The best ideal of beauty

Our media and society are full of what beautiful is.  But do you know what? Most of them are false, aren’t they? If our eyes saw souls, hearts, devotion, and constancy ~ instead of the outer shell, we would see true beauty. I have often said, if we could see ourselves through God’s eyes and through the eyes of those who love us the most, we would have the ability to see how we really are.

It is easy to make ourselves a magnet to draw in and hold onto the negatives and the critics. But that really buries hope and truth. Alex Elle says, “ignore people who threaten your joy. Literally, ignore them. Say nothing. Don’t invite any part of them into your space.’

In contrast, hold on to those who feed your soul. Discern whether their input affirms your authentic self. Seek God’s counsel in it all. Discover where God’s path for you is leading. Welcome changes and challenges. Why? Remember, the path is leading to the next mountaintop. The view at the top of that mountain will be spectacular. The view will also help you see your next path. On your way, be sure that you are helping other travelers to climb the path, too. For it is in noticing them that we learn to serve with humility. They, too, teach us.  Remember: although we have things in common with each other, it is not helpful to bury our unique sparkle.

The world grows darker if you only express your sparkle in someone else’s style and way. Here is a musical example of that. When Barbra Streisand was early in her career, she performed some songs that had been done in a far different way, and made it her own. A specific example is when she recorded “Happy Days Are Here Again”. Her musical phrasing was completely different than had ever been done before. What if her advisors had warned her not to do it that way because others weren’t doing it that way. Yes, she has a spectacular voice, and it would have been lovely. However, the world would have been musically shortchanged. Her unique way spoke to hearts in a unique way.

The best ideal of beauty is when we encourage ourselves to be truly ourselves with God’s guidance. Not only that, but when we encourage others to do likewise? They also are devoted to become what God envisions. God doesn’t envision us being mere Cliff Notes of His hopes for us. He wants it all. The world needs our whole authentic selves.

Once again, this helps us light a candle in a dark world. It helps share our light with others who might be out of matches. It helps us believe anyway. I hope you have a beautiful day and evening.