Learn How to Defend Your Dreams!

Have you ever been convinced to walk away from your dreams by people who manage to throw enough self doubt at you to win that war of attrition? The constant day in and day out negativity that pushes you to give up your dreams and conform to something you're not? "What are you nuts? You can't do that!" "Oh there's another hair brained scheme!" "Get Real! Go get a real job!" "Who do you think you are? You aren't something special, stick to the things you can handle." "What are you stupid or something? Why do you think you can do that?" "How on earth are you going to accomplish that?" Lambasting you with negativity, giving you the message "Who are you to become an author, or an inventor, or any number of other things your dreams may lead you to?" The litany goes on and on…

We are taught to focus on the impossibility of our dreams as adults, why things "can't be done"; to hide behind the "how" instead of understanding that the first step is to reconnect with our dreams in a magnificent flight of imagination. Don't worry about the "how" first; the means will come to you as part of the process. The question of "How are you going to do that?" is so often used as a weapon against us by negative people, proof of our "imminent failure." We are told to prematurely focus on the "how" before the "what" and this stops the process before it has even begun. The energy you generate by focusing on the what, will bring forth the how. Planning is a wonderful thing, there is nothing wrong with that, however if you focus on the fact that you "don't" know how yet, then you will miss all the possible "how's" that show up when you begin to truly entertain that dream first.

The fact of the matter is that we possess more personal power than we even know...I read a definition of personal power once that said that it is: "Your capacity to dream without limits and fulfill those dreams through your imagination." I'm afraid I do not recollect the author but I like the way they put it. The ability to manifest our own reality is the power of creation itself. I believe that developing these abilities is a gift to ourselves and the world.

It can be a long and sometimes difficult journey to re-discover those qualities in ourselves after years of being trained to deny their existence. We use our personal power as children without even knowing what we are doing but then we are trained what to believe, how to think, and to limit ourselves by having our perception and interpretation of the world dictated to us by our conditioning. As a child our personal power is limitless, but as we grow older it so often remains untapped.

So how do we overcome this onslaught of negativity that assaults our dreams, threatening to drown them out of existence? We must learn how to reinforce our mental immune systems. I call it "mental martial arts" ~ the ability to shatter belief systems that imprison the mind, body and spirit. We must earn our Black Belts as Dreamers!

So what is a Black Belt Dreamer? Why the concept of Mental Martial Arts and the term of "Black Belt Dreamer?" Because a Black Belt in martial arts is the highest rank of achievement in the skills of self-defense and mental discipline. In my newly published book "Becoming a Black Belt Dreamer ~ Unleash The Dream Warrior Within!" I have defined a focused, strong, step-by -process on how to stand your ground against the onslaught of daily negativity and nay-Sayers in your lives. This process utilizes martial arts philosophy and techniques, applying them to mental self defense, building up our mental immune system to fight to regain and protect that which is most precious; our ability to dream.

Perhaps it would help to give you a little history on the subject and what it means to me. In my life I have had to lean how to defend myself, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well. As a child I grew up in a cult environment where I was constantly told I was worthless, useless and undeserving of love. I endured years of emotional and mental abuse. I grew up without knowing my biological father, watched helplessly as my mother was repeatedly robbed of her money and as my brother was exiled from the family at a young age. As devastating as this story sounds, it led me to one undeniable conclusion: I am a conqueror! At my lowest points in life (there's been more than one), a powerful and imaginative warrior was always there to rescue me. Now I know that warrior was me!

What started out as a passion for martial arts has expanded into far more than that, it became not just a means of learning physical self-defense and mental discipline, but also fueled my ability to defend myself spiritually and emotionally as well through the turmoil of a very restrictive and challenging upbringing. Why am I telling you this story? Because I strive to use my own experiences of oppression, abuse and isolation as real-life examples that every individual has the power to transcend any situation - no matter how hopeless it seems. That is how I became The Black Belt Dreamer - fighting, surviving and winning against all odds. I believe that regardless of our mistakes, traumas and tragedies, we all have an inner dream warrior that empowers us to walk through the fires o f life and create the reality we truly desire.

Listen to a message from Lyca Shan and find out more about: "Becoming a Black Belt Dreamer ~ Unleash the Dream Warrior within!" here: http://www.blackbeltdreamer.com/Newsletter/BBDNewsletter.html

Learn How to Defend Your Dreams!

