Lyrics: Lady Madonna, children at your feet Wonder how you manage to make ends meet Who finds the money when you pay the rent? Did you think that money was heaven sent? Friday night arrives without a suitcase Sunday morning creeping like a nun Monday’s child has learned to tie his bootlace See how they run Lady Madonna, baby at your breast Wonders how you manage to feed the rest See how they run Lady Madonna lying on the bed Listen to the music playing in your head (head) Tuesday afternoon is never ending Wednesday morning papers didn’t come Thursday night, your stockings needed mending See how they run Lady Madonna, children at your feet Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
“If you will resolve to work each day for self-realization, your whole world can change…The two women you are, they can make you over.”
Pond’s Cold Cream Advertisement (Good Housekeeping, December 1947)
“Each of us transmits personal signals about our self-esteem very day in myriad ways.”
“But there is an important reason why we should give a second thought to our personal appearance, even when we’re alone: the inner joy we experience when we look our best.”
“Many women feel in their hearts that they have missed full realization. Yet they need not accept this–help is within themselves. You can feel it within you–an inner drive for happiness. The close interrelation between this Inner You and this Outer You, the almost uncanny power of each to change the other–can change you from drabness to joyous self-fulfillment.”
Pond’s Cold Cream Advertisement(Good Housekeeping, March 1949)
“…one of the most marvelous lessons you learn on a path of personal transformation is that when your heart is open to change, you’re able to recognize the personal signals of encouragement your authentic delf is constantly sending, no matter how unlikely the source.”
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-11-22)
1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
“It is do coincidental, the Pond’s cold cream reference to a beauty tip my paternal grandmother shared with me. Grandma Houston had the most porcelain of skin well into her 70s. She shared that all she ever used was Pond’s cold cream at night. Amazing!” (Heather Houston 3-11-22)
“I found I took on another beauty technique from my Grandmother Houston, witch hazel. I have never been able to use an astringent as it always stripped my natural oil and made my skin shiny and irritated. The witch hazel is forgiving and still cleans the bacteria and surface oils without stripping my face. Thank you grandma!” (Heather Houston 3-11-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 78-79 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
“Thankful my allergies are staying in check with the beginning of spring.” (Heather Houston 3-10-26)
“I appreciate the dump truck making room for my merge when no one else would so I could make my exit.” (Heather Houston 3-10-26)
“I am grateful for the Amazon delivery of the items needed to complete the gift bags for the Social Worker Appreciation Luncheon I am hosting next week.” (Heather Houston 3-10-26)
“I am grateful every day to return home to our safe and sane ‘Hobbit House'” (Heather Houston 3-10-26)
“I love our nighttime banter before bedtime.”❤️ (Heather Houston 3-10-26)
“I am grateful for those first moments when you hold your newborn and get a whiff of their baby smell. Magic in bonding and you never forget it!” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)
“I am grateful for the beauty of a work of art that moves you.” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)
“I am thankful for the good feeling you get when you make a final payment on a loan.” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)
“I appreciate equality and diversity.” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)
“I am blessed that during COVID quarantine, I got to work from home…even in my PJ’s!” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)
Lyrics: I got the feeling Baby, baby I got the feeling You don’t know what you do to me People are heavy, down in misery Hey, yeah, alright Hey, hey, good Lord I got the feeling, alright Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby I got the feeling, baby Baby, sometimes I’m up Sometimes I’m down My heart, I’m around the town I’m level with the ground, baby I said level with the ground Well, baby, you treat me bad No, no, I know no, you don’t mean it now Sometimes, I roam But I’ll be coming back home Sometimes, I seem to be fly I just don’t know when to say bye bye Hey baby, baby I got that feeling, baby I have it, alright Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby Come on now Come on now Oh, oh, oh, oh
You Are Not Your Appearance, but Does the Rest of the World Know That?
“The tragedy of our time is that we are so eye centered, so appearance besotted.”
Jessamyn West (American Author of Short Stories and Novels; July 17th, 1902 ~ February 23rd, 1984)
“All of us can pull ourselves together some of the time. Some of us can pull ourselves together all of the time. But none of us wants to be ‘pulled together’ every single moment of our lives.”
“Probably you were taught, as I was, that how we present ourselves to the world is very important. Unfortunately, our outside packaging counts for far more than it really should. Often, when we don’t live up to the world’s expectations of how we should look or behave, we fall victim to a vicious circle of self-loathing and denial that can be difficult to escape from unscathed. At times like these, it’s a comfort to remember that our souls are more dazzling than cellophane.”
“Beauty is an internal light, a spiritual radiance that all women have but most women hide, unconsciously, denying its existence. What we do not claim remains invisible. It’ is God’s will that we be beautiful, that we love and be loved and prosper in all good things. It is God’s will that we all become the goddesses we were created to be.”
