Before Meets After
Takeisha Rayson
I remember seeing a commercial for the show Cougar Town starring Courtney Cox. In the commercial, her young boyfriend calls while she is preparing to go to bed and asks what she is wearing. In a sexy voice, she whispers into the phone receiver that she is wearing a cute pink nightie when in reality she has on an old t-shirt and sweats, a mask on her face, and rollers in her hair. Did she lie? Yes. Did she create an image that would allow her boyfriend to become excited and anticipate all that she created herself to be when he did gain the opportunity to see her? Yes.


Seeing this made me do three things:


  1. Laugh hysterically because I am sure that I have done some variation of this very thing.
  2. Think about the idea of creating an appealing image of oneself for marketable gain.
  3. Wonder if her boyfriend would have seen what she really looked like in her "before" moment would he still want her.
We all have our before moments. We live them every day in every way...heck, I'm still in my before moment. However, while I am here, I claim the after through dialog and visuals that create a positive image and, in return, reflect positive gain. I've come to find that there is a fine line between the art of walking in faith of things yet to be seen and being full of crap. The one word that I can think of to distinguishing the two planes is genuine. If your character and intentions are genuinely aligned to values, integrity and having a great character then you have nothing to worry about. If by your image and how you talk about the abundance of your life make others believe that you have it going on, then great. Okay, so the relaying of the story at the being of this post is not exactly what I am talking about here, but you get the point. Lying about who you truly are should never be an option, but living in moments of the "after" during your "before" is something that I find to be exhilarating.


In my novel, the idea of the before meeting the after is intertwined in much of the symbolism. Also, the notion of being accepted in moments when you don't look like you have it all together is an underlying theme.

In my life, the idea of the before meeting the after is what I live daily. You may see me gracing the red carpet (okay, not really), but you may see me on a day-to-day basis and think to yourself, "Takeisha has it going on!" But the question becomes do I REALLY have it going on or do I want you to THINK that I have it going on, whatever "IT" is? Most times it is the latter, but please don't stop thinking that my life is this one grand image of all the good things that this world has to offer! Please! Your positive affirmations fueled with my positive affirmations are sure to bring about something positive, right?

And for the record, If anyone isn't willing to love you in the before, they don't deserve to participate in the after!


I can't believe that I am posting this, the girl who doesn't want anyone to see her picture perfect. But in the essence of my blog being real life accounts that drive creative energy to produce excellent prose, then I why not?!?!


My Before Meets After

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4 Responses
  1. Rich Says:
    January 23, 2010 at 1:42 PM

    Really makes me think and I think that you are beautiful in the before and the after.


  2. Charbaby Says:
    January 25, 2010 at 2:58 PM

    You are to funny Keisha, I'm surprise you put up the before picture. Still cute in my eye.


  3. Takeisha Rayson Says:
    January 27, 2010 at 12:25 AM

    @ Rich and Char - Thanks!


  4. Anonymous Says:
    January 28, 2010 at 4:58 PM

    us women go through alot to stay beautiful. our partners should appreciate the fact that we care enough to do all these things to stay looking good. not only for ourselves, but for them.


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