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Already the shops are beginning to stock up on their Christmas items with decorations as well as all the latest toys and gifts being rolled out across the country. A lot of people will be swept up by the festive season and begin to do their Christmas shopping now and in some cases this is a necessity. Families that have relatives or friends living overseas in places as far as Australia or the United States of America and so to make sure that their present arrive on time you will likely be looking to send these parcels ahead of time.

Sending present overseas could be difficult at the best of times and with the holiday period often heralding an increased amount of letters, cards and parcels being sent all over the world it can make sending a parcel or letter quite difficult to gauge when it will arrive. Obviously sending your parcel early will help when you want it to arrive before the big day but there are other benefits such as a lower cost for the postage of your parcel.

Many parcel delivery companies will have a range of services for different levels of urgency, these companies have expensive services that deliver within a short space of time but also have less costly services that may take slightly longer to deliver your parcel. These services are still an effective choice when it comes to parcel delivery as if you are sending your parcel early enough then you could use these services to save money on a trustworthy delivery service that is secure and able to arrive within strict deadlines.

There are plenty of options now available as the parcel delivery sector has grown massively over the past few years thanks to more people buying and selling items online. Parcel couriers have long been considered the best option for a quick and reliable delivery but in the past it has mostly been businesses that have used them due to their higher costs and tendency to insist on long running service contracts instead which could offer businesses discounts for frequent collections and deliveries.

These days though since almost anyone is sending parcels many couriers are now opening their services to individuals and people like you who want to send birthday or Christmas presents quickly and securely. So if you need to send your gifts early or even last minute, with couriers you could get your parcel delivered quickly so they can arrive and be placed at the foot of the Christmas tree on time.

Deeper Purposeful Questions

Why are you here on this earth?

What is your purpose, if you associate yourself with one?

Rest assured this is not an existentialist treatise but something simpler.

These types of questions are popular in every culture. The journey called life with its twists and turns is quite a trip. We trudge along through childhood to adulthood experiencing a various events while learning, growing, falling and getting up again.

In the West we live in a society that tries to mould us into conditioned men and women. Go with the crowd, listen to the media and governmental officials. Don’t buck the system because the system works.

Does it really?

At some point, everyone asks themselves deeper purposeful questions while searching for the truth. Many times painful circumstances compel us to stop and contemplate life.

I’m drawn to a passage by Dr. Alex Lickerman who writes in The Undefeated Mind: On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self: “Nietzsche once wrote that he who has a why to live can bear almost any how. According to Nichiren Buddhism, however, not every why is created equal. To build the strongest life force possible – one that can bear the weight of any how – Nichiren Buddhism argues we need a why to live that in some way involves contributing to the well-being of others.”

Foggy Mornings

I’m up in the mountains as I write this enjoying solitude and peace. This morning there’s a thick fog hovering over the home.

As I sit outside taking in the stunning morning, I realise many times become stuck in a spiritual fog. Our perspective is skewed and we can’t see beyond our current circumstances or ego.

The fog made it impossible to see the beautiful view this morning, so I closed my eyes and tried to imagine it. I know it’s there beyond the fog and I know it will be visible in a few hours when the fog lifts.

Likewise, when we experience darkness, we act less than graceful. We become frustrated, succumbing to negativity and cannot see beyond the fog. We believe the situation will continue forever and get mired in bad moods. We fail to realise that foggy mornings turn into gorgeous days.

Sit In The Fog

I sat in the fog this morning and enjoyed the stillness and majesty of nature. I watched clouds of fog inch towards me. I liken it to the stillness of mornings that flows through us.

I haven’t taken time to just sit still for weeks because of the busyness that overwhelmed me. Sometimes we need to ground ourselves in Mother Nature; to reconnect with our roots so to speak.

Time away is worthwhile, but what about everyday life?

Do you let the hustle and bustle of everyday living overpower you?

Do you need to be busy all the time?

Even if you are busy with things that matter, do you compromise time for meditation and sitting quietly to reconnect with yourself?

We need to make time to sit in the fog and find our bearings. But many of us are caught up with agendas and to do lists, we forget to come home to ourselves until it’s too late. And by then it can be too late.

“It isn’t life’s “content” that determines its value. It’s the awareness you bring to it, moment to moment. It’s attention itself. Presence is its same self regardless of the particulars of the moment,” affirms author Jan Frazier in The Freedom of Being: At Ease with What Is.

Do You Want Answers?

If you want answers to your life’s purpose or your next step, make time for you. Time to sit and be still. Time to walk in nature and reconnect with yourself. Time to contemplate, breathe and relax. Quiet your mind.

If you want answers, make it a priority to retreat into silence.

Switch the mobile device on silent for a moment. I promise you, nothing will change. Facebook will still be there and so too will your Instagram followers.

Life’s journey is simple and believe it or not, you are in control more than you think. If things are not the way you like them to be, make changes. I give you permission to change your circumstances.

