Kindness & Careness

Living with kindness and sharing "careness" can be a tricky balancing act, especially when life doesn't feel kind and caring.

When life is not feeling safe, I stop and think why and determine where the unsafe place is rooted.  Is there something I can change? Or am I being challenged by someone else's fears?  Are judgements stemmed by anothers insecurities of the unknown?   

We all have or have had fears.  They manifest from insecurities, a piece of us finds a reason to doubt ourselves and others simply because it is easier than doing the work to trust ourselves and to care for those around us.

Fears can easily be diminished.  They are diminished when we find trust within. Trust in ourselves and the world around us.

Why is trust so difficult to find and embrace wholeheartedly;  because we must conquer our fear of failure to move into a space of safety.  Our trust in ourselves is harvested and our intuition blossoms.  We can never be ready to move forward if we cower in our self doubt and a blanket of fears. 

Life without fear is productive, prosperous, it is beautiful and busting with love.  Life without fear has no judgements of ourselves or others.  It is kind and caring.  It keeps all of us thriving in a place of goodness. 

Kindness and Careness is our family mantra for 2016.  With these words we are reminded to be good to one another even when fear and doubt creep into our minds, we automatically replace the fear and allow "Kindness and Careness" to take over.  It releases the need to control, to be right, to be separated by ego.  It allows joy, love and happiness into our heart and soul. 

No one can change yesterday, but in the now we all can make a conscious effort to be better.  To be deliberate about who we are and how we want to be; to ourselves and towards everyone that touches our lives.

Black Swan with a Heart

If I contact you it's because I see something in you, I know in my heart you can make a difference, have an impact.  You could change someone's life, because you have the same type of heart I saw in the others who are already in this business. There's a culture at Rodan and Fields and it's infectious. 

But let's talk about the beginning, let's discuss what's at the heart of the matter:

Black Swan Theory is a term used in business for companies that are not expected to succeed, but they surpass all the odds and find a brand new place in the market unexpectedly.

"The black swan theory or theory of black swan events is a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalized after the fact with the benefit of hindsight. The theory was developed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb to explain:"

Examples of this in business are Amazon, Airbnb, Itsy. Often catastrophic events in history also fall under this title.

My own theory, is that these companies had a true heartfelt passion and surpassed expected success because they deserve and earned it.

A sense of empowerment and a gut feeling can take any person a long way.  Rodan + Fields as proven their success in a series of business choices that have lead to catastrophic growth in the past seven years.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertsher/2013/11/04/rodan-and-fields-grew-10-fold/

Of course, not everyone may want to sell skincare products, but doesn't everyone want a better lifestyle, financial freedom and the ability to own their own time and life?  This is a universal gift of joy.

Rodan + Fields is a company that provides a vehicle to achieve dreams.  The choice is yours to own.  

I believe Rodan + Fields could potentially be a household name like 

Tuber-ware. What if you had the opportunity to  own a piece of Tuber-ware in their early years?

Everyone wants to feel good about how they look.  From soothing sensitive skin, to looking younger by preventing, masking or reducing wrinkles, or desires of clear, beautiful skin.  We all need protection from the sun, and the ability to reverse sun damage.

Every single person who takes care of themselves has a need for one of Rodan + Fields skincare products.  That's a lot of people in an untapped market.  There are many reasons to choose to be a consultant in an untapped market, if only to communicate what's available to those who have not yet heard.  This is a monumental task and this is why consultants are ready to both sell products and recruit new consultants.  The benefits are simply outstanding.

After attending convention, I saw a side of Rodan + Fields that went further than skincare and profits.  I saw a warm, human side of the people running the show.  The sincerity and down to earth attitude of the Doctors, Kathy and Katie, Board of Directors and VPs, was very apparent.

Reunions with loved ones were tear induced.  See photo of military husband, and a surprise reunion with his wife on her birthday at convention.  She had no idea he was being flown in.  Their story was precious. 

