Let me preface this post by saying that this is not meant to come across as conceited in any way. I just want the record to show that today I re-realized that I am beautiful. I'm sure there are plenty of days to come when I won't feel this way, so I want to be sure and remember this.
This morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and instead of my usual, "You look pretty," I told myself, "You are beautiful." It caught me off-guard, the difference between "you look" and "you are." Beauty is not about how we look. Beauty is about how we are.
So while I also look beautiful, I want to remember why I am beautiful. It's not because I am a certain height, weight, body type, or facial structure. It's not because of my hair color, eye color, skin color, or even teeth color. It's not because of the clothes I am wearing or the makeup I apply. It's not because of the number of dates I do or do not go on.
I am beautiful because my smile is genuine.
I am beautiful because my eyes are expressive and look for the good in life and in other people.
I am beautiful because my mind works hard.
I am beautiful because my ears listen to friends in need.
I am beautiful because my hands serve others, often through my many talents.
I am beautiful because my arms hug tight with real love.
I am beautiful because my legs take me to places where I can do good.
I am beautiful because my mouth speaks kind words.
I am beautiful because my heart can love people until it hurts.
I am beautiful because my Heavenly Father created me.
You are beautiful! And you made your mama cry!
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Mama
You are definitely beautiful. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteDo you mind if I print this off and make copies for my Young Women? This is something that I am constantly trying to help them understand, and I think you have said it powerfully and eloquently.
ReplyDeleteYou're right; you are beautiful!
Aww, thanks everybody! And Kathryn, I'd love for you to share it with your Young Women. I had people like you and your mama to help teach me these lessons when I was that age, so it's only fair that I should pay it forward :) I love all of y'all!
ReplyDeleteAnd the awesome thing is...it went exactly along with the lesson last week! I didn't even know that when I read your post.
ReplyDeletehttp://lds.org/manual/young-women-manual-3/lesson-39-recognizing-our-individual-worth?lang=eng
You are beautiful because you can bake pie
ReplyDeleteKathryn, are you in YW? I'm the newly-called 2nd counselor and am teaching that very lesson next week. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect, Katelyn. And yes, you are beautiful. :)