You don't have to have had cancer to wonder about this. So, if you are of a mind, please use my exercise to discover the beauty that is in you.
1. Do you take care of your body?
2. Do you take care of your skin?
3. Do you practice good hygiene?
4. Do you keep your hands and feet looking nice?
5. Do you practice good oral hygiene?
6. Do you take care of your hair?
7. Do you take care when dressing?
8. Do you look the same as you did when you were 25?
9. Do you cultivate your inner beauty?
10. Are you generous?
11. Are you spiritual?
12. Are you forgiving?
13. Are you authentic?
14. Are you grateful?
15. Are your surroundings harmonious?
16. Do you work on maintaining your friendships?
17. Are you involved in your community?
1. Do you take care of your body?
One of the hardest parts of having a mastectomy has been the physical down time. The only exercise I'm allowed to do is walking. No yoga, because stretching the cuts before they are fully healed is no bueno. No running, because my arm would move too much, and I have to protect that right arm. No weights. No bike riding. Ugh! However, I do walk. I try to walk a bit further each day. Studies show that even 30 minutes of exercise a day can do wonders for your body. It firms up flab, boosts metabolism, enhances mood, and advances your immune system.
I probably haven't eaten as well as I usually do either. Because of the lack of movement, I don't get hungry. I just started this week putting myself on an eating schedule so that I'm getting enough calories. Eating right has been an important part of my lifestyle for years. Now that I'm feeling better, I'm excited about trying new recipes and new ingredients to make this healthy eating thing fun.
So, I try to take care of my body, but this is something that I am dedicated to doing even better.
Being healthy is beautiful!
2. Do you take care of your skin?
I drink a ton of water every day. Water good! I wash my face every night and never ever sleep in makeup. I moisturize daily, but I need to do this more often. I use olive oil for my twice daily arthritis massage and essential oils for my twice daily lymph node massage.
I love to wear makeup to enhance my eyes and lips. I think these are two of my best features. So, I tend to play them up. You're never too old to doll up as long as you do it appropriately.
Something that I need to work on is wearing sun screen. You would think someone as fair complected as I am would be a sun screen whore, but not I. I honestly just don't think of it. In order to do better, I'm going to walk away from the comuter for a moment and set my sunscreen out on my bathroom counter where I keep my girlie things so that I will remember this important bit of skin care.
Ok, I'm back. Did you miss me?
A healthy glow is beautiful!
3. Do you practice good hygiene?
Oh hell yes! I bathe every day. I love bubble baths. I can't stand it if my legs aren't completely smooth. So, I shave every day. I love girly products. Sparkly powder, floral scented deodrant. I smell pretty, oh so pretty.
Cleanliness is beautiful!
4. Do you keep your hands and feet looking nice?
I get monthly pedicures. Nothing beats spending girl time with my mommy. I LOVE shoes! I wear open toed heels a lot. So, my feet must look nice. I should probably moisturize them more.
My finger nails are clean and filed. I keep them natural, because I kind of suck at painting them. They get chipped and all that nonsense.
Here's another place I can improve. I shall begin a weekly routine where I give myself a manicure and keep my pedicure up to date. Taking time to care for myself is a goal that I have been working on since I became single again. I can only take care of others if I am healthy and taken care of.
Being well manicured is beautiful!
5. Do you practice good oral hygiene?
I brush my teeth probably more than necessary, but my grandson is incredibly interested in oral hygiene and forces me to brush my teeth and use mouthwash every time he is here.
However, I do not go to the dentist every six months, because I get completely annoyed with my dentist's receptionist. If it weren't so difficult to make an appointment, I would be much more responsible about this. OK. I'll make a freaking appointment tomorrow. Or, I should say that I'll TRY to make an appointment.
A great smile is beautiful!
6. Do you take care of your hair?
I'm not an every day hair washer, because I have curly locks, but I use dry shampoo and products that keep my hair clean.
I get my hair trimmed and dyed every six weeks. I so love my beautiful stylist! She rocks and keeps me looking my best. My natural hair color is pretty gray these days. While I'm more than OK with being a grandma, I'm not ready to look like one.
I style my hair every day. Some days, I go for the natural curly look. Some days, I spend the time to do a blow out and straighten it. Some days, I jsut go for a cute look. Today, I'm rocking a braided crown.
I don't know if having long hair at my age is flattering, but frankly I don't care. I like my hair long. I believe it will always be long.
Being yourself is beautiful!
7. Do you take care when dressing?
Even though I'm pretty much stuck at home these days, I get dressed every day. I love putting outfits together. This doesn't have to cost a lot. I am the queen of second hand shopping. The key to fashion is to buy pieces that are flattering and that you can mix and match.
I am totally against wearing clothes that are too tight for your body. No one wants to see your flab falling out of your shirt or your butt crack shining above your waist line.
Having your own sense of style is beautiful!
