Blue is not my color, at least when it comes to eye shadow. Maybe I am just lacking the professional touch or skill. Maybe the color doesn’t work for me or I am overly ambitious. But I continue to play around with it. Almost every palette that I own contains some shade of blue so I continue to dabble with the hopes that one day I will become slightly better…..maybe! Today, I am once again packing on the blues. My eye shadow looks bad, LOL! It really does. Nevertheless, I am pushing through. It does have me thinking though. What else do we pack on daily? Let’s dive into this.
Packing It On
While throwing on my face before I leave the house on errands today, I decided to fiddle in this dreaded color once again. It is not neatly done, it looks like to started my Halloween dress up as a clown and stopped midway. It is messy, this is not me. Regardless, I am now late for appointments so I am running out just like this. On days like this I really appreciate the eye glasses. The wheels in the brain start to turn though. What else am I packing on? What are we packing on daily? Surely, I cannot be the only person doing this. How much of our daily look and persona is not who we really are or want to be?
Let’s start with me. After careful thought and self-examination, I have come up with an initial short list of traits that I pack on daily. For sure this list is longer, however, this is what comes to mind immediately. Many times, I pack on smiles, agreements, patience and understanding. This applies to various aspects of my life inclusive of kids, work and school.
Why Do It?
I am not trying to be fake. This is not the reason for packing on a smile or agreeing with a situation. Why then do we do it? To me, the answer is easy. Most times it makes the day bearable, it makes the people close to us happy and it gets things moving. At forty years old, I choose my battles wisely. My hands are full with a 9-5 job, two kids, kids activities and homework, home life and so on and so forth; just like some of you. There is no time for wasting energy. For example, if there is a discussion in work and you know the decision is made – what is the point of fighting? Just smile and move on. Do not get me wrong, I am a fighter, I push back, I question things. Sometimes, you just know when not to do so. These are the times when we have to rock back and nod and let it happen. We pack on that smile and understanding and we let it happen.
When Do We Do It?
Definitely at work – a lot! But also in other aspects of life, at home, with the kids, with friends.
Patience is a virtue. That is what we were taught. Trust me when I say that kids are the biggest test in patience. At least for me. This is where my blue eye shadow comes in most handy. I pack it on for them. “IT” is patience and understanding. Parenting in this era is a test. When my teenager comes home with stories of school and God forbid I respond with something like “He/She does not sound genuine or like a real friend.” Well then, let the games begin. I am met with all the opinions of how I do not understand and I do not know what I am talking about etc, etc. Fast forward a few months and it comes full circle. At this point, I am ready to easily lose all cool. But I have to pack on the patience and grace and understanding. Sigh!
How Can It Work For Us?
It is important to know where and when to pack it on. In my search I found this beautiful image depicting a light use of blue. Not too much, but it is still present. This shows me the necessity in packing on a little at a time. Oftentimes, we pretend for too long and it takes a toll on us. It is imperative not to lose ourselves in these moments. Yes, sometimes we have to smile and move on. But not when it compromises our integrity and peace.
Let us not adjust to others needs and beliefs to the point where we no longer know ours. Instead, let us search the palette for a lighter shade of the same color. Let us use it as needed. Not splashed on to cover everything that we are and work to be.
Conclusion
With age there is supposed to come wisdom. Sometimes we have to use the smaller brushes and work professionally to achieve a result that will suit all parties. There are times when we have no choice but to pack it on. Be sure that it remains in the right time, in the right space and for the right reasons. Let us not get lost. We continue to learn every day.
If you can relate to any or all of this, please be sure to leave your comments in the section below. We would love to hear from you. This space is created to share and learn and support as we navigate this complicated thing called life.