A women had an allergy attack at our Gala, and needed to be rushed to the hospital.  Our board member, Amnon Rodan, also husband of Kathy Rodan, laid down with the woman until help came. She was embarrassed and didn't want to leave, but he helped her feel safe until help arrived.  I was there and personally saw the ambulance arrive.  

These photos are keys of insight into what is at the heart of this company.  The photo at the very bottom is from the very first party I attended at convention, The Whiteout Party.  Again, Amnon Rodan is present giving his time to show, "Hey are all a team! Let's make a difference together." 

At Austin Convention - A Surprise Birthday Reunion

At Convention After Party - The Human connection goes further then, 'Are you Okay?"

Photo Op at Team White Party!  "We're all in this together!"

Open The Flood Gates!

Once in a blue moon, I experience something that truly piques my interest and gets my juices flowing.  I consider myself an intelligent, observant and thoughtful person who has the ability to foresee great things.  I write this to caveat my experience this past weekend at an event I attended in Austin.

 

I attended Rodan + Fields annual company wide convention.  I have sincerely never witnessed anything like this before.  Considering, I have only been consulting for the company for a short few months, my expectations were initially, between low and neutral.  A convention filled with 10,000 females, was more intimidating to me then anything I could imagine.  Even with my apprehensions, I went into it with an open mind and an open heart, as I always make the best of any new situation. 

What I learned and saw about Rodan + Fields was awe inspiring.  I will share the following observation without bias, as I can provide fact behind what I learned.  Rodan + Fields is a dynamic, visionary and forward thinking company.  They have a clear path for future growth and provide their employees with the tools they need to succeed.  All a consultant needs to do is watch, learn and execute.

Rodan + Fields is prepared to take on a worldwide market!

My first powerful realization at this convention was the positive energy of the women attending. There is a sense of collaboration, all these women are working towards the same goals, they have the same struggles, with the same road blocks and each is truly helping lift one another up to succeed.

The warmth and easy going nature of all the consultants, regardless of their income, was both extraordinary and empowering.  A room full of 10,000, passionate, independent, intelligent women was a phenomenon, the energy very apparent.  I could not compare this to anything else, and words do not capture the true magnitude of the event.

Registration was insane - but yet still flowed smoothly!!

Another huge awe inspiring moment, was the extraordinary leadership at Rodan + Fields.  The executive team is with us, growing the company from the top down as the consultants are growing the company from the bottom up.  The dynamics of this are very clear.  It is, as if, we are all part of something larger than life and the leadership is in the trenches with us, spreading the word of how extraordinary and life changing the R+F products truly are.

From packaging, to new technology, and communication, Rodan + Fields is truly a first class organization.   This company is not only about premium skin care products, there is also a passionate force behind the skincare; an organization that cares about their employees.  I personally felt like an employee, part of a positive movement, to give a gift, with the best of intentions; I was not only one of 10,000 consultants. 

San Francisco Home Office Team - All  Direct Employees of  Rodan + Fields

Attending convention proved to me, what sets this company apart is that they are the real deal in every aspect.  This is what I want to share with potential customers and consultants.  Be part of a movement, change how you think about creating your future, Rodan + Fields is an innovated company with heart and 10,000 women and a few men can NOT be wrong.

The Unknown

How often do we think:"  Am I invested in myself and in those around me?"  "Am I being sincere and true to my thoughts from deep within?"  Do we honestly care for and nurture our inner child each and every day?  Are we in tune and sensitive to those around us or quick to judge their differences?  

Are our choices in line with who we are and what we want out of life? 

Each day we wake up and immediately begin thinking, "What do I need to do today?"  It may be followed with feelings of excited anticipation or it may be followed by feelings of dread.  I immediately think, "How am I feeling today?"  Is the feeling positive or negative and if it's not a good feeling, how can I transform the bad Into something good.

Each day is an unknown, we don't know how our feelings will navigate us, but we can choose 

the best direction possible.

First thing in the morning, I will also consider if I am following my path of choice or someone else's expectations of what I should or shouldn't do.  (This can be rough when you feel no one else understands your choices.) And finally, I think about all the stuff I need to do that day.   It sounds like a lot of thinking, but it's all very instantaneous with sincerity.

