When I was invited to start a Mary Kay business, I recoiled and said, “I couldn’t say I was a beauty consultant with a straight face.” My dear friend asked why. My response? “Well, isn’t it obvious?” as I pointed to the right side of my face.

       I was born without my right eye and the bone structure on that side of my face was not where it should be. It took over 30 operations until the doctor’s said enough and I had eyelids to hold the artificial eye in.

       My parents were miracle workers and raised me to be 90% “normal.” I had two older, very beautiful sisters and I knew one thing for sure. I would NEVER be beautiful like they were. Here I am over 50 and closing in on the next milestone. My life has unfolded much like yours. I fell in love and married (twice!) I was beautiful in the season of new love. I felt beautiful on my wedding day(s).

       But life has a way of dragging on us in the sad and difficult times. That is when I tend to feel not beautiful AT ALL. Then I don’t care. “Why should I even try?” I ask myself as I reach for the chips or ice cream while sitting on the couch in front of the TV. One hundred pounds later, here I am.

       When the Mary Kay opportunity was presented to me, I was emerging from a sad time but was ready to kick it away completely. When I heard myself saying, “Are you kidding? a beauty consultant, me??” a little voice within was saying, “Yes, Gayle. You HAVE to do this NOW.”

     I have turned a corner and am determined to change my story now. What I post here will be my musings on the journey of re-awakening the outer and inner beauty that I know is mine. Maybe you can relate to that feeling that you are not beautiful? Inside do you feel that urge to really blossom? Are you ready to push away the self-deprecating thoughts that keep you feeling BLAH?  if yes, then please read on.