There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have you ever met someone who “glows”? Someone who is really happy and vibrant and ALIVE? I know a woman like this. She is not always smiling and she is not cheesy or corny or fake in any way but I can tell she has JOY in her heart. And because of this, she is beautiful…absolutely radiant.
Someone asked me how old she is and I have no idea. I looked at her again and tried to figure it out. I still have no idea. I don’t care. It doesn’t matter. Her beauty is timeless because it’s INTERNAL.
She says she is living her Dharma. I agree. (Dharma: essential quality or character) She is living an authentic life.
Truth is Beauty, beauty Truth. –John Keats
I learned this Keats quote in high school humanities class. We had to ponder what it meant. Volumes have been written about this and no consensus has been met. It’s personal I think. Just like all good poetry and writing, it’s personal and of course, it’s universal too.
I think it means that when you are living your truth, (your dharma), you are beautiful. When the world lives in truth (kindness, love, compassion, unity) it is beautiful.
External beauty fades. It is temporary.
Internal beauty is forever. It is eternal.
I want to teach my daughters that beauty is not found in a bottle of miracle cream or a new outfit. Those things can make you feel better and they can be fun but real beauty is internal. What is inside of you? What is in your heart and soul? Who are you? What is your truth?
These are tough questions. Frankly, it’s easier to make an appointment at the dermatologist or go buy some new lipstick. I mean, I can’t tell you how good I feel after a highlight and haircut. Throw some new shoes in the mix and I’m unstoppable! Literally, it changes your day when you feel like you look good. I get it. External beauty and products and fashion are fun. But they are temporary and we have to remember they are not where real beauty comes from.
It’s always more difficult to do the real, internal work. But it’s worth it.
I guess that’s what they mean by “growing old gracefully”. This is not the same as giving up or letting yourself go. It is the opposite. It is being authentic. It is embracing your truth, your experience, your wisdom, your kindness, your essential self.
Look inside yourself. You are beautiful.
©2011 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™ All Rights Reserved Photo of Ann Patchett’s book via McBeth on Flickr