Have you ever been convinced to walk away from your dreams by people who manage to throw enough self doubt at you to win that war of attrition? The constant day in and day out negativity that pushes you to give up your dreams and conform to something you're not? "What are you nuts? You can't do that!" "Oh there's another hair brained scheme!" "Get Real! Go get a real job!" "Who do you think you are? You aren't something special, stick to the things you can handle." "What are you stupid or something? Why do you think you can do that?" "How on earth are you going to accomplish that?" Lambasting you with negativity, giving you the message "Who are you to become an author, or an inventor, or any number of other things your dreams may lead you to?" The litany goes on and on…

We are taught to focus on the impossibility of our dreams as adults, why things "can't be done"; to hide behind the "how" instead of understanding that the first step is to reconnect with our dreams in a magnificent flight of imagination. Don't worry about the "how" first; the means will come to you as part of the process. The question of "How are you going to do that?" is so often used as a weapon against us by negative people, proof of our "imminent failure." We are told to prematurely focus on the "how" before the "what" and this stops the process before it has even begun. The energy you generate by focusing on the what, will bring forth the how. Planning is a wonderful thing, there is nothing wrong with that, however if you focus on the fact that you "don't" know how yet, then you will miss all the possible "how's" that show up when you begin to truly entertain that dream first.

The fact of the matter is that we possess more personal power than we even know...I read a definition of personal power once that said that it is: "Your capacity to dream without limits and fulfill those dreams through your imagination." I'm afraid I do not recollect the author but I like the way they put it. The ability to manifest our own reality is the power of creation itself. I believe that developing these abilities is a gift to ourselves and the world.

It can be a long and sometimes difficult journey to re-discover those qualities in ourselves after years of being trained to deny their existence. We use our personal power as children without even knowing what we are doing but then we are trained what to believe, how to think, and to limit ourselves by having our perception and interpretation of the world dictated to us by our conditioning. As a child our personal power is limitless, but as we grow older it so often remains untapped.

So how do we overcome this onslaught of negativity that assaults our dreams, threatening to drown them out of existence? We must learn how to reinforce our mental immune systems. I call it "mental martial arts" ~ the ability to shatter belief systems that imprison the mind, body and spirit. We must earn our Black Belts as Dreamers!

So what is a Black Belt Dreamer? Why the concept of Mental Martial Arts and the term of "Black Belt Dreamer?" Because a Black Belt in martial arts is the highest rank of achievement in the skills of self-defense and mental discipline. In my newly published book "Becoming a Black Belt Dreamer ~ Unleash The Dream Warrior Within!" I have defined a focused, strong, step-by -process on how to stand your ground against the onslaught of daily negativity and nay-Sayers in your lives. This process utilizes martial arts philosophy and techniques, applying them to mental self defense, building up our mental immune system to fight to regain and protect that which is most precious; our ability to dream.

Perhaps it would help to give you a little history on the subject and what it means to me. In my life I have had to lean how to defend myself, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well. As a child I grew up in a cult environment where I was constantly told I was worthless, useless and undeserving of love. I endured years of emotional and mental abuse. I grew up without knowing my biological father, watched helplessly as my mother was repeatedly robbed of her money and as my brother was exiled from the family at a young age. As devastating as this story sounds, it led me to one undeniable conclusion: I am a conqueror! At my lowest points in life (there's been more than one), a powerful and imaginative warrior was always there to rescue me. Now I know that warrior was me!

What started out as a passion for martial arts has expanded into far more than that, it became not just a means of learning physical self-defense and mental discipline, but also fueled my ability to defend myself spiritually and emotionally as well through the turmoil of a very restrictive and challenging upbringing. Why am I telling you this story? Because I strive to use my own experiences of oppression, abuse and isolation as real-life examples that every individual has the power to transcend any situation - no matter how hopeless it seems. That is how I became The Black Belt Dreamer - fighting, surviving and winning against all odds. I believe that regardless of our mistakes, traumas and tragedies, we all have an inner dream warrior that empowers us to walk through the fires o f life and create the reality we truly desire.

Listen to a message from Lyca Shan and find out more about: "Becoming a Black Belt Dreamer ~ Unleash the Dream Warrior within!" here: http://www.blackbeltdreamer.com/Newsletter/BBDNewsletter.html

Sensitive Skin Care

Contrary to what you might have heard, sensitive skin isn't considered a medical condition. When someone says he or she has sensitive skin, it typically means the skin has become irritated, red, swollen and/or itchy as a result of either an environmental condition or use of a certain product. The term is also used to describe changes to a person's skin in response to allergic reactions.

