Recently a close friend of mine went through a terrible break-up. If you knew her you would know that she is a beautiful, strong and intelligent woman. As I listened to her weep on the phone from a broken heart, I wondered if it was worth it. Three years of ups and downs, being completely vulnerable only to be left with a broken, scarred, insecure self. Was it worth it? Is it worth it to lay your soul bare? I venture to say ‘yes’. I asked her this same question just a few days after the break up and she agreed without hesitation that yes, it was completely worth it. She was able to open her heart and feel several degrees of emotion and is now a richer person because of it. She opened herself up to love and to feel love, but when she did that, she also opened herself up to feel the hurt.
With all that’s transpired in my life over the past few years with cancer constantly coming back and reminding me that life is short, I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I used to be much more guarded and protective of my feelings, but I can’t do that anymore. When I’m angry I express it, when I’m hurt or sad, I cry, and when I love, I can’t hold back and my heart overflows. I feel extreme emotions, am I an emotional wreck? Hardly. Cancer has made me stronger mentally, but it has also made me a person who craves realness; real, raw emotions, real feelings, real people, no more games…not enough time.
My friend will recover and she’ll be stronger from the experience. The danger happens when the scars build up and we don’t allow ourselves to heal. Each time I have surgery on my neck there are new and additional scars, each surgeon has had to cut through the old layer of scars to get to the cancer. It’s true of relationships too, the hurtful ones add to the old scars and it’s difficult cutting through those to open up. But, I look at my scar on my neck and it’s a reminder that I am strong and I persevered, and I know myself better. We are all creatures that crave love but , pardon the cliche’, we need to give love to get love. Open yourself up and be real, take those risks. You may get to know yourself a little better along the way too… it is worth it.
For today I chose Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Passion, a sheer crimson red lip balm that feels GREAT on your lips. I chose it because it’s sheer enough to let your true colors shine through, but it’s red and called ‘passion’ so it’s a reminder to live and love passionately!
Anna's Lipstick Journey 
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