REAL BEAUTY (Repost)

We put so much emphasis on outward appearance that it is causing more harm than good.

The pressure young girls and women are putting on themselves to look a certain way is unsettling.

Don't get me wrong I don't think there’s a problem in taking care of yourself; looking good, wearing pretty clothes and beautiful jewellery (in fact I enjoy that) but I think that is really just about outward decoration as opposed to ultimate self-worth!!!

The pressure we put on ourselves, and what we 'feel' from others is ridiculous to say the least! We put this unspoken expectation on ourselves that if we're a size 0 that somehow we are successful, but that is utter rubbish (and that’s being polite). We've heard it said a thousand times that the magazines lie and most of the women portrayed in them are airbrushed to the nines, which of course is true, but it’s still being thrown in our faces most days, so it doesn't help the issue of SELF WORTH (or lack of it). What we've got to realize is that beauty comes in different packages; the beauty of one woman has no reflection on the beauty of another. We come in such diverse and unique bodies, how can you compare such differences? Instead, we are trying to morph into one type of woman, the airbrushed, perfected woman who on a day-to-day basis does not really exist!!!!!!

As women we need to be kinder to each other not examining each other to see how we've put ourselves together; from what we are wearing, to how skinny, curvy or fabulous or un-fabulous we are. Seriously if we could stop critiquing each other (and it doesn't always have to be words, thoughts can be just as powerful) we could help ourselves and our girlfriends in feeling content and cool in our own skin, instead of feeling like we don't match up unless we fit the prototype. How we speak and think has a powerful effect on ourselves but also on those around us.

GOODNESS, we need to give ourselves a bit of GRACE! What us women achieve is more than remarkable. To all the mothers who have to meet everybody’s needs and keep everyone happy, or the women who have given up their lives to serve selflessly to meet the needs of others, to the business women who have to fight for their rights 'In a man's world' (yeah, right) but still, that is another very present battle that we are still fighting.. So why aren't we kinder to each other?

Let's celebrate each other and ourselves, not in an egotistical 'oh my gosh you're totally amazing' type of way, but with an honest and appreciative positivity as opposed to such harsh, unhealthy and unrealistic measuring. Let our self-worth not be based on the outer apparel and the ornaments in which we dress ourselves, instead let it be based on the unselfish love and care we show for those around us; to me that is Real Beauty.

I am a huge advocate for healthy eating and exercise and taking care and striving to be the best version of myself, but that does not equal starving myself, or self-indulging, or hating on myself in order to please the statistics of fake beauty.

I have to admit this has definitely been a journey to get to this place. I know every woman has her own journey and story and there may be a lot of pain attached to your self-identity but I encourage you, to look deeper than outer appearance. Beauty is at the very depths of who you are; and that's what shines through much more powerfully than the mannequin doll-like features or the teeny waist that we are working so desperately for. Instead, let us put our hard work into, yes, striving for a healthy and wholesome wellbeing, but much more, let's dive in deeper to discover the real meaning of Real Beauty!

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30