Everything I ever needed to know in life, I've learned from Drag Queens

(The past six weeks, I've been down with the hives and down with life.) 

I love drag queens. Always have.  They teach amazing lessons, even if they aren't contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race.

Who was my first drag queen? 

pre-makover ... note the chocolate mask!

Technically it was my brother, at age two, we dressed him in a plastic wig, oversized jewelry, and a dress.  He was adorable.  Just because he was adorable, to us, means nothing.

no wig in this shot
but twas her norm

The other was my grandmother.  OK, so women aren't considered drag queens, but everything she did was exaggerated. Oversized wigs, big earrings, too much lipstick, and the deep smoker's voice that could go either way.

over enthusiastic makeup
darn it all

So what is the actual lesson?

1) Know that you are beautiful from the inside out. No amount of makeup can give the inner glow of confidence.

2) Accentuate the positive ... even if it takes a bit to figure out what that means to you. Is it the voice, the walk, the attitude, or the incredible hair?  

3) There is no such thing as an ugly woman, just one who hasn't exhausted all of her options. If one look doesn't work, try, try again. Besides in fashion what is in one day is out the next.

4) You'd better work.  At all of it in life.  It isn't just about the illusion, it is about achieving something you really, really want.