Category: Self improvement

Sundays at the Square: Music, Food, Yoga, and Fun for All

Explore admission-free outdoor Farmers Market, plus Sunday Yoga at The Spire, live local music and more at St. Paul Square. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – St. Paul Square is thrilled to announce the expansion of their Sunday community programming, now known as “Sundays at the Square,” taking place weekly each Sunday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. near downtown San Antonio. (St. Paul Square, 2025)

Following an outpouring of positive feedback from the community during the first few weeks of this family-friendly event series that featured an outdoor Farmers Market and morning yoga, organizers at the historic St. Paul Square have partnered with a pair of local small businesses – Juntos San Antonio and Mobile Om – to elevate the Sunday event series for San Antonians.

With support from Juntos San Antonio, the expanded outdoor market will feature an even greater variety of San Antonio-based vendors and pop-up shops offering seasonal organic produce; artisanal food; baked goods and pastries; coffee, tea, and specialty drinks; locally handcrafted goods; and more. Attendees of all ages can also enjoy live music as they stroll through the district’s charming courtyard, while leashed dogs are more than welcome to join in the Sunday festivities.

Local yoga enthusiasts can enjoy donation-based, all-level friendly classes hosted by Mobile Om, a San Antonio based yoga collective who have been uplifting the city’s local wellness scene for over a decade. Weekend classes will take place each Sunday at 11a.m. inside The Spire, one of St Paul Square’s many historic event spaces. Classes are available on a first come, first served basis based on venue capacity.

This expanded weekly showcase advances St. Paul Square’s mission to transform the historic district into a vibrant destination for food, entertainment, and cultural arts, by fostering community connections and supporting local businesses in San Antonio and its surrounding markets.

St. Paul Square
Farmers Market: St. Paul Square’s Outdoor Courtyard, 117 Heiman Street
Morning Yoga: The Spire, 230 Center Street

Originally founded in 1778, St. Paul Square is a historic multi-acre district found near downtown San Antonio, Texas, located just one hundred yards north of the Alamodome and a short walk from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

The District’s name is derived from Old St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church constructed in the late 1800s. With a rich background rooted in San Antonio’s history, St. Paul Square is developing today into a vibrant entertainment and cultural arts district that showcases the beautiful history and diversity of the Alamo City.

Spa Day Essentials: Top Treatments and Experiences at Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa

Plan the ultimate spa day at Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa. Photo: Molly Culver, used with permission.

Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa believes that regular relaxation is part of a healthier, happier lifestyle and strives to make wellness available to everyone. These are some of the offers available this month. From National Wellness Month to National Relaxation Day, and special products/gifts, there’s something for everyone. (Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa, 2024)

Locations:
San Antonio
Austin
Dallas
Fort Worth
Frisco
Houston
Plano

Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa is excited to celebrate National Relaxation Day on Thursday, August 15 with a day devoted to relaxation and rejuvenation. This special day is an excellent opportunity for guests to indulge in a luxurious escape and experience the spa’s exceptional self-care services.

Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa’s team is focused on providing a memorable experience for every guest, with a relaxing atmosphere and high-quality service. They offer a variety of services, including The Hot Stone Massage, which combines hot and cool smooth basalt stones with Swedish techniques, and The seasonal Epic Facial Retreat, an aromatic and purifying facial paired with a delectable hand-crafted cocktail, available through the end of the month, making Hiatus the perfect retreat where anyone can find the ideal remedy to their everyday stress.

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August is National Wellness Month, and Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa, one of Texas’s favorite relaxing retreats, is encouraging guests to prioritize self-care this month. The spa is currently offering its Summer Vibes seasonal Epic Retreat – a healing and hydrating relaxation experience available as a facial, body treatment or mani/pedi topped off with a complimentary Watermelon Candy beverage – at all nine of its locations through September as well as Summer at Hiatus: waived H-Circle membership enrollment fee through August 31.

