Make Yourself Smile from the Inside Out

By Desiree Future

Wow, can you believe that it’s June already? It seems like just yesterday everyone was off to a running start with their New Year’s Resolutions in January. As for me, I was thinking outside of the box.

I was sick of making plans for stuff I wanted to accomplish only to be defeated by February, so I took a different approach this year.

After so many failures I decided instead of aiming for one particular accomplishment, I would try something new for a month or two. If it works, great; but if it doesn’t, at least I tried. With the new year comes new chapters so this is my latest chapter.

The first on my list was going to the salon to get my nails done. The last time I’d done this was years ago. The reason I stopped going was that it was damaging my nails so bad, they would rip like paper.

With optimism, I set out & found a place, though it was a challenge to find a parking space. My gel manicure came out very nice, but they started to chip within three days. Not to mention parking was rough in the area.

Finding a better salon with plenty of parking was my priority. My hands and feet were happy to be getting pampered.

Then it happened. Two months later, my fingernails became so brittle that they began tearing at the slightest touch. I mean, I could grab a fork and they would break. I had to stop my sessions to let my nails grow back.

This occurred in March, and now, in June, I can see the indentations of where they’ve started to regrow. Oh well, at least I tried.

Next on my list was the perfume that I began trying. Face it, who doesn’t like to smell good? However, when you have allergies finding a subtle scent that doesn’t aggravate them and is reasonably priced is hard.

Macy’s had the sample collection on sale which was perfect for me. I loved getting to try out different scents without committing to one just yet was great.

One of five worked but it was way too expensive for even the smallest bottle. Changing gears, I opted for body oils as they are less expensive.

After a few trials and errors trying to find the right smell, I found the perfect one. Not only did it not bother my allergies, but it was cost-efficient as well. The only downside was the awesome smell didn’t last more than two hours. Oh well, at least I tried.

Despite everything that has happened in both cases, one thing remained the same. I never gave up. Yes in a sense I was disappointed but at the same time, I found out what works for me and what doesn’t.

I loved getting pampered at the salon for an hour and a half. It was time for someone to take care of me. Boy, I miss getting my gel manicures however, it was not in my best interest.

Trying the different perfumes was very interesting. The pretty bottles have always caught my attention with the beautiful smells they held. After sampling a few my eyes began to water and I started to sniffle. My nose simply objected.

What I’ve learned from this is that it shouldn’t take the new year for you to try something different. The only thing it should take is your willingness to take the first step.

Whether, you want to lose weight, save money, or do something out of the ordinary. Keep in mind a few things. One, is that God plans things out for you in His timing and not yours. Two, don’t let a time clock be why you try to achieve something.

Let it be because you genuinely want it. All it takes is for you to make a change within yourself to grow as a person.

Not a materialistic change but become a person who sees the potential growth within yourself. That get-up-and-go persona to make yourself smile from the inside out. Knowing that you did something unlike you would ever do.

Since my two items didn’t work out as I planned, I developed even more research skills. Learned a little about the science of perfumes and essential oils as well.

Along the way, I discovered there are other ways to get salon-perfect nails. That is without the harshness of the process to my sensitive nails. Ways like using press-on nails, gel-like nail polish, and even nail polish stickers.

Right now, I’m working on a third project where I’m no longer wearing protective hairstyles. Wearing my hair in braids, weaves, crochet, or wigs to protect my hair from damage is put away for now. After doing that for so many years I must reeducate myself to do my hair in a way that I’m unaccustomed to.

Yet, I get excited as I watch the videos and read the articles about it. I do so because I can see my potential manifesting within me.

After surviving cancer, my entire body changed. My hair texture changed to a softer one and I can no longer use a flat iron or curling iron in my hair. If I do, I will experience bad breakage. I lost a lot of hair with heat damage to my fine coils.

My ability to enjoy the sweet smells of fragrance went downhill. Before getting sick I had a favorite fragrance but I can no longer tolerate the smell.

Salon visits were maybe a few times a year. However, they never caused so much stress on my nails like now.

It’s almost like I have a new body. My very being has changed. At first, I would fight the process of not being able to do my normal routine. When that didn’t work out, I decided to go with the flow.

My way of life is totally different and I’m learning to live with it. I may not be able to do the stuff I did before getting sick but I’m having fun on my latest adventure.

What gets you excited and motivated to move to try something new? For me, it’s knowing that God has my back in every step that I take.

Psalm 21:6 For your make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.