Leaps of Faith Do Change Lives

by Kelly Falardeau 

It was time for my annual performance review at work. The year before it had gone very well – but not this time. Over the last six months I had experienced some big changes. A promotion had me working with a new supervisor that I didn’t really like, and I had also ended my twenty four year marriage.  Life was tough and I wasn’t a happy camper.

I knew I wanted to leave my job but I was afraid.  Who was going to pay the bills if I didn’t have a regular paycheck coming in?  I felt trapped.  My new passion was writing and helping women but how was that going to translate in a steady income stream? The fear kept me frozen.

Makeup Is No Substitute For Loving Myself

by Kelly Falardeau

A couple of days ago I was looking at pictures of burn survivors and noticed how many of the women were wearing lots of makeup to hide their scars.   Whenever I see someone with too much makeup I wonder what they are trying to hide. It's almost like a mask of protection.

I am a burn survivor and I don't like to wear makeup,  Here are the  reasons why: 

The first reason is –  I hate the way it feels on my face.  It doesn't make me feel beautiful.  So, if that's how I feel why would I use it to cover up my scars?  Would I be doing it so other people think I look better? I don't need the approval.  I feel beautiful because of me, not the makeup.

The Real Cougar Woman: Linda Franklin’s Art Of Accepting We’re Less Than Perfect

The Real Cougar Woman, Linda Franklin, like all women, is in a constant struggle to appreciate how wonderful she really is.  It's difficult for us to settle, because we are always striving to accomplish the next goal.  We are so busy doing that we don't take the time to appreciate our many gifts – especially in the looks department. There is always something that's not quite right – our hair – a new wrinkle – that extra 10 pounds that makes us less than perfect. Instead of appreciating what we've got we concentrate on the flaws. 

We're not totally to blame for being so tough on ourselves.  It's hard not to be when everything we watch, read and talk about is somehow focused around body image.  Over time we forget what's really important – who we really are.  That is why I want to introduce you to a lady that can help us get over our self flagelation, stop focusing on our perceived flaws and learn to appreciate what we've got. It's time to realize it's okay to be less than perfect.  

Her name is Kelly Falardeau and her life story is an inspiration.