Taking things for Granted

I feel that I am at the lowest point of lows in my life...and it's sad because it is L-O-W!  I hate when I do talk about how I feel, I always get the "things could be worse" spill and how "better things are to come."  I don't want to sound ungrateful for the thoughts and encouragement I receive, but when YOU are the one in the situation it doesn't matter what is said.  It's all about perception and my perception is skewed at this point because I know what I had and I can say that I took those things for granted.

Just three months ago, I was living in the Sunshine State, making a good salary, had my own place, my fiance, my own car; the norm when you live on your own.  Now here I am with no car (was totaled in an accident), I live with my mother and grandmother plus five others, my salary sucks as I took a HUGE paycut from a salary to hourly job, I'm back in the state of "lovers," and my fiance and I are apart.

I have been thinking about how I took the things that I lost for granted.  I needed a quote that was going to speak to me and it took me less than three seconds to find this:

This is no lie.  I miss the Florida weather, I miss the children I use to work with that worked my nerves, I miss my coworkers that didn't always see eye to eye with me, I miss my Altima that took me from here to there, I miss the lizards running across my yard.  I miss all the little things that I thought annoyed me more than anything!  It's funny how God will show you the things that you take least for granted and will force you to appreciate what you don't have that much more.  I am trying to remain optimistic; the glass is half full, but it's hard when you are sinking in your own sorrows too tired/worn down/beat up to save yourself.  

All I can ask is forgiveness and for others to pray for me.

Peace & [finding] Happiness,

~Erika

Reality VS Ideal

Back in June I wrote on "When Life Gives You Lemons..." I discussed the struggles that you go through in life.  Generally speaking, many people experience the up and downs of life, but its all about what perspective you take in making life better.  The way I see it, the glass is always half full.  Also, once you hit a low there is no where else to go but to the top.  You are here for a reason, a purpose, and although you are not sure for what, whether you believe in God or the Universe, your purpose will be revealed soon enough.

This morning when I woke up, I was scrolling through Instagram and ran across a picture from one of my followers.  I'm not going to lie, I am a true Instagram scrolly!  I do that before I even get up to brush me teeth!  Raise your hand if you're with me!  Anyway, this picture struck a cord with me because lately I have been dealing with the struggles of my relationship.  I'm not going to lie, when things are up for me they are up and when they are down I may feel like I am at the lowest of lows and these feelings have really been putting a test to my relationship.  But not just with my significant other, but more so testing ME to see what it is that I will do when times get tough.  I often say "My enemy is my inner me."  I know there are battles within myself that I am going to have to deal with the rest of my life.  One of them being self-control.  I would tend to let myself indulge in gratification whether it was good or bad.  Since I have been in a serious relationship, with a man I want to marry, I have been evaluating myself.  I don't ever put all the blame on him because I know I have a role to play in making not only each other happy, but ourselves happy as well.  

Back to the Instagram picture, this is what it said...

I can honestly say that right away this picture spoke VOLUMES to me!  I was happy and relieved at the same time because I can say that there are others out there who battle the same demons I do.  But again the glass is half full and positive perspectives are put in place so that you know anything is possible.

With all this said, always reevaluate what you have done, what you plan to do, and what is going on now.  You cannot change the past or predict the future, but you can control what is going on right now.  And right now is the time for you to shift your focus from past-future and live in the present.

I hope that you all have a blessed Monday and until next time...
Peace & Happiness :)

~Erika

Pure Silk Shaving Cream Review

* I  received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.    

I can remember a few years back that I used to use Pure Silk shaving cream.  I don't know if it was because it was inexpensive or I liked the thick lather of the cream (I can say that both played a huge role).  I went on to stop using it and tried other brands such as Skintament and EOS Shaving Cream.  I can say that out of the three including Pure Silk, I don't know why I stopped using it!  I was reminded of how thick the cream was and how easy it applied.  I like the thickness of the cream because it makes me feel that I am really getting rid of all the hairs on my body.  Also, one day I was browsing through Dollar Tree and I saw that they sold Pure Silk products.  What?!?!  #WINNING!  I can grab two cans to go for $2 and be on my merry way.  When I saw that I was finally SOLD for sure to use Pure Silk as my primary shaving cream.

Recently, I have used the cream twice since I received it from Influenster.  Again it is thick so I felt like I was getting twice the product.  The smell is good but that isn't one of my requirements to have. When I shave I literally only have to do one pass to feel like I have a clean shave.  But for my benefit I do two passes.  Not much to clean up and viola!  You are done.

I would highly recommend the product for the price and also for the usage.  #PureSilk

Peace & Happiness :)

~Erika

Updated Influnster VowVoxBox!

I have had the #VowVoxBox now for over three weeks and I can say that I am quite satisfied!  All of the items have been put to use with the exception of the discount code to Riley & Grey (I don't plan on having a wedding ceremony or traditional wedding anymore).  My number one item from the box would have to be the Olay Regenerist Luminious Tone Perfecting Cream Moisturizer.  This stuff is the BIZ-NESS!  I actually did a review on Facebook and tagged Olay.  I discussed how I did not like the white cast and/or how it was showing on my face and Olay tagged me to let me know that I was using too much product.  Kudos to Olay!  My next favorite product was the Sally Hansen Salon Manicure polish in Barracuda.  The color is blue and it is so cool and cute!  Click here to see a picture on my Instagram page!  I have gotten plenty of compliments from others.  I haven't had to use my Tide to Go pen but as I stated it is MUCH better than the Tide to Go wipes that I happened to pick up from Target on clearance.  Lastly, the EcoTools Pure Complexion Sponge has changed the way that I wash my face.  I still use it in between using my Clairsonic and I think that it has also aided in helping my complexion when tag teaming with the Olay Regenerist cream.

Overall I would rate all of these items a MUST have to keep at home or with you on the go.  Again I want to thank +Influenster for allowing me to try these products as well as +olay +EcoTools Tide +SallyHansenTV and Riley and Grey.  

Until next time...

Peace & Happiness :)

~Erika

I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster