Surely most of us at some point in the New Year take a few moments at least, to stop and consider where we have been, what we have done, and where to go from here... a sort of 'year-end review' if you will, of failures, successes, plans and dreams. What went wrong, what went right, and what are you going to do about it? A time of self-examination, and perhaps even introspection. Sum up the past year, toss out the bad, and welcome the good.

Some may disagree, but making New Years Resolutions are not only practical and important, but necessary. We cannot move forward and expect any amount of success until we have a clear understanding of the direction we need to point ourselves towards. A New Year is an opportunity to start fresh, turn over a new leaf, dream new dreams, and set a goal--- a chance to do all those things you have been telling yourself you must or want to do.

Resolutions bring about optimism and clarity, which in turn, bring enthusiasm and vigor to your life. Resolutions give us a strong sense of conviction of what is good for our health, life and even our world. We all desire to make a change for the better. Change need not be difficult, nor expensive, a drudgery, or even destined for failure. Simple changes that deliver huge dividends can be fun, enjoyable, and easy to follow through on.

For the first time last year, I tried J.R.LIGGETT'S Shampoo Bar. Just a simple step, a simple choice, but with extraordinary consequences. I decided to turn over a new leaf... to dig deeper, do my research, and become informed about what goes into J.R.LIGGETT'S products and how they contribute to my over-all well being--both body and mind. I learned about the various oils and their cleansing properties, how J.R.'s Shampoo Bars are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-free, contain no petroleum based detergents, no animal products, no preservatives, are bio-degradable and extremely mild and wonderful for my body. I tried the Foam Face & Body Washes and experienced the enjoyment of clean, soft, nourished, and moisturized skin. Upon using the Shaving Foam, I discovered just a few pumps was all that was needed for an outstanding shaving experience. 'Life changing' would not be an over-statement in reference to J.R.LIGGETT'S products.

Those choices, and all that I learned about J.R.LIGGETT'S healthy, earth-friendly products caused a change in my way of thinking when it came to selecting what is best for my body, my family's health, the environment and even our country. I knew I didn't want to use products that contained SLS and DEA, and I didn't want to contribute to the issue of more plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles lining store shelves and 'living out their life' in a landfill. And when you find a 'good thing'--- the 'right thing', you share that goodness with others--any other option is really not an option. I liked the idea of the multi-tasking aspects of the shampoo bar, and the convenience of having one product take the place of many. As my husband packed for a recent trip, tossing his aerosol shaving foam, liquid shampoo and bar soap aside, he stated, "I don't need them... I've got LIGGETT's"!

Over the years, J.R.LIGGETT has re-evaluated his successes and failures and has proceeded to make changes and improvements. He decided 'Made in America' was the good and right thing to do. I admire J.R.LIGGETT'S business philosophy of honesty and conscience and integrity... I appreciate the fact that using the Shampoo Bar in a mountain stream won't upset the ecology of the water, and if I somehow happen to forget to 'pack out' my refuse, the bar wrapper will happily decompose and return to the earth--no harm done. I admire J.R.LIGGETT'S promotion of frugality and thriftiness by offering large refills for his Foam Face & Body Washes. J.R.LIGGETT cares for our health in that what he adds to his products, adds to our life.

J.R. said something very interesting and wise in his column in the November issue of J.R.LIGGETT'S Soap Box... "Treasure all that is given you, and brush aside all the rest as the experience of getting there. After all, for me it is the voyage, not so much the destination that counts. Sure you have to have goals and destinations, but without the 'getting there', it would be of considerably less value once obtained."

We all are on a voyage in life... be it smooth sailing, choppy waters, or even rough seas. All we go through in life makes us who we are. An honest assessment of the past year will reveal the treasures, the blessings, and yes, the disappointments. But it's the 'getting there'--- the changes and choices we make, the integrity of our decisions, that is what will help determine the outcome. Choose carefully, chart your course, reach your destination, and step out on solid ground. Here's to making a difference in the New Year.

Many many years ago, when we first started out, all we had were two products and a huge idea. Way before people (and other companies) developed a conscienceness for all of the resources our Earth is being depleted of. For all the maladies that "modern" living and to quote a Dupont theme "Better living through Chemistry".

Oh yea, guess that has proven itself with all the maladies now attributed to "the chemistry" in making our world better. Pollution on all levels from the Oceans with their plastic islands the size of Texas, the pollution of our lands and streams with the residue from mining, the dumping of chemicals, and the thoughtless exploitation of all of our natural resources.

Now, lets get down to the people who live here on our planet earth. Chemically produced "petroleum based" detergents are rampant in all the societies of the world, affecting people, plants, animals, fish, and the very air we breath. Affecting all of us!

JR LIGGETT'S was started with a higher set of values in mind. Our first products were sold and distributed to "Health Food" stores long before they were to be known as they are now "Natural Foods" stores. Back when many of the items available in them were usually overpriced, in short supply, and may not have worked as well as you would have liked - BUT- you knew they were better for you than the stuff being sold to the mainstream consumers of the world.

We were selling a product that actually helped people, one to be justly proud of.

Our products worked just as well then as they do now, and still represent the same value and quality. Our shampoo has been acclaimed over the years by such a wide variety of people it is astounding. Just take a look at our website: www.jrliggett.com and read a few of the "Letters" we have received over the years. You will find people there relaying how, with their allergies, sensitivities and chemical reactions (many if not most caused by the wonderful chemicals in products we use daily) JR LIGGETT'S shampoo and other products have changed their way of life. From being without an acceptable means of even cleaning their hair, to now having a beyond acceptable to a totally superior shampoo that works well for them.

Chemotherapy is another success story attested to, by letters received. People who have undergone this extremely invasive procedure for cancer usually loose their hair and when it finally regrows resembles little the hair they had previously. People who were using our shampoo before undergoing chemotherapy said their hair didn't change but stayed the same. People who started using our shampoo after their treatments found their hair quickly came back to what they were used to before the chemotherapy.

The two products we first started with: Our Original Shampoo Bar and Our useful Shampoo Shelf bar holder. Now if you take a look at our website we have 6 different types of shampoo, items to make traveling with our shampoo easy (and have traveled all over the world), plus Body Washes, Body Scrubs, wonderful Body Oils and more.

Yes we have come along way over the decades since we first started and are looking forward to an even more expansive and exciting decade ahead.

Hello 2011 - fasten your seat belts and join us - we're taking off!

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