I believe everything happens for a reason through the grace
of divine intervention. With this truth, I have honored the wisdom of each experience in my life, knowing there are no mistakes in the universe. With compassionate awareness, I have intentionally blessed and released without judgment, any and all limiting experiences, relationships and thoughts that no longer honor or serve me. With this freedom, I am open to embrace the divine plan and graces for my life, which I refer to as ‘God Winks’.
I experienced a ‘God Wink’ as I sat in the monastery being interviewed by Brother Dennis for Easeamine. In that moment, I was inspired to live the life that was calling me. With a calm certainty I was prepared to be in alignment with God’s plan for my life—acknowledging my journey was divinely orchestrated! In the grace of the moment, I realized with clarity the purpose of my career path and the occurrence of each past life experience. I was being prepared for this very moment. Leaning into my faith, I committed my ‘yes’ to support Brother Dennis and the President of Easeamine, Paul Menard—for a few weeks.
The initial three-week agreement dramatically shifted to a complete committed to my ‘Brothers’ and our mission. With gratitude and grace I am humbled and honored to serve and support the Easeamine Team in developing the marketing and sales strategy for
Easeamine’s Anti-Aging Skin Care.
My intention is to inspire a contemporary understanding of ‘beauty and grace from within’. I observed on my journey a simple truth: women are seeking sincere and authentic—emotional connections and relationships—with like-minded women, communities and brands. With this
knowing, we are embracing and developing a strong presence within the “social media and networking” platform: creating community and abundant authentic connections to the product line and mission of Easeamine and the Teresian Carmelites’ philanthropic endeavors to serve the world with grace.
In life and the skin care industry, there is no testimony without the test. We are the only skincare collection with a patented and proven trans-dermal delivery to unleash the power of Adenosine. I am a passionate believer in the fusion of our science and grace; we are more than a skincare line. Easeamine is
divine intervention for your skin, heart and soul. Easeamine. Science and grace combine for beautiful skin and a beautiful world.
With gratitude and grace,
Mikki Lessard
VP Sales & Marketing
Easeamine, Carmel Laboratories
Soldiers in the field of fire, dedicating their lives in service for our freedom, have mothers who daily offer prayers for the safety and return home of their children. Like the 4th of July, Mother’s Day is a tribute to the heroines in our life that have held steadfast to the dictates of love and family.
My mother’s first recollection of responsibility was at the age of four. With clarity, she would recall the first of many times when she dragged her father, in his drunken stupor, out of a bar. Two years later he abandoned the family, while my grandmother picked up any job she could find. One particular job required my grandmother to walk five miles each way, through all types of weather in order to sustain her family. Leaving my mother to tend the needs of her sisters, Mom was responsible, accountable and respected by those who did not pass judgment. While tending to the needs of her mother and siblings, she managed to get A’s throughout High School. Graduating the top of her class, she continued her education and became a nurse, often times working six and seven days a week. At the age of 42, my dad had his first of seven heart attacks and was disabled until he died at 52. Fundamentally, my mother carried the burdens of our family. Through countless challenges, my mother and father never argued in front of us. Social etiquette was instilled in us from the pew to the baseball field, always considering others before ourselves. Integrity, honesty and sincerity were behaviors witnessed through the example of my mother and father. When food was scarce, with humor and ingenuity my mother concocted recipes, one of which I coined, “poo[r] man[‘s] chew[shoe].
As an adult, I recognize my mother had inspired my character to be compassionate, understanding and forgiving. Her history cultivated a woman of humble yet tremendous inner strength. In the midst of tragedy she was a courageous pillar of strength and when the storm subsided she allowed her vulnerability to be expressed. Yes, like a “soldier”, Mom dedicated her life in service to her family and friends, that we might experience the freedom to accomplish our life goals. This Mother’s Day, I will wave the flag of freedom, which carries the distinct image of my mom.
(I shared the above words with my mom. She wept and said she never looked at her life from this perspective, saying, “I just did what had to be done”...the mantra of a soldier!)
While our Easeamine product utilizes Adenosine Skin Technology as a powerful anti-aging tool, there are supplemental ways to further equip yourself to fight off wrinkles. Surprisingly, the foods you eat are capable of slowing your body’s aging process. The following are a list of the most powerful foods to eat to do just that. If only all foods offered such beneficial properties!
Fruits and Vegetables—Berries such as blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, and black grapes contain powerful antioxidants that protect your body from aging and free radicals. Also, avocados are quite great for the body as they contain a lot of vitamin E, which can help heal scares, preserve healthy skin, and stop aging skin. Another good source of vitamin E is within watermelon seeds (I would have never guessed). Furthermore, cruciferous vegetables such as radishes, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and turnips, to name a few, contain powerful properties that will fight toxins. But, they must be eaten either lightly cooked or best yet raw as it is important to preserve the vegetable’s enzymes.
