Be-YOU-ti-ful
We have all heard the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I would have to disagree. I’m learning that beauty is in the heart of an individual. What someone sees is influenced by their life experiences and this is different for everybody. We see what’s on the outside first and some of us don’t take the time to get know who someone really is. A person’s true treasure is what is on the inside contrary to what society wants us to believe.
So, what is beauty? It’s our spirit and our character. It’s the love we have for ourselves and others. Add to that compassion, joy, strength, peace, and the list goes on. Sometimes beauty can become tainted by life experiences. That’s’ why I’m glad that life is a journey where we get to grow and become better. I believe we are born with a beautiful seed on the inside of us that is often developed in the dirt of life. As it is placed in the right environment and nurtured, it can blossom into what it is intended to be.
Don’t get me wrong. We should care about our outward appearance. However, we should not be defined by our looks or society’s standards of what is beautiful. How we adorn ourselves should reflect our individual creativity, self-love, and inner beauty. It's always good to remember that when what’s on the outside fades, all we’ll have left is what’s on the inside. So why not develop it and make it our most valuable asset. It’s always disappointing to meet a person who seems well put together on the outside and after having a conversation with them you discover that they aren't as pleasant as they appear. Let’s not let that be said of us.
In a world where there is so much ugliness and hate, it would make the world of difference to see the beauty in us come out. I know we all develop at different paces and come to realize our value at different rates. Whenever you discover the beauty that is already inside of you, if you haven’t already, feel free to share it with others leaving them better off than they were before they encountered you. Today I just want to encourage you to go ahead and express yourself. Be beautiful! Be you!
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within…1 Peter 3:3-4