Beyond the Mirror

It doesn't make sense to call our selves ugly if we never have truly seen the way we look.

Some may disagree with my statement, claiming that the mirror gives a perfect reflection,

That its shiny surface shows their outer beauty in a complete and exact way.

But what they don't realize is that the reflection is shallow, and often tainted with sour opinions and insecure thoughts.

No matter how many times a human may glance at their features in a mirror

they will still never understand their true beauty.

It doesn't make sense to call ourselves ugly

because we don't really see ourselves.

We don't see the way our eyes sparkle when we get excited,

or how the smile on our face expands with laughter.

We don't see the stillness of our body as we sleep,

all curled up and silent,

chest steadily rising and falling with peace.

We don't see our eyes as we love,

mouth as we speak, 

hands as we serve.

Trust me. 

You would know how exquisitely bright and beautiful you are

if you could only see yourself 

beyond the mirror.

Adventure Can Be Found In Walmart

The other day I found myself in a predicament that usually bombards teenagers in the summer.

I was bored. Like, really really bored. So much so that I lay on the floor of my bedroom, admiring the patterns in the paint on the ceiling. It was bad.

I am the type of person who loves to go on adventures, and every once in a while I get the uncontrollable urge to go do something exciting. I must go on an adventure. Hence why I went to Walmart looking for some.

Now I know its not like Walmart has jars labelled "excitement" for sale on their shelves (although Nutella is a close second) but, they do have people, and lots of them. So, for my exciting excursion, I decided to do something that scares me out of my mind: confront people I do not know. Earlier that week I had bought some cute thank you cards from Michael's, thinking that I would use them to appreciate my teachers and church leaders. Little did I know that some extreme boredness would lead me to use those cards for people I didnt even know. 

Let me tell you, one of the best ways to get your adrenaline rush is by handing out thank you cards to strangers. I walked through the aisles of Walmart aimlessly before I found my first person. It was a woman, presumably middle aged, with a list in her hand of food and supplies she needed to get. I could tell she was a woman on a mission. Walking up to her was the hardest part. My voice cracked, my legs shook, and my heart went at five bajillion miles an hour.

"Excuse me, mam?" I said. She looked up in surprise, and our eyes met. Her face looked tired, resting into melancholy wrinkles by her eyes. Oh yes. This was the person I needed to help.

Quickly I explained that the note was to thank her for being so awesome, and that yes, I did not know her. Before I knew it, I was walking away with a grin on my face and warmth in my heart. I continued to do this for five more people, feeling happier with each one.

There are opportunities everywhere for service, you just have to be willing to look hard enough.

And boy, is it oh so fun!

Beauty Is Not Found at the Makeup Counter

There it is, the cosmetics counter. Sometimes it is fun to nonchalantly  walk around the pink Barbie like isles, occasionally picking up a new eye shadow palate or lipstick. But today, you are a woman on a mission. Almost as if to prepare for the bombardment of beauty, you lower your eyes to the last shelf nearest the ground, avoiding the airbrushed advertisements up top and dive in. With a swiftness that seems to deserve angelic praise you find it! Huzzah! The mascara! You snatch it up, reveling in your success and heading towards the checkout when- "Hi mam! Is there anything I can do to help you?" You have two choices. You can either avoid looking at the way too charismatic shop assistant so you don't see the ads, or you can act like a sensible person. Decisions, decisions. Before you know it, your eyes are up, and all the images you were hoping to avoid come crashing into your brain. "No thank you." You stutter, and almost gallop to the checkout counter. Defeated, you buy the mascara and go home. That was one crazy adventure.

Okay, so we have all been through that before. Maybe its not quite as dramatic, but still, seeing pictures of Ellen DeGeneres without wrinkles is just plain scary. I mean, the woman is 57 years old! (Sorry, off topic) But the thing is that we don't have to go through that treacherous makeup trip in order to be beautiful. Time and time again I hear people use the words "I need (insert whatever makeup item you wish) to be beautiful" I hate to burst your bubble, but NOPE! You do not need any makeup to be beautiful. Sure, it can make you feel more secure or confident, but your natural self, is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen!

To clarify, I am not saying that makeup is terrible, or offensive in anyway, because honestly I think it is really fun! Just like any girl I enjoy getting gussied up and going out, but I also remember to take days off. Not only is it good for your skin to take a break, but it is also good for your confidence. Once you get used to not having a cake face you will realize how darn good you look without all that goop.

If you think about the process of it all, makeup is immensely strange. Think about it, "I am going to put this black stuff on my eyes, this skin colored paint on my face, and this brown powder in my eyebrows to make me look more attractive." See, its weird.

I guess what I am trying to say is that you don't need all that to be beautiful. Embrace your natural self, and don't care what everybody else thinks! I guarantee you that the world will not stop turning if you take your makeup off. There are much more catastrophic events that could occur.

Love ya!

Sadie