Source en.wikipedia.org

You Are Beautiful: Seeing Ourselves

Many of us do not take the time to notice and acknowledge how beautiful we are as humans. We may be great lovers of beauty, seeing it in the people, places, and things around us, while completely missing it in ourselves. Some of us feel that it is vain to consider our appearance too much, or we may find that when we look at ourselves, all we see are imperfections. Often we come to the mirror with expectations and preconceived notions about beauty that blind us from seeing ourselves clearly. As a result, we miss the beauty that is closest to us, the beauty we are. Sometimes we see our beauty in a shallow way, noticing how well we are conforming to social norms, but failing to see the deeper beauty that shines out from within and that will continue to shine regardless of how we measure up to society’s ideal.

If we can cut through all these obstacles and simply appreciate how beautiful we are, we free up so much energy. We also become less dependent upon the opinions and feedback of others since we become our own greatest admirers. Many of us know that after a great yoga practice or a long, deep meditation, we are more able to see how beautiful we are. This is because we have released some of our baggage, thus unburdening ourselves and summoning forth the spirit that dwells within us. It is the heady combination of the divine spirit and the human body that conveys beauty more accurately than anything else.

To keep ourselves in touch with our own beauty, we can surround ourselves with images that reflect our beauty back to us—photos of a relative or child who has our eyes, images of teachers who embody spirit, or self-portraits that capture our essence in a way that allows us to see ourselves anew. The best way to keep ourselves in touch with our own beauty is to keep looking deeply into our own souls and opening our eyes to the human being we see in the mirror every day. ~ Madyson Taylor, Daily Om

How often do you cringe when you look in the mirror? Worse yet, how many of you avoid the mirror all together? All this, because when you see yourself, all that you see is the little imperfections. You fail to look closer to see the beauty that is you — inside and outside.

You are the beauty that surrounds you. Everything and everyone is connected and you are as beautiful as that breathless sunset, the star-filled night or that perfect flower. True beauty is not at the superficial outer level — it is the whole package. How many of you know someone who is beautiful outside, but  who lacks those qualities of inner beauty, for example, empathy, lovingkindness and compassion? The truth is that even though we may agree that they are beautiful, they are no more perfect than the rest of us. Even more, their outer beauty is diminished by the ugliness of their inner being. Yet, our society kneels at the altar of outer beauty. It is a fact that beautiful people make more money for the same job than one who is less attractive and they garner more favors. All of this and they are no happier than the rest of us. Besides, beauty fades, but sincerity,  love, concern for others, compassion and kindness, like the finest wine, improves with age.

Let no one and nothing diminish the visage of your uniquely beautiful self. Go ahead, look into the mirror and consider the beauty of what you consider your imperfections. What love, wisdom, compassion and lovingkindness do they hold? How many hearts has your smile touched?  There is a reason that those lines which accentuate that smile are called ‘laugh lines.’ As you embrace them, and all that you see, you embrace the very best of yourself. So, look closely. See yourself with the love, kindness and compassion that you reserve for others. Oh, if you could see yourself as I see you, you’d know the meaning of true beauty.