02.19.13 … HEART

Do you know how beautiful you are?

Roses by McBee Photography

“Do you know how beautiful you are? I think not, my dear. For as you talk of God, I see great parades with wildly colorful bands streaming from your mind and heart, carrying wonderful and secret messages to every corner of this world.” [ Hafiz ]

From a young age we look at ourselves in the mirror. Eyes. Mouth. Hair. Skin. Teeth. . . and for years and years we will look again and again at our slowly changing shapes, becoming familiar with the lines and what we see at the surface.

As humans, and especially as women, we want to be accepted, adored, and cherished, and yet so many times we see the pain of life’s lies staring back at us. These reflections rob us of the beauty inside that brings life to the beauty on the outside.

We have to remind ourselves that the reflection of ourselves is more than just a face shape or body type. The person staring back at us is who we choose to be in our own journey. I want to remind us that beauty has a voice, and it is our job to let that voice be heard through each of our own stories.

RECOGNIZE YOUR VALUE

“We may feel as though we are worthless, insignificant in our own eyes and in the eyes of others. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, we never lose our value as human beings. Nothing can take that away. Never forget that.” [ Les Parrot, PH.D. ]

This is difficult for all of us. Many times, even when someone compliments us, we become shy or unaccepting of their gift of words towards who we are. Let’s be honest with ourselves by taking out a piece of paper and writing down the value you bring to each of your relationships. To remind yourself how important you are to others, and cherish yourself for what you bring to the table naturally on a daily basis, just by being you. All of you — the good, the imperfect, the awkward — and just see it on paper in front of you.

John C. Maxwell shares a great illustration about his friend Gary Smalley in his book 25 Ways to Win with People :

Before an audience of nearly ten-thousand people, Gary held out a crisp fifty dollar bill and asked them, “Who would like this fifty-dollar bill?” Hands started going up everywhere. ”I am going to give this fifty dollars to one of you,” he said, but first let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple up the bill. Then he asked, “Who still wants it?” The same hands went up in the air. ”Well he continued, what if I do this?” He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, all crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?”
Again, hands went into the air. ”You all have learned a valuable lesson, ” Gary said. “No matter what I do to the money, you still want it because it doesn’t decrease in value. It is still worth fifty dollars.”

Gary’s simple illustration underscores a profound point. Many times in our lives we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make or the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless, insignificant in our own eyes and in the eyes of others. but no matter what has happened or what will happen, we never lose our value as human beings. Nothing can ever take that away.

ACCEPTANCE + THE POWER OF BELIEVING

“There is a tyranny about perfection, a certain tedium even, something that asserts itself with all the dogmatism of a scientific formula. The more tempting kind of beauty has only a few angles from which it may be glimpsed, and then not in all lights at all times. It flirts dangerously with ugliness, it takes risks with itself, it does not side comfortably with mathematical rules of proportions, it draws its appeal from precisely those details that also lend themselves to ugliness.” [ Alain de Botton ]

Believe in yourself always. We all have gloomy days, and good days too. . . it’s something we all have in common. They are life’s challenges, and they are testing our character. It becomes easier to be accepting of these moments when you believe in yourself. Believing in yourself is a powerful tool. Sometimes it’s PMS, or your heart got broken, or your car broke down but it’s the belief and acceptance of yourself that carries you through those rough patches. Know that it will all be okay because you’ve made it this far and you’re journey is not finished yet. Focus on the positive within yourself. Make yourself laugh. . . . . Place daily affirmations around the house or near your mirror (sometimes I write mine in lipstick on the mirror). Read them out loud while you get ready. A spoken word gives power and strength to action.

PUT IT INTO WORDS

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” [ Maya Angelou ]

Let’s help each other out. Tell your girlfriends what you love about them, and why you value your relationship. I really like ________ about you and am so inspired by your ________. Find those details in the friends you surround yourself with and let them know they are special to you. Take the time to write them a card with that list of heartfelt appreciation. So many times we hold our adoration for those around us inside, when we should be celebrating the gifts that God gave us.

Our beauty tools are exactly that – tools that help us create and give us the confidence on those grey days to keep our head up. One of the greatest beauty tools we have are our words towards each other.

Let’s celebrate you. me. us.
With Love, SB

PS. Grab some quiet minutes and be inspired by Jillian Mercado’s story, Why Being Yourself Truly Matters.