Something just extremely bothered me as I was on my social networks yesterday. I saw multiple posts that said, "Sorry girls we would like you better if your stomach looked like this." Or "This is hot this is not." Etc. and this drove me absolutely up the wall. Whoever posted those pictures and statuses that classified a woman to be "beautiful" has no right. I just felt disgusted, we all, boys included, are bombarded by standards that the world has set for us. Then people wonder why so many young people develop abnormal eating habits or have no self esteem or are so obsessed with image because when we get online we see what we are "supposed" to look like, act like, and talk like. And someone is always trying to convince you that what you see in your reflection is never enough.
How horribly false! I don't think I have ever met an ugly person, but funny how sometimes the most pretty people can be so ugly on the inside? Beauty is a thing from the inside, and it radiates outwards when you smile, when you speak kindly, when you serve others. Beauty is a way you carry yourself, it's gracefulness, poise, virtue. Beauty is not defined by a flat tummy, thin thighs, or makeup. I think the most beautiful people I have met have always been kind in word and deed, their character shines outward and affects their physical appearance as well. Your character has more of an impact on your physical beauty than makeup or tummy trimming ever will because no makeup can imitate that glow that comes from true beautiful character.
If instead of always trying to change our exterior appearance, we should try to better our character and always try to be better than the day before. If we try to be more selfless, kind, charitable, virtuous I KNOW that you will feel more beautiful. You will have more confidence, and you will have that beautiful spirit about you that will outshine and out measure the world's definition of beauty. You are already beautiful, quit trying to change the way you were designed; instead work on being a better you.
~"...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
I think it's so fantastic you have a handle on what real beauty is. I struggled throughout high school and into my first couple years of my twenties. So many missed opportunities because I felt self conscious. Besides, what we see in the media is usually computer generated one way or another!
ReplyDeleteAw Sister Jansen (hope I spelled it right..) you are beautiful! But agreed everything edited and polished as if perfection is a common or even attainable thing in this life.
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