I debriefed a friend after he cross the no-go line skin treatments. In an age where men are increasingly enjoying being pampered and cared for, I have no idea why a facial is somehow across the line and a pedicure is not. The lessons I took from the conversation continue to stay with me.
Paying attention to detail is easier when you are not looking in the mirror. In his case, we both thought that his face was in pretty good shape given time and too much sun in his youth when none of us knew better. This changed with the technician got to work! Lots of imperfections to be discovered and treated, especially the blackheads nobody had paid attention to on his nose.
Intuition is rarely a complete guide on the way forward. While I am sure there were more, as I listened to him recounting the instructions he remembered, I was surprised to discover how much I am unaware of and would never think of doing. The type of cleanser to use. When to hydrate. The critical importance of taking care of your skin at all times. I thought I knew, now I know a lot more than I thought I did. I know there is more to come.
An experience is more than the sum of its parts. As I listened to the sequence of treatments it was easy to conclude that within the greater story I was clueless! Part of it I understood, or at least thought I did. When I tried to put it together, his statements of “it felt wonderful” and “so much bliss” has no reference points! There is nothing in my history to give me context or reference.
As I reflect on the Psalmist’s words, I suspect he had, at one point or another, had a facial. The reason is that he sounds just like the conversation I had; “He wraps you in goodness – beauty eternal. He renews your youth – you’re always young in his presence.” (Psalm 103.5)
I think I need to cross the line.
