You’ve got that DIVAtude from the inside out…not the outside in.
The wonderful beautiful person that you are on the inside is what enhances the outer beauty you have!
Embrace it!!!
I wrote those words to a fellow diva this past week who was struggling with some changes she’d made to her appearance. I read on another blogger’s site this weekend on how we program ourselves and our children from birth as to what is considered “beautiful” or “pretty”. It hurts my heart when I see young children who lack self-confidence. At a young age, the only way they can NOT have it is because the adults around them are not promoting. Think about it, who first told you how beautiful and smart you were? If you struggle with low self-esteem and self-image, where did you first get the ideals as to what was and was not “pretty”?
As a parent, I try my hardest to instill self-confidence in my children. Not in regards to their physical attributes, but to what’s inside them. I want them to know that they are beautiful beings from the inside out and not the outside in. The most beautiful looking person can have the ugliest heart and attitude. However, someone that may not have the physical attributes that most of society deems as pretty can have the most wonderful and beautiful spirit. Who would you want to be around?
I challenge us all to focus more on what’s inside and not the physical appearances of those around us. Teach our children to accept and embrace others. Help them to focus on qualities like kindness, generosity, enthusiasm, nurturing, understanding, accepting, creativeness, empathetic, open-minded, optimistic, etc. As they grow and mature, help them to remember that their external beauty will far outshine their physical attributes.
Bertha Wilson
Saturday 15th of November 2014
I have an x family member that always wanted everyone to tell her how beautiful she was, if only she new how she was on the inside made the her outside look that black and ugly. I have always tried to tell my children they are as pretty outside as how they act inside.
Crystal Green
Monday 30th of June 2014
This is so utterly true. My mom cared more about her outside appearance than her personality most of my life, and I learned that behavior too. It wasn't until I lost my outside beauty that I realized how terrible my personality really came across to the outside world. I still struggle with fitting in now as a result.
Michelle
Thursday 3rd of July 2014
Crystal - I must have connected with you at the right time because you are beautiful inside and out! But you bring out a great point that we learn so much from watching the role models in our life.
Hannah
Wednesday 1st of August 2012
I love your philosophy. And wouldn't it be a wonderful world if everyone cherished a beautiful spirit more than a beautiful face?Hannah P.S.Join the fun, submit a cute photo or funny photo to my website contest. Then encourage your friends to vote and watch the results to see how many viewers vote for your photo. NO entry fee. $2,000 of prizes annually. www.FunnyPhotosContest.com.
Foodnatic
Thursday 19th of July 2012
Wow...I had to sit and think HARD about who first told me I was beautiful and WHEN. I don't remember it ever happening until I was a teenager and the person who said it was my mom. I didn't believe her because the other children at school had spent so much time letting me know how fat and ugly I was. They got to me long before mom ever did. It ruined my self image for a LONG time. But...I remade myself, BY MYSELF and I love me now. Thanks so much for this post. It IS such an important concept to teach children to love themselves and find their inner strength. =)
Laura Wells
Friday 13th of July 2012
Great points. It used to exasperate me when my girls were little to note the number of times someone said they looked cute. I wished I could wear a sign that said, please compliment my children on their character traits and not their looks. Our culture is so preprogrammed that we focus on the wrong thing without realizing it. Happy late SITS day.