I recently took a trip to New York to visit a friend who just moved from Florida to Long Island.  The weekend away had been planned for months, and we had a very busy weekend planned.  I learned a few weeks before my trip, that my aunt was having a huge family affair which I very much wanted to attend.  I ultimately could not attend due to timing and I sincerely did not feel good about not seeing my family.  I chatted with my husband about the situation, and we mutually agreed we would plan a family trip to New York during the holidays.  The thought of dedicating a holiday trip to my family satisfied my discontent and made me smile inside. 

When we have too many days when we question our choices, we also feel insecure and unhappy with our life.  We may feel unsettled, unappreciative, ungrateful for all the good already in our life.  This calls for some serious revaluation of how we are choosing to live each day.  Nothing is ever unchangeable.   

We may want more money, more time, more love.  We want less stress, less heartache, less work.  

More understanding, less judgement;

More vacations, less bills, more care, less resentment.

There is always something we want or don't want in our lives and it's a vicious cycle of Ying and Yang.  But, choosing to believe in the good and inviting more goodness into our life, instantly pushes the bad out. It's always a choice, we should choose to be happy, even in the midst of the unknown.

I have been looking for a ring the last few months.  A special ring that meant something to me.  I found one last weekend at the 69th Annual Shinnecock Pow Wow 2015 Native American Indian Festival in South Hampton, NY.  

The ring felt perfect. It will remind me each day to live well, be true to my feelings and to love carefully.  

Good things do come to those who wait, especially when we least expect it.

And through patience & care we discover, we can uncover The Unknown. -LN

Are We Worth it?

We all have those days when we think, "Am I worth the time, the attention, the money?"  Why do we flip these thoughts inside and around in our head?  Is it a question truly worth asking? We all do it, but how many of us, re-evaluate this question and say, "Yes, I am worth it.  I'm worth every minute, every second, every penny."

Don't we all deserve to be spoiled?  Not to be selfish, but to feel worthy.

When we deny our deepest hearts desires we find ourselves feeling empty inside.  However, when we remove those feelings, our minds and hearts are open and it is easy to tell ourselves, "Yes!  Let's do this!"

How often do we spoil our significant others, our family, friends or even a perfect stranger, with kindest, gifts or our time?  How often do we give these same things back to ourselves without guilt or any negative push back from deep within?

I always look for ways to give back to myself, something I had to relearn after I had children. It may be a trip to the nail salon, my routine hair appointment, buying a new, unneeded, pair of shoes, singing to my favorite songs in the car, a trip to Starbucks, or finding someway, anyway to take care of myself.  I am always mindful of those in my life, but taking care of everyone is a fine balancing act, one I work on each day to define and redefine. 

My first Regimen purchase for Rodan + Fields was a big "me" splurge.  One I kept to myself at first. I soon learned it was the best splurge I had made in a long time.  I felt much better about taking care of me when I discovered the products were well worth the money.  That is when I knew I was also worth it in so many other ways.  I didn't feel bad, I felt radiant. And this is how we bring our worth full circle.

The more worthy you feel, the more you shine, the more you give back to yourself 

and to those around you.

Interesting how perspective can change at any one moment.  I know I'm worth the things I do for myself.  Everyone is worthy of these things. Feeling that inside is priceless and joyful.

Stop and think today "Am I worth it?"  Worth everything I choose for myself, in my life, at this time?

When you say, "Yes, I am!"  It truly is the best feeling in the world. And you'll never say, "No" again!

Say "Yes" With Me!

Laughing Out Loud

I love a good joke, especially when a good laugh follows.  The kind that makes you pee your pants as you cry.  Although, I can be very reflective and serious, I like to balance my life and be witty and silly, even if it's at my own expense.

I will go for that bad taste in humor, just to find the joke and make someone else laugh or at least crack a smile.  I admit, I'll make fun of the most ridiculous things for a cheap laugh.  I'm that person.

I do enjoy getting dressed up to show off my classy side, but at the end of the day, I'm still a silly, little girl inside, who cracks up at potty jokes.  Thank god I have little boys who get the joke with me, because everything is funny with the proper spin. 