Why can skin be sensitive?

Although there are several reasons why skin can be sensitive, the most common is that skin is reacting negatively to a certain product or possibly some combination of products. Think about your daily skin care regime, specifically the number of products you use. Soaps, cleansers, toners, blemish reducers, blemish concealers, foundation, blush, facial masks, after shave lotion – the list never ends! You probably use products that are made by a number of different manufacturers, too. While your intentions are good, some skin cannot tolerate such an assault.

Causes of sensitive skin

Trying to pinpoint the cause of sensitive skin is not always as simple as discontinuing use of a certain product. Because of the nature of sensitive skin, it can take hours or even days before the signs of sensitivity are visible. And the sensitivity may not be caused by a product. Exposure to the sun can create skin problems, as can extremely hot water. Your laundry detergent, fabric softeners, shampoo, perfume, hair spray, and even the household cleaning products you use can be the culprit. Certain foods and even some plants can cause symptoms of an allergic reaction as well.

Healthy skin is less sensitive because it's able to act as an effective barrier. Sunburned skin, skin that's excessively dry and skin that is otherwise damaged tends to be more sensitive. That's one reason why people who don't normally have sensitive skin develop skin sensitivity during winter months when dry, cold air strips skin of its protective moisture.

How to treat sensitive skin

Before sensitive skin can be treated, it's important to figure out the underlying cause of the problem. It may be necessary to seek the advice of a dermatologist as you may have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. Here are some tips for treating sensitive skin.

Start reading product labels - the fewer ingredients, the better. Avoid products containing alcohol, fragrances, botanicals, antibacterial, ethanol and propylene glycol.

Spot test new facial products before applying to entire face. Apply a few dabs behind ears for 5 days, and if there's no reaction, apply beside eyes for another 5 days. If all goes well, full facial coverage likely will be safe.

Choose natural fabrics for pillowcases and washcloths like 100% cotton or silk instead of synthetic materials. Check your 'cotton' balls, too. Some look like cotton but really are polyester.

Eat a balanced diet to ensure skin gets the nutrients it needs to remain healthy.

Keep skin moist and always apply sun protection.

Gently clean skin. Avoid harsh products like scrubbing mitts, excessively hot water and abrasive exfoliating products.

Laser Treatment………So what Can it do for me?

Lasers are devices that are able to produce very specific wavelengths which are selected to treat particular conditions in the skin surface. Lasers are the fantastic tools of the aesthetics and medical trades in the modern time. The cutaneous laser does not include any harmful X-rays or other radiation emissions so there are none of the related dangers present.

Another popular form is the Intense Pulsed Lights or IPLs. These are complex medical devices and their use must be under the supervision of a trained medical practitioner to avoid any kind of damage.
The question sometimes arises in our mind that how does Laser works? Laser is essentially an energized light beam having ability to cut or burn or blow the toughest materials found on earth. When this is applied to the human body with whatever intention in mind, its intensity is reduced to suit the tolerance levels of the particular body type. Usually measured short bursts are applied to get the desired effect hence the experts are required to handle the complete process. Before undergoing a laser treatment you are required to have a test to assess your suitability for the treatment.

Lasers removes tattoos, undesired hair growth, improve skin texture and tone as well as reducing the appearance of thread veins and pigmentation marks without any significant pain or side effects the best part is the results of the treatment has permanency.

There are number of treatments available which include hair removal, skin rejuvenation, thread vein removal, tattoo removal and acne scar removal.

The energy of laser is absorbed by the hair and passed on the hair follicles the energy heats up the root of the hair and ultimately destroys the hair root without causing any damage to the skin. Single pulse of Laser light is enough to remove many hair follicles. Most effective results can be achieved on fair skin and darker hair. This treatment is not suitable for black or suntanned skin. The treatment is also ineffective for blond or gray hair. At least eight to ten sittings are required to get satisfactory results. All external areas of the body and face can be treated for the removal of hair under laser treatment. It could take up to two weeks for all the treated hairs to fall out.

For skin rejuvenation red light is delivered into the skin producing heat that stimulates the formation of new collagen and elastin in the dermal layers. Skin becomes firmer over a period of time with an improvement in skin tone, texture shedding the fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen and elastin fibers provide support to the skin. Skin rejuvenation process starts the fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin leaving the skin firmer and smoother.