Epic Retreat: Summer Vibes – Available through September

This summer is about healing, hydration and good vibrations. Experience a full embodied heart-opening with a 128hz tuning fork vibrational healing and breath work providing relaxation on a whole new wave length. Hiatus’ in-house mixture of Strawberry, Watermelon, and Aloe oils are specifically blended to help heal scars, sunburns, pigmentations, knockout inflammation and smooth wrinkles. Combined with a magnesium spray for stress management and a pomegranate foot mask, guests will walk away feeling out of this world. Let the sense of calm wash over you as you sip the sweetness of a watermelon candy drink combined with the soothing energy of a strawberry quartz in your pocket to support emotional balance and ease.

  • The Epic Facial Retreat: 85 minutes | $195 | $149 H-Circle
    • Booking HERE under “Skincare”
  • The Epic Body Retreat: 80 minutes | $205 | $159 H-Circle 
    • Call to book
  • The Epic Mani/Pedi Retreat: 135 minutes | standard polish $140 | $109 H-Circle
    • Booking HERE under “Tips + Toes”

Summer at Hiatus – Available until August 31

Enjoy a waived enrollment fee ($29 value) to join Hiatus’s H-Circle membership program through August 31.

For $89 per month, H-Circle member perks include: 

  • One Essential Service per month: choose from the Signature, Massage, Tailor-Made Facial, One & Only Mani-Pedi, Body Glow, Body Wrap, 10 units of Botox, 25 units of Dysport or Acupuncture
  • Additional Essential Services for $89
  • Discounted pricing on all treatments, including med spa services
  • 10% off all retail products: shop the finest quality products from brands like SkinCeuticals, NuFACE, HydroPeptide and more, as well at Hiatus’ in-house line, Hiatus Everyday, to elevate your at-home routine 

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This month, Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa is offering an exclusive gift when guests book The Optimist Facial powered by HydroPeptide. Elevate your skincare routine after your facial with the Power Up Duo by HydroPeptide ($79 value) for free, available in-spa at all locations. 

The Details:

  • Service: The Optimist Facial: Promoting healing, detoxification, reduced puffiness, and improved circulation, indulge with Hiatus’s A-Firming Facial Massage to firm, lift and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Brighten and sculpt your face with the Patented Vitamin C Mask and our exclusive cryo-sculpting technique. You will leave this one-of-a-kind facial feeling renewed, radiant, and uplifted in mind, body, and spirit.
    • 80 Minutes
    • $205 | $159 H-Circle Members
  • Exclusive Gift: Receive HydroPeptide’s best-selling customer favorite, the Power Up Duo, for free with your facial: 
    • Power Lift: Advanced Ultra-Rich Moisturizer
    • Power Serum: Anti-Wrinkle Line Lifting Transformation
  • Run Time: August 1-31 

Celebrate National Wellness Month at Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk

Join Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk for a series of workouts and an LSPACE Wellness Event. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk has some exciting programming for National Wellness Month this August. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2024)

Thompson San Antonio Spa is here to promote healthy habits and support you in your self-care journey. This August for National Wellness Month, Thompson San Antonio Spa is partnering with top local fitness instructors to offer you and your friends a series of dynamic workouts. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your fitness routine and enjoy a luxurious post-workout pool day.

To enjoy this series of diverse workouts every week leading up to the LSPACE Wellness Event & Fitness Sampler, just choose the date and the workout you’d like to attend. Classes are $30 per person.

Happening every Sunday in August at 8a.m.

Cenote Pool Deck, 4th floor
Thompson San Antonio (check-in at 3rd floor Spa)
115 Lexington Ave
San Antonio, TX 78205

Workout Schedule

8/11 – Sweat & Swim Luxe with Instructor Chasity Morales

An invigorating workout combining mat core Pilates strength and a soothing stretch recovery.

8/18 – Full-body Workout with Instructor Wela

A high-intensity, circuit-based training program that blends functional exercises to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Includes cardio, strength, and interval training designed to keep your heart rate up and maximize calorie burn.

