For the past several months I have been working to create a new website to better depict the work that I am currently engaged in. What I have noticed about myself over the years is that as I change, grow and evolve, the way I approach my work changes, grows, and evolves. Along with the new words on the website, I created a "new skin" or a new look for the website and as you'll notice, I also created a "new skin" here on my blog as well.
As I created this new skin to go with my updated works it made me reflect on how this might apply to life. Can we create a new skin, in other words, a new look on the outside, whether it be a new hairstyle, clothing style, etc. and expect that it will change who we are. Or, does the change first need to come from within and the external vision simply mirrors the new attitude, beliefs, and presence that we have created inside?
As I contemplated this, I came to the conclusion that all things must start in the mind, with a thought or shift in perception first. It may only be a desire to be different or to be perceived differently, but we cannot change what is on the outside until some impetus has been sparked from within first. While sometimes we may not like or appreciate that we are judged by the way we look, it is a reflection of what is going on within whether we like it or not. Whether it be the style we choose to portray or the aging lines that manifest themselves on our skin, it tells part of our story as does our body language and body alignment. We are integrated beings and we cannot separate what we look like from what is held within. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder as is any judgement made about oneself or another. But when you look at yourself, is it reflecting what you want? Do you accept what you look like, the lines, the wrinkles, the fat deposits, the mis-alignments as part of the story of your life? Do you attempt to heal past wounds, hardships, etc. to maintain not so much your appearance, but your vitality and strength?
Our "skin" cannot maintain itself, we must undertake self care by getting enough rest, nutrition and vitamins through healthy natural food sources, pure water, and a balanced lifestyle that minimizes stress, offers plenty of support, relaxation, and coping mechanisms for the times we do run in to unavoidable stressors. What would it be like for you to do less, make fewer commitments to others, rest more and spend more time doing things you enjoy at a pace that supported a relaxed lifestyle? What step can you take today to move in that direction?
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