Today I decided to address the concept of beauty and the role it played in the grander scheme of my life. I took a hard look at myself, trying to discern what I appreciated about my physique—my face and body. To also identify what triggered a sense of self-consciousness, of what I had a difficult time fully embracing about myself. I searched my heart intending to address a question that had long been relegated to jest, a question that I had trivialized. Why did I find it challenging to venture into public spaces sans makeup? Or why do I always jokingly say that a trip to the supermarket would necessitate attire beyond a mere t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers?
Is it possible that beneath it all, I concealed a sense of inadequacy? Could my resistance to appearing “ordinary” be a compensatory mechanism driven by a lack of self-esteem? This prompts me to ponder whether my assertion that one should always be prepared for you may meet someone unprepared be an attempt to veil potential self-esteem issues. Could it be that I’m not alone in this introspection?
I propose that the resounding voice I use to champion these notions gets a lot quieter as I grow comfortable in my own skin. The loud voice becomes quieter as I cultivate self-acceptance, recognizing that I am a reflection of God. My perspective has matured, and my confidence has flourished, allowing me to shed the compulsion to conform to society’s superficial standards. I no longer feel beholden to adhere to the norms that govern speech, attire, possessions, dining choices, or hairstyles. As a result, I find myself at greater ease, more authentic, and genuinely visible. I say that because I have grown and matured and gained confidence in just being me. We must answer the call to authenticity, urging us to dismiss the farce that society imposes upon us. Our pursuit of the world’s notion of beauty – how we should appear, speak, dress, and present ourselves – is rendered obsolete. I’ve come to realize that my impact on the world is not defined by adhering to societal ideals.
If we are like this then we are not living a truthful life, it is all pretense. The world’s ideal beauty does not make us more acceptable to ourselves or others. I realized that if I came up missing one day it would not be of any significance to the world.
In truth, we are all replaceable, each destined to reach an expiration point. With this inevitability in mind, why squander our time and energy masquerading as someone we are not? Why bow to society’s definition of beauty? The moment I embraced my authentic self and began to live life on my own terms, my perception of beauty underwent a transformation.
Genuine beauty is found within —a manifestation of our character rather than our outward appearance. This truth is self-evident all around us. There are individuals who might not consider themselves physically beautiful, yet their inner radiance and personality leave an indelible mark on everyone they encounter. No matter how we strive to perfect our external appearance, any inner discord will invariably seep through. Authentic beauty is the result of our connection with God and our self-acceptance. Thus, while the principles of presenting oneself well and feeling confident have their place, they fall short of encapsulating true beauty. Authentic beauty stems from nurturing our inner selves.
So now, when I put on my makeup , it is not to camouflage any inadequacy because I have asked God to help me to release the things that mar my inner beauty—unforgiveness, the inability to let go of things that make me ugly so that my inner beauty will shine through. I am working on the inside first and I no longer associate my beauty with what’s on the outside. How about you?
