A 7 day plan to Motivate you into Action Have you ever contemplated the BIGGER picture of the life you want to live. So many people that I meet, hold themselves back from stepping into this question for FEAR of not knowing or seeing the HOW.  This is your time to take 100% responsibility for how you want to live your one precious life that you have been gifted.  Become a MAESTRO of your life.  Everything that you have in your life this very moment is the result of the choices that you have made throughout your journey.  Becoming a MAESTRO of your life, means becoming aware of your ability to create your life.  This is your 7 day plan to regain control of your life.    Monday: Clear the Path Let go of the past, people, negative circumstances and energy that no longer serves you.  Clear your mind and give yourself permission to move yourself forward. See these past experiences as the greatest teachers of your life that served a greater purpose then release it.  Send these people love and light, smile and wish then well with no regrets. Tuesday: Fixate on the End Prize Blaze a trail for your new life by focusing ONLY on that which you wish to receive.  See and feel what you want.  This week, act as if you have already received it. Wednesday: Still your Mind High levels of peak performance need to be balanced with periods of deep renewal.  Sit in complete stillness every morning for 30 minutes upon waking up.  On Wednesday, include an additional 30 minutes of stillness before going to bed. Thursday: Affirm your way to Success Make a list of 7 affirmations and live one of them every day.  Start every affirmation with the words:  I AM…then list what you are intending to receive.  On Thursday, share your list of 7 affirmations with those closest to you. Friday: Live with Gratitude As you drift off to sleep, review all of the things that you are grateful for.  You can do this in your mind or read them out loud.  Review every moment and declare to the universe your gratitude for all of the special gifts from the day.  Upon waking up every morning, declare to the universe all of the things that you are about to create today.  You are creating your day in advance.  Be grateful for the MAESTRO that you have become. Saturday: Collaborate with Others Don’t do it alone, no one is ever alone.  Share your intention with others.  We can only help you when we know your intention.  We live in a new social world that rewards collaborative energy.  The world is waiting to life you up. Sunday: Take Action Today Make 7 calls, email...

Anyone can press play on an iPod and let shuffle take over, but it takes the skill of a professional DJ to choose songs that heighten the energy of a room and keep it going. A pro should be able to assess the crowd at any party and play songs that entertain everyone. When it comes to spinning for your wedding, a professional DJ should know your guest list. What’s the general age of your guests? Will there will be more parents and older adults, more friends and family around your age or lots of kids? Will your guests range from 9 months to 90 years old? If you have a wider age range, ask your DJ to start with songs that appeal to the older crowd who might like to leave early, like classic oldies and slow-dance staples, then end the night with more fist-pumping, fast-paced dance songs for the younger crowd. A professional DJ will want to know all about your favorite songs, favorite bands and favorite genres. He or she should know if you want to hear typical wedding songs, if you have any specific requests (like your first dance song) or if there are any songs to be avoided (like “Macarena”). It’s yourwedding, and you should enjoy your reception music, so don’t hesitate to give your DJ a detailed list of likes and dislikes. Most people don’t hire a professional DJ to simply follow a set playlist. Part of a pro’s appeal is that he or she can pleasantly surprise you. A pro will have a keen ear for music, a sixth sense for party vibes and the ability to read the room, knowing when to pump things up and when to slow things down, adding songs that may turn out to be your new favorites and keeping your guests entertained with music that isn’t just from the typical Top 40 selection. You may want to do a bit of extra research to find hot up-and-coming DJ’s in your area or take a few after-hours trips to local clubs and DJ performances. Even if you aren’t in a large metropolitan area, the important thing is that you allow yourself a broader search field. You want your wedding to be utterly unique, so give it the edge it deserves and let a professional handle your music. Items to Consider discussing with your DJ Ask how many years of experience your dj has, what events they typically specialize in, and how much experience they have with weddings. Ask your dj if you can visit one of their performances, whether at a club, another wedding or consider hiring your dj for a smaller informal party, like your engagement party or a summer soiree. Ask your dj what their usual...

Music, particularly music attached to positive associations, is stored in the part of your brain known as the hippocampus, which handles long-term memory. Listening to a specific song, like your first dance at your reception, will stimulate the hippocampus and trigger memories associated with your wedding, your partner and the early days of your romance. Positive memory associations can strengthen your marriage throughout the years, so it could be a romantic gesture to listen to your first dance song on your...

Q. What’s an easy beauty regimen I should follow before my Wedding DayA. One of the best beauty regimens is to avoid foods and drinks that could stain your teeth. That includes anything acidic, like blueberries, cherries, red beets, red wine, black coffee and soda. To get your teeth extra white before the Big Day, schedule a professional whitening service at your dentist’s office. If that’s out of the budget, try Crest White Strips or a home whitening kit. Make sure to start your teeth whitening regime about six weeks before walking down the aisle. On the Big Day, stick to white wine or champagne to keep your pearly whites looking bright for...

Brides who want to keep their shoes crisp and unworn until their Wedding Day may be extremelydisappointed if they experience discomfort shortly after slipping them on. Be sure to break yours in, well ahead of time. In most cases, shoes become more comfortable the more you wear them since they stretch and form to your feet. The same will be true of your wedding heels once you break them in. To protect your fancy footwear from dirt and keep them looking new for the Big Day, only wear your shoes around the house as you break them in. This also will help you determine whether it’ll be realistic to keep them on all day long or if you need to plan for some backup...