How to…Help others in their dreams

New Year’s resolutions usually focus on things we want to change about ourselves, but in 2012 the 8^th most popular goal was to help others achieve their dreams. This benevolent pledge is a surprising departure from the usual plans to lose weight or get fit. Perhaps it stems from the fact that we’re all so busy these days – we really want to give something back, it’s just finding enough hours in the day!

Helping other people will make YOU feel better about yourself, so everyone wins! The feel-good effect of helping others will be so rewarding that you might find this is one New Year’s resolution you might actually stick with! As motivational guru Les Brown once said, “Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours”.

The first step is to identify who you want to help – a friend or family member, or perhaps a colleague at work? It doesn’t even have to be someone you know personally – you can help people by teaching or volunteering for a charity.

Once you have decided how you’re going to help, get yourself a pad of paper and a stack of colored Sharpies. Organization is the key to success, so brainstorm some ideas on paper. Draw up a monthly plan with goals and milestones so you have a visual focus for your ideas.

If you’re helping your children or people in your family, use inspirational Post-It notes around the house to keep focused. If your partner wants to lose weight, you could write motivational diet tips and stick them on the fridge door to stave off snacking temptation, for example.

Get together over a coffee and have regular support sessions to review progress and celebrate achievements. Set manageable goals with treats for when each milestone is achieved, such as a new nail polish or luxurious body lotion. You could even surprise them with a beautiful gift basket as a boost to keep them going until they reach their goal.

One way you can help someone to achieve their dreams is by helping them to get organized. Stocking up on household essentials like toiletries and cleaning products saves precious time that can be better spent on pursuing dreams! Buying in bulk also offers great discounts, so all that money saved can be put towards the dreams fund!

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that can really help someone to achieve their dreams – offering to babysit their kids or giving a ride to someone without transport. Little things that may cost you next to nothing can make a big difference to that person’s life.

You might feel you have nothing to offer, but sometimes your support alone is enough – pursuing dreams requires determination and there will be setbacks along the way. Offering your shoulder to cry on and holding their hand through the thorny patches can make all the difference. It may be a rollercoaster journey, full of ups and downs – but if you believe, you will achieve!

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If you’re anything like me, you procrastinate when it comes to buying holiday gifts. Then you spend a day frantically running around trying to find something appropriate to give as a gift. Sound familiar?

If you’re looking for gifts for the women in your life, I’ve put together a list of a few things I think are great this year. Order one of these great gifts, and you won’t have to even leave the house. You can kick back, drink some hot cocoa, and forget that run to crowded holiday stores. Just put It’s a Wonderful Life on, and enjoy your holidays.

Queen for Women by Queen Latifah comes packaged with 3.4 ounce Eau De Parfum spray, 3.0 ounce body lotion, and a 3.0 ounce body butter. Queen has a blend of florals mixed with sandalwood, vanilla, musk and incense. It is perfect to use after a shower, throughout the day, and for casual outings. The combination of all three products gives a long-lasting fragrance, and it’s perfect for daytime wear. It’s a good gift for the women in your life from age 17 – 70, in my opinion. A lovely, luscious scent that’s not too overpowering.

Fabulous You Gift Basket

* TIGI Bed Head After Party Smoothing Cream, 3.4 oz
* TIGI Bed Head Ego Boost Leave In Conditioner, 8 oz
* Biosilk,Silk Shampoo 12oz
* Biosilk,Cure Soyeuse 12oz
* Biosilk,Silk Conditioner 12oz
* Paul Mitchell White Small Hairbrush
* Kim Kardashian Eau de Parfum Pink Ribbon Rollerball
* Comes in a Tan Basket with Handle

Pamper Me Gift Basket does exactly what it is designed to do. If you have someone on your list who could use a little pampering, this is the one.

• Kim Kardashian Eau de Parfum Rollerball, 0.33 oz
• Philosophy Body Souffle Crumb Berry Pie, 3.5 oz
• Essie Nail Polish, Color – Hard to Get
• 1 Pink Mesh Sponge
• 1 Pumice Brush
• 1 Pedi Kit
• 2 Nail Files
• 1 Eye Mask
• 1 Massage Roller
• 1 Set of Flower Soap Petals
• 1 Exfoliating Glove
• 1 Bodycology Shower Gel
• 1 Pink Wood Basket

Have you finished your holiday shopping? Or are you like me, and have barely started? Give me some gift ideas on twitter, Facebook, or leave me a comment here on the blog.

Mother’s Day is a day meant for honoring our mothers. This year it falls on May 8th, 2011. Here in the United States, we celebrate our mothers on the second Sunday in May each year. Every year, I get to thinking about all the things my mother has done for me and how much I appreciate her.

This is a picture of my mother as a young woman. That’s me in her arms. Look how happy and vibrant she is; she told me once that her best memories always involve holding one of her children close. I remember being in her arms a lot as a child.

My childhood was idyllic, and that was mostly because of my mother. She loved us unconditionally, kissed our boo-boos when we hurt, and comforted us when we were sad. She pampered us when we were sick, and she rejoiced with us when we were happy. I remember her playing ‘school’ with us, taking us to the park, and cheering wildly at all my softball games.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mother. Her nurturing has been a lifelong thing; it doesn’t stop when you move away from home. She has encouraged me at every turn, and I don’t think that one day out of the year is enough to honor her. We should try to show our mothers how we feel about them daily. Mother’s Day is just a way to make sure that they’re getting the picture. It’s one day set aside to ensure that our mothers know how much we value them and how happy we are that they are in our life.

What are you going to do for your mother on Mother’s Day? Will she know how you cherish and admire her? Will she be proud and thrilled that you are her child? I can’t be with my mother on Mother’s Day, but I’ve sent her a gift and I’m looking forward to calling her. We’ll probably be on the phone for an hour at least, catching up and giggling like little kids. It will be the highlight of my day… and hers, if I’m lucky.

StocknGo is proud to honor Mothers everywhere with a promo code just for them. Use the code Mom20 for 20% off orders over $29.99. Hurry, though: It’s only good until 11:59 EST May 8th. Mothers everywhere are sure to find something they like, whether it’s skin care or gift baskets, and they deserve it. It’s their day. Let’s all celebrate it.