I attended a fellowship session at my friend Kori Gowen's earlier today that I wanted to share.  Kori has been very active in the Women helping Women group and just yesterday concluded a week-long event celebrating Women's Health and raising awareness for the Cancer Alliance of Naples.  She had a speaker in her home today who moved me to laughter and tears as she shared her journey and transformation from an early childhood of pain into the beautiful woman that she is today on the inside and out.

The speaker's name is Jill Swanson and her book is entitled, "Simply Beautiful."  The book explains simple steps we can take to look our best.  It suggests simple make-up application tips as well as chosing clothing that compliments our natural shapes.  There are even housekeeping strategies to keeping your closet tidy so dressing can be as simple as possible.

Most importantly, at the end of her discussion just like at the end of each chapter Jill Swanson's message is planted in the seeds of her faith.  God created each us of with unique beauty that we can only work with and enhance as we grow in His will.  There is no beauty on the outside until we can clean out our inside.  Of course, her own spiritual leader told her there is nothing wrong with some fresh paint on the outside of the barn!  So even when our inner beauty shines through, a little proper grooming never hurts.

Discovering what God has in planned for us in the future can be an exciting journey.  Doing the work to stay true to our path is our job.  Thankfully there are people like Jill Swanson who can help us present our best self to the world as we continue along our unique paths. 

I am looking forward to her return so I can paint her finger in my Prints of Freedom portfolio, samples of which can be seen in my photos online at www.MichelleFinnegan.com or www.FineArtAmerica.com when you enter Michelle Finnegan as the artist's name.  To make Jill Swanson's print personal to her, I plan to paint her finger with make-up!