The Story, or How Be Yourself Beautiful came to be
I went through a major life-transformation in the year 2008. The way I had been living my life was not working; I was continually exhausted and depleted with no separation between work and home life. I wasn’t taking care of myself and it showed.
Then it all fell apart. I was forced to find another way to live – if I wanted to live. I had to learn to take care of myself, meticulously, in order to feel okay. I had to give up all of my bad habits–read self-indulgence, laziness and addictions–and try to replace them with healthy ones. Essentially, I had to re-learn basic living. Needless to say, I didn’t feel very beautiful during this time.
I had to discover the hard way that health is an inextricable part of beauty. That what we feel and what we do are just as important as what we look like if we want to be truly beautiful. And I thought, “I bet there are thousands of other women who aren’t taking very good care of themselves and don’t feel beautiful as a result. I need to help change that.” Through losing something precious, my health and mental wellbeing, I discovered that my deepest desire is to help others.
Soon after this realization, I had the opportunity to work at the Democratic National Convention in Arianna Huffington’s Oasis. This was a cozy spot nestled in the hubbub of the chaotic DNC that catered to the notion of Taking Care of Oneself. I had the pleasure of working side by side with Arianna Huffington, Seane Corn, and many others who worked tirelessly, promoting health and well-being, and teaching the essential lessons of gentleness and self-care. I knew then that this was my work: to teach others to be gentle toward themselves and take care of themselves.
One might think that this is a no-brainer. But it’s not. Our fast-paced, caffeinated, sleep-deprived, disposable society teaches us the exact opposite. “No pain, no gain.” To get ahead, you have to be a workaholic. Stressed is the new normal. The fact is that we cannot be gentle towards others unless we are gentle with ourselves. Likewise, we cannot take care of others unless we care for ourselves.
The number of Americans who are on an anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medicines is staggering. Obesity and Stage 2 Diabetes are rampant. Heart disease is the largest killer of men and women. The grueling pace of our lives and the harsh standards we try to live up to translate into self-destructive behaviors that then radiate outward as aggression toward others. We live with violence all around us. Violence and tragedy are the only things worthy of news these days. It has become generally accepted that this is the natural state of things. I believe this downward spiral has to stop. It starts at home, one individual at a time believing that they are worth having great health, being happy, and living peaceful lives. Doing something about it is just a natural next step.
And as I gave facials to weary volunteers, newspeople, luminaries, and delegates during those fateful days at the Oasis, I was inspired by a bracelet worn by a beautiful Iranian-born delegate from Washington D.C. In fact, I was so transfixed by this bracelet that I broke the cardinal rule of professionals estheticians: I took my hands off the woman’s face and stopped and stared at it. Inscribed in Arabic on this bracelet were the words “Be yourself beautiful, and you will find the world full of beauty.”
This simple Arabic proverb seemed to say exactly what I felt—that we all need to be ourselves, our authentically healthy and beautiful selves. And, not only will that transform us but it will radiate out from each and every one of us to transform the world.
I’ve truly discovered the meaning of community as Be Yourself Beautiful has taken on a life of its own. I am merely a conduit, for this message is meant to flow far and wide. I invite you to join in this community, whether as a reader, a writer, or a maker of beautiful product, and I thank you for your contribution.
