When my good childhood friend, Sidaba Sallah, nominated me for the No Make Up Challenge, I told her that this Manjargo woman will not shy away from a challenge, and so I took it on. I had so much fun with it! (How many selfies does it really take to get that perfect lipstick-less smile??? :-) The challenge took strength and courage (more for some of us, than for others...lol), and it solidified that our self-esteems are all intact. But, on a more serious note, I think that this was a great sisterhood challenge. As women, we should always lift each other up in ways like this. Yes, we ARE beautiful without makeup. For me, it was actually humbling. We so often see each other at parties and functions, when were all made up and dressed to the nines, with our full façade of beauty, happiness and success front and center; when hidden behind the glamour, is the little girl God created, who really just need someone to talk to, a shoulder to lean on, or a friend to laugh with. Ya see, when God created the human race, He gave us girls a really heavy duty. He chose us to be the child bearers. What an awesome responsibility! When pregnant, our bodies go through unbelievable trauma. We are forever changed; but, we accept it and do all in our power to restore our bodies and remain healthy, and that is exactly what we should do. However, NEVER forget, that we are not only beautiful on the outside! Most importantly, we are a creation of beauty on the inside, where it really matters. We are valuable, strong and courageous mothers, we are nurturers, we are often-times the glue that holds everything together. Dont ever let anyone tell you otherwise, or make you to feel less than. We give so much of ourselves to our families, to our jobs and to the world (and gladly, I might say), because thats what we do. So I say to you my beautiful sisters, Love yourself, Pamper yourself and Treat yourself. LIVE! These things no one will give to you but yourself; so LIVE! Put on makeup if it makes you happy, or dont if thats your cup of tea, so long as you are not hurting anyone and you are right with God. TAKE CARE OF #1 is my sister Michelles favorite line to me. We always end our phone calls with, I love you, but right before we hung up, she always tell me to TAKE CARE OF #1... and that #1, of course, is me. I love you all. May God bless and keep you and your loved ones, both near and far.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:22:47 +0000