Wellness Wednesday (April 25th 2012)

Nobody promised you a bed of roses .... but somebody should have. Somebody still can and that somebody is you. I have this theory that positive and negative energy is around us all the time what what we focus on is up to us. Whatever is going on in our lives at any given moment can always be interpreted as positive or negative and how we choose to perceive it makes a big difference in what we experience. There's a saying that life is not what happens but how we react to it. There are two stories that really brought this point home for me. Here's the first one:

There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?"

Then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"

Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck?

Who knows?

Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So we are wise when we leave it to God to decide what is good fortune and what misfortune, and thank him that all things turn out for good with those who love him.


Here's the other one:

A boy came to his Cherokee Grandfather because he was angry at a friend who had done him an injustice and these are the Grandfathers words of advice, "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."



So my first bit of advice this week is take control of your wellness. Give yourself a bed of roses. Schedule the time you need to take care of yourself. Make that  priority so that you will be able to do everything else you're charged with at full strength. Only feed the good wolf and try to look at your setbacks for ways that they are helping you to find the right path.

Speaking of paths, I think you should get out and take a walk. I think you should go alone if you feel safe doing that. It gives your mind a chance to breath.When you're talking to other people, listening to music, watching TV, using a computer, all of those things can jam the signals of your own consciousness. Just walk and see where your mind takes you. I get the best insights and ideas when I let my imagination run free. I also like to take pictures of the things I see. It helps me appreciate the beauty all around me. Here are a few shots from a recent walk of mine. See if you can guess where I was.















Jewell Day Spa
2501 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406
PH#253.572.5224

The people and Jewell Day Spa know all about taking care of your skin. Did you know that your skin is your largest organ and that its a vital part of your overall health? But how much do you really know about what it needs? I think you should book an appointment for a facial or a body scrub and while you're being pampered, ask for advice and instruction about taking care of your skin. They also have a lot of great products you can take home and put into your regular routine. Does that sound like bliss or what?

Yonka Skincare for men. It hydrates, clarifies, brightens, and protects the skin from environmental damage all in a lightweight formula. Key ingredients: Olive Oil hydrates and protects from free-radical damage. Orange Oil brightens and purifies. Pumpkin Oil balances and protects.

Yonka Paris Masque
No matter what complexion issues you may have, Yonka Paris Masque No 1 is a simple solution for smoother, more even-toned, hydrated, and vibrant skin. It reduces wrinkles and irritation as it repairs and protects from damage. Key Ingredients: Jojoba Oil hydrates and nourishes. Sandalwood relieves inflammation. Vitamin C reduces fine lines and wrinkles and fights free radicals.

Yonka Nettoyant Creme Non-Comedogenic Wash Cream
A cleansing cream and make-up remover. Key Ingredients: Borneol - antiseptic, brightens, whitens. Palm tree oil - emulsifies impurities to deep cleanse. Vegetal non-ionic and anionic emulsifiers - cleanses, emulsifies. AHA lactic and citric acids - gentle cell renewal.

Phyto Bain & Lait Corps bath set.
Phyto Bain is a skin-silkening, purifying bath oil that deeply moisturizes, detoxifies, and smooths your skin as it helps heal sore muscles. Key ingredients: Lavender Oil heals skin irritations. Sage Oil decongests the pores. Everlasting Oil soothes sore muscles.
Lait Corps silkens, nourishes, moisturizes, refreshes and tones the skin. Leaves the skin smooth and velvety with no greasy feeling. It prevents premature aging. Key ingredients: Ginseng - tonic action, revitalizes. Sweet almond oil - hydrates and softens. Comfrey - soothes. PCA 5% - hydrates.


Poledello Dance Studio
715 Commerce Street - Tacoma, WA - 98402
(253) 509-8811
info@poledello.com
http://www.poledello.com/

The photos below are from a recent performance by Noelle, the extraordinary performer and instructor at Poledello. Every time I see her moves I am so inspired by her strength and grace.




This is a sneak peek inside the studio as students learn the ropes, so to speak, of performing on poles.


If you've always wanted to try it, use the contact information above and give Noelle a call. She can recommend the right class for your experience level. And check out the website for all kinds of dance classes. They are doing some pretty exciting stuff down there at Poledello. Don't you want to be a part of it? They throw pretty neat performance events too.


Clara Spa
1506 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402
Connect on Facebook
253.682.2005
http://www.ClarasSpa.com
 

Most people know I spend quite a bit of time at Clara Spa. I've been a member for over 2 years now. For $25 a month members can use the facilities any time during business hours. That means you can work out, take a steam, sit in the hot tub, swim in the pool or just take a break in the sanctuary and read some magazines. Here's a few snapshots of Clara Spa.

Front side of the building. Clara Spa is inside the Courtyard Marriott building on Pacific Avenue.


This is the lobby of Clara Spa.

Ladies locker room has hair products, contact lense solution, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, feminine products and all sorts of complimentary amenities for members and guests. 

Swimming pool and hot tub

Small gym with free weights, elliptical machine, recumbent bike and treadmill.

Smooth & Juicey
1122 Market St. Tacoma, WA 98402
253.365.6706
http://smoothandjuicey.com
Connect on Facebook

Now that we've talked about what to do with you mind and body. What are you putting IN your body? I've been learning a lot about the benefits of whole foods and especially raw foods. You know, like eating food the way nature intended such as eating an apple or a handful of grapes. No preservatives, no fillers, no special coloring, no phoney sweeteners and most of all no chemical processing. Smooth & Juicey is totally down with that. They've got all kinds of amazing juices and smoothies plus they even have some lunches on the menu these days too. They are totally into organic local produce too so you know what you're consuming is safe and low on the whole carbon footprint thing. You can find them right next to the downtown YMCA. They also share space with a coffee joint so if you like your fruit with a side of caffeine bean, you'll totally be hooked up.
 
Berry Berry Smoothie


I hope you feel good after reading all of that. Its totally doable for you to give yourself better treatment. You only have one body and one life so please cherish it. And if you visit any of these places, please tell them the Duchess sent you so they can help you take even better care of yourself.


XOXO,
Duchess of Downtown

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