Have you ever looked at pictures of famous people and been amazed at their flawless beauty? Do you see perfection in those images and find you compare your imperfections to their apparent perfection?
If you do, what does the comparison trigger in you?
Insecurity? Feelings of failure? Hopelessness? Decreased self-confidence? Self-criticism?
Self-hatred? Depression? Just to name a few possibilities...
Comparing ourselves to others is not healthy, but comparing ourselves to current images of "beautiful people" is even worse. Why? Because those images are NOT REAL! Between the extensive make-up, professional hairstylists, special lighting, and modern technology which allows images to be manipulated and enhanced, the finished product is beautiful, but it is not reality!
The following video by Hungarian singer Boggie demonstrates how much effort goes into creating beautiful images for media.
If you do, what does the comparison trigger in you?
Insecurity? Feelings of failure? Hopelessness? Decreased self-confidence? Self-criticism?
Self-hatred? Depression? Just to name a few possibilities...
Comparing ourselves to others is not healthy, but comparing ourselves to current images of "beautiful people" is even worse. Why? Because those images are NOT REAL! Between the extensive make-up, professional hairstylists, special lighting, and modern technology which allows images to be manipulated and enhanced, the finished product is beautiful, but it is not reality!
The following video by Hungarian singer Boggie demonstrates how much effort goes into creating beautiful images for media.
True beauty should not be about trying to meet the world's standards of beauty -
flawless skin, perfect hair, the perfect nose, etc...
True beauty should be about learning who you are and focusing on what good
you can offer those around you.
Making a positive difference in the lives of those you love is beauty.
Reaching out to help those in need is beauty.
Developing self-compassion is beauty.
Standing up for what you believe in is beauty.
This week I challenge you to set aside the world's standards of beauty and
dare to start taking steps toward developing self-acceptance and discovering your authentic beauty.
If you need some ideas on how to start doing that, Beautiful You: A Daily Guide to Radical Self-Acceptance by Rosie Molinary has a lot of great suggestions.
“Beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin.
It's about knowing and accepting who you are.”
~ Ellen DeGeneres
“We wear on our faces the results of what we believe and how we behave...”
~ Gordon B. Hinckley
“When I lay my head on the pillow at night I can say I was a decent person today.
That's when I feel beautiful.”
~Drew Barrymore
It's about knowing and accepting who you are.”
~ Ellen DeGeneres
“We wear on our faces the results of what we believe and how we behave...”
~ Gordon B. Hinckley
“When I lay my head on the pillow at night I can say I was a decent person today.
That's when I feel beautiful.”
~Drew Barrymore