Truth Tool to the Rescue

I’ve been using the Truth Tools a lot this weekend and am here to tell you they really work. Last Friday I had a biopsy done on skin in the corner of my left eye. They are testing for skin cancer. It isn’t a big wound. As a matter of fact it is only two very small stitches, but there is a little bruising so that I have a bit of a black eye. Nothing big, but the problem is I can’t wear any makeup for a week.

Without mascara my eyelashes are absolutely invisible and I look terrible. Without makeup I feel naked and so my natural inclination is to lock myself in the house and wait until the week is up. But I can’t do that. I have responsibilities at Church and classes to teach during the week. So I marched out into the world yesterday. Some people stared. Most didn’t. But instead of being my friendly, outgoing self who smiles and greets others, I found myself retreating inside myself. That’s when I pulled out my Tool Box.

As the feelings started vexing me with thoughts of how ugly I was and that I shouldn’t be in public looking like this, I questioned, “Is that true?” and it brought me back to the truth quickly. I’ve got a small bruise on my eye. No that isn’t ugly. If I encountered something like that in another person, I wouldn’t think anything about it—especially I wouldn’t think they were ugly. I might wonder what happened to them and have a little empathy about how whatever happened might have hurt them, but that’s about all I’d think. So why when it is me, do I think it’s so absolutely horrible?

After all those thoughts I’d be all right for a while until I’d see someone staring at me (usually children who are just curious!) and then I’d grab the Questioning Tool and go to work again. It did work. I conquered the vexation and made it through the day just fine.

Now I just have to make it through a week of standing up in front of classes teaching with no makeup on. But I’ve got a tool Box full of amazing Truth Tools. I’ll make it!

Make your Memorial Day memorable!