Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Ball Park Lights
What is that feeling I experience when I drive by a neighborhood ball field lighting up the night sky? Since I've never been an avid sports fan, this feeling catches me off guard and seems to light a corner of my soul. For a fleeting moment, all else fades away and I am captivated. Perhaps those lights are a beacon of sorts, of something untouched by greed, lust or power. Those lights illuminate raw innocence, though driven and competitive. Whether children or adults, those players' lives are for a short time uncomplicated and focused on something entirely superfluous- a game. I consider how refreshing it would be to forget about the pressing issues of life and channel all my energy into a game. I quickly remember, though, that I was usually one of the last children chosen for sports teams and with good reason. As I pass the ball park, realizing my thoughts and fantasies have come and gone in a single second, I am thankful for that moment- that fleeting moment that lit a corner of my soul. Until next time, my attention returns to stoplights and store fronts.
Product Review
I've tested a few products that deliver on their promises, and I'd like to share them with you. First, if you color your hair and have had problems with your color fading, try L'OREAL Ever Pure shampoo. This shampoo is very affordable and it has extended my time between coloring at least 2 weeks. I have been extremely pleased with this product as it smells great, feels wonderful and leaves my hair soft and moisturized. I have never been very loyal to my hair products, but I will use this product again. In fact, I will be loyal to this shampoo for ever, or until something better comes along.
Next, of all the deodorants on the market, I have always been a fan of Secret. Dove, however, lured me away with promises of minimizing the feel of underarm stubble. I'm sure I'm not alone in my hatred of that little patch of sandpaper that develops under my arms at the end of the day. If that was too much information, I apologize. I've got to say that Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth delivers on their promise to minimize that feeling. Since I shave everyday, I'm not sure it minimized any appearance of hair, but I definitely felt softer as I crawled into bed. It has a nice fragrance and does the job. Although deodorant isn't the most exciting product, I figured you might like to know that there is something out there that softens underarm stubble.
Last, but not least, I've found a great inexpensive lotion that really moisturizes. I must admit that I am a complete lotion snob. I've tried almost everything out there from $1 to $50. I am always disappointed. Although I've hated Jergens in the past, I tried Jergens Shea Butter Cream. I have been pleasantly surprised by this very inexpensive product. In the winter my skin is typically so dry and itchy that I draw blood by scratching. This product leaves my skin moisturized and I rarely itch. The soft fragrance won't interfere with your perfume. It absorbs within a few minutes and doesn't feel greasy.
Next, of all the deodorants on the market, I have always been a fan of Secret. Dove, however, lured me away with promises of minimizing the feel of underarm stubble. I'm sure I'm not alone in my hatred of that little patch of sandpaper that develops under my arms at the end of the day. If that was too much information, I apologize. I've got to say that Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth delivers on their promise to minimize that feeling. Since I shave everyday, I'm not sure it minimized any appearance of hair, but I definitely felt softer as I crawled into bed. It has a nice fragrance and does the job. Although deodorant isn't the most exciting product, I figured you might like to know that there is something out there that softens underarm stubble.
Last, but not least, I've found a great inexpensive lotion that really moisturizes. I must admit that I am a complete lotion snob. I've tried almost everything out there from $1 to $50. I am always disappointed. Although I've hated Jergens in the past, I tried Jergens Shea Butter Cream. I have been pleasantly surprised by this very inexpensive product. In the winter my skin is typically so dry and itchy that I draw blood by scratching. This product leaves my skin moisturized and I rarely itch. The soft fragrance won't interfere with your perfume. It absorbs within a few minutes and doesn't feel greasy.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Circle of Lies
If you are a woman for whom relational fulfillment seems to always be out of your grasp, you are not alone. In fact, you are just one of millions who feel just the way that you do. Different women are aware of their dissatisfaction in varying degrees. Many women seek relational fulfillment through careers, and are frustrated by the fact that no matter how much they excel, they never seem to be satisfied. Many women seek fulfillment by excelling in family life- being the perfect wife or mother.
If you are a man who never seems to please your woman, regardless of how you exceed her expectations for a husband or father, you are not alone.
