Perspective, Use it or Lose it

I got it today. I knew I would. Perspective.

Today, was a small dream come true. I ran my first makeover session with the American Cancer Society's Look Good Feel Better program.

This is something I have wanted to do for many years. When I was in cosmetology school, we would give makeovers to women from the local battered women's shelter. To see someone come in, a little down, perhaps embarrassed, definitely fatigued with her life, walk out a few hours later standing a little taller, with a new cut, some make up and a smile on her face, influenced me deeply.

While looking good certainly does not solve your problems, it can, for a little while, provide a much needed band-aid. A break from the norm. I believe it can also inspire for the better.

Life as a Hair & Makeup Artist in the biz was not very rewarding. Salon work was not for me, because I would not be able to stand the fumes and chemicals. Besides what salon could match the one I designed in my head? It has a view, plus spa. Hairdressers would be called Hair Therapists. As I left that life behind, I made a vague long range plan [dream] to create an organization some day that would do makeovers for those that needed it.

A year ago, I found out about the Look Good Feel Better Program and got in touch with the AMC. It took a while to get approved, go through the training and then scheduled for a session. These sessions are for women, going through cancer, with the main goal to have some fun. They each get a kit filled with brand name cosmetics and skin care products. Tonight I talked about skin care, helped someone with her foundation, discuss concealers, answered questions. Everything from sunscreen to wig care. The big question is 'Now that my eye brow hairs have fallen out, how do I pencil them in?'

I was a bit nervous about tonight's session and Kitty reminded me that my desire to help others 'is the core of compassion and of being useful'.

As the women were leaving, they thanked me. Oh, nooo, Thank You!