Be-YOU-tiful
I really like the company Beeyoutiful. It is an online company that sells natural products, vitamins, essential oils, etc. Inspired by their name, I wrote an article, but I slightly changed the spelling to fit my purpose. They printed it in their latest catalog. It is not up on their website so I have chosen to post it below. I dedicate this article to my daughter, Kyla, who radiates kindness and love. May she always be who she is.
My be-YOU-tiful Kyla
When I first decided to quit my job and stay home six years ago, I had to look for obvious luxuries to cut out of our budget. For me, I stopped getting my hair highlighted and my nails done. As the highlights grew out, I was shocked to see how dark my hair had become. It had gone from a dirty blonde to very brown. It took some time getting used to my new, but natural look.
Before my last two boys were born, I used to have time to sit down and read during the heat of the day or in the evening. I read all kinds of cataloges, magazines, books, and articles. I began picking up on the recurring theme of being your authentic self; growing comfortable with how the Creator made you. Women, especially, spend so much time wanting what we do not have. For example, we get perms if we have straight hair or straighten our curly hair. We find it challenging to be content with what and how we are.
So what did I do? I learned to love my straight brown hair. I did not need waves or highlights to make it pretty. I just needed to take good care of it; making sure it was shiny and healthy. Now I look back at pictures of me all put together and wonder who is that girl staring at me from the picture.
Then when I intentionally stopped wearing make-up, I really learned about myself. I was able to grow in acceptance of my features both good and bad. I learned to be beautiful from the inside out and allow it to radiate onto my outward appearance. If you are looking for a makeover, smile. It is that simple. Happy, joy-filled smiles cover a multitude of flaws.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is true. Even the most outwardly beautiful woman can be perceived as plain when her inner spirit is mean, ugly, and rotten. While on the other hand, an outwardly plain woman can light up the room and turn heads when her sweet, gentle, and kind spirit shines through.
We can be so hard on ourselves. Seeing flaws that are not even noticed by others. We are our worst critics. Instead, let’s accept ourselves for who we are, and do not change anything unless it is our attitude. For I believe we are all beautiful when we are being our authentic selves. So, be-YOU-tiful!