Men and women equally victimized by the "circle of lies". Because I consider myself a true feminist and not a "man-hater", I am surprised by my latest epiphany. Although what I am about to reveal is no secret, it is a fact that is hidden in plain sight. This is such common sense knowledge that it has eluded us only because we are unwilling to admit it.
Girls, consider all the books you've read and the movies that you've seen from adolescence to present day. Think about all the romantic comedies and dramas that involve a relationship between a man and a woman. I realize that logically we recognize that these are entertainment, and we would really like to believe that we do not let entertainment affect our expectations for life. Nevertheless, by design, women are created to be inspired by art and learn about life from other women. Unfortunately our instincts do not differentiate between real stories and fantasy. Consider your favorite romantic story and examine all the characteristics that the male character displays. Most of the time the man pursues the woman with a fiery passion, undeterred by villains or circumstances. He admires her independence, intelligence and beauty above all other women. He typically forgives her for some great indiscretion and humbles himself to be with her. The woman, on the other hand, is not easily convinced that she wants to commit to him. She is distracted by something else- career, person, or independence. She does not "need" him and thinks perhaps she would like to wait for someone or something more exciting to come along. He pursues her nonetheless.
Please understand that I love men, most of all my husband, but I have never known a man to portray these characteristics. I realize that I am dealing in generalizations and stereotypes, but they are for the most part true. The reason that we are inspired by these stories and swoon for these men, is because the men are most likely a portrayal of ourselves. Typically women will sacrifice all for love, wait for the one they love, and pursue someone regardless of villain or circumstance. On the other hand, men do pursue women, but if it becomes inconvenient or uncomfortable, they will generally cut their losses and find someone else to pursue. I believe with all my heart that men are incapable of loving women they way that we expect to be loved. They are incapable because it goes against their instincts. We only expect to be loved this way, because we have portrayed ourselves in our entertainment and given the character a virile, masculine body. Have we truly been awaiting our very own fantasies? I would love to hear your input. Before you comment, though, dig deep within your soul and force yourself to be honest.
If you are a man who never seems to please your woman, regardless of how you exceed her expectations for a husband or father, you are not alone.
Men and women equally victimized by the "circle of lies". Because I consider myself a true feminist and not a "man-hater", I am surprised by my latest epiphany. Although what I am about to reveal is no secret, it is a fact that is hidden in plain sight. This is such common sense knowledge that it has eluded us only because we are unwilling to admit it.
Girls, consider all the books you've read and the movies that you've seen from adolescence to present day. Think about all the romantic comedies and dramas that involve a relationship between a man and a woman. I realize that logically we recognize that these are entertainment, and we would really like to believe that we do not let entertainment affect our expectations for life. Nevertheless, by design, women are created to be inspired by art and learn about life from other women. Unfortunately our instincts do not differentiate between real stories and fantasy. Consider your favorite romantic story and examine all the characteristics that the male character displays. Most of the time the man pursues the woman with a fiery passion, undeterred by villains or circumstances. He admires her independence, intelligence and beauty above all other women. He typically forgives her for some great indiscretion and humbles himself to be with her. The woman, on the other hand, is not easily convinced that she wants to commit to him. She is distracted by something else- career, person, or independence. She does not "need" him and thinks perhaps she would like to wait for someone or something more exciting to come along. He pursues her nonetheless.
Please understand that I love men, most of all my husband, but I have never known a man to portray these characteristics. I realize that I am dealing in generalizations and stereotypes, but they are for the most part true. The reason that we are inspired by these stories and swoon for these men, is because the men are most likely a portrayal of ourselves. Typically women will sacrifice all for love, wait for the one they love, and pursue someone regardless of villain or circumstance. On the other hand, men do pursue women, but if it becomes inconvenient or uncomfortable, they will generally cut their losses and find someone else to pursue. I believe with all my heart that men are incapable of loving women they way that we expect to be loved. They are incapable because it goes against their instincts. We only expect to be loved this way, because we have portrayed ourselves in our entertainment and given the character a virile, masculine body. Have we truly been awaiting our very own fantasies? I would love to hear your input. Before you comment, though, dig deep within your soul and force yourself to be honest.
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