The Joy of Sacrifice

At first I was going to title this The Joy of Giving but then I thought about sacrifice instead. Giving can be easy. It means you are gifting to someone else. Most of the time it means you are either buying them something new or giving them something you don't want and/or need anymore. But sacrifice, now that's another issue altogether. Sacrifice means giving up something you don't want to give up. Sacrifice is hard. It cuts right to our soul. It means dealing with our own selfishness. Putting someone elses wants or needs ahead of ours. It's tough!

Today I have a difficult challenge both for you and for me. I want you (and me) to go through your collection and find something that you absolutely love. Something that you know someone else would love but cannot get, for whatever reason. And then I want you to give it to them! Don't think, oh I'll just go buy them one, or I'll just give them this one and go buy me another. No! Just give it away. Cry if you must, mourn your loss, but give it away. And then I want you to think about this:

Hebrews 13:15-16New International Version (NIV)

 

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

 

 

 

All God asks from us is a sacrifice of praise to Him and to share with others. How easy that should be. He sacrificed everything for us and He did it with joy.

 

 

 

Hebrews 12:1-3New International Version (NIV)

 

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

 

Now please understand me, I'm not here to say wearing and/or buying makeup is a sin. I'm not here judging anyone. I'm here saying we get too caught up in having more and more and more. So caught up in it that it takes away our joy in what we have. So please, for your own sake, take up this challenge. Pick one thing. One thing you truly love and you know someone else would love also, and give it away. Watch their joy when they receive and you will be truly blessed.

 

I challenge you and I challenge myself. It's not going to be easy. Let me know if you are able and how it worked out for you and I will do the same.

Worry and Beauty

Today I was outside, just wandering around, thinking about what was I going to blog about. I actually started to worry about it a little bit. And then I stopped and looked around and thought "wow, I am surrounded by beauty". Now some people might have just seen "weeds", and some people might have just walked on past, but when you looked really, really close, you could see small wildflowers everywhere. Immediately I knew I had to take some pictures and share them, and share this message:



Dogwood flowers

Weeds or beautiful purple flowers?




More weeds?

flower of the field



blooms on a peach tree

blooms on a plum tree

blooms on a red bud tree

teeny tiny wild purple flowers

Beauty is all around us. What others see is not important. What is important is that we recognize that even among the so-called weeds there is always beauty if you just look for it. That even means that among the weeds of our lives there is always some beauty to be found. Sometimes the tiniest things are the most beautiful.

At this time of year, in the beginning of Spring, let us remember that in this early stage of new life things are small, fragile, delicate, and beautiful. Yet they will only last a short time and die off, only to bring in a new stage of life. Every stage has it's own beauty. Every stage has it's own strength. If you are in your Spring don't strive for your Summer, Fall, or even Winter. Don't worry. Everything comes in it's own season.

Sometimes I find myself at 51 looking in the mirror and feeling sad that I'm "not as beautiful" as I used to be. But then I have to remind myself that I am not in my Spring, or even my Summer, anymore. I am in my Fall. In Fall we see a different type of beauty than in Spring or Summer...but still a beauty. So, if you are like me, and you don't think you are as beautiful as you once were....look again! Look very closely. Look for the beautiful things about you that were not there in your earlier seasons. Don't look for those seasons that have passed. What some people see as wrinkles you know were earned through life experiences, joy, sadness...whatever...but they were earned! What some people see as age spots you know came from those times when you were younger and playing in the sun. You have been blessed to go through those experiences and now you get to share your beauty of wisdom and your beauty of a different age.

Don't use your makeup to try to cover what you think is a flaw or to try to make yourself look like what you used to. Use your makeup to enhance what you currently have. Bring out the sparkle in your eyes, or flatter your smile. No amount of makeup will make you beautiful if you are not bringing forth that inner beauty. And whatever you do....don't worry about it. You are what you are and you are blessed to be here. Embrace it! Believe me, this lesson is as much for me as it is for you.

My challenge to you this day....find something in nature that you feel is beautiful and try to match that color out of your collection and wear it once or twice during the week. Each time you wear it you will have that small, hidden secret that can bring a smile to your face...today I'm wearing the color of my daisies, or today my eyeshadow is the same shade as those wildflowers. In God's eyes you are way more beautiful and important than those things. Remember that! Be Blessed.

