Scenario #4:
Betrayed by her partner and depressed from a stressful divorce, a woman in her fifties decided to make a visit to a plastic surgeon. She was tired of looking at the mirror daily with a reflection of a woman with a plain face. If only she could shine brighter and more beautiful than her partner’s mistress.
On the day of the visit and consultation, she browsed through photos of eyes, noses, lips and facial shapes through a catalog. She decided on big round eyes, a tall slender nose, medium lips and a heart shape face.
Surgeon: “Nice to meet you, Jane. How could I make you more beautiful today?”
Jane: “I have decided on all these features, could you fix me?”
Surgeon: “Whatever your heart desires, I am of your service. “
Jane: “Is there a warranty of some kind? “
Surgeon: “I could only give you a warranty of one year for the surgeries. After that, you could purchase extended warranties.”
Jane: “Okay, no problem. I am ready for a new “me” and a new transformation.”
After one month, Jane was very in love with her new look. She decided to move to a new town for a new start and even open her own flower shop. Every where she went, head turns toward her on the streets. She didn’t lack any attention from men because they came in packs daily to her flower shop.
One day, the man of her dreams came in to purchase flowers.
Man: “Hello, could you put together a bouquet of sunflowers for me? Today is my mother’s birthday and she loves sunflowers.”
Jane: “Sure, no problem. Have a seat and help yourself to free coffee and tea at the lobby.”
The man made himself a cup of coffee and sat at the lobby. He tried to be discreet and not stared too long at Jane. He was definitely shocked by her beauty and her sweet calm voice.
After twenty minutes, Jane walked over with the bouquet of arranged sunflowers. The man decided to ask, “I know this is a cheesy pick up line, I am captured by your beauty. Have we met before? Could I take you out on a date?”
Jane: “I don’t think we met before, I just moved her a month ago.”
Jane couldn’t resist this handsome man, either. She decided to say “yes” to a date.
Eleven months has passed. Jane found out this man, named Jerry was her ideal partner for life and found happiness again. One day, she tripped and fell on the sidewalk after dark and was knock unconscious. While in the state of shock, she screamed and yelled, “Please fix me, I don’t want to be the old “me”. She opened her eyes and Jerry was holding her hands.
Jerry: “What’s wrong, my love? You will be alright, you had a concussion and have to rest here in the hospital for a few days.”
Jane: “Jerry, please bring me a mirror! “
Jerry: “No, my dear. The doctor wrapped your face due to horrible damage to your nose. You may need to see a plastic surgeon.”
Two weeks has passed, recovery was painful to Jane. Luckily, her warranty didn’t expire and no fee to fix her nose and lips. She was devasted that the surgeon could only fix her broken nose cartilage with a visible slight dent. She ignored Jerry’s phone calls and texts, drowned in her self- pity.
One day, Jerry decided not to be ignored. He went to her house and pounded on her door.
Jane opened the door and looked sadly into Jerry’s eyes. Jerry was shocked and didn’t recognize her with her new look.
Jerry: “Hi, I am looking for Jane. Is she home?”
Jane: ” I am Jen, her sister. Jane is out of town and I am house sitting for her.”
Jerry walked back to his car and stopped on his tracks. In his mind and gut, Jen looks and sound familiar. He pounded on the front door again.
Jerry: ” Jane, is that you? I remember your voice. You don’t have a sister. Why do you want to avoid and lie to me?”
Jane: “Jerry, I can’t. I look like an ugly duckling. Let’s break up.”
Jerry: “Jane, I admit I fell in love with your external beauty in the beginning, but I love also your inner beauty. You are the sunshine and the moon that lights my life. Your sweet calm voice and crackling jokes brings me laughter daily. Please don’t turn me away, I want to marry you.”
Jane: “Will you still love me, if I told you that I had a complete facial make over? “
Jerry: “Yes, just be honest with me from here on.”
Moral lesson:
External beauty is only skin deep. Internal beauty is also important in search of self-love, joy and happiness. Temporary fixes buys us short term but not long term happiness. We may all have painful past experiences, but we must learn to move forward with a new transformation, just like a butterfly. Don’t sell your soul to any human or unnatural being.