Get up earlier, stay up later. Go away for a few days. Go for a walk. Turn the TV and computer off. Leave your cell phone at home or turn it off. We are addicted to technology so much so that our attention span has burnt out.

A reader recently wrote a comment on an article I wrote that highlights this point of view. She said: “Teaching people to observe their surroundings and thoughts, in a way that creates being in the present moment, is a difficult process for many to grasp. When I take clients outside to observe nature, they often are confused about why the present moment is important. The constant stimulation of our brains by electronics changes our neural pathways. We have lost our connection to the earth and the positive effect it has when we are still and take notice.”

I was a little saddened that people are confused why the present moment is important. Because that is ALL you have! There is no tomorrow or past, but many people process them in the present moment while “it” (present moment) slips through their fingers.

Something must give if you want a better life. You can’t keep doing the same things while expecting conditions to improve. The fog represents the fog of separation and the illusion that blinds you from the truth.

Your truth differs from my truth, yet they are the one true constant in our lives. They are our compass and if we lose our bearings what assurances are there we will find our way back again?

It’s what author Donald Altman means when he says in Clearing Emotional Clutter: “If you tell yourself something long enough, you might end up believing it, even if it has no basis in truth.”

Rediscover what is important to you and pursue it passionately. The fog will eventually lift and reveal another day, yet your time is limited and you don’t want to keep dragging your heels hoping for a better life.

It is here and NOW, when you set the intention to live intentionally. Only then will you experience life cascading through you in its infinite glory.

Today’s market is ripe with a diverse array of skin care products. As a result, we are overwhelmed and find it difficult to make decisions. However, buying skin care products should not seem as daunting and confusing as it seems; all you need is a wealth of information on the various brands and products so that you know what you are getting into. Do due diligence and research well prior to getting an overdose of the market varieties.

The first step for anyone interested in skin care products is to review the product labels and understand its ingredients, purpose and directions. You should be able to identify those ingredients that may cause harm to your skin. Beware of chemicals like sorbitol, sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates; alcohol, astringents, colorants and certain fragrances should also be avoided as these may cause blemishes, irritation or break-outs.

Natural skin care products are gradually gaining momentum and becoming increasingly popular among people concerned about their skins. Milk, honey, botanical products and oils have been noted to have gentle and soothing effects. Natural ingredients like aloe vera and lanolin are popular choices that create soothing and moisturizing effects on the skin.

Skin care products range from moisturizers, intense acne treatments to anti-aging regimens. The wide range of available products help to fight and delay several natural processes like acne, wrinkling and fine lines. Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) are two ingredients to look for in order to choose an anti-aging product. Some fruits and plants like apples and grapes contain these ingredients. Revitol and Royal Gold are two products growing in popularity by the day.

Chemicals called tretinoins have shown positive effects in case of sun damage and wrinkles. These can be found in medications rather than cosmetics and have the ability to reverse the damaging effects of the sun and to change the skin’s cell structure. Skin care products containing treyinoins are available by prescription only and they help to rejuvenate the skin and provide treatment for wrinkles, fine lines, rough patches and dark spots.

Prior to choosing any products for use, it is imperative to get an idea of your skin type. This answers a lot of questions you may have and will help to make appropriate decisions regarding the skin care products. You might know your skin type but if you are uncertain, it is safest to consult a dermatologist who can guide you accordingly. You may have oily or dry skin or perhaps a combination of both.

Sensitive skin is also quite common and needs special attention. So, in order to determine your exact skin type and to buy products those are compatible with the particular skin type, ask a dermatologist. This will prevent you from using products that you may be allergic to and that may cause unwanted reactions.

The following are 5 tips that will guide you in choosing your skin care products:

1. Know your skin type: It is important to know your skin type so that you can buy the correct products that meet your particular needs. The most common skin types are oily, dry, combination and sensitive.

2. Read the label: The importance of reading the label and getting acquainted with the ingredients cannot be stressed enough. Water is a primary ingredient that should be present in moisturizers as it best hydrates the skin.

3. Calendar: Different seasons and climates require different products for the skin. So, you should buy products according to your skin type and according to the weather. For instance, your summer skin treatment should include sun block ingredients. Similarly, dry skins should be treated with care during winter to avoid dryness and rough patched.

4. Compare Prices: Take a look at the prices and buy products that fit your budget. Some products are simply too expensive and not necessarily the best. With this, you should ask how much of the product you need, how often you will be using it and your expected results. These considerations will help you to determine the brands that work for you and the prices that meet your cost requirements.

5. Use Regularly: The key to positive results is to use the products regularly and to follow the directions. Anti-aging creams and night creams are specific products that should follow a regimen otherwise the purpose is defeated. Use your products as often as they are recommended for best results.

All these factors imply that you should be diligent before pursuing any single brand or product. Careful review of competitive products, their prices and their effects will help you to make informed decisions about your skin and your overall health. A review site which lists information on varied skin care products is a good place to start.