Whether I use it to relax, to educate, to reflect or to market products, services or myself, writing sets me free. I love to write and my hope is to write on a permanent basis. Ghost writing for companies and being a freelance writer would be such a great goal to reach. I hope the universe is listening. I have always enjoyed putting a pen to paper and get excited seeing a bunch of freshly sharpened pencils. There is such power in the creativity of words on paper.
Tears from my soul
Tears to cry
A soul challenged for strength
Memories play over and over in my head like a vhs or cassette tape
Bring his joy and laughter into myself as he is a part of me
Believe in self love
Breathe and do the work
The loss is great
Let him live through me
Love my pets, love my dog
Close your eyes and let the anxiety drift away
You are not ALONE!
Loss
My heart hurts. The pain isn’t sharp it’s gaeping. Like I’m gasping for air. My brother died yesterday. I hear nothing. I hear peace. I hear family members voices. I hear sadness, tears, prayers, anger and judgement. He is no longer lost. I’m reminded of things my brother taught me like brushing my teeth in the shower is a yes, it saves time but don’t leave the toothbrush in there when you’re done. He introduced me to the Beastie Boys and other great music and showed me how music can transform you. He taught to appreciate sports. I will always remember this light-hearted, popular, confident and funny character watching him play Gateway baseball games with his friends and the parties they would throw and never treating me like a tag along wherever we were. Just cruising in the Nomad and monster truck dropping me off and picking me up from school and spring break in Mexico. I remember a proud dad the first time Payne said, I’m a hockey dude and when he held his children for the first time.
He had a laugh that I will hold in my heart forever and big brown eyes of joy, laughter, sadness and pain. He is free now, not in chains held down by addiction and sadness. Alcoholism hurts a family. It hurts deep inside of the souls of everyone who has a loved one trapped in this cycle. We laughed together, we cried together. I will forever miss and love him. It’s a time to breath and reflect, a time to trust and a time to heal. A time to remember how important it is to take care of ourselves and eachother and to love family. A time to remember a funny and generous man. To his children, your dad loved you and never ever wanted to hurt you, we are here for you and love you with all of our hearts.
FLY HIGH big brother 💙
Being sensitive to peoples’ skin conditions
We are all individuals with our own genetic makeup, talents and personal issues etc. Skin conditions can be a very sensitive area to people battling identity issues. It is important, as a human race, not to judge or justify obscene behavior by hurting someone or making fun of them. Even social media sites thinking certain filters are a fad like this vitiligo filter that has more recently emerged on Instagram.
Skin conditions are not a fad. It takes some people a lifetime to face their insecurities and embrace their own personal beauty and uniqueness.. Remember to be aware and sensitive to people facing conditions like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, albinism and vitiligo, just to name a few.
These conditions can be traumatizing and debilitating to some individual’s mental health including being bullied and even self-harm. Be present and aware of your actions and your words. Also, listen to your children, don’t discount their struggles. An example that I used in lecture was about a teenage boy with cheek blushing and redness. He kept telling his mom how this bothered him. He was seeking to talk to someone and find solutions. His twin brother did not face the same skin blushing and redness. They graduated and went off to college and he ended up taking his life by hanging himself in his dorm closet. The guilt his poor mom probably still feels is unbearable. He is more than an example, I’ve carried him in my heart for several years now.
Some of these people and teenagers really need a therapist to talk to or support from other facing similar issues. Acne grades 3 and 4 are prime examples of conditions that can cause trauma. Even staring at someone’s birthmark can be hurtful to them. In a world where many things are out of our control, BE KIND and remember that one day you may need a self confidence boost or to feel accepted. Be mindful
Major declutter…note to self
Why is letting stuff go so difficult, at times, emotionally? What am I afraid of? Am I afraid of the extra time that I’ll have not moving things from one place to another. Am I afraid of the extra space that I will have to simplify my life. Or….is it the unknown? Am I afraid of the personal growth that I will feel knowing that I conquered a fear that lives within me?
Letting items go doesn’t mean that I have to let go of memories associated with said items. The value that I paid no longer exist even though a stubborn mind may say, ” I paid $100 for that purse or those shoes” or “I loved those jeans when they fit me, I will lose weight and wear them again. But, isn’t it true that when the weight is lost I’ll be excited to buy new jeans.
Letting go means accepting change. Going through old boxes of term papers and letters or cards from first boyfriends or books from college classes….what is their value if those items are moved from one apartment to new home and then again another move if those items just stay boxed in the corner of a garage or attic?
Setting myself free from the chains of the past means I’m ready to let new love and opportunities in. It means a new lifestyle can emerge and the pain or heartache associated with my past self can actually be set free.
Random Lifestyle thoughts
If it only takes two minutes, why not do it right now.
Water is life, make it a priority. It’s great for your skin, your metabolism and your health.
