http://venusvision.com Real Women, Real Beauty Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:12:44 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en As many of you may already know, I am in a graduate program for mental health counseling. In one of my recent classes, we were given the assignment to discuss a time when we learned a new skill, the journey we went through, and how we felt about the journey. ... http://venusvision.com/the-perfectly-imperfect-life-of-a-mother/ Every time I go to Old Navy (which is more often than I care to admit), there is an older Middle Eastern looking man in the dressing room who unlocks the dressing room doors for you, and takes whichever clothes “didn’t work out” when you’re done to put them back ... http://venusvision.com/opening-your-eyes-and-ears-to-the-world-around-you/ (submitted as a final paper for Advanced Human Development, College of Education and Human Development, Counseling and Development Program, GMU, Fall 2011) Abstract In 2010, Americans spent nearly $10.7 billion on 9.5 million cosmetic procedures (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2011). Since 1997, the first year in which the American Society ... http://venusvision.com/the-normalization-of-cosmetic-surgery-and-its-impact-on-society-and-human-development/ After nearly three years of work, my novel, Confessions of a Failed Anorexic is finally available! Here is the description as it reads on Amazon: Sarah Thompson went on her first diet when she was seven years old, and has been on a dieting roller coaster ever since. Longing for what ... http://venusvision.com/confessions-of-a-failed-anorexic-has-arrived/ The other day I told someone that I had applied to graduate school and that I was “cautiously optimistic” that I would get in. We hear that phrase a lot: “cautiously optimistic”. We think something good might happen, but we don’t want to get our hopes up in case it ... http://venusvision.com/are-you-cautiously-optimistic-about-life/ The spare bedroom in our house is known as ‘the office’. Although the only piece of furniture that now occupies the room is a futon which is usually pulled out in the bed position and covered in toys that have spilled over from our kids’ rooms, it once served as ... http://venusvision.com/are-you-living-in-the-past/ Though I prefer to wear skirts and dresses during the warmer months of the year, occasionally I have a need for wearing shorts, and recently found my wardrobe lacking somewhat in that department. While doing some other shopping in Target recently (LOVE that I can now get my groceries there!), ... http://venusvision.com/when-size-doesnt-matter/ I generally consider myself to be a pretty happy, positive person. I try to look for the bright side in situations, I give thanks every day for the life I have, and I work to steer clear of negativity in my life and in those around ... http://venusvision.com/even-happy-people-get-the-blues/ By Michelle Market, LPC Imagine quiet amongst the chaos of your daily to-do’s. Imagine uninterrupted time during your day to focus on your breathing and slowing down. When you allow your mind to quiet down, how do you feel? Is it uncomfortable? Why might you avoid slowing down? These are questions to ... http://venusvision.com/sneaking-quiet-time-into-your-day-the-first-steps-to-incorporating-meditation/ or When Your Personal and Professional Lives Collide, You Can't Control the Wind But You Can Adjust Your Sails By Barbara M. LaRock [caption id="attachment_2405" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Image via Flickr, courtesy of QuiteLucid"][/caption] As you begin to think about bringing more balance into your life, consider the following set of 12 rules from a ... http://venusvision.com/creating-balance-in-your-life/