8/25 – LSPACE Wellness Event & Fitness Sampler

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk invites you to a premier fitness event in partnership with LSPACE, the quintessential California beach lifestyle brand that believes the perfect fit is everything. Your ticket includes a sampler of four fitness classes led by local instructors, followed by a Sip & Shop experience. Explore the brand’s swimwear and activewear line, featuring beautiful everyday pieces designed with your moves in mind. Then, indulge in a mimosa bar + breakfast bites at Thompson’s Cenote Pool Deck.

Bonus Perk: After your workout, enjoy complimentary access to the exclusive Cenote Pool Deck for the ultimate pool day. Not to be missed, the LSPACE x Thompson curated cabana outfitted with LSPACE pillows, champagne buckets, and festive cups for enjoying a complimentary round of the LSPACE x Thompson Summer Breeze, a craft cocktail inspired by the quintessential California beach lifestyle brand. When you book the cabana, you’ll take home branded SWAG including a canvas tote, towel, and postcard with a curated music playlist to keep the good vibes going all summer long.

Reserve your spot now and join us every Sunday in August to take the first step towards a healthier, more energized you.

For more information and to reserve a ticket for these classes, book HERE.

Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Book review: ‘Journey Within’ by Ansh Verma

‘The Journey Within’ is an excellent guide for personal growth and development. Photo: Amazon

Ansh Verma is a researcher, author, and philosopher based in Dhanbad, Jharkhand (India). He researches almost everything that can be observed, felt and/or read, including technology, politics, divine, war, behavioral, engineering, investments, military, finance, and mathematics. Post graduation, Verma has almost 20 years of experience in thinking and making sense of the world. His book “Journey Within” is an eye opening guide that examines the profound significance of self-discovery and purpose in leading a fulfilling and prosperous life. 

‘Journey Within’ by Ansh Verma – Personal growth and development begins with getting to know yourself, your values, and your purpose in life. This is important not just for personal reasons since being a well rounded and fulfilled person affects those around us. In Chapter 1: Introduction, the author explains that individuals who are happy with themselves can inspire others and that “this ripple effect of positive impact contributes to creating a more harmonious and fulfilling society.”

Readers are guided in this transformative journey of self discovery beginning with Chapter 2: Understanding The Inner Self by learning to recognize just how important it is to truly get to know themselves. In Chapter 3: Embracing Mindfulness and Meditation the author explains that by practicing mindfulness and focusing on the present, they lessen the regrets about the past and the worries about the future. In Chapter 7: Embracing Change and Transformation readers learn about the importance of adopting a growth mindset because it makes them more resilient when faced with challenges and helps them view failures as opportunities to grow. Other notable chapters include Chapter 10: Embracing Gratitude and Abundance, Chapter 13: Living with Purpose and Intention, and Chapter 19: Empowering Others on Their Journey.

Since the chapters are short, it is easy to read through and reference back to specific topics. The most important lesson to be learned from “Journey Within” is that working on yourself can make a big impact in the world because “a healthy relationship with oneself is a foundation for healthy relationships with others.” This is an excellent book to read if you are working on self improvement because it emphasizes the importance of exploring who we are, fully understanding our values, passions, and strengths, and aligning our actions with our authentic selves.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

How to care for your dog the eco-friendly way

From eco-friendly dog treats to sustainable dog accessories, The Puppy Gazette has all the information you need to care for your dog while caring for the planet. Photo: Google/Bliss Planet

Earth Day is an annual event held globally on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection and promote environmental protection and climate action. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Planet vs. Plastics. In the spirit of Earth Day, I’d like to shine the spotlight on a recent article from The Puppy Gazette about the importance of eco-friendly dog food when it comes to reducing our beloved dogs’ environmental footprint. It emphasizes various earth friendly ways to care for them including natural dog grooming products and eco-friendly dog housing and bedding.

Earlier this month I introduced you to Allen Kimble’s website The Puppy Gazette. His goal is to be your new source for dog related information. If you are one of a growing number of global citizens concerned about your carbon footprint as well as a dog parent, there are ways to ensure that how we care for them is also eco-friendly. In the recent article, “Eco-friendly Dog Food for a Reduced Environmental Footprint,” he breaks down everything you need to know regarding dog care to make sure it is as environmentally friendly as possible.