²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

 

Matthew 6:27-29New International Version (NIV)

Being Content

Throughout my life I have found that I seem to always be striving for something. Sometimes I know what it is and sometimes I can't quite put my finger on it but it's just something out of reach. When I was little I wanted to be "big". When I was in Jr. High I wanted to be in High School. When in High School I wanted to be in College. You get the idea. Never quite satisified with where I was, always wanted something else. I think, unfortunately, that this is part of our human nature. You know, the grass is always greener....blah, blah, blah.

The latest trend that I have found myself caught up in is having the newest prettiest makeup related things. Now whether this has anything to do with my increased YouTube viewings or Instagram followings I'll let you be the judge (duh!!). All I know is apparently I am very easily influenced...and that is why advertising was born, for people like me!

Unfortunately this is really something that not only cannot be maintained for any great length of time, but it's flat out just not healthy. Financially and most importantly, spiritually! Enjoying and appreciating beautiful things is awesome. Coveting them is not. What happens is the more you get, the more you want, and the less you actually get to enjoy what you have. It creates a neverending spiral that instead of bringing more joy brings more despair.  Well some people might feel despair is a strong word, but for me, it's appropriate. I find myself getting frustrated, angry, and even sad that I don't seem to be satisfied with "acquiring".

So, with that acknowledgement of that flaw in my character, I have decided to fight the good fight and struggle against that inner demon who constantly says "oooohhh, how pretty, you must have that". Let me tell you, this battle is not for sissies! It is not easy!! Every single day it is a battle. Some people might think, what's the big deal? The big deal is realizing that the battle is not about the things that I think I am desiring...that new eyeshadow palette, or blush, or lipstick...the true battle is about being content! The true battle is about trusting God that he will provide for all my needs. And seriously, who really needs a zillion eyeshadows?!

The first step I've taken in this battle is to acknowledge that there is one! The second step I've taken is to look at all the stuff I own. After sufficiently beating myself up....ugh...the next step was to make the decision to enjoy what I have and to TRY to not continually acquire more. Now I have to say I have had successful days and unsuccessful days. I am by no means perfect, or even close. I might even act as a hypocrite at times. But just know, in my heart, there is a daily struggle and I strive to be better each day.

If you too struggle with this constant striving to have the newest, prettiest, whatever...just know you are not the only one. Let's learn together what is taught in Philippians 4:12

 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want

 

 

I know it's hard, but I invite you to take the first step with me and find out what you are coveting and why. Then look at what you have and make that choice....choose to be content...enjoy what you have...remember there is always someone else who doesn't have as much as you and would love to have what you have. Appreciate where God has placed you this day!

 

 

Find the beauty around you and appreciate that....don't strive to have someone's else's....



So Now What?

So now I've started a blog and I've made a couple of entries and then all of a sudden it hits me...ok, so now what? What do I talk about that would interest other people? Do I have to have a picture with every blog? Do I always talk about makeup? Do I always include a life lesson? What have I gotten myself into? Whoa there girl!! Reality check time!

First of all no one may ever read it. Does that mean you don't do it? No!

Secondly, is this only about pleasing other people? No! If other people enjoy it, that's great, but this, and life, is not about pleasing other people.

It's your blog, talk about what you want....makeup, life lessons, whatever.

And so, my reality check does include a life lesson after all:

Do what your spirit is drawing you to do. If other people get benefit from it, that's awesome! If they don't, oh well. But in whatever you do, do it to please GOD. This is a lesson I learned from 1 Corinthians 10:31.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Another thing I have learned, just from experience, is that when God teaches me a lesson He uses that for others also. Nothing is ever done just for one.

So that is my thought for the day. I hope if someone is reading this it will stir something in their heart also, possibly something that they have been putting off or afraid to start.

Be well, and look for the beauty in today.

Can Makeup teach a life lesson?

So the other day on my Instagram I was doing a recap of my Finish 7 by Spring and I indicated that I definitely would not repurchase my Bare Minerals Serum foundation and that I would elaborate on my blog. Surprisingly this foundation has actually taught me a life lesson...or at least brought one back to mind.

