“The best beauty product is to have a life. A real life. With challenges, disappointments, stress, and laughter.” From The Art of Imperfection by Veronique Vienne
I love that little book called The Art of Imperfection. None of us is perfect, and this book makes me feel okay about that. The section from which the above quote is taken is entitled, “The Art of Looking Like Yourself.” I care about how I look. We all should. We should take care of our bodies, eat the right food, exercise, take baths regularly, wear clean clothes, smell fresh and laugh. But I think when we are more excited about what we’re contributing to the good of the world and less concerned about how perfectly put together or stylish we are, our natural beauty naturally shines.
We all ought to look “put together” to a certain extent. It reflects how we think about ourselves. But when we don’t have time for lots of makeup and perfectly coiffed hair because we’re building a Habitat for Humanity house, or helping our teenager learn to drive, or we’re engrossed in a new project at work, or are fully and joyfully engaged in other worthwhile endeavors, we’re appealing, attractive and exciting anyway.
So, like Veronique points out, if you want to be beautiful in the way that really matters, get a life! And realize that in real life there will be hard days, disappointments, setbacks and even occasional wild sobbing. But there will also be lots of joy and fun and laughter. And we’ll accomplish worthwhile stuff.
The wisest man in the world, Solomon, understood that concept, too. His statement about living in the “Fear-of-God” is not about being afraid. It’s knowing that God has a grand plan for us, and then deciding to find that plan and live it and celebrate it whether we have on the latest trendy outfit or the perfect shade of lipstick or not!
“Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!” Proverbs 31:30-31
I’m going to do things today that make it more likely that I will be “festooned” with praises! I love that word and that thought! Even if it’s just me feeling really good about who I am and what I’m contributing. I’m going to start a conversation in the MDRcommunity about something I’m going to do today that is worthy of praise. Why don’t the rest of you who are members of the MDRcommunity do the same. If you’re not a member yet, you should be! Just go to www.midlifedivorcerecovery.com and go to the MDRcommunity section and click on the CLICK HERE button to see how to join the other wild warrior women who are Rising Above Divorce In Confidence And Love (and fun!) and see what we’re doing today.
P.S. That’s RADiCAL woman Prudence Rexroat and friend celebrating life after divorce!
