This Woman Had Her Face Photoshopped In Over 25 Countries To Examine Global Beauty Standards

Esther Honig, a freelance journalist based out of Kansas City, sent an unaltered photograph of herself to more than 40 Photoshop aficionados around the world. “Make me beautiful,” she said, hoping to bring to light how standards of beauty differ across various cultures.

The project, titled Before & After, originally came to Honig while she was working as a social media manager for a small startup. Her boss introduced her to Fiverr, an international freelancing website where anyone can hire freelancers from around the globe to complete almost any task imaginable. While browsing the site, Honig realized the prevalence of those offering Photoshop skills. “It immediately occurred to me that in this pool of workers, each individual likely had an aesthetic preference particular to their own culture,” Honig told BuzzFeed. Thus, the idea for Before & After was born.

Working with freelancers in over 25 countries, Honig expected that the images would differ from country to country, but was herself caught off guard by just how drastically some of the images were altered. “Seeing some jobs for the first time made me shriek… Other times images, like the one from Morocco, took my breath away because they were far more insightful than I could have expected,” Honig said.

To be sure, the images Honig has collected so far are interesting as individual images, a unique portrait of the standards of beauty in each country. However, when taken in totality, the project becomes much more striking, an interesting launching point into a global conversation about unattainable beauty standards around the world. “What I’ve learned from the project is this: Photoshop [may] allow us to achieve our unobtainable standards of beauty, but when we compare those standards on a global scale, achieving the ideal remains all the more illusive.”

Below are the photographs that Honig has collected thus far. Note: Some countries have multiple images from different artists. Honig continues her project on her website.

Source; www.buzzfeed.com

YOU ARE SO SPECIAL

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1

What you believe about yourself your self-esteem, your sense f value, your sense of worth sets the limits for your life. 
We can see ourselves from different points of view.

• We can see ourselves as the world sees us: this makes us slaves of other people.

• We can see ourselves as we see ourselves: this can make us either arrogant or timid.

• We can see ourselves the way God sees us: this frees us to be the best we can be. When we see ourselves the way God sees us, it enables us to live our lives the way God created us to be.

The problem that many people have today is they don't really even like themselves. They constantly focus on their faults and shortcomings and then wonder why they don't enjoy life or have any enthusiasm or why their relationships aren't working.

Understand that you cannot be negative toward yourself and expect to live a positive, faith-filled life.

In order to love yourself so that you can love others, you first of all accept that God loves you unconditionally. That thought will liberate you from any sense of inferiority or arrogance.

It focuses your identity on God and not on what you have or do not have. If you'll get your thinking corrected and start thinking like a beloved child of the Most High God, who is crowned with favour, you'll be amazed at what will happen.

You will rise from the life of a loser to the life of a winner in Christ. When you allow thoughts of acceptance and love fill your heart and mind, it will spill over onto the people around you.

As you live and love the way God intends, you will find peace, joy, and victory.

Prayer: Thank You Heavenly Father, for loving me without reservation.

Scriptural Reading: 1 John 3:1-3

Haters are not outside, Enemies are not strangers!

Haters are not outside, enemies are not strangers. This is a post I read somewhere on facebook. We naturally have two sets of people, those that believe everybody is the enemy and those who believe otherwise. Each believes the other set is too extreme. Today's passage is about an enemy who was not a stranger, who was In-fact a blood relative, a son, a most loved son!
2 Sam 15 : 1-6.
Absalom didn't just create an uprising against his dad, he planned it for years. He strategized and worked towards his goal. All through what was to bring the a-shame, disgrace, defeat, death of his dad, David remained ignorant of the plan that was sure to end him I'm sure many can identify with this.
 I know when your trusted confidants are the ones plotting against you and you remain in their midst unaware. There is nothing we can do to eliminate such people from around us totally, as the bible says the heart of man is desperately wicked, and there is a saying in literature that says there is no art that knows the heart of man. How then do we keep safe in the light of this? David had an informant, even among the plenty people that decamped to Absalom's side. Who is your informant? 

Who tells you of secret things to come? Who do you depend on in the camp of the enemy to let you in on plans against you?vs 13. David developed a strategy immediately, the strategy was to remove himself to a safe place together with his household which included his servants, i.e protection of life was urgent. What happens to you in time of trouble? Do you fall apart? Weep endlessly? Complain to people who've got no solution? Or take immediate action to protect yourself and your household. He personally monitored those who crossed over to safety with him
 vs 19-22. He placed people in strategic places to ensure he was kept up to date with the activities of his enemy. He prayed, he placed a mole in the camp of the enemy. Who is your mole? All those who remained faithful to David Sid not start being faithful that day of trouble, he had earned their loyalty over time before then. What is your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Would you just call on him out of the blues on the day of trouble? Would you even understand how he speaks when you've not accustomed yourself to hearing? David refused to be distracted by opposition on his way to safety, he still hoped in God, he never lost hope, even though he was removing himself from danger. His prayer became answered, Ahitophel's counsel was turned into foolishness and God gave David victory. What happens to you when it seems the gates have been opened to your oppositions? Stop weeping, take action, prayerfully bring yourself to safety, don't loose hope in God, you will win this battle.
By Dunni

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: THE VALUE OF TIME

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.

It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.
What would you do?

Draw out every cent, of course!!

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you.

Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours.

There is no going back. There is no drawing against the “tomorrow”. You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!

The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of one year, ask a student who has failed his final exam.

To realize the value of one month, ask the parent of a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one day, ask a daily wage laborer who has a large family to feed.

