Now when I look back everything seems so obvious. Every dream that came true in my life no matter how small or big had its own time and place, and most importantly it had a significant meaning. It all depended on how much I wished and believed for my dream to come true.
When I was a little girl my best friend and I wrote a diary. We both expressed our wish to create a future based on our dreams. My friend and I imagined our lives in the most attractive way, even though we had no idea whether it was really going to happen. I remember writing about wishing to be a professional beautician, but I wish to mention that at that time I did not know what a name for such a profession was. I envisioned myself working with someone’s hair, polishing my customer’s nails and doing varieties of make-ups. I was still at elementary school when I thought that the games I was playing were just games and had nothing to do with my future.
I practiced playfully with great joy on my friends and family. I was really good at what I was doing; everyone seemed satisfied with my ways of styling and ability. Being creative came very easy to me.
Years passed. Yet, I continued imagining myself making others to look their best: the most beautiful and happy. I poured my thoughts openly to my little diary, hoping for my plea to be heard. I asked for guidance. I felt that making others beautiful was my way of life. I dreamed about it, I wrote about it, I practiced. Thus, my childhood friend, Justyna, never doubted my dream ever coming true and kept repeating in great belief of hers that my dream was meant to come true when I least expect it. At that time, her predictions made me laugh. For some reason, it was always easier for me to doubt rather than believe. Perhaps my fear of failure at times spoke louder than a calling of my soul.
After final exams at High school time came to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. A relentless question was stubbornly hovering in my mind: “What should I choose? Where to go? What to do? Who to be now?” I had to make a decision regarding my further studies for my future career. I needed to gain a degree...in something. Nothing in particular interested me.
Being a beautician seemed such a distant thought that I literally stopped dreaming. Money influenced my decision enormously, too. Finally I made up my mind and chose to do a degree in Care and Educational Pedagogy with Health Promotion. Why did I choose this particular study, I am not sure. To this day I cannot answer this question.
I took my studies seriously and studied patiently. Throughout a few years I learned a lot, but even then deep within me I knew it was not my desired path. It was not something I could see myself doing in life. That was when my dream to become a professional beautician returned again, but this time with even bigger force and desire. It once more became my biggest wish. I wholeheartedly prayed for a change to come my way, but on the other hand, I felt terrified because my studies were coming to an end and I urgently needed to find work.
I remember one day riding a tram. I was going somewhere. Frankly, I cannot remember a purpose of my journey then, but what happened that day, literally changed my life. The tram I was riding on that particular day passed many different locations and stops following its daily timetable and I did not pay much attention to any of those places, but at one point I suddenly looked out of the window and in the distance I noticed a small promotional advertisement advertising a College of Cosmetics Techniques. Without thinking I jumped out of the tram and ran towards the building. It was not an exceptionally big building, but it held something I was thrusting for so long. The main school was located on the top floor. At that time it was a summer holiday and the school was meant to be closed. However, to my great joy, I found one of the teachers inside who keenly showed me around and answered my questions. I saw rooms full of chairs, cosmetic equipment and shelves filled to the ceiling with professional cosmetic items. Later, she invited me to attend an interview that was to be held in the month of September 2004. I felt as if I got straight to heaven.
Suddenly my dream became reachable. That day I rushed home to announce to everyone my intention to attend the school I unexpectedly found on my way. For the first time I knew that my dream could become reality. However, in order for me to take a course at the Cosmetics School, I needed money so I enrolled into a course of nail art, which lasted two months. Later I received a certificate from American Nails Company „SHEBA”. This was a first step for me to get closer to fulfilling a life-long dream of mine to become a professional beautician. In October 2004, I began my studies at College of Cosmetics Techniques where practical classes delighted me most. I studied two full years before I finally attained a certificate and title of Technician of Cosmetic Services.
I am grateful for everything that happened on my journey in fulfilling my childhood dream. Step by step I was led and guided to the right direction. I truly experienced a miracle in disguise. There were moments when I doubted myself and gave up on my desire to become a professional beautician, but even then life worked out its wonder when I least expected. I made a mistake thinking that my childhood wishes and later choices were wrong. Within time I realised studying Care and Educational Pedagogy actually brought me one big step closer to my dream, because time came when I opened my own Beauty Salon, where I became not only an employer but also a trainer to people that worked for me. They are all professionals; however, I yet have to introduce them to methods of my work and certain rules. Pedagogy helped me to learn the theory, which later I was able to put into practice, it also introduced me to human psychology and communications, showed me the truth and need of patience and flexibility in every undertaking.
It was something magical when I opened a Beauty Salon. The beginning was not easy, but I always strove forward and created ways for success to come my way. I felt extremely grateful for an opportunity to have my own Beauty Salon. I could not afford to lose faith and this time I was determined to succeed at all costs. Strong faith moved and pushed me forward one step at the time. My best friend Justyna became my most loyal customer. Within time I began receiving many more regular customers, who played a big part in my success. They recommend my services to their friends and people they know and so the circle of people is extending daily.
My clients are fantastic! I love giving my best and offering advice in things and matters I am most knowledgeable about. I get a great satisfaction in transforming my customer’s looks and seeing many happy faces all around me. My work is varied, because every customer has different needs and preference, and my job is to adjust and fulfil their personal wishes. I am pleased with every aspect of what I do. Many brides-to-be ask for my services, so I, with great pleasure, prepare them for their wedding day. My main specialty is working on finger-nails, toenails and doing make-up. I value my customers dearly and do whatever I can to provide them with the best service and atmosphere possible.
My best friend Justyna is ecstatic about my success and from time to time she reminds me about her early predictions regarding my future career. There was not a moment that she doubted my ability or success. She always believed in me, even though I doubted myself far too often. But now I am content and doubt is not a part of my life any longer. I believe that everything in life is possible and dreams are not just any kind of illusion that within time loses its potency and truth. Dreams can become real at any given moment; all you have to do is trust yourself and strive for the stars. The rest…life will work it out by itself.
Milena
Lodz, Poland
Copyright © Jolita Kelias, September 2011
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