Beauty... and the inner beast

I speak to my girlfriends, who to me are beautiful inside and out. They each have their own signature brand of beauty but yet are so quick to judge and bash themselves by the world's standard. They compare themselves to Photoshopped women in picture perfect magazines and unrealistically thin women on the runways. They are quick to dodge compliments, and absorb insults before analyzing if they are true.

It is so easy to let things get to you. To compare yourself to others.

Don't. It's so toxic.

They see themselves though a different lens than how I view them. Sometimes I wonder how they look in the mirror and see something different than what I do. They are so beautiful to me. Above all, it's their individual personalities and passions which makes them, them. They are all so different but so amazing in their own ways. You know?

Imagine how boring it would be if we all had cookie-cutter perfect friends (think Stepford wives...creepy!)


But I guess I can relate because I'm a woman and I'm guilty of this myself. How often do we hear....?

"I'm not skinny enough"
"No, I'm not pretty, I'm having a bad hair day"
"I'm in my fat jeans today because my skinny ones don't fit"
"If only I could be more like xx and xx, then yy would like me"
"Look at her! I wish I had those _______ (insert body part)"

How often have you given a girl a compliment when she just declines it, turns around and insults herself in modesty instead?

You: "You have such pretty skin!"
Her: "No la, I actually have a really big pimple here. See? So gross right." 
 -.-"

I do this a lot myself and I'm trying to just graciously accept it with a simple "Thank you". Still a work in progress. Slowly but surely.

Obviously the media doesn't help. But, girlfriends, you ARE beautiful. You are such good examples to me in your own little ways. Thanks for always my constants and listening to me ramble :) I miss all of you so very much. *virtual hug*

Yes, you.

If I told you about this blog, you should know you are a close confidante and an amazing friend of mine :)

***
Genesis 1:27; 1:31 - we are created in His image.

 27 So God created man in his own ^aimage, in the image of God created he him; male and ^bfemale created he them. 

...

 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very ^agood. And the evening and the morning were the ^bsixth day.
***

There is such joy and strength from the security and confidence which stems from the beauty of knowing that you are a daughter of the Almighty. I mean..."And He saw that it (his creation, aka us) was good". Whose opinion matters more than His?! I know from personal experience it's often hard to keep that in mind though.

Some days I catch myself sighing and thinking to myself "I wish I was more...". Why do we let others' approval or disapproval get to us? Don't shortchange yourself by comparing yourself by a lesser yardstick. We owe ourselves a break. Celebrate our differences. Learn to embrace and be comfortable in our own skin. Easier said than done eh?

Personally, I'm working on it myself. It's not easy. Trying to seek approval in Him and seek comfort in the gospel than in others. To store treasures in heaven instead of here on earth. It's hard. I admit, I'm vain and materialistic looking good is important to me, thus I get easily swayed and carried away by the world. Baby steps hon, baby steps. We'll get there together.

How true. Happy people have this glow and quiet confidence which makes them so beautiful.

Here's a quote I love, which is often attributed to one of my favorite fashion icons, Audrey Hepburn:

"For attractive lips,
speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes,
seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise,
walk with the knowledge you never walk alone."
"Beauty Secrets," by Sam Levenson

You are beautiful. and I love you.
If my visuals and little prep talk wasn't enough, let this convince you.
"We are infinite" - Perks of a Wallflower