8. Do you look the same as you did when you were 25?
Beauty is timeless. Yes, my beauty regimen has changed over time. More water. More mositurizer. More sunscreen. More hair dye. Less makeup. Skirts are a bit longer. I don't need to look the same as I did when I was 25 to be beautiful.
Wow! This exercise is really showing me that I'm a bit lazy when it comes to my beauty routine. It really is time to take care of myself. An hour a day for caring for myself seems reasonable.
Being confident is beautiful!
9. Do you cultivate your inner beauty?
Honestly, I believe that this is even more important than the questions I have asked up to this point. And, this I'm actually good at.
I have started meditating.
I may have to start another page on my blog that has resources, because I have a great meditation website that I use. Not telling you what it is. Ha! You'll have to wait for the new page.
I read everyday. I try to learn something new every day. I listen to people I respect.
Intelligence is beautiful!
10. Are you generous?
I don't have a lot of money. I have a good job, but being a single mom coupled with Janie's and my health challenges has made my financial situation tenuous at times. However, I give of myself in anyway I can. Our house has always been a safe place for my children and their friends. Two of Ian's friends have lived with us during tough times, and I have my Edmond who is not my biological child. He is, however, one of my kids. I have volunteered tutoring services, English language services, and time whenever I can. When I cannot be generous with my wallet, I am generous of heart.
Generosity is beautiful!
11. Are you spiritual?
I do not believe in organized religion. I have been hurt numerous times by people who call themselves Christian inside of church organizations. I believe that organized religion is a creation of men, and men are fallible.
However, I believe in a Maker, the Universe, God. I have read the Gnositc Gospels, studied religion in college, studied Buddha and his teachings, read the Bible as a work of literature, and I'm interested in Wicca and Native American religions as well. I believe that we are meant to love each other, create peace, and learn while we are on this earth.
I will forever grow in my understanding of spirituality. I am fascinated by religion and faith. As humans, I don't think we can ever fully understand the spiritual world. Study is necessary.
Faith is beautiful!
12. Are you forgiving?
I have been known to hold a grudge. However, the older I get the more I understand that we are all imperfect. Holding on to anger and not forgiving doesn't hurt the person with whom I am angry. It only hurts me and keeps me in turmoil.
My friends believe that I am far more forgiving than I should be. However, I choose to let go of baggage and hard feelings. I choose to forgive those that have been hurtful, because for the most part, people don't intend to hurt others. It happens out of their own fear or their own hurt. I choose not to perpetuate suffering, especially my own.
Forgiveness is beautiful!
13. Are you authentic?
I am a horrible liar. In fact, I hate lying. It's the one thing that I cannot and will not forgive. There's no need for lies. If you've done something that you need to lie about, then you are not living an authentic life. Being true to who I am is of upmost importance to me. I say what I mean, and I hold my tongue when it is appropriate. I will not change who I am to please someone else.
Being yourself is beautiful!
14. Are you grateful?
Oh my gosh! I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for the blessings in my life. I have started listing the things I'm grateful for in order to put myself to sleep at night. Here is an extremely abridged list of some of the things I am grateful for:
* My children.
* My grandson.
* My parents.
* My family.
* My friends.
* My job.
* My home.
* My car.
* My pets.
* My health.
* Food in the refrigerator.
Little things. Big things. People. The things I have worked hard for. My talents. All these things make me so thankful!
Gratitude is beautiful!
15. Are your surroundings harmonious?
I am working on this. Plants are growing now where there was only dirt a few months ago. We are cleaning up the yard to make it tidier. We have rearranged furniture to make it more comfortable. We are decorating to suit my tastes. I love my house, and I love that I'm in a place where I can make it my own. It's coming along. It may never be done, but the process is the alluring part.
A peaceful home is beautiful!
16. Do you work on maintaining your friendships?
In the past, I have been lax about this. I think my cancer diagnosis made me realize my own mortality. It caused me to be more pro active about maintaining healthy relationships. I now contact friends instead of waiting for them to contact me. I say yes to invitations to spend time together, and I even take action and set up dates to spend time with them. I am also distancing myself from people in my life who are negative. Positive energy is important.
Friendship is beautiful!
17. Are you involved in your community?
I think I could do a lot better at this. I do a couple of little things. I belong to the Red Hat Society and get out with my Foothill Floozies once a month. I ride in the Orange Blossom Parade every year, but I know there are so many more opportunities. I love my town. I just don't know where to start. You would think working in the school district would make me privvy to chances to be involved, but it really doesn't. Time to reach out and find ways to get involved.
Community involvment is beautiful!
So, I read this today (See? I read everyday. I told you so.)
Whatever you fear or hate has power over you because you bind yourself to it by intense focus and negative energy. -- Ginger Johnson
Worrying about my beauty is a product of fear. Hating the way I look only breeds negativity.
Am I beautiful? You're damn straight I am! This is not shallow. Everyday, I plan to be a more beautiful person than I was the day before. It's called self improvement. It's called self love.
Love is beautiful!