12.31.12 … INSPIRATION

Beauty of the Heart

I was planning to post hair cut & color ideas for the new year, thinking it would be a great focus for new beginnings. However, after all the holiday noise and parties stopped, I finally had some downtime, and discovered what I really desired to share. I want to talk about Beauty of the Heart.

True beauty is defined by what we think, feel and do. It is defined by our character — “a combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person.” One dictionary defines character as “the complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person.” In another, character is said to be “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response regardless of circumstances.”

I want to encourage you to make this a year of developing your heart and becoming a more beautiful woman on the INSIDE. I think character is what develops our hearts. It is hard to find these days when there are so many things competing for our attention. We need to quiet ourselves and make this priority in our daily life. Spend time — like you do each day getting ready — to find new, better ways to grow more beautiful. This is the treasure that gives deeply. It draws us near, nurturing what we really want and need.

Maybe in place of the typical resolutions, you’ll want to pick a few character traits as your New Year Concentration. (I picked boldness, cautiousness & faith.) Post it somewhere you’ll see it daily. Write down practical ways to put them into action. Share them with your girlfriends. Re-visit this in six months and share stories of times you successfully chose differently. Celebrate!

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CHARACTER TRAITS

Alertness – being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses
Attentiveness – showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided concentration
Availability – making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve
Benevolence – giving to others basic needs without having as my motive personal reward
Boldness – confidence that what I have to say or do is true, right, and just
Cautiousness – knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions
Compassion – investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others
Contentment – realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions
Creativity – approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective
Decisiveness – the ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions
Deference – limiting my freedom so I do not offend the tastes of those around me
Dependability – fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice
Determination – purposing to accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition
Diligence – investing my time and energy to complete each task assigned to me
Discernment – understanding the deeper reasons why things happen
Discretion – recognizing and avoiding words, actions & attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences
Endurance – the inward strength to withstand stress and do my best
Enthusiasm – expressing joy in each task as I give it my best effort
Faith – confidence that good character actions will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how
Flexibility – willingness to change plans or ideas according to the direction of my authorities
Forgiveness – clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge
Generosity – carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need
Gentleness – showing consideration and personal concern for others
Gratefulness – letting others know by my words and actions how they have benefited my life
Honor – respecting those in leadership because of the higher authorities they represent
Hospitality – cheerfully sharing food, shelter, or conversation to benefit others
Humility – acknowledging that achievement results from the investment of others in my life
Initiative – recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it
Joyfulness – maintaining a good attitude, even when faced with unpleasant conditions
Justice – taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right, and true
Loyalty – using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve
Meekness – yielding my personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve
Obedience – quickly and cheerfully carrying out the direction of those who are responsible for me
Orderliness – arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency
Patience – accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it
Persuasiveness – guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks
Punctuality – showing esteem for others by doing the right thing at the right time
Resourcefulness – finding practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard
Responsibility – knowing and doing what is expected of me
Security – structuring my life around that which cannot be destroyed or taken away
Self-Control – rejecting wrong desires and doing what is right
Sensitivity – perceiving the true attitudes and emotions of those around me
Sincerity – eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives
Thoroughness – knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected
Thriftiness – allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary
Tolerance – realizing that everyone is at varying levels of character development
Truthfulness – earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts
Virtue – the moral excellence evident in my life as I consistently do what is right
Wisdom – seeing & responding to situations from a perspective that transcends my current circumstances

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So let’s put down our brushes and colors and hairspray . . . let’s look at our hearts, look at our minds. Let’s believe that we have more to share with the world beyond our face, hair and bodies. Let’s aspire to seek beauty of the heart — that forever Treasure.

Now don’t get me wrong . . .  I LOVE sharing fun, playful things with my readers because I adore every aspect of dressing up. And I promise a bounty of Dress Up in the new year. Your knowledge and techniques for hair and makeup will be sure to grow in 2013. But don’t forget that real beauty is in your heart. I want to encourage you to grow that part of yourself in this new year, too.

What are some things you desire for yourself this year?