Writing a list and checking it off is so satisfying. Your accomplishment is clear and promotes self-esteem.
Nothing is better than being yourself.
Stopping to breathe and reflect is so good for your mental and emotional state.
Getting Vitamin D is essential for your mental health. Remember a 10 min walk can clear your thoughts, help with anxiety and depression, give you Vitamin D intake from the sun. Remember to wear your sunblock and play with your kids in the yard, walk your dogs and breathe some fresh air.
With the swimming pools opening, remember to wear sun protection. Best thing to do is be in the sun for 15 min, in the shade for 10…If your sun protection is a 30 SPF, move the decimal over and you should reapply every 3 hours. Protect you children and your family and rinse in your skin after pool to get chlorine off of your skin and hair along with other toxins that subside. If your sun protection is not zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, it may contain toxins that shouldn’t stay on the skin. BE MINDFUL and Stay safe!!
Remember to smile…in the mirror and at other people.
Ground yourself and create peace of mind…More random lifestyle thoughts to come and thank you for being in my life…Have a great day!
A Dog’s Love
A dog’s love is so pure. It remains one of the greatest love’s that I think we will ever know. Sometimes I feel like she looks into my soul…She loves me no matter my weight, what clothes I wear or if my my teeth a brushed in the morning.
Raising golden retrievers couldn’t give me a better sense of self. The miracles that happen like delivering a puppy or watching them open their eyes or stumbling to walk or run to the freedom when they smile as they run. The amount of love and support during anxiety or heartache when they can sense how much you need them.
Dogs are incredible friends and beings. They are so unique and become a part of us and our family. Saying goodbye is always hard…to love something, someone so much and have to let them go. It is heartbreaking. The grief in your heart as your best friend drifts away. The laughter and joy from the memories will always be in my heart. She will always have a piece of me and I, a piece of her.
How am I?
This blog is not only for the betterment of those who read and follow it. It is for me. It is a way to heal and grieve and a way to endure and grow. I am sleeping much better. I am having less anxiety. I still feel lonely but, not as ALONE. Good thing I like myself, lol…..love myself. Today, I will stay motivated, I will stay active and will do my projects on my list and be accomplished. Then breathe, stretch, yoga, burn sage and Palo Santo and do some personal grounding and center myself. I will cleanse some crystals and feel the energy around me change. My personal energy will shift. These affirmations will bless my day and bring peace of mind to all that this reaches. As the sages burns, burdens will release out of my body and home. Whether it is called spiritual enlightenment or a cleanse my personal space, I will let go of the clutter that exists in and around me day by day….
How to market yourself in the beauty industry?
Marketing yourself is an important part of building and maintaining a clientele. From a solid introduction and client consultation to a social media presence, business cards, promotions and a great attitude, many things can create success for your brand.
As a professional, when addressing a client, eye contact is critical to engaging with them. Depending on the liability that you face, based on the service, client release and consent forms are necessary. With skin related services this is especially important because of issues with pre-care, post care and contraindications. It is also important to have aftercare forms available for them to take with them. As an extra precaution, having them initial that they received aftercare would be beneficial for your records. Each time a client, comes in for a service, they should review , initial and date their paperwork. This can indicate to you if their medical conditions have changed along with any medication.
Staying on top of your social media presence is important. This can build your clientele in it’s own unique way by exposing you on different platforms that are of interest to your demographic.
Offering very promotions can appeal to the public in different ways depending on the motivation that is presented in the promotion. Examples like buy one get one 1/2 price or or refer a friend are great options. Even a loyalty punch card has it’s perks.
Ultimately, your attitude and the way you treat others around you builds your brand. A great mindset will aid in your success and longevity and staying within your means. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with others who have similar values and drive.
Nun
Get to know me
My name is Dawn MacArthur. I attended beauty school during highschool. After graduation, I attended college at The Metropolitan State College of Denver. I received a Bachelors of Science in Marketing. While in college, I worked in the Admissions office. I also spent time in Student Affairs and working in the GLBT office and at a local highschool helping students with ACT/SAT prep. I also gained experience in customer service working at The Buckle.
I worked in various salons and spas gaining experience with client services and gaining experience in beauty industry. In 2006, I opened a beauty academy with my mom and sister. I taught Esthetics, ran the clinic floor, and as we grew settled into my role as the Director of Admissions and Marketing. The school, students and clients challenged me. I always enjoyed doing our social media, writing articles and procedure manuals and being a mentor to the students. With Covid, our school and well being was compromised. Personal services were limited and unfortunately we had to close our doors after 15 years.
I am blogging because I have a strong love for writing. I have a lot knowledge that I want to share and it is helping me grieve the loss of my school, students, amazing staff and clients. I’m grateful for the opportunity, experience and for all of the relationships that were formed in the school. Blogging is helping me center myself and allowing me to be creative and share pieces of myself.
The Beauty Mark 