#chatwithcherri

Perfection?

What is it anyway? 

Everyone can’t be perfect, and many of us are NOT.

Often, we are taught to hide our flaws and/or differences to blend in with the norm or to what people are used too. But why?! Our flaws and our differences make us unique. They make us, US! (WHY ARE THEY EVEN CALLED “FLAWS”....SOUNDING SO NEGATIVE!)

Most of us only think of flaws as physical things. Imperfections don’t only come physical but can be mental or medical as well (or viewed as such anyway). Its always easier to hide a birth mark, a skin condition or even a part of the body you aren’t too fond of. But not all physical flaws are hard to hide. A lisp or stutter (which can be argued as a mental one too) are nearly impossible to hide along with a bunch of other mental and medical imperfections. Think about it. There are a large number of people who just cannot hide their flaws even if they wanted to. These people (I believe) are strong and had to be even if they weren’t. Literally anything you don’t like about yourself can be a flaw whether you choose to hide it or embrace it. Or even accept it as a flaw or not because I don’t believe in flaws.

Have you ever considered that our flaws are blessings? Have you thought that you were blessed with such flaws for a reason? By now ya’ll know I believe in a higher power and I personally know that He gives his strongest the most to handle. He knows you can handle what ever He throws at you. He doesn’t make flaws, because then that would mean he makes mistakes! Even if you don’t look at it from a religious stand point I’m sure many of you readers can understand that difficult situations can make you stronger person. 

One day, a friend of mine was just talking to me and he explained how my biggest flaw was effecting him so positively. I was shocked to hear him express his views regarding my flaws just because we never really spoke on it before. I mean, I didn’t really care what he had to say about it (regardless if it was good or bad), but I respected his opinion nonetheless. He said admired my bravery and strength for just simply not caring about it anymore and not trying to change who I am. It took A LOT for me to get to this point and of course nothing was easy about it. He understood the things I went through although he wasn't there and he knew I was a lot stronger because if it. He told me he hoped his children one day would understand the same values I taught myself as a kid and it would make them stronger beings for it. 

I’m sure by now, ya’ll are wondering what the hell is wrong with CherriDawne?! What is this FLAW?! I suffer from have a deformity condition called brachymetatarsia (click the link for more information) on both of my feet. In simple non-medical terms is just a shorten toe. I can’t recall if i was born with it (after my own research I found out you actually can..but from what I heard learning to walk around things was always a challenge and I might of hit it among many other body parts while learning how to walk. LOL. SOMEHOW FINALLY MASTERED IT THOUGH!) but I don’t remember having "normal” feet. Either way, I was teased by family and children for years to the point I hid it. In Grade 6 it started to bother me less. I was asked if I wanted a surgery to correct it and have normal feet. I declined. In the sixth or seventh grade I knew that if I altered myself I would NEVER be fully satisfied with my body and not be who I was intended to be. It wasn’t like I was difficult to walk or my shoes didn’t fit so why make such a drastic change just to convince myself nothing was wrong with me. Nothing IS wrong with me,though. I was made to be this way. 

So I say love your flaws! Accept who you were intended to be! Embrace your uniqueness! I have had a long battle and excepted mine. Maybe your flaws have nothing compared to others people’s, but you should never compare them anyway. Whatever your “flaw” is still will be a “flaw” until YOU say it’s not. Your opinion is the only one that really matters. Its time to toss all insecurities out the window and just be you! It’s not going to be easy but it is worth it! BELIEVE ME! 

P.S I have met people that also have brachymetatarsia and JENNIFER GARNER has brachymetatarsia too!

I’m tired of getting beat down I’ve been beat down my whole life And even before that Some would say I should be used to it Accept my fate, Accept the hurt, Accept the pain, But I can’t. Not no more, I’m done.

I’m tired of getting beat down I’ve been beat down my whole life Pushed around, used, And abused Emotionally, physically And mentally By everyone. It won’t happen no more, it’s done.

I said it’s over You, You and YOU Will no longer beat me down Lash me Pummel me Look down upon me Break me Until I am unrecognizable

Why? Cuz, I am a powerful woman A black woman, that is who I am; A Queen. Who is tired of being misguided and mistreated That will not accept being defeated An Empress. Who needs to be uplifted; t r a n s c e n d e d Beyond her limits; e x t e n d e d

So lately I have tried my fair share of experimenting with these things I seen online everywhere. I’ve tried a few of them and so far they have been a HIT for me. I had to fully try these hacks before I blogged about them so I apologize for the lack of inconsistency but I was experimenting.

 The first one a POTATO-LEMON MASK.

I honestly don’t know how I stumbled upon this mask but I’m so glad I did. My face is my world but when I’m nervous I tend to pick at it. SUPER BAD HABIT that I’m trying to stop. I love skin care and I have a decent basic skincare routine that has helped maintain the balance of oils in my skin preventing break outs. BUT because of my SUPER BAD HABIT of picking my skin I have some scars. Some I’ve managed to fade but because I used to pick my skin I have some more.  Having a history in the beauty industry I’ve gotten used to some of the ingredients they use in high-end products. Most of the great ingredients come from a plant or a fruit and of course, they break down the molecules and get super scientific with it. Apparently potato is great for the skin. It’s said to help fade dark marks and brighten the skin. Lemon juice is a commonly known whitener/lightener. The mask literally consists of these two ingredients only! But your girl had to be different and drop a few drops of tea tree oil in there. Tea tree oil is LIFE. I literally use it everywhere. I tried this mask for 7 days straight. I seen a huge difference in the texture of my skin by the third day. By the sixth day I seen some of the spots lighten and I could tell my skin was brighter and tighter.

