MANICURES
I'm not one who is fussy or spends a lot of time pampering myself. I like to paint my toes in the summer. I like to go in for the every few months trim. I use lotion on my skin, moisturizer on my face and sunscreen when I know I'll be in the sun. I don't tweeze my brows much (it’s a very poor up-keeping on my part to make sure there aren't any stragglers). I have let more massage gift certificates expire than I am proud of.
Today, today was a PAMPERING DAY. My sweet friend gave me a gift certificate to have my nails/toes done. Knowing I do enjoy having them done, but I'm too big of a tight wad (sincerely!) to take the plunge and treat myself. I wouldn't hesitate an instance to do it for someone else, but for me? I think HA! I can paint my own toes to the tune of a $3 bottle of polish and locking myself in the bathroom for 20 minutes. Today I made time on my lunch hour to take advantage of the kindness of my sweet friend, who was thoughtful enough to treat me to such an indulgence.
In our small town there are two "nail salons" both are run by very kind oriental families.
They always smile and say hello, ask "what would you like?” smile and point "okay, pick a color and have a seat". I'm aware of this, so it was a bit more inviting to me today to make the time for this indulgence. Although rather uncommon and a bit shocking to some I would suppose, I didn't want to interact. I wasn't looking for engaging conversation or idle chit chat. I was looking forward to relaxing and letting my mind wonder. This isn't something I have opportunity to indulge in often -for me this too was a real treat.
As I sat there. Mindlessly holding my hand out, allowing the nail tech to do her "thing" I found myself really paying attention to how attentive she was to my hands. She trimmed my cuticles, she pushed back my nail bed, and she filed and made my nails equal in length. I had a nail that I'd torn earlier in the day. I presumed she'd cut it off and we'd start from nubs again. So attentive she says "your nails so nice. I repair, yes?" I smile, "yes please." She gets out a piece of some kind of odd tape I wasn't familiar with. She cut a tiny piece placed it on my broken nail and smoothed it to the place you would never know that it was ever torn/broken. She was so intent and patient. I started paying better attention, and I started really watching, really paying attention. Her eyes, they were so intent on my fingers, her hands were so gentle and when she moved from one hand to another I hardly noticed. She really has a gift!
If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each
of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out
for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4
I thought about how nice this manicure time was, how much I was appreciating the
pampering, admiring the talent and grateful for her desire to make me feel relaxed and pleased with my beautiful new fingers/hands. What a gift she has, she takes an hour and makes someone feel special. Hour after hour, she invites people to come and spend time with her while she works to make them feel relaxed & pretty. WHAT A GREAT JOB!
It made me think about Jesus washing the disciples feet. Wanting to do something to nurture them, to please them. How I wish I had such a gift, but wait! I do. When I see that my kids have had a rough day, a hug and a little cuddle time work wonders! When my husband has been out in the cold and things didn't go his way, I can make a warm dinner, provide a calm environment and encourage him with positive words. We don't necessarily need to wash ones feet, or to have a "job" which offers opportunity to pamper, we need only be KIND, THOUGHTFUL and DESIRING of THEIR HAPPINESS.
I am thankful for the kindness of my sweet friend, who gifted me the certificate for pampering and thankful for the lovely gal who made it such a treat.