It is best suited to skin showing first signs of lines and wrinkles. Usually heavily sun-damaged skins will not show best results. The best results are obtained after at least six sittings.

Facial redness or facial thread vein can be treated effectively by using IPL laser treatment. A strong ND: YAG laser light which is readily absorbed by the blood vessels is administered to blanch and secure the fine thread veins and leg veins. The patient is rewarded with an immediate result.

Skin Pigmentations can be treated effectively through IPL treatment. The process is for treating many types of pigmentations. It could be used effectively to restore even color to the face and hands.

Many people worn tattoo and after a period of time some people want to remove them as their fancy wear off. There are two advanced laser system known as a Q-switched Laser and Ruby Star Laser are available to provide the solution for the removal of tattoos. These lasers emit very powerful and tremendously short pulses of laser beam which are aimed to the tattoo site. The laser beams pulses break up the ink particles in the tattoo, such as they are reduced to minute fragments which are naturally absorbed through the body's own cleansing mechanism and thus the tattoo is removed without causing any pain.

Acne laser treatment has also been tried recently in different types of Acne with related quantity of success. Acne laser treatment may offer a less persistent treatment than full surgery, and collectively with other acne medications, acne scars may be a thing of the past for the patients.

Sensitive Skin Care

Contrary to what you might have heard, sensitive skin isn't considered a medical condition. When someone says he or she has sensitive skin, it typically means the skin has become irritated, red, swollen and/or itchy as a result of either an environmental condition or use of a certain product. The term is also used to describe changes to a person's skin in response to allergic reactions.

Why can skin be sensitive?

Although there are several reasons why skin can be sensitive, the most common is that skin is reacting negatively to a certain product or possibly some combination of products. Think about your daily skin care regime, specifically the number of products you use. Soaps, cleansers, toners, blemish reducers, blemish concealers, foundation, blush, facial masks, after shave lotion – the list never ends! You probably use products that are made by a number of different manufacturers, too. While your intentions are good, some skin cannot tolerate such an assault.

Causes of sensitive skin

Trying to pinpoint the cause of sensitive skin is not always as simple as discontinuing use of a certain product. Because of the nature of sensitive skin, it can take hours or even days before the signs of sensitivity are visible. And the sensitivity may not be caused by a product. Exposure to the sun can create skin problems, as can extremely hot water. Your laundry detergent, fabric softeners, shampoo, perfume, hair spray, and even the household cleaning products you use can be the culprit. Certain foods and even some plants can cause symptoms of an allergic reaction as well.

Healthy skin is less sensitive because it's able to act as an effective barrier. Sunburned skin, skin that's excessively dry and skin that is otherwise damaged tends to be more sensitive. That's one reason why people who don't normally have sensitive skin develop skin sensitivity during winter months when dry, cold air strips skin of its protective moisture.

How to treat sensitive skin

Before sensitive skin can be treated, it's important to figure out the underlying cause of the problem. It may be necessary to seek the advice of a dermatologist as you may have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. Here are some tips for treating sensitive skin.

Start reading product labels - the fewer ingredients, the better. Avoid products containing alcohol, fragrances, botanicals, antibacterial, ethanol and propylene glycol.

Spot test new facial products before applying to entire face. Apply a few dabs behind ears for 5 days, and if there's no reaction, apply beside eyes for another 5 days. If all goes well, full facial coverage likely will be safe.

Choose natural fabrics for pillowcases and washcloths like 100% cotton or silk instead of synthetic materials. Check your 'cotton' balls, too. Some look like cotton but really are polyester.

Eat a balanced diet to ensure skin gets the nutrients it needs to remain healthy.

Keep skin moist and always apply sun protection.

Gently clean skin. Avoid harsh products like scrubbing mitts, excessively hot water and abrasive exfoliating products.

Laser Treatment………So what Can it do for me?

Lasers are devices that are able to produce very specific wavelengths which are selected to treat particular conditions in the skin surface. Lasers are the fantastic tools of the aesthetics and medical trades in the modern time. The cutaneous laser does not include any harmful X-rays or other radiation emissions so there are none of the related dangers present.

Another popular form is the Intense Pulsed Lights or IPLs. These are complex medical devices and their use must be under the supervision of a trained medical practitioner to avoid any kind of damage.
The question sometimes arises in our mind that how does Laser works? Laser is essentially an energized light beam having ability to cut or burn or blow the toughest materials found on earth. When this is applied to the human body with whatever intention in mind, its intensity is reduced to suit the tolerance levels of the particular body type. Usually measured short bursts are applied to get the desired effect hence the experts are required to handle the complete process. Before undergoing a laser treatment you are required to have a test to assess your suitability for the treatment.

