More than any other time of year, around the Holidays, we tend think about what we can do to better the lives others. An ongoing mantra that sounds beautiful is “Peace on Earth, goodwill towards men!” While that is a great thing if it could happen, peace on Earth sounds like kind of a tall order doesn’t it? I tried to think about it. If one were tasked with making this a reality where would they start? At first it was so overwhelming I couldn’t imagine what to do. Like a child tasked with cleaning their messy room, it seemed like it would be a lot easier to crawl under the covers and just hope it happened on its own. Then it hit me, like any big goal, it starts with a smaller goal and works outward. Okay, well that helps a little but who or what should be the catalyst for such a beginning. Well, that suddenly became clear…the peace for the world starts with our peace in the world… and that peace starts within each one of us. Now we’re on to something but again, where do we start within ourselves is the next question.
I come to this with kind of different angle given my particular area of expertise as a Beauty and Life Coach. At some point years ago, while working as a celebrity makeup artist, it became very clear that there is a definite connection between how we feel on the inside and how we look on the outside. I watched people who were famous and thought to be among the world’s “beautiful” people struggle with certain aspects of who they were. On the contrary, there were those who were not famous but radiated such a warmth and strength of spirit that their beauty was positively angelic.
Over the last decade there has been an explosion of plastic surgery and a lot of that has been given as gifts for the Holidays. I can’t think of a more disturbing gift at a more awkward time! At a time when we should be enjoying the fact that we are all perfect gifts from God we are hoping to find a tummy tuck or a nose job under the tree! More and more of those people are finding they are not happier after having the work done. People the world over are searching for beauty on the outside when it truly starts with feeling content and empowered. So back to my point, where should we start finding our peace…inside! Let’s use this time to find your inner zen.
Let’s envision that you are gift to the world, a wonderful gift in fact, one that should be re-gifted often. What is the most important part of that gift? Is it the wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows? You know as well as I do that what really matters is not only what’s inside the box but does it do what is intended to do? If it is a beautiful diamond, does it sparkle and shine? If it is a toy is it fun to play with?
When something or someone is true to their purpose and simply enjoys being they are source of beauty for the world. Before waiting for New Year’s resolution season to come around take some time to explore what it is that brings purpose and joy to you. Consider what you would be doing in your perfect job, relationships, and personal life that will bring beauty to your soul. Now take that a step farther and actually write that down as more of a to-do list. There is something about the process of putting pen to paper and seeing your dreams in front that helps bring them to reality.
Next, unlike making a wish list of gifts that you don’t have, think of the beautiful things that you do have. It can be your beautiful smile, buoyant personality, intuitive feeling and connection to those around you, constant optimism, or just about anything else. By taking this mental and emotional inventory you remind yourself of the value that you already hold rather than thinking there must me something more. That is the point after all, you are already more than enough! All too often we think of ourselves in terms of the “mizpah”, the beautiful friendship necklace that we gave each other as kids to symbolize the eternal bond that was each half of heart coming together. The true gift is one whole heart given to as many people has you can throughout your life.
Put yourself under the mistletoe and pucker up, it’s time to love you!
