In my career as a hairstylist I've had the opportunity to meet, to touch, to get to know so many people.  I love my job as a stylist.  I love hair, it's my job, my hobby, my art, my passion.

What I love even more and what completely captivates and fascinates me though, are people.

I love the variety of God's art work in the creation of His children!  Tall, short, big, little, large, thin, hair colour, freckles, moles, whatever!   That's just the exterior!! Seeing and meeting people society would say are stunningly beautiful, getting to know them as I listen to them share their inner most thoughts on love, life, fears, careers, religion, politics, insecurities they have and special moments in their lives, they either become more beautiful or their beauty begins to fade.  Depending on their attitude or view of their situations.  Their physical beauty can begin to diminish. The same can be said for those society deems plain, ordinary or not so attractive physically.  I was a pretty ordinary girl, tom boyish really.  I didn't like people looking at me so I would hide behind over alls, baggy jeans or heavy sweatshirts as a pre teen.  I was never overly popular but had a lot of friends over the years.  I was shy and quiet but that quickly changed around puberty.  Not completely,  I still had a lot of insecurities and had gathered some bitter baggage that made me resentful of the "beautiful, rich or snobby exclusive" types.  There were times I coveted what they had but during those times it would just make me feel miserable.  I'm generally a happy, outgoing person so I just would focus on the people that would be the same.  I would keep an eye out for the shy ones in the corners and do my best to reach out because I would always pray someone would do that for me when I was shy and lonely.

Over the past few years as I have mentioned before I'm sure, I've let go of a lot of anger, bitterness and resentment.  Through God's grace He has helped me do that.  He has also taught me to stop judging, pray for those I used to feel resentful towards and love them.

I thank God now that I wasn't part of the "popular" crowd.  I thank Him for the trials, because it taught me to look deeper.  Into the soul of someone.  To have compassion.  We are all on our own journeys and shouldn't judge others for their choices.  In making the friends I did and choosing the career I did, I have learned so much.  Being in an industry that focuses so much on external beauty was in interesting choice for me, but it's so much more than that.  I've learned when you take the time to talk to someone, to listen to them, no matter how they look externally. You may be surprised at the gems you will find.  The strength of a persons soul. Their will.  Their faith as they share their lives.  Their physical beauty falls away as you see their soul emerge.  THIS is where you find the beauty or the denial of their own beauty.  The authentic person.  Or you find a beautiful shell who denies the uniqueness  of their true selves.  It's so unfortunate to witness a soul bound for greater things being denied because they have bought into what society tells them they should be.  The tragedy in that is they are robbing themselves and the world of a unique purpose, a unique talent, created only for them that would give them an abundant meaningful life!!! It is truly tragic and I PRAY that they would realise God's purpose for their lives!

On the other hand, when you meet someone who knows they are a unique creation and embrace their individuality, they express their love and appreciation to God by using their talents, they have love and compassion and joy through the Spirit, they have confidence in knowing they are a unique and incredible, miraculous creation, it's STUNNING, MIND BLOWING how the beauty of their souls emerges and their entire appearance changes.  I have been blessed by God allowing me to see people as He sees them.  The pain I feel, how my heart breaks when I meet someone who has been beat down by tragedy in whatever form.  They need compassion and prayer and encouragement. Not judgement and condemnation!  

The joy and energy I feel when I meet someone who realises who they were meant to be and is fulfilling their purpose is truly a gift!!

This physical body is just a package we, our authentic being comes in.  Sure, it's fun to change our physical appearance whether it be colouring or cutting our hair, keeping current with fashion or setting our own trends.  It's just an expression of our tastes but not who we really are.  That's where I get it when the Bible says not to get our beauty from outward adornment.  I certainly don't think God meant , don't take care of yourselves, but to not get sucked into the trap that so many beautiful souls do, that all their is to beauty is outward adornment!  After all, it's these exterior packages that get buried when we leave this world.  It's our true selves, our souls, that move on to eternity.

I remember when we used to teach our cosmetology students to look into nature. To see the beauty, the uniqueness, the combination of colour and design that nature had created. That God had created!  Then to try and recreate it in some unique form of colour application or design.  God LOVES VARIETY PEOPLE!!   Look at all the different variety of plants, animals, flowers etc!  Why would we think we should all be the same as human beings??? Why do we not celebrate the differences in each other?? Skin colour, hair, body shape, personality, talents and gifts??? Why would we think God didn't create us all to be unique, extraordinary??

So don't rob yourself of your joy or purpose by getting too hung up on the physical!  Get to know your own soul and let the world meet you!!  You may be surprised at what you learn.  Get to know others.  I GUARANTEE you will be shocked (hopefully in a good way) at the incredible people that you never saw, that have been in front of you all this time.

Most importantly get to know your Creator!   After all, if you are on a quest to "find yourself", wouldn't it be wise to go to the One who "knit you together in your mother's womb"?

He is the lover of your soul!  Realise His purpose for you... start living life more abundantly ... and then get out there... and DO IT!!