Nowadays, beauty and fame are defined by superficial admiration by the world. Sometimes you have to strive and work hard for it. Or technology makes it easier, interesting and visually favorable photos and videos that can come up to thousand viewers can make you a star. Easy or difficult either way, superficial beauty has become a norm to many without even appreciating the true beauty within. I have a question, when was the last time (without any force or pressure) you said to yourself “beautiful”? When was the last time you face the mirror without disgusted with what you see? When was the last time wearing the most comfortable clothes without the pressure from the fashion magazine? When was the last time you comb your hair feeling satisfied? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU APPRECIATE BEAUTY?
I was one of the products of the world’s slave by defining beauty as superficial. I strived for beauty to get attention and recognize. I allowed my body to suffer in order to meet the world’s standard of beauty. I craved for others body to be seen by people. I didn’t appreciate what I have, I felt not accepted if I’m not like the women on the magazine. I thought if I could only eat one meal a day, I could achieve their body. Unfortunately, I didn’t achieved that goal, I tried to starve myself until I lose my taste buds on my favorite foods- that meant DYING!!! I TRIED but I got TIRED.
Unfortunately, I didn’t achieved that goal, I tried to starve myself until I lost my taste buds on my favorite foods- that meant DYING!!! I TRIED but I got TIRED.
You know why I got tired? Because it was still the same, people didn’t recognize me even to the point of triumph. I got TIRED because I realized why am I even trying and striving, eh hindi naman ako sila, that’s not who I am. Yes, I wished to have their body but technically we do not have same body features, we do not have the same face! And why do I have to cover my natural beauty with all these makeup and put lipstick on my pale lips. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not wish to be against to the women wearing makeup, their beautiful but to solve your problem by covering it with those makeup is not the solution, Darling. So I woke up in reality and I was surrounded with LOVE. Someone told me “You are already beautiful, you don’t have to strive or earn it. You are an apple of my eye.” And I knew from that moment, I was loved by someone without earning or striving hard. I was seen and loved even when I was invisible. I was also surrounded with people who accepted me for who I am.
I loved myself more than ever. A very powerful book said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But Iba naman yung sobrang pagmamahal sa sarili, yung napaka selfish mo, “AKO LANG ANG DAPAT MAGANDA DITO!” “I should reign in this class, not her!” that’s being narcissistic. You have to see that you are beautiful! And I say this with love, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Accept your flaws and pimples. Ang pimple mawawala din yan, parang season, not permanent, it varies. Being thin or skinny is in today, but others said curves makes it more exciting. “Show some skin, they’ll notice you!” Oh, Darling! They won’t! They won’t even look straight through your eyes, they would only look to your half naked body. RESPECT YOURSELF. World reduces the beauty of womanhood today, everything they see are just product of their creations. We become creations of the world when we allow them to enter into our system.
World reduces the beauty of woman today, everything that they see are just product of their creations. We become creations of the world when we allow them to enter into our system.
How do you learn to love yourself? I’m not going to give you some tips because you know yourself, we all have our own coping mechanism. But I guess these questions will help us know somehow the beauty within and it is my prayer that when you ponder to these questions you’d put your identity to the Creator.
1. Who are your support systems? get in touch with them.
2. Do you accept your bad breath in the morning? Or do you have to brush your teeth first before looking at the mirror? in short, are you aware of your flaws? and would these hinder us accept the beauty within us?
3. Do you believe that you are beautiful? And if not, try to look within yourself, what is the problem? Why can’t you accept that you are beautiful?
4. How many times do you watch American Next Top Model fantasizing to be one of them? Or how many times would you read a fashion magazine and be ecstatic to buy those clothes even without budget?
5. How many times do you have to change your clothes before you go out from your house?
6. Does makeup make you feel beautiful, better, comfrotable?
These are just few basic questions we need to ponder. It’s not in order but I hope it helps you see the reality- that you are indeed BEAUTIFUL. There are a lot of things that can be a hindrance to see your beauty but I won’t let it force you to see that instantly because I understand that there are issues and reasons why don’t believe or have STOPPED believing. But I pray that you won’t allow the world dictate your own womanhood, it should come within, know who you are and watch out with the things that you embrace.
On Bended Knees 