Beauty

Beauty is only skin-deep

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Various individuals think that what looks attractive on the outside is much more valued as compared to one’s intangible beauty. What exactly is beauty though? Well, according to Cambridge’s 3rd Edition Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, beauty is defined as “the quality of being pleasing, especially to look at, or someone or something that gives great pleasure, especially by being looked at.” This definition stereotypes and generalizes even the internally prettiest of things—yet not so externally attractive *like some of us*, setting them in an “ugly” category. It makes one believe that beauty only has to do with appearances. I genuinely beg to oppose.
In my opinion, I’d say the principle of real beauty is not based on physical looks, but rather on a more intense and critical view of one’s personality. I feel that the details that are so difficult to capture are often the most genuine and beautiful ones. If a guy walks past a facially attractive girl, he will instantly conclude that she is beautiful. Although this may be true, would you say that the girl was beautiful if she was overbearing, corrupt, vulgar and undisciplined? Can we really judge a book by its cover as they say? Contemplate.
Society is messed up. I don’t know who’s at fault for making more than half of the world to believe that physical looks give meaning to the term beauty. Because beauty is beyond the surface. It is beyond what we see with the naked eye. Isn’t God’s way amazing? Isn’t Jesus beautiful in His ways? But we don’t see Him physically? Yet He brings so much joy. So much love. So much peace. Confidence. Hope. If only we could take that approach, no one would ever dare to feel insecure. A great friend of mine, her alias is HON99, and one of my favourite special persons (*not mentioning names*), while giving my take on the issue, both mentioned something about: “The worldly beings wouldn’t understand because they are all blinded by things such as “We don’t see your inside”, “How can one love something they can’t see?”. You see, that’s why when you preach about things such as these, the carnal minded are fast to oppose, but take heed. We aren’t of this world, they should know. *Psalms 139:13-14*. Beauty is within us, not just outside. The world is pointless because everyone worries so much about how they look on the outside rather than polishing what’s inside first. It is for these reasons that most of us have no true meanings of who we really are. I guess you can call it the identity crisis syndrome.
So what actually makes beauty skin-deep? What actually qualifies a person to be beautiful? Confidence, embracing the person that you are, being emotionally intelligent, sympathetic, empathetic, helpful, authentic and open to constructive criticism. Now let me not lie to you, perhaps not all these wonderful traits can be possessed by a person alone. Let’s face it, no one is perfect. But then again, we can at least try to be close to that. By just being good to others and to ourselves. Is it really that difficult? At the start, maybe—but I am certain that the end result will earn the ultimate beauty grand supreme title.
Now mind you, it is not wrong to admire and compliment what physically looks lovely, neither am I against it. However, it is indeed deadly to allow one’s beauty to be at the centre of their own lives. Furthermore, people should not go around beating themselves up if they are not somewhat “more beautiful” than those that are. This will not only tarnish their self-esteem, but it will also make them susceptible to following what society says in terms of what characterises a beautiful being. Know your worth my beautiful brothers and sisters.
27ValleyDaisy27 signing out.