Some Suggested Resolutions From Believe

Every year at the time, we are bombarded with talk of New Year's Resolutions. People fervently vow to lose 30 pounds or run 10 miles daily or a host of other things overwhelmingly abandoned, studies show, by February 15^th.

So instead of setting unrealistic physical goals, we at Believe are trying to work on our spiritual sides and make resolutions we really can work on daily throughout the year—no matter if we're facing down another piece of pizza or if a blizzard gets in the way of our jogging. These resolutions can help remake us from the only place that truly matters---from the inside out. Perhaps you'd care to join us in giving a few of these resolutions a go?

1. Stop That Voice In Your Head: The one that tells you that you can't...Can't lose the weight, get the job, find the lover, face the fear. Even if you have to say “No!” or “Stop!” out loud when the negative thoughts come back. (This makes you look less like a crazy person now that Bluetooth phones make talking to yourself respectable.) Then fill in that verbal space you've just created with a positive mental voice saying “”Go for it”, “One step at a time” or “Give it a shot.”
2. Realize You Can Do Anything For A Short Time: If you feel overwhelmed by the resolution to quit smoking or whatever you are finding difficult, use my mother's expression: “You can do anything for 24 hours. Hell, you could even be in prison for that long.” Break time into more manageable sections. Put off having that cigarette or eating that piece of pie for the next two hours, and then two more...It's like stringing pearls on a necklace.
3. Respond Don't React: Resolve this year that you will stop for at least a beat (preferably a day) and consider what you should do or say when faced with an alarming situation. Take a breath. Take another. Tell people you want some time to think things over. If it's an argument you are dying to have with someone, write down what you want to say, put the letter in a drawer for 72 hours and then take it out to see if you still want to say those things—or say them in that way. Remember, you never have to take back words unsaid.
4. Quit Worrying So Much: Worry never does anything except sap your energy, make you irritable and affect your sleep patterns. Every time a worry floats into your mind, stop it in its tracks and ask yourself if there is anything you can do about it now. If not, take a page from Scarlett O'Hara and resolve to think about it tomorrow. Legitimate planning for the future is okay (but no cheating on yourself. You know the difference between planning and worry.)
5. Don't “Should” On Yourself: There really is nothing you can do about spilt milk. Spending time saying to yourself, “I should have...” about any past event is a waste of time. Just put a bookmark on the behavior and don't do it that way next time.
6. Practice Kindness: Treat everybody you encounter with consideration—not just people your friends and family. Ask co-workers how you can help them. Offer your arm to help push a wheelchair or hold a door open for someone elderly you encounter at the mall. Go meet the mail delivery person so he or she doesn't have to take the walk to your front door to deliver that package. Let someone in front of you in rush hour traffic. Stop interrupting everyone's sentences.
7. Learn To Receive Graciously: From a compliment on your blouse to an offer to help you finish addressing those envelopes for your synagogue, don't backtalk (“Oh this old thing? It's a rag” or “Nah, I'll do it myself”). Thank the person offering you the compliment and take the assistance. It makes people happy to help you. Let them.
8. Resolve To Be Happy: At least for a part of every day in 2012, be happy. Step outside to smell the air. Go watch the Halloween parade, even if you don't have kids. Have lunch at the botanical garden. Volunteer to read at the local nursing home. Stretch your spirit in some way. Weed people, places and things that bring you down out of your life this year. Fill your life with uplifting things. Make sure you are one of those uplifting things for other people.
9. Be Good To Yourself: Take some time to meditate on the things in your life for which you are thankful (a Zum soy candle is the perfect accompaniment to this quality time with yourself). Treat yourself to a scalp massage and conditioning treatment after the hectic holidays. Take turns giving your partner a weekly massage (Zum Body Butters are fabulous for this.) Reinvent yourself this year: Let's try a new cut or color or both or add an extension or feather for fun (you can never have too much of that). Fill your shelves with wonderful products for your hair and skin to make 2012 a comfortable year for your outsides, too. (Come into Believe and let us make some suggestions.)

We, at Believe, hope you have a new year filled with health, prosperity, joy and many blessings. Thank you for letting us share your 2012 with you!

Let Believe Keep The Holiday Insanity At Bay

If you've braved the mall (or even driven by it) you know ---things are crazy out there!

According to the National Retail Federation, fewer shoppers have completed their holiday buying compared to this time last year.

According to NRF's 2011 Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by Big Research, the average person had completed 46.5% of her shopping now- less than the 49.5% in the same period a year ago. Nearly 37 million people (16.5%) had not even started their shopping as of late last week, the survey says, while only 7.6% said they have completely finished shopping already.

If you are one of the procrastinators, take heart. We, at Believe, can solve your shopping dilemma and it only will take one stop—and a restful one at that. We'll give you a hot cup of herb tea and, while you sip, Santa's elves (cleverly disguised as the Believe staff) will check off the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

We even have some sales (so you won't miss the department store experience), Buy a White Tea Restorative Shampoo and Conditioner and you get a White Tea Daily Conditioner free (slip it in your own stocking!) or make everybody left on your list happy and get them a Zum Body Basket, now 20% off, with Zum Bath Salts, Zum Body Lotion and two Zum soaps in your choice of scents. (If the recipient is not yet a fan of Zum, they will be after this gift. Zum is addicting.)

