<b>By Takiya Smith</b>

Right about now, it’s 11:30 p.m. on a Sunday night and being as it is that I write a column based upon inner and outer beauty, self-esteem, preservation and awareness, I would think it pretty safe to say that I am breaking all the rules that I so diligently ask of you ladies to not do. However, in the ever-so-popular and eloquently put words of our mothers and grandmothers, I gently ask that you do as I say and not as I do. I should be in bed. Better yet, I should have been in bed hours ago, as I have made it a point to get sufficient rest, improve my diet and exercise and all around learn to take a break from the throws of being a full time mommy, wife to be (a girl must dream and plan), business savvy CEO, girly girl and dedicated fashionista. Yet, somehow, my mind is supercharged and my body, cooperatively agreeing, is all aboard for my current state of midnight madness. Tomorrow will certainly call for tea bags and cucumbers on the eyes, a stylish monogramed scarf on my head, next week’s column topic and a cup of my sister Michelle’s fresh home brewed and express coffee.

My mind has a million and one things racing through it, but in the midst of it all, what forces its way to the surface is my desire to write. Church today was truly exceptional, not that it is ever anything less, but today I received a message that ignited a deeper passion within me to reach out and share with you. I write and I talk because of you. I laugh and I cry for you. I pray and I experience because of you. Today it was said that I should never back down from what God has given me to do. Well, if I know nothing else, I know exactly what it is that I was placed here on this earth to do and that is to be a woman. A beautiful, confident, compelling, complete and compassionate woman. I love clothes; I love shopping; I love makeup; I love cute little, teeny-tiny purse puppy dogs; and while were at it, I love purses. I L-O-V-E, love shoes and I love all things fashion, design and beauty. I make no apologies for that and I certainly make no apologies that the word “designer” tends to go in front of most of those things that I love, because simply put, as a woman, it is placed in me to know how to love. So when it comes to doing and having the things that we love, we shouldn’t have to defend, appease, compete or appeal to anyone for what we so love.

Life is not about competition and it’s not a competition unless you choose to make it. Compete with no one but yourself. Always striving and ever rising to the challenges to beat, out-do and one up “your” last best. Aim to out-do only you, thus the rewards are greater and the road less traveled will never be a lonely one when you are secure in whom and whose you are. Beauty sincerely begins within.

Check out my blog at www.blb-boutiques.com, send your questions or comments to beautiuqelb@yahoo.com or find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TakiyaLSmith.