Garlic—Garlic is not only tasty, but beneficial as well! It is recommended to eat about a clove of garlic daily in order to protect the body from heart disease and cancer. For those brave souls it is suggested to eat the clove raw, but cooked garlic is acceptable as well. If you enjoy cooking with garlic, it is easier to incorporate it into your diet. For example, try throwing garlic into your mashed potatoes or toasting it to smear on bread as an easy garlic bread appetizer.
Protein—The best nuts to eat with the maximum mineral components are brazil nuts and walnuts. They boost your immune system, while equipping your skin to protect itself from cancer. But, be careful because nuts can become rancid! Rancid nuts will emit a fishy odor or they will taste sour or bitter, so be sure to sample or smell them before you buy them. Otherwise a visual inspection will work. Avoid nuts that have darkened or become shriveled. Nuts will turn rancid when their unsaturated oils, due to exposure from heat, air, and light, oxidize too fast. Unfortunately, walnuts are the quickest nut to turn rancid, so make sure you eat them fast (about 2-3 months after purchase). Otherwise, stash them in the refrigerator/freezer to keep them safe. Sprinkling nuts on desserts and salads give your meal that extra crunch.
Any Ideas?—Do you have any tips or recipes that incorporate this list of amazing foods into yummy meals? There is nothing better than enjoying a delicious meal that is also amazing for your body. We would love to hear your suggestions!
~ written by Sasha Burgess, M.B.A. (We appreciate Sasha’s committed support as an Intern at Carmel Laboratories, while completing her MBA at Clark University, Worcester, MA)
Life has its twists and turns, most of which are fodder for fiction.
Sister Thérèse, an attractive, thoughtful, sincere and brilliant past colleague, who has since married, guided me to be a man of gratitude. It is all about attitude and embracing life.
My personality is one that always walked to the beat of my own drum. Though it took me years to discover and understand the following: it is impossible to be a unique individual, following dreams and aspirations, while conforming to authoritative dictates that fluctuate according to whim! At times, church leaders made whimsical decision that had and continue to have disregard for the individual. In my own life, I experienced fickle rules and regulations that were not only oppressive and impossible to fulfill (as a human being), but helped develop neurotic tendencies. I’m still getting over the symptoms!
Idealism is usually the trademark of the young. However, in the scheme of religion, I was captivated by eastern spirituality, which beckoned my heart and mind. My early rigid existence was drawn to an alternative way of life that required: being present in the moment; charity particularly when it is most difficult; and making informed decisions even when the majority disagreed. Certainly, the cognitive dissidence between the drive for perfection or being a beautifully flawed and responsible human being ripped apart my ideal world and made it delightfully habitable. So, here I am, overcoming dysfunction all the while desiring to give—more than receive.
I have discovered the necessary tools, which have enabled me to walk through my personal life-labyrinth; heart-felt sincerity, service and humility require confidence, a sense of self-worth and self-respect. In hindsight, once I began to understand these principles, I was able to celebrate life regardless of politics, authoritative abuses and judgment. Though it has taken awhile, I am allowing myself the freedom to have fun and be silly with friends, while being effective in making healthy changes in the world around me.
Reflecting upon my personal history, I am grateful for my life’s circumstances—the good, the bad and the challenging, for they have prepared me to be the man who walks in my sandals. The universe has collaborated to make my dreams come true. Now I want to help others’ resurface their dreams, while offering the tools of hope through education.
As President of Carmel Labs, the maker of the Easeamine anti-aging skin care product line, I have to say my skin is simply amazing. As men, we seem to hold woman to an unfair standard of beauty expectations, while the majority of our gender slowly grow old, obese and unkempt. It appears that mirrors don’t work both ways.
An article recently caught my attention. It read: Men, Anti-aging skin care is no longer just for women. Maybe the trend is changing. Why not take a little more time and effort on us? Does skin care have to be considered vain? Is two minutes of skin care that much of an inconvenience?
We must strike a balance between vanity and healthy life choices. Life is about choices and each of us have the gift of free will. Every action have a cause and effect. If a majority of our choices are intrinsically and extrinsically healthy. then taking care of our façade does not have to be a choice of vanity—rather one of part a healthy lifestyle. Why not look good for our significant other?
In many ways I am typical male; I eat fast, avoid household chores, love sports and enjoy napping. In some ways maybe not so typical. I guess growing up with five sisters has taught me that a few extra moments in front of the mirror pays dividends.
