So those of you up on the daily reading of my blog know I got hurt a few days ago when my face and a board met up at my new construction site.  The sweetest person sent me a really cute email to cheer me up and the story she shared in the email had the greatest message in it – I had to share it with all of you.  Before you read it I have to warn you that her words about me are far too generous, and I can only hope that I can live up to her description of the kind of person I am.  The important part of her email is the Brick to the Face Theory she shares.

Here is a section of her email:

“The ‘Brick to the Face’ theory:

Often in life there are those who because of their beauty and dynamic first impression, draw people to them and have a degree of initial influence on those around them. Not to say there is anything wrong with this, and in fact it is a gift. However, the test to the real substance and character of such individuals and their commitment to not rely on vain influence is whether after taking one brick to the face, people would still be drawn to them. Sadly some, if being hit in the face with only half a brick, would find they do not have many true friends and had only surrounded themselves with sycophants. Others however could get hit in the face with 30 bricks and because of how they live their life with genuine commitment to lifting up those around them, would still find themselves surrounded by many friends who still thought them to be very beautiful individuals! I try every day to strive to be able to take at least a few bricks to the face and still find myself with plenty of good people around me.

I know that you didn’t get hit with a brick, and while I’ve never met you, I can assure you that if you ran into a beam every day, you have proven yourself to be the kind of person who would have so many people there, from many different walks of life, able to say in all honesty that all the bumps, bruises, and goose eggs can’t hide the true beauty you emanate!”

I cannot tell you how much I loved hearing her Brick to the Face Theory!  It really made me stop and think about how true it is that we need to live our lives in a way that our personality and our spirit radiates far beyond anything that outer beauty can even come close to.   The truth is that I often worry far too much about my outward appearance – I suppose most of us women do – it’s hard not to worry and obsess on outer beauty when we are surrounded daily with images we are all trying to live up to.  I often let my insecurities on this front take a toll and that is something I really need to work on in my life.  I need to remember that my focus should be living up to the girl that is talked about in the email – the one who shines with inner beauty so much that no one cares about the outward appearance.  Thank you Mio for sending your kind email and for sharing your Brick to the Face Theory.  You taught me a great lesson with your story and I truly appreciate it.  And I have a feeling many more who read this will be touched by the theory the same way that I was…thank you.

Have an amazing Friday everyone and have a FANTASTIC LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!  I will talk to all of you again next Monday night after the holiday ends.

~Amy