beauty

Beauty in Transition

As I drove through my small town of Elkhart Lake , this building, which is unique to begin with, especially caught my eye today.

Look at all those icicles blending in with what looks like grapevine on the wall! I wrote yesterday on my blog about looking for the beauty from the spring snowstorm, instead of grumbling about it as I’d been doing, until I snapped myself out of it.

The more we look for beauty around us, even when we think spring should be here by now, it’s confirmation that when we open ourselves to what is and pay attention…we are gifted with a magical moment such as this one – and again reminded that there are blessings in transition.

SPRING

by Camille Gotera

When the cold, harsh winter has given its last breath,
When the sky above shows life instead of death,
When the claws reaching to the frozen sky become decorated with leaves,
When the animals -long in hiding- scurry from trees,
We know winter has ended.

When the frost on grass is replaced with sweet dew,
When the fields become dotted with flowers, reminding me of you,
When the lonely silence becomes filled with melodies, 
When you feel warm air, erasing bad memories
We know winter has ended.

When the hard, bare ground becomes painted with green, 
When the frost-bitten air becomes fresh and clean,
When the coats and boots are all stored away,
When the playgrounds become occupied again with child’s play,
We know winter has ended.

When you hear the pleasant sound of children’s laughter,
When the air is filled with joy- long sought after,
When the world is filled with sunlight, brighter and longer,
When the song of Mother Nature becomes stronger,
Spring has begun.

XO,

Barbara

Signs, Signs. Everywhere a Sign.

Signs. Signs. Everywhere a Sign.

Yesterday on my blog I wrote about how an issue with my right eye has had me feeling vulnerable in going out in public without eye make-up and how this has been a great lesson of acceptance of myself.

It opened a great discussion and thoughts on the post itself and on Facebook. Thanks everyone for chiming in!

The discussion continued today when I went in to get my haircut by my friend, Missy. Standing in the reception area we talked about my post and Missy agreed about much of what I said about questioning what real beauty is and how we’ve bought into what our culture deems as so. With my eye still red (but a bit better today), Missy shared with me how a spot on her face has her feeling very self-conscious right now.

Truth be told, I never saw the spot. It was her sparkling eyes and her genuine, loving personality that I saw. As we talked about self acceptance Missy looked down to see a heart shaped leaf on the floor of the salon.

And there it was! Confirmation for both of us to know in our hearts we are enough. I was thrilled she handed it to me so I could bring it home and take a picture and share with you today.

So there it is…for each of us…we are all truly enough. Believe it and really know it…for then you shall be set free.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

What is Real Beauty? Embracing this Lesson of Acceptance.

What is Real Beauty? Embracing this Lesson of Acceptance.

On Sunday afternoon, my right eye became quite swollen. Monday morning I could barely open my eye as it was so puffy. I’ve been battling something going on with it since mid-October, trying all sorts of remedies to try to get rid of the redness, itching, and flaking on the lid of my eye.

I ended up going to urgent care yesterday morning and the doctor felt it is an allergic reaction to something and gave me some steroid creme to use. I’m hoping that’s the answer to this mystery, as the creme has helped with the swelling. Time will tell.

But it’s been an interesting process for me in terms of acceptance…and going out into the world without eye make-up on. I can honestly say that years ago I would not have ventured out, afraid for others to see me without make-up. Silly and trivial perhaps with so many more issues in much need of attention these days- but I’m pretty sure I’m not alone on this.

Our society places so much value on beauty, or what is perceived as – something I’ve wrestled with and worked through many layers of my own self-consciousness of for many years.

Just last night I watched a make-up video of a new mascara promising to give us those long, long lashes, so many wish for. I found myself getting depressed watching, not being able to wear make-up right now. I went to wash my face for the night and John walked in the bathroom as I was looking in the mirror.

I said, “I’m so ugly right now!”  

And then I caught myself. I was beating myself up. It didn’t feel good. I didn’t want to do that. I’m still me, red, swollen eye and all. I am not my looks. I am my heart. 

And it brings me back to the issues that need our attention right now in this world. It’s about re-framing our language. It’s about accepting all the parts of ourselves. It’s about healing the wounds we have of buying into what is perceived as true beauty and what makes a person beautiful.

So while not wearing make-up and being self-conscious about it may seem trivial, it really is much deeper. It’s about the fear of being judged. Of feeling not pretty enough. Or feeling not good enough.

It’s owning those fears and knowing they are false. That I am good enough. That I am enough. Make-up or not.

And as I got ready to meet a friend for lunch today, I stepped into my confidence shoes and walked proudly into the cafe.,, And had the most wonderful, uplifting, inspiring lunch with my friend, Connie. Something I would have missed out on had I let fear get in the way.

And this…this is what matters. Connecting. Sharing. And accepting others for who they are and where they are at. That is real beauty to me.

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