Beauty

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others; you need to accept yourself.” Thich Nhat Hanh.

I have been telling the story of my eyelashes for weeks. It may seem like a small matter to others, but to me the experience was very significant. We all carry our small beauty rituals with us - it is important to take care of ourselves inside and out. Sometimes, our rituals must be examined for many reasons, especially if they may cause some damage or harm to us long term for a short term fix.

I have been on a fully natural journey for a long time. Year over year removing toxins, chemicals, and truly anything I began questioning as “necessary” for daily life. No makeup, hair treatments, etc - embracing myself as myself. Except. My eyelashes.

For 13 years I found a way to get extensions on my lashes no matter what was going on in the world - financial stress, time management, Covid! I would find a way. Until a few weeks ago. I stared at myself with these crazy extensions all over the place, making my eyes itch from the irritating adhesive that was slowly breaking down. I asked myself, why am I doing this? Without hesitation I took a pair of cuticle scissors and begin cutting my extensions off. Sharp object near my eye. Shortening my already damaged lashes. It was important for me to free myself from this “ritual” immediately. When I was finished (it took 2 hours) I looked at myself for a long time in the mirror. I saw the brightness of my green eyes, the clarity of my corneas, the delicate ridges around my lids. I could really see myself. And I smiled.

It has been several weeks of enjoying this lightness, this freedom. And I look at myself every day and smile at the reflection in the mirror. I accept who I am. I am not weighted down by an external definition of what beauty is. My eyes and my heart are light.

Until next time 🙏 namaste

KVO