Fearfully and Wonderfully Made - by Payton Smith

Recently, I entered the world of Esthetics.

A few months in experiences I had I felt called to step out in boldness and share.

As I began Esthetician school, I had a comment made to me that continually comes to my mind as I navigate through my busy weeks. A friend said:

“Pursuing a worldly career that is constantly trying to alter your natural beauty can be a dangerous thing.”

It struck me

Later on, a high schooler asked me to read a writing she wrote for one of her classes titled, “I BELIEVE being flawed is perfect.”

In her writing, she said:

“The world we live in today has altered my outlook on life and I can see right through what’s going on. It seems as though society has this mindset to look a certain way or act a certain way.

When I walk around my school, I am someone who watches people and I don’t mean that in a creepy way, I’m just a very observant person, I see that every girl dresses the same and every guy dresses the same. I am not one to talk though, because I do have the same styles as most girls but it’s like my mind tricks me into liking those styles because everywhere I go I see it.

I may dress the same, but who I am deep down is not who you would see me as. My thoughts go beyond my surface. Having to look a certain way and covering up your flaws is uncomfortable.

Everyone would be so much more comfortable if they were just true to themselves.

When I see someone dressing how they want to or not wearing make up at all it inspires me to let go too. As I have aged I have let my true colors shine and have shown my true self and it has made me a much happier person and I finally feel good in my own skin.

If you don’t mind me saying, I suggest you giving it a try and we can all change the world one by one.”

As I was reading that, it hit me..

Who you are goes beyond your surface. 

As I’ve navigated through the journey becoming an Esthetician, whatever services I would like to offer, it is required that I receive the service to learn the experience from a consumer's perspective.

I had to get eyelash extensions so that I could be licensed to give them.

Educationally it was helpful, but I came to the realization that I entered a danger zone. 

I had eyelash extensions on for consecutive 3 weeks, and it came time to remove them. I was anxious to get them off, but after I felt ugly. I told myself I needed to get extensions back as soon as possible. I couldn’t let anyone see me without them on. I felt as if the real me is embarrassingly ugly. 

I had been in denial, but what my friend told me in the beginning had come true. I had become so intrigued in the ways I can alter my looks, that when it came time to embrace my natural beauty, I wanted the altered version of me back. 

As I was going through this, God put a bible verse on my heart that spoke to my current situation.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 

I cannot express enough the importance of embracing who you are.

How special you are.

How unique you are.

There is no other individual on this earth that is like you.

The Bible says:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” 

Each of us have a role to fulfill on this earth. We all have our own passions. We each individually have our own unique purpose. 

As I have been chasing after Esthetics, part of me wanted to completely turn away from it. 

I prayed through this. I felt God telling me I am right where He wants me to be. That I am set on a mission to do what a lot of other Esthetician’s are not doing in:

Helping individuals embrace their natural beauty. 

It’s so easy to give people tips and tricks on easy fixes when they dislike something about themselves. Why not aid them in enhancing their natural beauty? 

Everyone on this earth is made in God’s image. People take that lightly. We are made in HIS image.

Do you know how special that is?

God created us in His image, so beautiful, and so unique and you want to change that? Just so that you can look like everyone else? In what way does that benefit you? 

When you go through times like I experienced, I encourage you to turn the whole situation around and look to Psalm 139:4, that says:  “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” 

You are unique.

You are loved.

You are made in His image. 

No matter what size shape, or features, every individual has natural beauty. Extreme societal standards have brought about a type of epidemic where we may all be beautiful in our own way, but most of us don’t know it.

When you feel down about yourself, consider this: the problem isn’t a lack of beauty, it’s a lack of self-confidence from the outside in. That’s why it’s so empowering for individuals to embrace their natural features, to show them off, and to allow their self-confidence to take root and grow.

The media tells us that we’re too fat, too curly-haired, too blemished, too whatever, and it can shake our sense of self-worth. Although appearances have nothing to do with intelligence, humor, creativity, or kindness (just to name a few), we start to wonder whether our lives would be better if we looked different.

Stop for a minute and think of the individuals in your life who you most enjoy being around. Chances are, you love them because they are positive, generous, and caring -- not because they look like models. These loved ones are confident in themselves, from their appearance to their abilities, and their positivity spills out of them and lifts you up. These are the individuals that are the most beautiful, the ones who are always true to themselves.

It’s a simple rule of thumb that we can’t fully love others until we love ourselves completely. If you want the world to be a more positive and honest place, it starts with being the best YOU that you can be. 

-Payton Smith proud member of Believe Brand Co. family

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