MAKING THE POTATO-LEMON (-TEA TREE) MASK

You will need: 

1 white potato (about the size of your fist)

tea tree oil (OPTIONAL)

lemon or lemon juice

1 knife

1 potato peeler 

blender 

Disposable straw/stiring stick/popsicle stick

2 small containers 

Method:

1 - Wash the potato and remove the skin. Cut the potato in slices. then into squares.  

2 - Blend the potato until it’s a puree texture. Add some of the lemon juice (freshly squeezed or not). It’s ok to have chunks of potato in it.  

SIDE NOTE: This is where it becomes tricky with the measurements. You know black people don’t really measure when they cook, so it was hard to measure out the right about of lemon juice. You DO NOT want to over lemon the potato, and it also depends how much potato your working with too. I’d say about a shot glass will do. You don’t want the mixture to be too thin. (MAYBE I SHOULD MAKE A VIDEO. Comment if I should.)

IF YOU’RE MAKING THIS WITHOUT TEA TREE OIL THEN SKIP TO #4

3 - Pour out the mixture in to a container. Add 3-5 drops of tea tree oil and mix with a straw/stick.  

ANOTHER SIDE NOTE: Tea tree oil is OPTIONAL. I love tea tree oil and my skin loves it so I’ve added it to MY mask. It has a very strong smell and tingles because it is antiseptic. If you are planning to using this around your under eyes I just recommend making it without the tea tree oil as that skin is MUCH thinner than the rest of your face and might burn.  

4 - Divide the mixture into two. One will be going into the freezer and the other in the fridge. Label it if you NEED to with the date made and what it is. That way no one throws it out.  

APPLYING THE POTATO-LEMON-TEA TREE MASK

You will need: 

2 Clean face towels 

A (old)Flat foundation brush or Cotton pads

Your favorite moisturizer

1 - On clean skin, use the foundation brush/cotton pad to apply the mixture to your face and neck. Avoid getting too close to the eye area. If you do get it in your eye FLUSH OUT YOUR EYE WITH WATER IMMEDIATELY.

I did mine over the sink because it drips. 

2 Go over the face and neck as much times you would like. Its OK apply the potato chunks/pieces to the skin.

SIDE NOTE: THE MASK CANT GET DRIPPY SO HAVE THE TOWEL CATCH THE DRIPAGE FROM YOUR FACE, BUT DON’T PAT YOUR FACE WITH THE TOWEL. 

3. Let dry completely. Use the dripage towel to catch anything in the drying process. The mask will tighten and this is normal. It should be dry in 15 mins or so. Go watch a TV series episode or read something.   

4. RINSE THOROUGHLY AND REMOVE POTATO CHUNKS. 

5. Using the clean towel, pat dry and apply moisture to our face and neck.

Make sure you are wearing an OLD top you don’t care to get stuff on the dripage is real! I apply and rinsed my mask over the sink, which leaves it starchy. You will need to clean the sink really well afterwards.

2018 so far has become a very positive life change. I’ve started to own my own life a lot more and accept what is and what is not.  Learnt to appreciate the LITTLER things, that many seem to over look. Learnt to turn ugly into beauty and understand that positivity keeps me going. Although there were a few times I slipped out of my positive bubble, but we all do it right? I mean its only the second month but January seemed like a solid 3 months to me. 

Starting off this year I told myself “I’m not living like last year; not repeating last year this year. Not that last year was horrible. I’m just looking for improvements, growth and more structure. I wanna see my skin glowing and hair growing! With that being said I have decided to strengthen some of the relationships in my life to form a solid foundation for the rest of the year. Forming the right relations with the right people not only boost your growth alone, but you will have a solid support system to always fall back on. And that is SUPER important! Having a solid foundation will motivate you in a way that you cannot. Also, they are very useful to whip yo ass back in shape if you fall off the positive road. 

These bonds heal everything and I have some strong bonds in my circle. The key is to maintain those bonds. Communication keeps relationships strong no matter what type it may be. Be open, honest and direct about what you need in order to form better bonds. Work on compromises even (if need be); not everything is easy. Most of my closest friends love the fact that I speak my mind so freely but respectfully…sometimes….most times lol. 

Not everyone has had the chance to have a support system they can fall back on. I am most grateful for my team. #ChatWithCherri can be your support if you need. Feel free to talk to me, ask me questions or just share some insight. I am down for it all! I know what it feels like not to have anyone around when I needed someone. My world is honest and who am I to judge anyone, I am not God. 

Appreciate everything you have and don’t have (including the support team). Don’t be envious of what or who someone else has. You do not know what they might of had to do for it. And you might not be willing to put the same work in for it. Work extremely hard for what you want and harder for what you need. Once you put dedication and effort into anything your support team will most definitely aid you the rest of the way to success. 

Follow me on Social Media Guys!