What is the best thing that money can not buy for you…?

Living in America, or not, if you are not thankful for what you have you won’t be thankful for what you will have.

I have a loooong list, … but what is more important is:

Peace of mind that comes from knowing that we are living according to our means.

My honest and understandable husband, my best friend (when he actually listens to me… )

A truly wonderful daughter.

Google Talk and Skype, which allow me to talk to my family in Brazil at any time and for free.

Recently, someone apologized for having hurt me years ago. Even though I had already forgiven them, a sincere apology as that one was much appreciated and invaluable.

The unconditional love of my dogs.

The ability to appreciate the world around me.

I am only ruled by my imagination…

SOLITUDE… Time for myself is not selfishness, it’s good for my soul, refreshes, renews, calms me… ESSENTIAL.

I think every one needs some time alone during the day, to ‘regroup’ so to speak…

And for that, I have a great companion, that takes me a little further than my legs can take me and makes me be thankful for health, vision and a sound mind.

I can sit and realize that Gratitude is still the best attitude.

It reminds me to be grateful for the bridges that have sustained me in life…

For this peaceful and beautiful place where I live.

If I’m alive… I should be thankful for my past.

On beautiful sunny days in the middle of the Texan winter and this camera, which helps me to document it for all of you.

With its help, I realize ‘how we are citizens of the world’ and that the GREAT tragedy is that many do not know…

How long has it been since you’ve visited yourself?

Never be afraid to sit and think.

What we have seen in the last week in Haiti, has been too shocking and would shatter the heart of almost any human being.

It’s been very hard for me to understand the horrors that the people are going through having already lived a life of suffering.

I have been stunned, frozen, shocked. It has me  made me cry, seeing kids hurt, scared, hungry, thirsty, often solitary, and in the streets.

We should never be ashamed to cry, my friends, because tears are like rain on top of a dusty earth, washing hard and heavy hearts. And heavy clouds are relieved with a little water, and water that is now holy will cure as it washes.

Unless you have been very, very lucky in life, you must have experienced some event that has made you cry. So, I repeat: Unless you have been very, very lucky, you know that a good session of tears, makes you feel much better, although still no circumstances have changed.

And more than ever, now they need our generosity, in addition to our prayers and hundreds if not thousands of miracles.

And how are strong and beautifully humble they are…

The human spirit amazes me…!

I pray with all my heart, that all donations raised throughout the world reach as fast as possible the greatest number of victims in Haiti.

The site my husband has used for years for deciding where to help is, http://www.charitynavigator.org/ where they report not only efficiency but the fraudulence of charity organizations, if you are still in doubt where to send your donations.

And this you can be sure of: One day I’ll return to my favorite emotion for the people of Haiti: I’ll weep for joy.

Living in America or not, looking for your first job or trying to get that longed for promotion, appearances really matter now, especially at this time of recession.

Experts on the subject, executives and fashion gurus reveal the following rules:

Rule Number 1

Wear clothes that impress, because each day is a SHOWTIME! The trend is to look “pulled together”. Choose the more tailored line, the pants, not the capris, the shirtdress, not the sundress.

A rule that never fails: dress like the executive of your company dresses. If they wear pantyhose girls, I’m sorry, but you must also use them.

Rule Number 2

Do not be sloppy in relaxed places, you never know who will find! And on Fridays, when almost everyone can wear jeans, use dark colored clothing, nothing torn, and if it be a meeting, dress appropriately, even on a Friday.

Rule Number 3

Fix up your hair a little, not too much nor too little and use a little makeup. Perfection is not the goal, after all… who can handle perfection every day? Think about the words clean and refreshing. A natural basic foundation, a little mascara and don’t use super flashy lipstick, a neutral tone is most recommended and much better than lip gloss. If you wear blush, blend it well, so it doesn’t look like you came to work after climbing a mountain.

For the hair, the idea is this: be neat, but not fussy.

Rule Number 4

Have something in your wardrobe (one accessory, one color) that is your signature, which makes you stand out, that says who you are, your ‘brand’. Now, in the fields of creative work, there is a little more freedom in professional appearance.

Regra Numero 5

Do not reveal anything, do not use a sexy style or anything ‘suggestive’. Nothing with low necklines, no short skirts and dresses, nothing tight or anything that exposes the belly.

The last thing you want to do is show that you don’t belong. Please do not be vulgar.

And one last reminder: if your doubts are… “Should I wear this to work?”

The answer is’ no. Trust your instincts.

Credits: Erin MacPherson (Yahoo VP), Mary Baglivo (CEO Saatchi & Saatchi-New York), Lynn Goldenberg (The Body Shop’s), Liz Lange

This advice comes from someone who has helped thousands of people, Leonard Lauder, Director of Estee’ Lauder Companies.

FOCUS IS ON YOUR WORK, NOT YOUR WATCH. That means, if you work every day until 5 o’clock, don’t always be watching the elevator door, ready to go. This shows that you do not like your job or are already tired of it.

Let your boss’s schedule ‘guide’ you. If you always come in after the boss, and always leave before, don’t blame the ‘Economy’ or others for your lack of progress.

BE A STEP AHEAD OF YOUR SUPERIOR. It is very important to find ways to make your boss or supervisor ‘see’ that you are indispensable. But bragging or flattery, is not the right way, and it is a turn off. But there are subtle ways to do this, for example: if your boss asks you to do something and you have already done it, it sends a good signal!

TRY TO ALWAYS HAVE THAT OLD ‘CHARM’. It is easy to forget, when your super busy or stressed. At least say “PLEASE” and “THANK YOU” always! Keep a good sense of humor. Bring joy instead of complaints. The more difficult the situations and times, the more so you have to smile!

“There are no menial jobs, only menial attitutes” (Book of Virtues – Willian J.Bennet))