Get the men in your life a fabulous after-shave, Tend Skin, guaranteed to baby his skin through the harsh winter you know is right around the corner. Add to your best friend's jewelry collection with a unique piece from the Japanese artist Kazuko and butter up all the babies in your life with Wee Baby products (the lavender scent helps the little ones sleep—and may even inspire visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads! Fido and fluffy are part of the family,too, and Y.U.M Wash Doggie Soap and Y.U.M mist will keep your home filled with holiday scents (instead of kennel smells.) Speaking of scent, be sure to stock up on Zum soy candles in wonderful scents like Myrrh (the Wise Man were on to something there.) Or cover all your bases by having the staff at Believe whip up a custom gift basket or come by and see the ones we already have waiting for you. If all else fails, Believe offers Gift Cards so your friends and loved ones can choose their own gift after the holiday.

While you are here, treat yourself...Get a festive red hair extension for $10 and we'll donate the money to charity (also to help those less fortunate, bring in any hair product you aren't using anymore –even half empty—and we will give you 20% off a product we recommend to substitute for it. We'll donate the used one to the Women's Shelter). Don't forget to make a appointment for a Conditioning Treatment and Blowdry (for $50) or a $25 Blowdry that will have you looking your best for that holiday party or church service. We've still got a couple of openings left.

When it comes to gifts, Believe's got you covered but hurry in. Our holiday hours are 10 am-7 pm Tuesday, December 20th through Friday, the 23rd. We are closed Christmas Eve for festivities for our own relatives and friends, but we'd love to see you—our other family—to wish you Happy Holidays.

 

Let Believe Make Mother's Day Special

Mother's Day started in England in the 1600's when Mothering Day was declared by the Church as one Sunday when servants and other working class stiffs were allowed to take the day off and travel to their homes to visit Mum. Naturally, when The Puritans came to this country, they cancelled the day off as slothful (those people really knew how to wreck a good time...)

It was up to Julia Ward Howe (who wrote The Battle Hymn of The Republic) to resurrect Mother's Day in 1870 to put behind all mothers the horrors of The Civil War and to celebrate peace and motherhood. She tried to hijack the 4th of July as the day, but had to settle for July 2nd, when women in 18 cities came together to celebrate. The holiday stayed in July until around 1883 (when Julia stopped footing the bill for the celebration.

Mother's Day was resurrected again in 1908 by Anna Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia, who wanted mothers from both the Union and Confederacy to come together in friendship. When she died, her daughter lobbied the local church to host Mother's Day to honor her mother and gave out carnations (her mother's favorite) to all mothers in attendance-thus beginning the tradition of giving flowers to Mom on the day.

Soon Senator Elmer Burkett of Nebraska, proposed making Mother's Day a national holiday (his fellow senators shot the notion down even though 46 states were already holding Mother's Day services.) Anna Jarvis, Jr. quit her real job and made getting Mother's Day made into an official holiday her lifeswork and, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed Mother's Day-the second Sunday in May--into law. By 1948, when Anna Jarvis died (mad that she hadn't been allowed to copyright the holiday's name) Mother's Day was being celebrated in 40 countries. It is celebrated a little differently (and at different times) wherever you go:

• In Mexico-The mother is usually treated to a song sung by her family, or a serenade by a hired band, followed by a family brunch.
• In Finland- Mom gets breakfast in bed.
• In the UK- violets are given and a Simnel Cake(a glazed fruitcake both baked and broiled, based on a folk tale) is served.
• In Yugoslavia -Mother's Day is celebrated by tying the mother up and not letting her go until she gives the family candy and treats. (She gets to tie the kids up on Children's Day soon after.)
• In Ethiopia-a feast is made with girls bringing butter, cheese, vegetables and spices, while the boys bring a bull or lamb. The mothers and daughters then ritually anoint themselves with butter on their faces and chests. They dance while the men sing songs and the celebration lasts three days.

Here in the USA, florists sell the most flowers for Mother's Day, restaurants claim it is the busiest day of the year and, according to Hallmark (who ought to know), 96% of American consumers buy something for the holiday.

We, at Believe, love Mother's Day! Some of us are mothers ourselves and all of us are happy to pay tribute to the women who gave us life or changed our life or helped us grow into women ourselves (yes, even our mother-in-laws.)

To help you celebrate, here are some suggestions for great gifts from Believe for Mother's Day:

• Zum Organic Goat's Milk Soaps has come up with a specially selected scent for the big day—Zesty Coriander and Lime
• 20% off on natural bristle hair brushes (offer to brush Mom's hair 100 times like in the old days.)
• 20% off on Believe soy candles
• 20% off on all jewelry, including Minh-thu Silk Paper Necklaces 
• Blow-dry gift cards (only $25)

Or buy Mom a Day of Beauty at Believe. 

How about a refreshing facial, a relaxing massage, a cut and color and a luscious manicure? Call us today to arrange Mom's special day. And if you are just flat out of time, run by and pick up a gift card--worth any amount you choose. It let's Mom pick her own special treat (and you still get credit for getting her a gift.)

To all mothers everywhere, the staff at Believe wishes you a wonderful day!