Beauty. What would we do without it? It has become an integral part of our everyday survival that most of our days unconsciously begin and end with it. What’s in your toothpaste? Don’t leave home without sunscreen! Beauty is tongue in cheek often followed by the words inside and out. Yet in our world of changing concepts and standards, the word seems to perpetually rest on the surface of everything, constantly nudging our consciousness to be or not to be. To have or not to have. It’s all about the love we feel at first sight, whether by a man, woman, a place, a painting, a scarf or how a dish appeals in the light. Her skin, her hair, the curves of her body, her make up and the way her pout renders a suggestion of a more intimate connection.
Pucker this way. Then notice the way her lashes upstage the truth in her eyes that camouflage her pain we don’t see, in the same way that his tan lies to the nth degree to make you believe a dedication that makes you question, not only your DNA but your psychological make up. “What’s your excuse?” some bloggers blatantly ask in self exaltation, forgetting the inside that goes with the out. Are they now suggesting that we’re lazy? They don’t even know us! Perhaps you’re battling with diabetes, a leaky gut or a depression that sets you further each time you feel so far removed from what you’re seeing. Or you’re going through an abusive relationship that you have become so numb to, you don’t even recognize the abuse, never mind where to begin with the right shade of lipstick.
It’s not an excuse. It’s called reason. That for every cause, there is an effect. You just don’t know or understand the cause to reason well enough to move from it. How can you understand what you don’t recognize? It goes on and on. Images of a man’s face, his biceps, and the occasional acrimonious skirt, as if we’re not confused enough. Not that it’s wrong, for the Scottish wore them in the most barbaric of times. Women and their gaze, the color of their lips– matte, glossy, metallic, the distinguished labels on their attire with a price tag that probably pays someone’s rent for the next six months. The revolution of expression is externally and eternally interpreted through the prints of words and images that scream louder and LOUDER each time we open Instagram alone! Let’s take a moment to silently pause…and breathe.
Stop and smell the roses or a bottle of perfume. I understand because I’ve been there. I’ve experienced both sides of the coin. And today, I have enough experience and of everything to share pieces of me, in gratitude of being able to see it both ways. I can get superficial with you, factual, creative, philosophical, spiritual, all the way to profound. Silly too! It’s not all overwhelming and impossible to experience the whole gamut, for beauty is a whole lot more than what is seen. It is not just skin deep. It is heard. It is smelled and tasted. It is felt. It is expressed as it is experienced. It is very much defined by love.
And love my dearest, begins with YOU. So what is beauty? To me, beauty is love at its finest work.
Let’s talk BEAUTY–inside and out.
Louvette
You are so right. Beauty encompasses all and is definitely not just skin deep…although many people today seem to think it is. I like looking my best too, but I’m also grounded enough to know that I have more to offer than just looks.
What a wonderful comment! I admire women like you whose confidence doesn’t all just come from the way she looks. Inner confidence is actually sexier and intriguing. Congratulations!
At this point in my life, beauty has become beyond the surface. For me it’s now all about loving myself more, and when that manifests on the outside, that’s beauty.
Absolutely! And when it does is when people can’t quite put their finger on what it is about you that makes you so radiantly attractive and so at ease! Thank you for that, Wendy.
Beauty is not just about appearance or anything superficial. It is deeper than that. Good attitude, confidence, humility can be considered as beauty. It is in the eye of the beholder they say.
I agree. One can be so aesthetically perfect, but rotting on the inside with their intentions alone.
Yeah I know a lot of people like that but I ain’t sayin no names. Great article, on point!
I’m glad you think so, Mike!
This is a good article. For me beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
Thank you. And yes, beauty is definitely subjective.
I love your post, there is more and more people hiding their own reality under make up, and the people who doesn’t wanna play the game are always being judged for that even if there’s a good reason for his/her behavior.
Danielle, I found there will always be judgement either way. The point of this post is to help people realize just that. It’s ok to relax a bit and not be so hard on themselves. To fall prey into keeping up with the expected standards has made a lot of people less confident about themselves. It has even put some people in hospital needing cognitive behavioral therapy. Some women get addicted to botox and plastic surgery. Teenagers become bulimic or anorexic. We have to tend to the healthy reality of what it truly means to be beautiful.
This is so true. There is so much that encompass beauty that is physical as well as the psychological. They complement each other.
I think so. For what good is beauty if it dies or withers too soon because of emotional and mental instability? Some of the most beautiful women in the world are psychologically marred.
You are so spot on. People take one glance at someone and they think they know their entire backstory. I like how you mentioned you’ve dealt with both sides of the coin because the truth is as a planet we all make up beauty and perfection. The unity of all our minds and outer figures is integral. We can only appreciate things that are pretty and picturesque if we’ve been down right and dirty in the muck. Thanks for this insightful piece.
I appreciate your comments, Maury. Thank you.
For me, I have always believed that beauty is skin deep and as such we should only dwell on what will naturally enhance even if it is smiles that will help it, then it should be used effectively.
I agree that we must take care of ourselves. However, if our self worth depends solely on how we look, then times of adversity, illness or plain aging can create havoc in our balance of how we see ourselves, thereby affecting the best of our daily lives.
I know beauty mainly is associated with women. At least physically. However, beauty could also mean confidence, self worth and so on. Things that everyone needs even guys.
Thank you, Scott. Yes it applies to everyone!
Looks are always important. After all, a person’s appearance makes the first impression. No matter how beautiful a person is from within, looks matter a lot. A person with a vibrant look makes the surrounding lively.
Absolutely. Most relationships begin and end with beauty. But it’s not the most important aspect. A balance of good health in all aspects is to me most important.
Beauty is both physical and mental. Most people think of beauty as physical appearance.
Beauty, in its essence, is art. Couldn’t have put it better myself.
I believe beauty should first start from within then emanate outwards. Once the inside is beautiful, everything else falls in place.
Have you seen the movie of Snow White and The Huntsman with Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron? In the movie, Snow White has such a heart of gold that nature responds in her presence with such beauty and magnificence to match her spirit.
You’re very right! Beauty is vital for every woman. Therefore, I more consider the beauty inside than the beauty I see in a person’s appearance. Attitude for me is the real beauty of an individual.