It's been a long and stressful week. I've typed my digits almost to the bone. So, dear readers, I am giving you...and myself... a little break today. This will be a short blog, at least for me. But it is something that I think deserves a little attention.
Tomorrow, 7 October, is Inner Beauty Day. Everybody's got a story. Human strength lies in embracing those stories without the filter of someone else's definition of what "beauty" is. When a human's core values are reflected on the outside, the world is given a true gift. With digital enhancing of photos being so common and the media's insistent efforts to convince the public that everyone should look a certain way. But what is beauty? The definition of beauty has changed through the ages; all we need to do is visit a museum to see that. And, I suspect, it will continue to change in future generations. The constant, however, is inner beauty. That, thank goodness will never change.
What if beauty was defined was defined not by outward appearances but, rather, by what's on the inside. It can happen, but this new beauty revolution has to start with us.
1. Take a look around you at the people you love; your family, your friends, the people you admire. There's a pretty good chance that they're not supermodels. You love them in spite of this, right? You see their inner beauty; their kindness, their compassion, their intelligence, and their sense of humor. You love them for who they are...not what they look like. What if, we used that definition of beauty and applied it to everyone? What then? Even though you may not know them personally, they each have an inner beauty that someone else loves. See them as beautiful, just as you would want others to see your inner beauty and the inner beauty of those you love.
2. Stop struggling to attain the impossible. Learn to love and accept yourself, just as you are. When you do, it becomes a whole lot easier to learn to love and accept other's faults and flaws. Accept your physical body, with all its limitations, even those parts you've hated your whole life. Your body is a miracle. Just think of all the things it can do!
3. Take care of what you have been given. Exercise and a proper diet are key to maintaining a healthy body and healthy mind. I know some people who take much better care of their automobile, or their shoe collection than they do of their own body. Acknowledge your bad habits and work to change them. This is the only body you'll ever have. Learn to cherish it.
4. Acknowledge your gifts and be grateful. Step outside yourself for a few moments and look at yourself as if seeing a close friend. Make a list of all the good qualities this person, i.e. you, possess. If you're honest, and I know you will be...the list will be longer than you think. Be grateful that you have these gift and find ways to share them with others.
5. Redirect your focus from the outer to the inner. Knowing that true beauty comes from within will make it easier to accept that you aren't as "perfect' as those models in the magazines. This is true for men, as well. Inner beauty comes from living your life fully, from caring about others and the planet we share. Inner beauty comes from the kindness and compassion we show others, both human and animal. It will shine a light from your heart that others can see and will be attracted to.
How to celebrate Inner beauty Day? Embrace your own inner beauty and the inner beauty of all those you encounter. Spend the weekend looking beyond the exterior of everyone meet and see the gifts they have to offer. Use #InnerBeauty on all your social media to remind others to look within.
"Outer beauty is a gift. Inner beauty is an accomplishment." ~ Randi G. Fine
Tomorrow, 7 October, is Inner Beauty Day. Everybody's got a story. Human strength lies in embracing those stories without the filter of someone else's definition of what "beauty" is. When a human's core values are reflected on the outside, the world is given a true gift. With digital enhancing of photos being so common and the media's insistent efforts to convince the public that everyone should look a certain way. But what is beauty? The definition of beauty has changed through the ages; all we need to do is visit a museum to see that. And, I suspect, it will continue to change in future generations. The constant, however, is inner beauty. That, thank goodness will never change.
What if beauty was defined was defined not by outward appearances but, rather, by what's on the inside. It can happen, but this new beauty revolution has to start with us.
1. Take a look around you at the people you love; your family, your friends, the people you admire. There's a pretty good chance that they're not supermodels. You love them in spite of this, right? You see their inner beauty; their kindness, their compassion, their intelligence, and their sense of humor. You love them for who they are...not what they look like. What if, we used that definition of beauty and applied it to everyone? What then? Even though you may not know them personally, they each have an inner beauty that someone else loves. See them as beautiful, just as you would want others to see your inner beauty and the inner beauty of those you love.
2. Stop struggling to attain the impossible. Learn to love and accept yourself, just as you are. When you do, it becomes a whole lot easier to learn to love and accept other's faults and flaws. Accept your physical body, with all its limitations, even those parts you've hated your whole life. Your body is a miracle. Just think of all the things it can do!
3. Take care of what you have been given. Exercise and a proper diet are key to maintaining a healthy body and healthy mind. I know some people who take much better care of their automobile, or their shoe collection than they do of their own body. Acknowledge your bad habits and work to change them. This is the only body you'll ever have. Learn to cherish it.
4. Acknowledge your gifts and be grateful. Step outside yourself for a few moments and look at yourself as if seeing a close friend. Make a list of all the good qualities this person, i.e. you, possess. If you're honest, and I know you will be...the list will be longer than you think. Be grateful that you have these gift and find ways to share them with others.
5. Redirect your focus from the outer to the inner. Knowing that true beauty comes from within will make it easier to accept that you aren't as "perfect' as those models in the magazines. This is true for men, as well. Inner beauty comes from living your life fully, from caring about others and the planet we share. Inner beauty comes from the kindness and compassion we show others, both human and animal. It will shine a light from your heart that others can see and will be attracted to.
How to celebrate Inner beauty Day? Embrace your own inner beauty and the inner beauty of all those you encounter. Spend the weekend looking beyond the exterior of everyone meet and see the gifts they have to offer. Use #InnerBeauty on all your social media to remind others to look within.
"Outer beauty is a gift. Inner beauty is an accomplishment." ~ Randi G. Fine
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