True
story:
When
I was a little girl, 9 years of age, I spent one summer at a
Christian summer camp in the mountains.
We
had lots of fun, breathtaking nature around us, every now again
homesickness or arguments had to be dealt with, but what is stuck in
my memory the most is one of our supervisors.
Seen
through the eyes of a nine-year-old this young woman was the epitome
of elegance:
Every
evening she dressed herself up, she wore fitted skirts with matching
tops and little jackets that became her very well and she could move
in them like an angel.
Her
hair was blonde and fell in curls past her shoulders, and I simply
could have stared at her for hours.
Mouth
agape.
One
evening she came into the room I shared with 4 other girls, sat down
at the bedside and told us she wanted to have a talk with us.
"Now
that you’ll soon be grown women…”
And
then she gave us – awestruck girls, absorbing every one of her
words – 5 simple tips.
Do
you want to know what she said?
1.
Always pay attention to your finger nails.
Sooner
or later everyone’s going to look at your hands: when you reach
your hand out, pick up a glass or move a strand of hair from your
face – so make sure they are clean, groomed and not too long.
(Great,
at this point in time I chewed my nails a lot. Felt downright bad
about myself.)
2.
Don’t drape yourself in jewelry all over, but wear just few
selected items.
Necklace,
earrings, ring, bracelet all at the same time is too much.
3.
Look after your lips – they should never be dry or chapped.
Honey
or butter fulfills this task wonderfully: dab a little on your lips
and let it absorb for a few minutes.
4.
Wear skirts and dresses as often as you can.
You
don’t have to climb trees all the time, and most things can be done
in skirts just as well.
5.
Brush your hair (the ones on your head, not on your face or legs),
use deodorant and take care of your teeth, so that they stay white
and healthy.
(All
self-evident, I know. But we were 9 years old and most impressed.)
For
us these simple tips resembled a revelation from God and the Virgin
Mary all rolled into one – this woman, however, could also have
said “Coffee, coffee, coffee” and we would have been convinced
that it was the solution to all of our problems for life.
You
can be sure of one thing:
We
never forgot these simple tips and have followed them very
diligently.
Why
do I write this for you today?
Because
the following became clear to me:
Everybody
needs somebody who is an inspiration and a role model – and who has
already walked the path ahead for a bit.
You
might be a pioneer for some things – but you don’t have to
discover every detail in life by yourself.
And
you don’t have to make every mistake yourself.
You
can also simply just listen to someone who knows what s/he is talking
about – and gratefully absorb the things s/he passes on to you with
her/his words or her/his way of life.
If
you meet someone like that (virtually or in real life), listen well
and consider each second of it as a huge gift and privilege.
I
don’t mean everybody has the right to meddle with your life – I
didn’t say that!
What
I’m talking about is a person who inspires you, gives you wings,
opens up new horizons or encourages you – you know the difference
very well.
Inspiration
is worth more than all material goods combined, as it creates lasting
changes in your life.
Do
understand:
This
woman did not give me a skirt.
She
inspired me to adopt a feminine dress style and to find joy in it.
And
this is more valuable than any designers’ frock in this world.
2.
If someone is authentic and walks the talk, her/his words – if they
are gratefully received in your heart – are endlessly effective.
That’s
why I would never listen to anybody who doesn’t know at all what
s/he is talking about.
Take
a close look at the person that you take advice from:
The
guys at the regulars’ table have too much to say in this world, and
there are too many coaches for the national team ;).
Only
let people inspire you who actually WALK their talk.
Simple
advice, I know – but only a few live by it.
(I
could write an entire post just on that subject alone;)).
Of
course, you can also read books and attend workshops run by people
you don’t know: but a real person who inspires you will always have
the greatest and most effective input in your life.
(so
make sure the people you surround yourself with just add POSITIVE
input - just saying ;)).
The
image of the young woman presenting us girls with 5 simple things for
life has remained one of my loveliest childhood memories to this day.
Many
more people have inspired me over the years and I am deeply grateful
for them – listing them one by one would go beyond the scope of
this post.
To
be truthful:
I
personally see myself a little bit as one of those women who sit at
your bedside and tells you things like…
Get
pretty and enjoy it.
Stop
feeling sorry for yourself.
You
are always the positive exception, for you things work out perfectly.
Don’t
wear cheap shoes.
Forget
the crap and move on in life.
Enjoy
your everyday life.
Take
care of your feet.
What
others think about you is none of your business.
Enjoy
your children.
And
every human being around you.
And
most of all yourself.
And
a whole lot more, you’ve figured it out by now – refer to
Liebesbotschaft :)!
I
am wearing one of my favorite skirts which I discovered in a vintage
store in London 3 years ago.
The
wedges with plexiglass heels originate from the house of Maison
Martin Margiela (for H&M), and are also bought second-hand in
Berlin.
Brand
new, however, is the bracelet in rosé gold with the little apple
(which I unfortunately have to search for most of the time, because
it is either in Noelle’s room or directly dangling off her wrist).
The
ring reminds me a bit of the Mise en Dior collection, and it lends
casual outfits exactly the right amount of sophistication.
T-shirt
(HERE),
rosé gold-bracelet (HERE):
Nicole
Mohrmann
skirt:
second hand, similar ones at Mint&Berry
or BCBG
ring:
Queermode Stuttgart
Love
Joanna
p.s.
which people have been a lasting inspiration in your life?
Or
still inspire you?
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