Our beloved teacher, Dr. David Simon, passed away today. This special being had such a huge impact on me and changed my life forever. I’ll always remember him and his teachings: http://www.chopra.com/files/rememberingdavid.html
Those of us who’ve been sent here to serve can learn a thing or two from the service of our troops. When you put on that uniform, it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white; Asian, Latino, Native American; conservative, liberal; rich, poor; gay, straight. When you’re marching into battle, you look out for the person next to you, or the mission fails. When you’re in the thick of the fight, you rise or fall as one unit, serving one nation, leaving no one behind.
One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn’t matter. Just like it didn’t matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates — a man who was George Bush’s defense secretary — and Hillary Clinton — a woman who ran against me for president.
All that mattered that day was the mission. No one thought about politics. No one thought about themselves. One of the young men involved in the raid later told me that he didn’t deserve credit for the mission. It only succeeded, he said, because every single member of that unit did their job — the pilot who landed the helicopter that spun out of control; the translator who kept others from entering the compound; the troops who separated the women and children from the fight; the SEALs who charged up the stairs. More than that, the mission only succeeded because every member of that unit trusted each other — because you can’t charge up those stairs, into darkness and danger, unless you know that there’s somebody behind you, watching your back.
So it is with America. Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and those 13 stripes. No one built this country on their own. This nation is great because we built it together. This nation is great because we worked as a team. This nation is great because we get each other’s backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we are joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, and our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.
Check out the write up on Harmonia in Main Line Media News (and the beautiful picture of Gloria): http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2012/01/24/people/flair/doc4f1de40079e92574102631.txt?viewmode=fullstory
There’s only 1 week left to enjoy our January sale! Receive 15% off the following hydrating and remineralizing products for the face and body:
Pearl Extra Nourishing Face Cream
Strategist Day Face Cream for Dry Skin
The next set of 5-5-5 pictures were supposed to be posted today, however Ilona has been sick with the flu so the program is going to be delayed until she is feeling better.
To prepare your face and body for the Academy Ball, Harmonia offers a beauty package of professional treatments and home care products for you to look radiant at the big event. The package includes:
This combination of therapies for the body, face and hands is selected by Ilona as the perfect treatments to help you look ravishing. $288
Many of us reach a point in our lives where age sets in and we have a hard time accepting how our body is changing. Perhaps a few of you know what I’m talking about…
Some common issues include more wrinkles, especially expression lines, a double chin, a weakened jaw line, and facial features that begin to sag.
At Harmonia, I’ve talked to many ladies within my age group; several of which have had medical treatments performed on their face. While this is an option for looking younger, I prefer to do what I can to help my body rejuvenate itself through natural, non-invasive techniques.
I wanted to create this same option for those of you who are also interested in another alternative. So I put together “The 5-5-5 Series”. This is a group of three specific therapies which are received once a week for five weeks. These treatments, plus a good home care routine, work perfectly together to combat the effects of time.
What are these three treatments you ask? Good question. They are the:
Over the next five weeks, I’ll be receiving each of these weekly and will be going through The 5-5-5 Series myself! I’m in excellent hands because members of our professional staff will taking turns performing the services.
To share my journey with you, we’ll be taking before and after photos of me during weeks one, three and five, and posting them on Harmonia’s Spa Talk blog and Facebook page.
Believe me, it’s not easy seeing what you look like in a close-up photo at my age! In fact, it’s quite shocking and somehow different than seeing myself in the mirror every day. Regardless, I’m putting these pictures out there so that we can see what a difference a good home care routine and professional treatments can make, and how you can get results without costly, invasive surgeries.
The results I’m expecting to see from the Series are less lines with less depth, a more sculpted and full face with a more defined jaw line, lifted cheeks and tighter skin. My neck will be tighter and slimmer under the chin. My eyes will look more open and refreshed.
We took this first set of pictures (me in a purple shirt) right before I received the first of my 5-5-5 treatments. The second set of pictures (me in a turquoise shirt) are from the morning after my treatments–click on each picture to enlarge it.
In the meantime, I’m doing a very comprehensive homecare program including serums, ampoules, eye and neck creams, day and night creams.
On Tuesday, January 24th, look for the pictures of my face after the third treatment. On Tuesday, February 7th, we’ll send the final set of pictures before and after my fifth set of treatments. I hope you’ll compare the photos to see what a difference both these professional and home care treatments can make!
Please remember, these therapies can be used for corrective measure (like for me) or as a preventative step (for a younger person).
It’s that time of year again, when everyone makes resolutions for the upcoming year. However this year, I’ve decided to set a New Year’s intention instead of a resolution. According to the “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga” today’s spiritual law of the day is the Law of Intention and Desire, so it’s time to start thinking… what needs would you like to fulfill? What wishes are you going to make for yourself for 2012?
Just incase you need another reason to have a massage, Shape magazine just published three…
BACK TO BASICS: Chronic back pain may respond more effectively to massage than to medication or physical therapy – and the results can last as long as six months – according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Also, the typical “relaxation” rubdown was found to be just as helpful as the “structural” type, which focuses on specific muscles and ligaments, says lead author Daniel Cherkin, Ph.D., of the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle.
HEADS-UP: Don’t be too quick to pop a pill for that throbbing noggin. Researchers at the University of Granada in Spain recently discovered that working key trigger points in the neck for 30 minutes can relieve a tension headache – and reduce anxiety to boot.
COLD SUPPRESSANT: Think of your massage therapist as a weapon in your winter wellness arsenal: A Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine study found that massage may help reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can weaken your immune system and leave you more vulnerable to colds and flu.
I’ve been getting so many compliments on my skin lately, that I felt compelled to write about it! While I’m sure that the facial I had a couple of weeks ago has something to do with it, I think one of the main contributing factors to my luminous skin are the glycolic acid products I’ve been using. I always use the Timexpert White cleanser year round, however I also recently started using the Glico X-10 ampoules. So what is this miracle ingredient, you may ask? Glycolic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (commonly known as AHA) that can be found in many skincare products. It provides a deep exfoliation of the skin, which helps improve the tone and texture. It also reduces imperfections such as wrinkles, scarring and hyperpigmentation (dark spots). So if you want a radiant complexion, get glycolic!