I was impressed by the number of ways we can help reduce environmental damage while also caring for our dogs. Some of them I have heard of before, but I admit, some of these ideas are new to me. I will summarize them below but check out the article for more details.

• Eco-friendly Dog Treats
   Yora Pet Foods – insect protein
   Jiminy’s – crickets
   Wild Earth – high quality plant proteins
   Chippin – planet-friendly proteins
   Yarrah – organic, healthy, and sustainable dog food
   Beco – grain-free dog food
   Pezzy – pet treats made exclusively from invasive fish found around Mexico
• Pet Biodegradable Waste Management
   ATIFBOP dog poop bags
   MUAMUA Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
   Walker Good Boy Poop Bags
   Doggy Do Good Compostable Waste Bags
• Natural Dog Grooming Products
   Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo and Conditioner Set
   Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Grooming Wipes
• Eco-friendly Dog Housing and Bedding
   New Age Pet Pet Crate
   West Paw’s eco-friendly beds
• Sustainable Dog Toys and Accessories
   West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone Chew Toy
   Beco Pets Hemp Rope Jungle Ring Toy

These products come from companies that are committed to producing quality pet products that minimize environmental impact. This is excellent news for pet lovers who also care about the planet. From dog food to dog toys, nowadays there are more options available so we can rest assured that we are doing all we can to care for the planet and reduce our carbon footprint. What I found most interesting is the biodegradable dog poop bags, as opposed to plastic ones that can take hundreds of years to decompose. So take a few minutes to peruse the information in the article and while you are there, check out all the other outstanding articles. It has so much useful information.

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Photo: The Puppy Gazette

Four ways to give kids a strong start in life

Toddler holding camera. Photo: Pexels

Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or just someone else who cares about children in some way, you might well be keen to know exactly what it is that children need in order to have the best start possible in their lives. As it happens, there are a few things in particular that you might want to be aware of which can be particularly useful to children early on. In this post, we’ll look at four examples of things that kids generally need in order to have a strong start in life.

Encouragement
First of all, most people need plenty of encouragement, and especially when they are young. If you are able to provide this to your kids, then it’s going to make a world of difference to how much they feel they are capable of and what they are generally able to achieve, which in itself will affect their life considerably from here on out. So make sure that you are encouraging them in all they do, and especially where you notice any particular skills or interests that seem to be developing. That could make a world of difference to their lives.

Communication
Having the ability to communicate well is something that can set a person up very well in life, and it’s certainly the kind of thing you should be aiming to encourage in your kids as best as you can. There are many ways to do this. First, if there is anything specifically getting in their way of easy communication, then you might want to find them some help with that, perhaps through something like the Scottish Rite Foundation or similar. Then it’s about making sure that you are personally communicating well, so that they do the same in return. It’s amazing how much this can help.

Friendship
Nobody can do very well without people around them, and so this is something that you definitely need to make sure you are thinking about too. If you want your kids to be as happy as possible, it’s always going to be important for them that they have friends, but some kids find it naturally easier than others to make friends. If you happen to have children who are finding it somewhat difficult to do this, then you can help them along, and helping them is going to give them a much brighter start on the whole.

Education
Overall, a good, strong education is obviously one of the most important things of all. You can encourage and ensure this in a few ways, including finding them a good school, making sure that you give them the necessary motivation to actually learn well, and making sure that you help them with any areas of education that they tend to find difficult. If you can do those simple things, it’s going to mean that they have a much stronger, happier and well-rounded start in life, and the ongoing effects of this can be really quite profound.