To realize the value of one hour, ask lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of one minute, ask a person who has missed the train, the bus, or a plane.

To realize the value of one second, ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of one millisecond, ask the person who has won a silver medal at the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. And remember that time waits for no one.

VALUE YOUR TIME!!!

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

This is dedicated to anyone going through one storms/problems or the other listen to this song specially the lyrics and be bless. see the video below:




"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

THE JOY OF THE LORD

And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:4 

It is tragic to go through life with a stone face.

The enemy has convinced too many into thinking that they need to be always sombre and serious in order to be a Christian. Don't fall for that trick.

God wants you to be joyful and happy.
In fact, He prescribes laughter as a medicine for our souls. "The joy of the Lord is our strength." It is God's great prescription for living a long, healthy, and happy life.

Recent studies have shown that a joyful disposition boosts the body's immune system, reduces stress, reduces the risk of heart attack, and even acts as a natural tranquilizer. Those are health benefits everyone needs.

The "medicine" of laughter is within everyone, but you may need to start taking it before it works in your life.

It is important to note that the joy of the Lord is not simply bursting into laughter because you heard a funny joke. Neither is it a fake pretense at being happy or giggling senselessly.

The joy of the Lord has a spiritual source. It is produced by the Holy Spirit and is produced from within our hearts by Him.

Because it is supernatural in nature, it cannot be controlled by our circumstances.

Four factors influence our joy:

• Our salvation. We are joyful because our sins are forgiven, and our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

• Our security. We are joyful because we know that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are safe in Him.

• Our service. We are joyful because we allow the Holy Spirit to use us to touch other people's lives. Our lives are useful.

Most importantly, we are joyful because of our earnest expectation of the glory of God when Jesus Christ comes.

Prayer: Joyful, joyful we adore You Lord of glory, Lord of love.

Scriptural Reading: 1 John 1:1-4

Ten Marriage Trials and How to Survive Them

Marriage is tough. It's a given. This list covers most of the common troubles, but your situation is unique and the key point here is to face the hardship whatever kind of struggle it is together with your wife.

OK, if you haven't watched the "Ian and Larissa" video, then stop reading right now, watch the video, then come back to this list. Seriously, you have to watch it.

Do you remember your marriage vows?

"For better, for worse..."

"In sickness and in health..."

"For richer, for poorer?

These promises presuppose tough times. My wife and I went into our marriage with our eyes open, so there's really no excuse for not bringing everything we have to the table when things once in a while get dicey.

Here are 10 ways to overcoming hardships in marriage. Remember first and foremost, however, that prayer is the biggest key. You and your spouse should be praying together every day and trusting that you can overcome anything if you trust in the Lord.

1. Financial Struggle. The stress associated with money problems can be overwhelming. But, in the end, it's only money and money has no power over your commitment to your relationship.

• Commit to a plan 
• Live simply
• Never keep financial secrets from your wife

2. Challenging Children. Even the "best behaved children in the world" present challenges, and the number one casualty is always the relationship between mom and dad. So remember this, "The marriage comes first." Not the kids, but the marriage. Nurture your relationship with your wife and you will be better equipped to deal with whatever it is the kids dish out.

3. Immaturity. Great relationships are supposed to mature over time. If you still relate to one-another the same way you did when you first married, then it's past time for the marriage to grow up. Get involved in a couples group at your faith community. Love one-another "out loud." Invest in the marriage as if your life depends on it because it does.

4. Unfaithfulness. Marriages run into this hardship often. We may not sleep with other women, but we're all guilty of being unfaithful when it comes to time, attention, priorities, the way we use our resources, and so much more. One way to deal with this is to recommit yourself to your wife. Woo her all over again. Make it clear where your priorities steer your time and attention.

5. Moving. It's a fact. Most Americans change careers several times. That often means moving across the state or across the world. Moving is a huge stress. Regardless, if it's because of your job or if it's hers, make the decision to be 100 percent supportive and flat-out refuse to whine. Do what it takes to get invested in the new community quickly. Find a church. Get involved. Live forward.

6. Sickness. We forget how much we rely on one-another until someone breaks down physically. If you're the one still standing, do everything in your power to be a servant to your spouse. Sure it's tough to do everything, but your attempt with an obvious willing spirit is going to make all the difference.

7. Depression. Everyone goes through "the blues" at times in their lives.  Here, again, it's about having the heart of a servant, about going the extra mile, about putting the needs of your wife ahead of your own.  Look to God for your source of happiness, be a conduit of that joy to your spouse, and seek medical attention.

8. Disinterest. Sometimes it happens the first year. Sometimes it takes a decade or so. Regardless of where we are on the time spectrum, disinterest or boredom can easily set in. Not feeling special about the relationship is a hardship for everyone. But it doesn't have to be. Our job is to be intentional about the relationship. She didn't fall for you in the first place without any effort on your part—so why stop now?

• When was the last time you took her out on a date?
• Have you told her lately how stunning she looks?
• What about a day off (the entire thing) devoted to her?

9. Career. We've already talked about moving, but career issues can cause hardship without a change of location. Keep her in the loop. Ask her opinion about what you're up to. Do everything in your power to protect family time and to promote a work-culture that respects family values.

10. Empty nest. We invest a lot in the kids. If we're not careful, our relationship with our spouse gets neglected. First, guard against that day by investing in your wife now. Then, rather than mourn the children after they leave, try celebrating the freedom you now have to invest more time and interest in your marriage. Again, it's all about being intentional.

Huddle up with your wife tonight and say: "I want you to know that I still am committed to my marriage vow and I will love you for the rest of my life."

Source: charismamag.com