Using the Easeamine anti-aging skin care line literally takes a few extra minutes a day. I use the cleanser morning and nighttime followed by the appropriate Crème. After my morning shave, I apply the tone–like aftershave lotion–followed by the Eye Crème and Day Crème. The Day Crème should be massaged thoroughly into the entire shaved area. I guarantee you will see a difference immediately. Fine lines and wrinkles all but disappear as well as improved skin tone and suppleness.
So all you men out there do yourself a favor, take a little extra time to live a healthy life style and remember, the mirror doesn’t lie!
“Love in action is joy.” This wonderful quote comes from Mother Teresa of Calcutta who spent most of her life in service to the poorest of the poor. In our modern day society there seems to be an obsession with the word love, but it should really be spelled out as “LUV”. Because what looks like love and feels like love isn’t always true love. We can think of such song titles like “Love Me Tender” or “When I Fall In Love”, and these songs give us warm fuzzy feelings and make us feel like there will be that one person that will complete us and solve our problems… wrong!!! Love is not a feeling, but a choice. When we decide to do something for another person out of our own selfish search for recognition, or we have some ulterior motive, then don’t call it love because it isn’t! True love is when we do something for the sake of someone we love without expecting anything in return.
I’m not saying that reciprocity and mutuality in a relationship are not important, but they are fruits of true love. In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul gives us a clue as to what love looks like; pay attention especially if you are a “Mr. or Mrs. Know-It-All “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Cor. 13-4) Now, weigh the acts you do for your loved ones against this quote, and if it matches, you’re on the right track; you’re really putting love into action, which will bring joy to both you and your loved one.
Barnes notes on this passage has this to say: Paul now proceeds to illustrate the "nature" of love, or to show how it is exemplified. His illustrations are all drawn from its effect in regulating our conduct toward others, or our contact with them. The "reason" why he made use of this illustration, rather than its nature as evinced toward "God," was, probably, because it was especially necessary for them to understand in what way it should be manifested toward each other. There were contentions and strifes among them; there were of course suspicions, and jealousies, and heart-burnings; there would be unkind judging, the imputation of improper motives, and selfishness; there were envy, and pride, and boasting, all of which were inconsistent with love; and Paul therefore evidently designed to correct these evils, and to produce a different state of things by showing them what would be produced by the exercise of love.
Relationships are not easy, and love can sometimes be painful, but the reward is great joy and peace! How do you practice love in action?
During the past three years, while developing and creating our Easeamine anti-aging skin care product line, people have repeatedly asked me the fundamental question: “What are you doing in the cosmetics industry?” The simple response is that Dr. James G. Dobson, a lay member of my community, invented the Adenosine Skin Technology. This science has harnessed a miracle of the body, and sharing it enables me to follow my mission to do good in other areas. And the integrity of the product is, I feel, a fitting reflection of the integrity of my monastery and community.
I’m reminded on a daily basis that the cosmetic industry is saturated by global conglomerates (with lots of money), suggesting that this particular industry might be a poor choice for a cottage industry. Then I remind myself that my faith journey has been d
irected by choices that have often appeared irrational to most people—even to myself at times. One particularly inspiring example is Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Not only did she consider herself a “simple woman”, but experienced an inner dialogue and relationship with God, that beckoned her outside the walls of emotional, financial and physical stability. She sought permission to leave the security of her convent in India to work in the slums of Calcutta, serving the dying left in the streets. With no financial support from her community and a pittance in her pocket, she walked in the darkness of mind and body, yet accomplished her heart’s desire. She established the Missionaries of Charity, one of the largest communities in the world, which serves the needs of the poor and dying on every continent.
Jesus has always been the center of all my life endeavors, short of my flaws. My pursuit for union with Him is not based upon societal dictates, but my heart’s longing for greater intimacy with Him and the fulfillment of the inner longing to serve others. A relationship with God defies logic for most. On the other hand, my life history proves His existence and easily demonstrates Divine Providence active within my journey. Although it’s been a long and painful journey, I have learned to walk in the darkness without fear (most of the time) toward a destination that is obvious to my spirit, yet hidden from my senses. Easeamine is one of those journeys. Adenosine is currently a cutting edge cosmeceutical product of which we hold the exclusive license in the US. We have a patented technology. In Rene Jose, we have a brilliant chemist. We’re poised to take a leading position in an important cosmetic category. And we have a blessed mission. All we need to accomplish our goal is consumer awareness.
Why did I choose this path? It’s really quite simple: Divine Providence placed it in front of me as a gift, and I seized the opportunity to support my monastery, the poor and the marginalized.