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Book of the week: ‘The Book of African Proverbs and Wisdom: Volume 1’ by J.P. Martin

‘The Book of African Proverbs and Wisdom’ is a collection of ancient proverbs and wisdom from the continent of Africa. Photo: Amazon

The African Empire Research Project provides books on African history and culture. The first book in the series is African Empires. African Empires presents a comprehensive and in depth analysis of the major empires of the African continent over thousands of years. This book penetrates into the various kingdoms and rich cultures of Africa including East Africa, West Africa, North Africa, South Africa, and Central Africa. African Empires brings to life a colorful cast of historical characters including African kings, queens, scholars, religious leaders, artists, warriors, and merchants who helped to shape the direction of these great African civilizations. It captures the epic landmark events of Africa and explains them in detail to provide a full understanding of this dynamic continent and its contribution to world history. (J.P. Martin, 2023)

“The Book of African Proverbs and Wisdom Volume 1” is a compilation of over 100 ancient proverbs and words of wisdom from the continent of Africa. Africa is the birthplace of human civilization and home to some of the most ancient wisdom on the planet. The continent of Africa is an extremely culturally rich region and home to over 2,000 languages, 3,000 ethnic groups, and numerous belief systems. “The Book of African Proverbs and Wisdom Volume 1” provides a diverse and expansive collection of timeless wise sayings and knowledge which have been collected from every region of Africa including west Africa, central Africa, east Africa, south Africa, and north Africa. This valuable collection of inspirational sayings seeks to share Africa’s wisdom which has been passed down from one generation to the next for thousands of years.

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The importance of making your health a priority

It is time to stop pushing your health to the back of the queue. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

It is time to stop pushing your health to the back of the queue in your life. We know that you have a lot to do, and we understand that this can be difficult to manage at times, but this does not mean that you can treat your health like it does not matter, because it does. In this article, we are going to be taking a look at some of the things that you should be doing in your everyday life to take care of your health, and ensure that it is not the last thing on your to-do list. Keep reading if you would like to find out more about this.

Charities like The Dwoskin Family Foundation help fund research related to many of these areas. It’s worth finding out more about what you can do. 

Eat Healthy Foods That You Enjoy
First on the list, you need to be eating healthy foods that you enjoy on a regular basis. Of course, every now and then you are going to want to indulge yourself in some of the foods that are less than healthy, and that is completely okay. There is nothing wrong with this, you just need to make sure that it is not a regular occurrence and that the majority of the time, you are eating your vegetables. You can look up a range of different recipes such as this super easy bacon wrapped shrimp which can be used for your treat days, or even as part of a balanced diet if you are careful with what else you are eating.

Make Time For Exercise
It is also essential that you are making time for exercise. One of the things that people often forget is that exercise is about more than looking good, it is about keeping your insides healthy. Health experts are not telling you that you need to complete a regular level of activity because it helps you to look your best, they are telling you because it ensures that you are able to keep your muscles healthy. It helps your body stay strong and in shape, able to complete the processes that it needs to, and fight off infections when they occur.

We are not suggesting that you head to the gym every day of the week and complete a high intensity workout, so if this is what you have got in mind then you need to shut this down fast. Instead, you can do things like go for walks in the morning, or go to the gym a few times per week. Do not hurt yourself exercising, but make sure that you are doing enough.

Mental Health Is Essential Too
Your physical health is not the only thing that you should be fighting to take care of, your mental health is just as important. You need to be doing the things that take care of you mentally like giving yourself a break, acknowledging and speaking about your emotions and whatever else you can think of. There are professionals available to help if you need them, or you might be able to manage your mental health on your own. Whatever you decide to do, just ensure that you seek professional assistance if things get too much.

Get Enough Sleep At Night
Finally, when it comes to your health, you need to ensure you are getting enough sleep. This is not just about how long you are sleeping for but also the quality of the sleep you are getting. As an adult you should be aiming for around six to nine hours of undisturbed sleep each night. If you are regularly missing out on vital hours of sleep or you find yourself tossing and turning all night then you will wake up feeling exhausted.

Why is sleep important for your health? Well, when you sleep your body is busy repairing itself from any issues that cropped up the previous day. It also helps with your mood and therefore your mental health. Not getting enough sleep each night will result in your feeling grouchy and snapping at people when they annoy you.

