Lipstick. I use it to remind me of who “I” am; to help me claim my strengths. It works; I leave the house with renewed confidence and I think I stand up a bit straighter after I’ve applied my lipstick. How can a simple tube of lip color do all that? It’s a process.
First of all I don’t wear just any lipstick. I have my color; I chose it carefully. My color looks good on me and it goes with everything.
I apply my lipstick with care. I open the tube and turn the lower part of the cylinder to expose the colorful stick. I look in the mirror and pay attention as I apply color to my upper then my lower lip. Then I press my lips together to blend the color. One last glance in the mirror assures me that I’m ready to go.
I wear my lipstick just about every time I leave the house. I often wear it to the gym too, which may seem odd. No makeup, barely a brush through my hair but I will probably put on my lipstick.
I use my lipstick as an anchor. As I apply it I concentrate on the moment at hand. I remind myself to live an authentic life; to live the truths and values that I carry with me and know deep in my core. This anchoring helps me stay true to myself and to live my life in a meaningful way. It’s a bit of a spiritual experience, I suppose.
None of the great religions include lipstick application as a ritual or prayer form. Maybe they should. I think many of us need contemporary rituals to remind us of what is good and holy and true in the world; they can provide an anchor. Without regular practices and reminders we too easily get swept up in the waves of the latest controversy or the newest game, show, or electronic “application.” There are so many things that vie for our attention; there are so many messages telling us what we should do and who we should try to be like. It’s very easy to loose touch with who we ARE. So I apply my lipstick and I use the ritual to remind me of who I am.
A simple tube of color, that’s what lipstick looks like. But it can be so much more. Does anyone else have a “thing” with lipstick? I’d love to hear your story or your thoughts!
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