Lasers removes tattoos, undesired hair growth, improve skin texture and tone as well as reducing the appearance of thread veins and pigmentation marks without any significant pain or side effects the best part is the results of the treatment has permanency.

There are number of treatments available which include hair removal, skin rejuvenation, thread vein removal, tattoo removal and acne scar removal.

The energy of laser is absorbed by the hair and passed on the hair follicles the energy heats up the root of the hair and ultimately destroys the hair root without causing any damage to the skin. Single pulse of Laser light is enough to remove many hair follicles. Most effective results can be achieved on fair skin and darker hair. This treatment is not suitable for black or suntanned skin. The treatment is also ineffective for blond or gray hair. At least eight to ten sittings are required to get satisfactory results. All external areas of the body and face can be treated for the removal of hair under laser treatment. It could take up to two weeks for all the treated hairs to fall out.

For skin rejuvenation red light is delivered into the skin producing heat that stimulates the formation of new collagen and elastin in the dermal layers. Skin becomes firmer over a period of time with an improvement in skin tone, texture shedding the fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen and elastin fibers provide support to the skin. Skin rejuvenation process starts the fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin leaving the skin firmer and smoother.

It is best suited to skin showing first signs of lines and wrinkles. Usually heavily sun-damaged skins will not show best results. The best results are obtained after at least six sittings.

Facial redness or facial thread vein can be treated effectively by using IPL laser treatment. A strong ND: YAG laser light which is readily absorbed by the blood vessels is administered to blanch and secure the fine thread veins and leg veins. The patient is rewarded with an immediate result.

Skin Pigmentations can be treated effectively through IPL treatment. The process is for treating many types of pigmentations. It could be used effectively to restore even color to the face and hands.

Many people worn tattoo and after a period of time some people want to remove them as their fancy wear off. There are two advanced laser system known as a Q-switched Laser and Ruby Star Laser are available to provide the solution for the removal of tattoos. These lasers emit very powerful and tremendously short pulses of laser beam which are aimed to the tattoo site. The laser beams pulses break up the ink particles in the tattoo, such as they are reduced to minute fragments which are naturally absorbed through the body's own cleansing mechanism and thus the tattoo is removed without causing any pain.

Acne laser treatment has also been tried recently in different types of Acne with related quantity of success. Acne laser treatment may offer a less persistent treatment than full surgery, and collectively with other acne medications, acne scars may be a thing of the past for the patients.

Sheer Cover Makeup For Your Healthy Skin

Sheer cover makeup is certainly one of the best advancements in the makeup industry of the last few years, and it has become quite popular. This new makeup is simple to use, inexpensive and has a very natural look. In fact there are several cosmetics companies that are shifting their lines so they can add more sheer makeup products. A main complaint about traditional makeup is that is feels and looks heavy, wet, and unnatural. Putting on layers of foundation and powder every morning is very time-consuming, and requires constant touch-ups throughout the day. This is probably where the phrase "putting your face on" originated - traditional makeups feel like a mask! However, try powder foundation and you can leave all that unpleasantness behind you. It is not easy to find high quality sheer cover makeup at a bargain price. Part of this is that it is sold as a premium product commanding premium prices at department store counters. However, if you look in the right places- such as drug stores, discount outlets, and supermarkets- you will be able to find mineral makeup at low prices, sometimes as little as ten dollars per bottle. One of the greatest thing about this new type of make up is that sheer naked mineral makeup is not nearly as irritating to some women as traditional types of make up are. They are usually made without perfumes, alcohol, additives, or preservatives found in liquid foundation make up. As a result, women with allergies and other sensitives rarely have a problem with powder foundations! Several of the sheer makeup products have sun protecting factors as well. Since these products usually have an SPF of around 15 to 30 they are a much better alternative to the oily sunscreens, especially since these sunscreens often clog your pores and bring on outbreaks and other skin conditions. With the sheer powder makeup products you will no longer have any need of using these sunscreen products. The best thing about sheer makeup is that applying it does not feel like putting on a mask. It's so weightless and light that you can completely forget you're wearing sheer cover makeup. Additionally, it doesn't deposit in pores or wrinkles in the skin like liquid makeup, so it's virtually transparent. Go out and test sheer makeup today! The difference is breathtaking.