Inner Beauty

Lebanese-American Khalil Gibran, one of the best-selling poets of all time, has a wonderful way with words. In this quote he cuts through to a simple truth, that beauty is not aesthetic, it’s much deeper than that and comes from within, comes from our inner beauty. Some people think that the term inner beauty is just a phrase used for less attractive people to feel better about themselves. They couldn’t be more wrong. Inner beauty is something that is developed over time. Much like our intellect, our inner beauty is increased with knowledge and understanding and how we choose to use it.

A big part of inner beauty is accepting ourselves the way we are. The media and the fashion industry promote unrealistic body types and lifestyles that can distort the way we look at ourselves. What we need to realize is that they are focusing on the wrong aspirations, we should focus on the good that people do and the way they treat others. We’ve all heard the stories of pop star and movie divas being vile to their staff and totally self-absorbed. To me, that is not beautiful in any way, no matter what they look like.

To accept ourselves, we need to try and be the best we can. The old saying “a healthy body equals a healthy mind” sounds like a cliché, but I really believe in it. It’s important to keep your body active and fit, to stimulate your system and your mind. Even a 20-minute walk every day, drinking plenty of water regularly and eating healthily can have a huge, positive impact on your health and well-being. And when you feel good inside, the “light starts to shine”.

I’m going to leave you with one last quote from a trend setter and fashion icon that really sums it up for me.

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself”

-Coco Chanel-