Is Beauty Really Skin Deep?

Recently, I saw a report on television about a new trend in beauty that is exploding and becoming a multibillion-dollar industry in the Asian market. This particular trend is nothing new, but poses great concern to a stereotype that continues to be disturbing and deemed acceptable among certain ethnicities for centuries. This common thought process has and can continue to create resentment among cultures, a false sense of success, a coerced attraction to the physical appearance, while at the same time, lowering the self-esteem and status of many people.

I worked in the fashion and beauty industry at many levels for 28 years. During that time I saw people go to extremes to either cosmetically enhance their bodies or lighten their skin for all of the wrong reasons. As I continue to watch the growing trend of many people (particularly women of darker skin tones) who buy into the belief that the lighter your skin is, the richer, prettier, purer and more successful you are, I also see an increased element of depression, self-destruction, resentment and remorse that can result in deep regrets.

While it is important to improve the areas that you feel you need to in your life, whether spiritual, mental, physical or emotional, you should always embrace the beautiful creature that God created you to be. As an African American, I understand how such misconceptions can cause people to delineate the part of their history that shaped who they are. I understand the significance of why many people are attracted to the physical attributes they feel will add greater validation to their lives. At the same time, it also adds to the stress of upkeep, while trying to fit in and be accepted in a world that will not recognize or accept them…the great pretenders. All too often, when we are caught up in the game of pretending, we can become entrapped in a dark place and find it increasingly hard to either let go of or to escape from.

I think about my all time favorite, classic movie, “Imitation of Life” and realize how tragic it is to try to be someone else, while you are missing all of the beauty and blessings that can abound in your life, if you would only embrace who you are. If such physical enhancements are done for corrective or reconstruction purposes, then I think that is completely acceptable. However, to change your physical appearance to take on a false identity to try to force your square peg to fit in a round hole will only add greater heartache to an already fragile situation. Do not lose your born identity unless it is for self-improvement and not based on a preconceived idea or notion by someone else.

Be true to yourself and be yourself. Beauty is in the heart and spirit. Regardless of how much you pay for aging or skin lightening creams, if you are blessed to live a long life, then there is no potion that can change your age.

Celebrating National Custodial Worker Day

One of the most under-appreciated professions in existence is that of a Custodian. Today is National Custodial Worker Day in which we recognize individuals who clean and maintain residential or commercial buildings.

Thank You to all of our Custodial Workers everywhere!

It is unfortunate that many people believe that custodial workers are uneducated, poor people and that by all means is far from the truth. By speaking to many people who work in this field, you learn that there is something awe-inspiring about the humbleness this position can bring. Many years ago, a friend of mine asked if I would like to help clean up a building with her, because she did not have enough manpower to finish the job in a given time allotment. I happily obliged, although people at the time thought I was demeaning myself, because I was working in an upper level management position that required me to be dressed to the nines every day. On the contrary, the thought really didn’t occur to me, because this was not something that I was above.

No doubt, custodial work is laborious and not the most appealing job at first sight, but it is unquestionably vital to public presentations, health regulations and spiritual groundedness. Each time you go into a public restroom, please be cognizant of the fact that you should not recklessly create a mess and expect someone else to clean it up, just because they are paid to do so. While it is true that someone is paid to clean up, try putting yourself in their shoes if you had to clean that area up.

If everyone responded in a manner of respect for the position of a custodian when they use public restrooms in particular, they would embrace the compassion that comes along with human respect and dignity. Don’t ever turn your nose up or look down on positions like sewage workers, waste collectors, house cleaners or janitors. They are not castaways, but ordinary people making an honest living, and unbeknown to others, many of them are financially wealthy. Unless it is a book, never judge people by their cover. They may be an angel in disguise!