Note to self

I discovered this video today, and its message is something that I think needs to be written on banners in the sky, shouted from rooftops, and shared with every person in this world. Have a look if you'd like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKTZAsDVkzs

Whether we realize it or not, we are all subject to society's influences. I may not feel pressure to become society's "ideal" woman, but I can definitely see the ways society shoves the idea down our throats.

We all want to be seen as pretty, but what we don't realize is that each of us is beautiful.

And yes, there is a difference.

Beauty can be seen as a capsule containing so much more than just physical appearance.

Think of your family and closest friends.

What do you appreciate about them? What about them inspires you? What do you think makes them beautiful?

I am always impressed when my roommate's creative flair emerges. Her gifts in the realm of art are dazzling to me. Even pieces that she throws away are accomplishments that I know I could never reach.

That makes her beautiful.

My brother is out back fishing as I compile these thoughts. Every question I ask about poles, lines, and bait gets answered. The kid really knows what he's talking about!

That makes him beautiful.

I like working as a CNA and helping brighten my resident's days with a smile and a helping hand. I like asking about their lives and gleaning bits of wisdom from what they have to say.

That makes me beautiful.

Beauty is a person's passions, hobbies, quirks, gifts, and talents all rolled into one. But now that I've given a definition, I don't think beauty can be defined in this sort of blanket way. Each person is beautiful for different reasons.

So while we may not live up to external expectations of beauty, we gain hope knowing that we are all beautiful. Sometimes it's difficult to see this beauty, in ourselves or in others, but it's there. We need only take time to discover it.

So here's a little "note to self" for each of us: we are beautiful, no matter what anyone else says, for we were made in God's image, and He is truly beautiful.