Cleanse, tone and nourish

Cleanse, tone and nourish your personality by being kind, refined, courteous,  affectionate,  interesting, inspiring, sincere, humble and unselfish.

If there are three key words that make up the mantra of my mother’s life, they are “cleanse, tone and nourish.” These three words have been applicable in all aspects of her life. As I scribble from my heart and impart her simplicity, I share with you all what she always said:

Cleanse, tone and nourish when it comes to skin and hair care, for all skin and hair types. Cleanse, tone and nourish when it comes to body wellness; the analogy being “cleanse” with sanitizing, hygienic modus operandi; exercise to tone and sculpt the body, resorting to any and every possible activity from walking and jogging, to going to the gym or practicing yoga, Pilates, or any dance of your preference; nourish yourself with a delectable palate, but with much more balance and restraint.

A toned body contributes to poise and posture, which complement manners and outward behavior at home, school, work, or your own circles of friends. A cleansed, toned and nourished person will develop good, visibly physical habits and hobbies, as well as an agenda of wellness. An outer image enhancement is the foundation of one’s personality.

I still hear these nagging reminders from Mommy Chona, engraved on my brain like a throbbing pulse, reiterated in the Assumption school song: “Love of simplicity, and so likened to Our Lady’s spirit engraved in our hearts.” Simplicity, indeed, even for the inner self.  

Cleanse, Tone and Nourish your personality by being kind, gentle, refined, well-bred, courteous, considerate, tactful, diplomatic, thoughtful, fair, reasonable, affectionate, loving, passionate, interesting, interested, inspiring, sincere, humble and unselfish.

This is supported by the heart, soul and spirit, with a conscientious pursuit of happiness. Cleanse, Tone and Nourish your brain and all its thought processes with reason and recognition that life can be harsh, so we must learn how to cushion the hurts and weather the storms.

Cleanse your soul through obedience to the law of God, with God as the Judge. Tone your life through discernment of man-made rules and by having a sense of responsibility in all aspects. Nourish your spirit through balance and harmony in family and work life. Cleanse your heart through the nobility of love, sacrifice and commitment to those niched in it.

Tone your mind and nourish your imagination through liberation and release from all of the above, with the freedom of expression (through writing, dance, art, painting, etc.) and the assertion and confidence of who you are and what you have grown to be. 

The human objective, and what my mother achieved in herself, was the existence of a most beautiful being with a serene ethereal spirit; a kind, giving and unselfish human being, nothing in return or exchange, with a passion for life and for anything and everything possible, conceivable, and opportune to attain that inner glow. To become so inexplicably divine and priceless and all of the above.