DO YOU, BOO!
A few weeks back, I dashed into NorthPark Mall to see about a new and improved loose powder made by Armani, lord of all makeup. I just wanted to zip in, ask about the powder, make a decision to or not to buy it and move on down the road (that leads to Anthropologie, of course). But, not this day. No, before I knew it, a handsome, forty something year young guy appeared before me to answer my question and give my well worn, wind blown, partly sweated off, amateur applied makeup a much needed lift. “No, I don’t have time for this” was not an option. This guy was going to get my full attention whether I had time for it or not.
We talked makeup. He told me what beautiful skin I had. To which I replied, “I have scarring from acne and tons of redness. How can my skin be beautiful?” With a furrowed brow, he replied, “It is beautiful.” And, when he said it, he said it in a way that you don’t challenge. “Ok,” I said, “Thank you for saying that. To be honest, I’ve always taken care of my skin, but I’m not super secure with the tone and texture of it.” He stopped applying my makeup for a second, stepped back and said, “Are we not looking in the same mirror?”
I instantly felt emotion I wasn’t familiar with rise up inside of me. Totally perplexed by such a compliment, I just sat back, shut down my negative internal dialogue and listened. With a stoke of the powder brush, a little concealer under the eyes and a perfect glossing of my lips, he stepped back to look at me one last time. Then, he moved in closely, looked directly in my eyes and said these words, “If you have five minutes in a day, spend three on yourself. You deserve it. We can’t be our best for others if we’re not taking best care of ourselves.” Tears rushed to my eyes and streamed down my rosy red cheeks. This guy (who, by the way was fresh from painting up Giorgio Armani’s models that hit the runway at Fashion Week in Paris) didn’t see just another old barn that needed a fresh coat of paint. No, he saw a person, and he spoke directly to my heart.
Practicing self care is something we don’t all put a great deal of effort into until we’re forced to. We don’t calculate calories until our pants don’t fit. We don’t take time to rest until we’re hit with the flu. And, we don’t have any type of dialogue with God until we’re in dire straits, desperate for His attention. If we don’t care for ourselves, who will? We shouldn’t be in do or die (literally) situations that force us to toe up and give ourselves proper self care. Instead, we should take care of ourselves like it’s our job because, actually, it is.
A few years back, in a Suburban loaded with kids and a few leaders, my beloved and cherished friend, Leslie Rortvedt and I drove down I-20 toward Dallas after a phenomenal but exhausting retreat with our church’s youth. Leslie, who’s literally touched by God to accomplish what she does for others so selflessly, talked about how she was going to try and reign in “overdoing” for others and try to care more for herself. In an instant, I said, “Do YOU, Boo.” With a giant smile on her face, she repeated those words, and, friends, it’s become her mantra. And, guess what, while she puts her well-being first, she’s still the very best daughter, sister, wife, mom, professional and friend. In fact, I think she’s even better (if that’s even possible this side of heaven).
Friends, every darn day, promise me that you’ll “Do YOU, Boo!’ Because taking best care of you is more than necessary in your quest to care for your loved ones.
Stay Divine,
JL PARISH
