Beauty and the Eye of the Beholder

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; they say that your beauty is only defined by others. I feel beauty is deeper than just what can be seen with the eye or a lens.

Beauty is not just your style, your makeup or shoes, it’s not what you are, but who you are. We are each beautiful in our own special way. We all seek to be beautiful without realizing what that means or even the true definition of that beauty, failing to recognize the beauty within ourselves as we look to others for validation.

Beauty is deeper than outward appearance or the perception of others. True beauty is found within everything we are and most of what we do, but most are blind to it. The miracles that surround us everyday are invisible to us as we seek labels and standards to give us worth. Beauty lies deep within the soul beyond fabric or skin. Beauty was birthed long ago across the infinite expanse of the cosmos. Each of you are pieces of that beautiful expanse of stars that surround us. Yet we cling to size and shape to define our worth.

Our society holds up these antiquated ideals of beauty that say you have to be a certain size, shape, wear specific clothes and kneel to specific ideals to be worthy. Beauty cannot be defined by a specific set of rules made by individuals who cannot understand all aspects of that beauty because they do not know themselves.

Over the years our idea of beauty has evolved as we have. Taking on different styles and substance while we seek to limit that expression by labels. Placing boundaries on ourselves and each other, limiting the progress of our people and the natural beauty found within us.

Everyone is beautiful in their own way which soars beyond just the physical. Beauty is found in moments of kindness as we choose to help, defend, teach and stand for each other.

It is found in the artist who creates beauty from pencil, paint and canvas. It’s found in the heart, mind and hands of the musician who inspires. The teacher who expands the mind and the definition of what’s possible. It’s found even in the darkest times that we face as beautiful hearts come together to beat as one.

These are the definitions of beauty that have been overlooked for far too long. Like the dawning of a new day bringing light to shadow, the beauty of this world is far more complex than a label can ever intone.

We need to redefine our standards of beauty to support all beautiful aspects of our culture and all the beautiful souls within the collective human spirit.

We need to stop creating these unobtainable standards that cause young men and women to harm themselves to reach an ideal of beauty that doesn’t exist.

You are beautiful, you don’t need a photoshopped magazine to reveal your beautiful heart, soul or mind. Beauty is far more boundless than a single definition. Look to your heart, your mind and your soul, for they are more beautiful than any outward appearance can ever be.

Love yourselves, love each other, but most importantly, just love. Love is the most beautiful thing in creation, millions of beautiful hearts beating for each other. That love crossing boundaries, delving deeper, exploring more to evolve that definition as we ourselves evolve.

So I say, cast off the chains of those unobtainable standards that tether us. Look to the beauty inside yourself and others and free their hearts so they can experience the true beauty found within the human heart and the eternal spirit. Go forth into the world, letting the beauty of your heart lead the way, expanding the boundaries of what we think of ourselves and others to create beauty that stands timelessly.

“You either create a world for everyone or else you will end up in a world fit for no one.”

John Ames Birch