If you are regularly waking up with various aches and pains that are disturbing your sleep then it may be time to look into why this is happening. It may be that your mattress is old, lumpy, and uncomfortable. These should be changed every eight to ten years to improve the quality of sleep.

Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you should do to ensure that you are no longer pushing your health to the back of the queue. There are so many different things that you can do here, but these are just some of the ones that we have come up with off the tops of our heads. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you make some of these positive changes in your life, ensuring that your health becomes a priority in future, and not just an afterthought.

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New book release: ‘The Journey Within’ by Daniel Shaba

‘The Journey Within’ is the new book by Daniel Shaba. Photo: Daniel Shaba

Daniel Shaba is a poet and self-help author passionate about personal growth and self-discovery. His debut self-help book, “A Way to Find Self-Belief and Unlock Your Potential,” offered tools for building self-confidence and achieving goals. In “The Journey Within,” his latest poetry book, he invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace, encouraging them to explore their values and embrace life’s challenges and triumphs. His poetry, with a background in psychology and personal development, offers insights and inspiration for living a fulfilling and meaningful life, speaking to the heart and soul of its readers and offering hope and guidance on the path to personal growth and inner peace. (Daniel Shaba, 2023)

“The Journey Within” is a poetic masterpiece that takes you on a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and inner peace. This book explores the challenges and triumphs of overcoming adversity, achieving your goals, and finding your place in the world. With chapters on positive thinking, emotional intelligence, self-confidence, and self-expression, this book offers tools and strategies for living a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Through the power of words and self-expression, this book encourages you to stand up for what you believe in and inspire change in your community. With a focus on gratitude, positivity, forgiveness, and mindfulness, this book encourages you to embrace life’s journey and find joy in the present moment.

From discovering your inner strength and finding your purpose, to building healthy relationships and exploring new possibilities, The Journey Within is a guide for personal growth and self-discovery. Through self-care, self-compassion, and self-love, this book offers tools and strategies for living a life of inner peace and contentment.

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Book of the week: ‘Living Your Best Life Now’ by Sterlyn Smith

‘Living Your Best Life Now’ by Sterlyn Smith is available now. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Sterlyn Smith is the author behind “Living Your Best Life Now” and “Getting Your Business On Track in The Digital Age.” He has a degree in Electrical Engineering and is a certified IT Professional and a business owner with a passion for awakening and empowering people who are getting starting with their online businesses. As an author, he hopes to create something that educates, inspires, and motivates his readers. In “Living Your Best Life Now: A Practical Guide to Personal Growth, Individual Freedom and Self-Empowerment” you will discover what it takes to change your life from wherever you are now to exactly where you want to be. (Sterlyn Smith, 2023)

“Living Your Best Life Now” – Are you feeling frustrated and disappointed in your life, and believe that there has to be more to it than what you are currently experiencing? Have you been questioning yourself wondering if you are on the right path? If you find yourself engulfed in uncertainty and asking these important questions then chances are you may not be Living Your Best Life right Now.

Within the pages of this book you will discover:

  • How to become more productive and self motivated in your life
  • How to take ownership over your happiness and reinforce your personal belief within yourself
  • How to remove toxic people and crush your fears
  • How to crush excuses and rise up after a tragedy strikes
  • Expand your understanding about self confidence and the power of persuasion
  • New ideas about finances and debt that can turn your life around
  • How to adjust to change and fully understand you learning style

This is a straight forward book that will help you and everyone you know who needs to find their way back to their own personal happiness. Living your best life is not a momentary situation that is established based on human emotions that can change daily. Living your best life is a full mind, body, spirit and emotional makeover where you have to develop some strength within each area of your life where weakness now exist. Stop spinning your wheels and going nowhere. Open up and read “Living Your Best Life Now” and begin the process of turning your life around so you can fill in the gaps and areas of weakness that have been holding you back for years.

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Author Sterlyn Smith. Courtesy photo, used with permission.