Marianne Deborah Williamson (American Author, Spiritual Leader, and Political Activist; July 8th, 1952 ~ )
“But as you become more intimate with your authentic self–as you recover your true, incandescent identity–there will come a gradual but undeniable physical transformation. It is absolutely impossible to commit to your spiritual growth, awaken your own radiant Light and not have it reveal itself on the outside.”
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)
1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
“As a sapio/demi-sexual, I am trapped to seeing others insides before I see their outsides. Since I see the world this way I expect other to also. Regrettably, I am a very small part of the population…single digits. This might be why I always felt out of place. I often wish I was just “normal” like everyone else who is driven by appearance as a primary motivator.” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)
“‘It is God’s will that we all become the goddesses we were created to be.’-Marianne Williamson. I love this most of all as my husband has helped me find my inner goddess and she is sexy hot and fun!”
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 77-78 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
#56 Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell) 👍🏼
Lyrics: Ooh, baby Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby Ain’t nothing like the real thing, no, no Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby Ain’t nothing like the real thing (oh, honey) I’ve got your picture hangin’ on the wall But it can’t see or come to me when I call your name I realize it’s just a picture in a frame Ooh, I read your letters when you’re not near But they don’t move me and they don’t groove me Like when I hear your sweet voice whispering in my ear Don’t you know? Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby Ain’t nothing like the real thing I play my game of fantasy I pretend, but I know in reality I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me No other sound is quite the same as your name No touch can do half as much To make me feel better So let’s stay together I’ve got some memories to look back on Though they help me when you’re gone I’m well aware Nothing can take the place of your being there, oh So glad we’ve got the real thing, baby So glad we’ve got the real thing Oh, Marvin (I know, honey) Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby (so glad) (So glad, oh, darling) Ain’t nothing like the real thing, talk to me Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby (ooh, oh, I’m so glad) Ain’t nothing like the real thing
A Radiant Reflection: Projecting Your Authentic Self
“So many women just don’t know how great they really are. They come to us all vogue outside and vague on the inside.”
Mary Kay Ash (American Businesswoman and Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.; May 12th, 1918 ~ November 22nd, 2001)
“Few women know how great they really are. If truth were told, we’d all probably admit to feeling pretty vague about our personal appearance. Many of us would like to trade ourselves in for a sleeker version.”
“…flip through the catalogs. Cut out the pictures of the women you think are attractive and the clothing you’d love to wear.”
“Always remember that dreams–your creative visualizations–must come before their physical manifestations.”
“Create a collage of your ideal woman: find the perfect hairstyle, put together a fantastic wardrobe for home and work.”
“Since you have embarked on this adventure to awaken your authenticity and discover your own sense of style, be willing not to buy another item of clothing unless you absolutely cannot live without it. No more settling for something that’s not you or that’s second-rate.”
“Let the potent power of simplicity begin to work in your life. If it’s not authentically you, live without it.”
“Before my story began…” (Heather 3-9-22)
1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
“This such a hard space for me to unfold. I have always been in a financial way that to buy myself anything for my wardrobe never went beyond the next racing t-shirt or sweat pants for my work. I feel like I have no sense of my own style and really don’t even no where to begin. My wardrobe has not evolved in over 20-25 years…UGH! I need to save money and hire a stylist to help me find that part of me.” (Heather Houston 3-9-22)
“I yearn to find my authentic style. One that is fusion for my busy life. I want classy, practical, sporty and elegant…LOL! Sounds like am impossible task. However, as a 2-Spirit woman, I believe I can find what works for me. I am in my birthday month and plan to get at least one item I must have.” (Heather Houston 3-9-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 76-77 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
41st Academy Awards Best Screenplay, Original: Mel Brooks
“I don’t remember seeing this film. Gene Wilder & Zero Mostel are so funny and play off one another so well. Entertaining flick and such a ‘#uck you’ to the absurdity of the times.”
“I appreciate sleep in Sundays.” (Heather Houston 3-8-26)
“I am grateful I locked in my sourdough pancake recipe.” (Heather Houston 3-8-26)
“I am thankful for a close parking spot at the grocery store so we can get in and out in quick fashion.” (Heather Houston 3-8-26)
“I am grateful for the adventurousness of my husband to create a delicious fusion pizza!” (Heather Houston 3-8-26)
“I am thankful I get the opportunity to live my life where every second is used up. A life where I collapse into our bed at the end of the day completely used up!” (Heather Houston 3-8-26)
“I am grateful to have the love and support of my parents.” (Heather Houston 3-8-22)
“I am humbled and honored to serve the wounded soldiers who have been protecting my freedoms.” (Heather Houston 3-8-22)
“I am blessed to be brave enough to strive for greater self love and acceptance of myself just as I am. I am enough.” (Heather Houston 3-8-22)
“I am thankful for beautiful music🎶…the story of my life!” (Heather Houston 3-8-22)
“I am grateful for pedicures…even if I drool from the pampering.” (Heather Houston 3-8-22)
My Distilled Life 