 

 

As you might remember I said that when I was growing up there was more competition among women than support of each other. Growing up that way I developed an attitude of "if you hurt me I'll drop you like a hot potato". Needless to say I kept people at a distance. As I've been maturing I still have a bit of that attitude but for a different reason. Now it's not so much because I don't want to get hurt, it's more just a realization that life is short and I want to enjoy it and not surround myself with negativity and drama. I know, I know, you're thinking I came here to read about makeup not have a psychoanalysis session. Ok, so here goes the comparison:

 

 

I really wanted to love this foundation (just as sometimes you really want to love a person). The brand has a great reputation (just as a person can). It costs more than I normally would want to spend but I thought I would give it a try. Some days were great, but mostly it was a chore. Getting the gist? A constant battle to find which moisturizer and/or primer I could use with it where it wouldn't ball up on my skin or make me look like a greaseball within a couple of hours. I tried using more and using less. I tried sponges, fingertips, and brushes. Bottom line....we clash. I kept on trying because as is typical of me I wanted to get out of it what I put into it. Well, apparently it doesn't feel the same way. There is no compromise or I'll try harder for you...it's just this is me, take it or leave it. Sound like a bad relationship?

 

 

I tried one last time this morning, before writing this blog, just to really see....and of course today it came out looking nice...kind of like, oh hey, I heard you were thinking of leaving me so let me put my best foot forward. Well the voice inside of me said, remember the drama, the pain, the frustration? Does this rarity of looking good one day out of 90 really make this worthwhile? Well that is something each person has to decide for themselves. But for me, I have decided....I understand everyday is not perfect. Each product (and each person) is not perfect. But for the most part, unless I have a deep connection to you, if you are not helping me grow in my journey you are only holding me back and therefore I must let you go. If I have truly given you a fair shot, and yet each time I see you I sigh and say a short prayer, oh I hope no drama comes from this one today, then the cord needs to be cut.

 

 

So with that being said, farewell Bare Minerals Serum foundation, and farewell to those who live and breed negativity. May your life find joy somewhere....just not in my house.

The Beauty of Painted Nails

 

 

 

I have recently gotten interested in keeping my nails pretty. When I was younger I used to bite my nails terribly, then all of a sudden, one day, I just stopped. Even after that I never polished my nails, just kept them filed down short. Now, as I'm getting older, I find that my nails are getting ridges in them and contrary to what you might think, they actually look better polished instead of natural. Or at least that's the excuse I tell myself each time I buy a new polish.

 

 

Above is a picture of my nail polish collection. I know this doesn't compare to many others but I'm not putting this out there to brag...just putting it out to show how I tend to be a fan of a short range of colors. Funny though, when I started to organize it I was like "hmmm, ya think I'm a fan of purples and pinks?" lol.

 

On Instagram I've been participating in #marchbeautychallenge where each day of the month there is something different that you post about. Today's post is your favorite nailpolish brand. My collection has mostly Julep polishes due to when I subscribed (which I no longer do) but they are actually not my favorite brand. My favorite is:

 

 

 

 

 

I love the Wet N Wild Fast dry formula. The colors are beautiful, it does dry super fast, and this one chips on me the least. Nothing more frustrating than paying for an expensive polish and having it chip in two days, when a $1-$2 polish lasts for a week. Go figure.

 

Anyway....let me know what some of your favorite polishes and colors are, and remember, there is something beautiful in every day, you just have to look for it!



Instagram and YouTube shoutouts

First of all let me start by saying I'm 51 years old. I've been wearing makeup for 35 years...oh my gosh...35 years...

Anyway, it's only been recently that I starting watching the beauty community on YouTube, and even more recently since I became involved in Instagram. I have seen/met online so many wonderful people. Throughout this short experience one thing that really struck me was how so many young women today are about helping and promoting each other, lifting each other up, encouraging each other. I found it so wonderful and so refreshing. When I was growing up it definitely was not that way. Women competed with and judged each other. Much has changed...and it is beautiful!

With that being said I would like to give some shoutouts to some of those that I have come across that have encouraged and impressed me. Please check them out and show them some love.

On YouTube:

War Paint with Tara Michelle
https://www.youtube.com/user/warpaintwithtara

txmommyof boys
https://www.youtube.com/user/txmommyofboys

Chrisann Acanfora
https://www.youtube.com/user/chrisann144



On Instagram:

https://instagram.com/LiftingandLoving

https://instagram.com/riverchild27

https://instagram.com/glamourandgiggles

These women are all completely different and yet all are beautiful, smart, funny, and encouraging. I love that about all of them.

Enjoy, and remember, there is something beautiful in every day, you just have to look for it!

And so it begins....

Well, today is the day that I start my first blog. I don't know exactly how this will go, or if I will even like it but everyday is a new adventure, right? Especially after 50.