The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
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As the world evolves and thought processes change, schools of thought change also. There was a time when the focus was on outward beauty, which is still the case in some cultures. However, as women recognize and embrace their value and worth, they are speaking out about the things that matter and the things that are misaligned from the way they think and see themselves. They are embracing an all-encompassing definition of beauty and simultaneously developing their own definition. A definition that intertwines and intersects with other women’s definitions at different points. The result—we really have similar views of beauty but expressed in our own unique and individual way.
This encompassing definition of beauty speaks to the outward as well as the inner, but with more emphasis placed on the inner beauty, we believe. Despite this progression, we still have a few demons to battle; when we look at social media, we realize we have a ways to go. There is still an enormous amount of stereotypical views as it relates to beauty today, evident in the “unreal” almost picture-perfect photos. The growth in the hair extension industry to include wigs and sew-ins, body enhancement surgeries, bleaching of the skin, inferences in the music we listen to, fad diets, and so much more. On the flip side, however, we see black women embracing themselves, their hair, and we see ourselves now represented in our natural state on very public platforms.
We loved that scene in BLACK PANTHER, that scene when Nakia & Okoye (beautiful names, by the way) joked about the wig Okoye was wearing. We also loved how Annalise Keating ( played by Viola Davis) was portrayed in HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER in her natural-ness.
Unfortunately, we still have a way to go, but I believe that we will get there. Here are our 13 Ways that women of any race, shape, etc. can stay beautiful inside out. As usual, no weighting is attached, neither are they in any particular order of importance.
13 Ways To Stay Beautiful Inside Out.
- Stay hydrated – we cannot say how important this is; our bodies need water, simply because a percentage of our makeup is water. Water is also essential in helping to get rid of toxins in our bodies that cause more harm than good. BEAUTIFUL SKIN
- Think good of everyone (you do not meet) – a must! Many times we form wrong impressions of each other without interacting first. Let us get to know each other first, and let us not label anyone before we give them a chance. BEAUTIFUL HEART
- Believe that life is good and there is good in life. Come on now, if we cannot do this, we are pretty much doomed, need I say more! Well, let me just say, despite what is going on in the world, when we listen to the news, many people are still doing beautiful and good things. Aren’t you enough of an example? BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT
- Live intentionally – we must, and that is how we will live stress-free. Every woman living an authentic life is beautiful. BEAUTIFUL AURA
- Remove your makeup at night – BEAUTIFUL SKIN.
- Forgive easily – This is a health concern, believe it or not – Do the research. BEAUTIFUL HEALTH
- Express gratitude. So much benefit when we exist in this space of gratitude. My go-to quote on gratitude is from Melody Beattie. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. – BEAUTIFUL MINDSET
- Be kind – BEAUTIFUL HEART.
- Meditate on God’s word – Where would we be if not for his grace and mercy that carries us through every season. We believe when our hearts are at ease, then it fosters beauty in our lives. BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
- Eat veggies & fruits – Your beauty potion, say you found it right here. Daily consumption of fruits and veggies has been proven to enhance your complexion significantly. Fruits and veggies also contribute to an improved overall feeling of well-being. BEAUTIFUL HEALTH.
- Moisturizer & sunscreen. Two products to help us fight the wrinkles and skin-aging that is inevitable. Use them. BEAUTIFUL SKIN
- Say Thank you – This right here can be a life-changer for us, the giver as well as the recipient. When we express appreciation and recognition towards others, it creates a sense of peace and well-being that no potion in a bottle can give. Hearts filled with love is a BEAUTIFUL THING!
- Floss daily – Imagine that! How important are your teeth to you, better yet, how important is your smile. Flossing contributes to healthier teeth and gum. Healthy teeth and gums help you to keep your teeth (smile) and that’s putting it simply. BEAUTIFUL SMILE.
