>
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As I grew into my teenage years and acne became my new best friend (along with the dermatologist) my only saving grace was my hair. Even some of the boys could look over the zits because my hair was coveted by half the girls in my junior high and high school. As I reached adulthood, my style changed frequently and versatile haircuts abounded, but the thick luxuriousness of my locks remained.</div>
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Then, one day years later, as I stood in front of the mirror parting the hair on the back of my head, I discovered something that brought immediate tears to my eyes.</div>
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A half-inch round bald spot.</div>
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Soon another joined it. Hair pieces took care of the problem, camouflaging completely. But before long, the top of my scalp and my hairline began to thin, and have become so bad over time, I am now forced to wear wigs full time. All that is left for me to do now is wait for the rest of my hair to follow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh504NHRjxLk-c6IdbbZWFBL7c5JkR9TtjlLkQ3FinV5o3_z6KQB_1PyzAlnso-8640h9_CVeWpGGgeA_jSyTmmsdbmQUDocYBRz9QvdEp-CjPHQi_rdpbqP-hzDR_X0g1T7BZRFIi0cCE/s1600/DSCN0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh504NHRjxLk-c6IdbbZWFBL7c5JkR9TtjlLkQ3FinV5o3_z6KQB_1PyzAlnso-8640h9_CVeWpGGgeA_jSyTmmsdbmQUDocYBRz9QvdEp-CjPHQi_rdpbqP-hzDR_X0g1T7BZRFIi0cCE/s200/DSCN0453.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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For a while the hair loss depressed me. I didn't feel as attractive, even when people complimented me. I couldn't see past the missing hair. I had a problem, an internal one that needed solving. I came to understand that the only way I could solve the problem was to accept it.</div>
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And I did. Not instantly, but with time, that acceptance did come.</div>
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Now I understand that my hair was never my crowning glory. That came from inside. And once I truly learned that, I understood that my hair might have defined me in the eyes of others who possessed no true vision, but in God's eyes and those who truly loved me unconditionally, I have always been beautiful. They were just waiting for me to see that. As soon as I latched on to that vision, myself, it changed the way I saw <i>everything</i>, and I found my happily ever after.</div>
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I hope you will find yours as well!</div>
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</div>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068370418636872918.post-70972345957064775502012-06-09T14:27:00.003-07:002012-06-09T16:14:35.175-07:00Welcome!<div style="color: #4c1130;">
They call it male pattern baldness, but when Alopecia hits women, as well as some men, it hits hard and fast. But unlike men who are considered even more "distinguished" or "hot", balding women get no such descriptions. But guess what? We don't need it!</div>
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We are our own kind of beautiful!</div>
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I decided to create this blog in conjunction with the upcoming release of my contemporary romance, <i><b>Beautiful In My Eyes</b></i> and my non-fiction book of thoughts, <i><b>Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful</b></i>, but more importantly, I wanted to share my personal thoughts and tidbits, and help 'Alopecians' everywhere to know we are not alone. There are kindred spirits everywhere, and hair or no hair, we really are our own kind of beautiful. Hair does not define us, or our beauty.</div>
<span style="color: #4c1130;">So stay tuned for my next post:-)</span>Jewel's Gemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13285251041936115913noreply@blogger.com4