I think the key to being part of Rodan + Fields is not to take yourself or anyone else too seriously. I'm definitely not a sales person, only here to share what I know about the products. This is how I do this:  If you are interested, I'm thrilled and if you're not, well maybe another time.

Everyone has their own time table on when they are ready to start thinking about quality skincare. 

I started paying close attention to my own skincare needs about two years ago.  By the time I happen to speak to my friend Stephanie about Rodan + Fields, it was the right time for me to try something new, and without knowing what I was stumbling upon, I was like, "Wow, these products actually work!" And here I am.

It is always about timing. A good joke is all about timing too.

Joining the business is all about good timing too.  We all have a time in our lives when we're ready for a change in our cash flow or personal fulfillment.  Many of our current R+F consultants have similar stories, something needed to change in their lives.  Many were also skeptical at first, however they all agree becoming a consultant was the absolute best decision they had ever made.  Their stories are infectious, and they always make me smile.  

This weekend I will be seeing Jim Gaffigan in Atlanta.  He's one of my favorite comedians. His tone and timing of his jokes make me laugh out loud. (Literally - LOL) I use to watch his specials when I was pregnant with my boys, and I would laugh so hard, I peed my pants, because that's what pregnant women do.

There is nothing better than a good laugh to lighten the soul.  

Humor makes life lovable, even when life gets kind of shitty, a good laugh is pure freedom.


So, if you get a message from me on Facebook - don't think, "She's trying to sell me something."  Instead think, "She's checking on my timing."  And then think, 
"I wonder if she's peeing her pants laughing at a really bad joke."  

LOL! HaHa! LOL!

Dancing In Front Of Mirrors

Exposing our selves to the world, opening our hearts to what is true and real is a lot like Dancing in Front of Mirrors.  We either love how we look and feel or we are shocked at what we see.

I personally use to hate dancing - I was self conscious and had not one decent move, well, maybe I had one or two I thought were decent, but in general, I was always teased for being a bad dancer and apparently my oldest son "got all his moves from me".  However, I personally think he's a super, adorable dancer and he got his own thing going on just fine.

Fast forward to today.  I suddenly found my groove.  I suspect it was always there, but maybe I truly found my mojo on the dance floor, throw in some 80s music or Disco and I'm dancing all night long without a care in the world.

Interestingly, I would also admit I am at a pretty decent time in my life.  Probably the most confident and happy I've been compared to my college days of poor dancing at the college clubs, and trying to figure out who the heck I was or wanted to be.  I find it interesting how age changes our perspective in such a positive away.  At least for most us.

I started looking at myself more closely in the mirror and in photos. (Aside from glowing due to the best skincare regimen of my life ;)  I discovered the best thing I can do for me, is to be honest about what I wanted in the now and in the future.  

How many of us truly understand and listen to our own heart's deepest desires?

Financial Freedom has always been a big goal, I just never knew how I would get there, but I never gave up on the dream.  Each year I find a little more freedom on this subject, but now, I want it more than ever.

I have two gorgeous little boys in my life, and I want to share my dreams of traveling the world with them. I want them to be exposed to different cultures, food, and languages.  I want them to know that Suburbia 101 is not all there is to living life.  I want them to know snow the way I knew snow (we live in Florida) I want them to understand their own heritage and be empowered with life experiences that will shape and mold their futures.

My motivation is no longer about my own needs, my motivation is achieving dreams through the eyes of my children.  This is a very unique perceptive.  It is what has changed when I look in the mirror.

Now I can dance freely!  I can smile with happiness!  I can tell myself the impossible is possible.

I see successful people in the same business as myself and I think, they are just like me.  They had a dream, they were motivated by their dream and they achieved their dream, one day, one step at a time.  This isn't a rehearsal anymore - this is real.

I will dance like I have never danced, spreading that joy of feeling free and happy to anyone and everyone who wants to join me as I Dance in the mirror.

I love the song Dancing Queen, by Abba. Let's dance and laugh and be Dancing Queens Together!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s