My Idea of Beauty
When you think about beauty, what does your mind wander to?
A face with high cheekbones and sparkling eyes? A mountain view overlooking lush wildlife? An elegant suit made of only the finest materials?
The thing is, everyone will have their own understanding of what being beautiful really means. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is one of the most frequently used proverbs in the English language, because it holds true for everything: people, places, things.
No-one can agree on who the most beautiful person in the world is. The global population can’t come together to choose the most beautiful sight, or the most beautiful object. Because beauty looks different to everyone.
And I believe that’s because beauty is more than just what we see. It’s more than just the physical; it’s more than just the superficial. The true definition of beauty -- its true value -- is that intangible inner quality.
The quality that makes us feel joy when someone we’re drawn to laughs. The quality that makes us feel amazed when we see a new sight -- something we’ll remember for years. And the quality that makes us feel invigorated, energized, excited by the very thing in front of us.
That inner quality -- what attracts you to a person, a place, or a thing -- is deeply personal. It’s based on your experiences, your interests, and your passions, and because of that no two people will share the exact same perception of beauty.
But they will be able to feel the same power that beauty brings with it.
And everyone deserves to feel that power.
Whether they’re moved by the beauty of someone they love, the beauty of a place that’s important to them, or the beauty of an heirloom, piece of artwork, or some item much less extravagant -- beauty is spellbinding.
It adds magnificence to life. It drives people to act differently, to overcome challenges, and to fight for what they believe in. And because of that, where there is beauty there is also love.
Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” While feeling the power of some beauty is a natural and immediate response -- requiring little more than taking the person, place, or thing before you in -- it’s also possible to turn beauty into a choice.
To look at your flawed family, and see beauty anyway. To look at the stains and marks on your oldest pair of sneakers, and see beauty anyway. To look at yourself -- at all of your imperfections, inside and out -- and see beauty anyway.
Deciding to find beauty in the little moments, the imperfect moments, helps to build a habit in your mind -- so that eventually, you don’t have to remind yourself to find the beauty. You just instinctively do. Not only will that make your life all the more magnificent, filled with all the more beauty, but it will also lead to more love. For you and for the people around you.
Because, remember: where there is beauty, there is love.
People treat each other more kindly. People care for their surroundings more earnestly. And people interact with everything -- from their communities to their pets to their belongings to themselves -- with more gratitude.
Beauty is powerful. What does beauty mean to you?