How to find wisdom in everyday life

After a long week of being laid up and sick for most of the time, I was ready for something to rejuvenate me. I needed something to make me feel better, after such a non-productive week. So yesterday, I impulsively decided on going to get a facial.

This is a rare occurrence because I have a hard time justifying spending so much money on myself. But, since Uncle Sam was nice enough to make a little deposit in my bank account after filing my taxes, I figured it was the perfect time to do some much needed pampering.

They fit me in within the hour and I struggled to motivate to get myself out of the house for the first time in a few days. A little older Asian woman greeted me at the spa, and welcomed me into a dark, quiet room in the back.

She turned on the classical music, and took one look at my face and said, “Hmm… you have very sensitive skin, and break out on your forehead, around your nose, and on your chin. Your combination sensitive and dry skin need a special treatment.” Hearing her diagnosis comforted me, with her strong, calm energy and motherly way. It wasn’t exactly rocket science what she had just told me, but just decided to relax and let her do what she wanted instead of over analyze how she wasn’t right.

The steam blew over my face, and she propped up the wand so that it angled down to my forehead. She took out her little tools, and sponges and began rubbing and scrubbing like she had done it a million times. Because she had.

For the first few minutes she was quiet, and then began talking about how I was breaking out in certain areas. I continued casual conversation, and asked her what she recommended to treat this reoccurring problem.

She said that healthy skin starts from within. After she went through her up-sell, about how I should come back every two weeks to do her special treatment, she began to get more spiritual.

I agreed and said that I stressed out too much. In broken English she corrected me like a caring mother, “Why you stress out? You too young, and pretty to worry about anything.” I argued with her in my head, thinking how I have this issue, and that to worry about. Until I realized that she was right.

For the next 45 minutes, she told me the secrets of her life wisdom. I had no idea that I would have the blessing of a wise sage to show up in my life, when I was simply going to have a simple, self-indulgent beauty treatment done.

She went on to tell me that you have a choice where to put your energy. If you stress out over little things and let yourself become angered by a speeding ticket, or a rude person then you use up your energy on the negative. Everyone is rushing around and exhausted these days, she told me. Because we put our energy in the wrong place. You have to conserve it, and use it on the good things in life. It’s a choice.

She told me that she lives with an attitude of being happy and grateful for everything. Every good or bad thing in life she encounters with a smile, and is grateful. That way you don’t use up you energy being upset, rushing around and stressing out.

Maybe this woman could be my cure for acne, to make up for all my orders for Proactive that never followed through with their healing claims.

I smiled as I listened to her for the rest of my treatment, because she was so right. She had better advice than all the self improvement books I’ve ever read, and was more authentic because she lived it. Wisdom exists in everyday life, especially when you are least expecting it.

I thanked her for the treatment, and her wonderful advice, and booked my appointment to see her in two weeks.

photo credit

——————————————————
If you enjoyed this article, please consider subscribing here. And if you are on Twitter, go follow me here.