Beauty
Beauty is a tough one. I’ve stopped and started this entry several times, because the concept is so vast and yet, also very personal. Beauty can be almost universally recognized, like in a masterpiece of art, but there will always be at least one person out there that doesn’t like it. Therefore, it’s subjective, even if by narrow margins at times.
And all the while knowing this, that it’s an individual preference, most of us look at ourselves with the deepest conviction that we are not beautiful. That the flaws we perceive in our looks, our personalities, our dreams - they’re all crushed beneath the weight of this ultimate ideal of beauty, even though none of us could point to exactly what that ideal is. But it’s out there, oppressing and robbing us just the same.
I love these little things, these imperfect things, like a kitten with milk on its nose, or a dandelion growing in the crack of a sidewalk, or the worn paint on the side of an old car. These things are beautiful to me, because they’re imperfect. And I wish I could view my own imperfections that way. And I wish I could truly accept that the overall concept of beauty relies on kindness, and empathy, and honesty, instead of flawlessness.
Anyway. That’s all I’ve got, without going on a huge ramble that no ones deserves right now. :D
I think we're all way too hard on ourselves. The very same things we find attractive in others we often see in ourselves as flaws.
ReplyDeleteYou've mentioned you have a twin. Identical or fraternal? Somehow it wouldn't surprise me if Identical twins sometimes see their twin as prettier or more handsome than themselves.
Acceptance of self, with all our quirks and perceived imperfections, comes with time. Maybe we just widen our scope enough by living that it finally grows broad enough to include ourselves in it.
Megan and I are identical! I think most kids grow up with comparing themselves to one another, but yes, with twins there’s a lot more of that. Thankfully, we’re both different enough as people that we don’t envy each other. I love who she is, and I'm her biggest fan.
DeleteYou just didn't have me around telling you that you are the most beautimous creature that God ever created every time you were feeling down... and even when you weren't!! But that's OK, you have so many people telling you that you are, listen to them! They're not blowing smoke, toots!: *smooches*
ReplyDeleteI wish we’d gone to high school together. We could’ve been a brace-faced girl gang!
Delete☝🏻 What they said☝🏻
ReplyDeleteYou are radiant, kind, loving, and perfect just the way you are🥰