Have you noticed that when you’re happy about something that’s completely unrelated to your looks is the moment you shine the most? Maybe you earned a promotion or finished a tough race. It’s that sense of achievement that makes us feel beautiful and good about ourselves. True beauty comes from within.
Beauty is a funny thing. We spend a lot of time focusing on the latest trend and our external appearance – arguably, with the goal of looking more “beautiful.” But what does it really mean to be beautiful?
I had the privilege of sitting next to a couple on the plane yesterday. They were off to spend some much-needed alone time together (a weekend in Boston!). I did my usual, asked a million question about how they met, their kids (blended family), why it took so long to get married (9 years) and what they thought about being married a second time.
They met when their children were little and they each came a bit damaged to the relationship. It had been a rocky go, but here they were, together 19 years and married for 10 … and happy. Here’s the thing that made me think about this topic – beauty:
When I asked him what he loved about his wife, he very quickly said “her beauty.” Now, I haven’t told you this, but she was not “beautiful” by “normal” standards. She had some physical issues that might cause you to stare if you saw her. And, as quickly as he said “her beauty,” here’s what he did:
He talked about her soul, character, confidence, intellect, passion, kindness, personality and the love inside of her. He didn’t once talk about her physical beauty. He said she was happy, confident and loving of everyone she saw. It drew him to her and kept him there. She was beaming as he talked.
This led me to think, if beauty is on the inside, why do we spend so much time and energy on the outside? If it doesn’t define who we are, then we really can let go and not worry so much about our bad hair days and wrinkled clothes. Instead we can and should step away from the mirror and do something that makes us happy, boosts our confidence and increases our self-love and the love of others. That’s the true beauty within us. This is a message for all of us. But more importantly, this is the message for our kids … both our boys and girls. Happiness and beauty always comes from the inside!
Here’s to having a beautiful day!
theyearof50 