The Reality of Beauty

alejandroescamilla-white-shoesBeauty \ˈbyü-tē\

“Someone who is naturally good looking.”–Kiara B.

“A positive, humble person.”–Raven J.

“You just know when it’s beautiful.”–Jose S.

What is the true definition of beauty? There are many diverse opinions on this controversial word. Is it the texture of your hair? The complexion of your skin? The shape of your eyes? The kindness of your heart? The content of your character?

By the millions of different opinions in the world, one thing is for certain: Beauty cannot be measured by just one particular aspect, the possibilities are endless. It’s more than a pretty face and shapely body; it’s a spiritual, mental, and emotional element as well. Beauty is a well-rounded characteristic we all possess because we were hand crafted by our Father in Heaven.

There are so many women who, unfortunately, do not know how beautiful they are because pop culture has brain washed us into believing that beauty is limited to appearance. Some of us think that if we don’t look like our favorite television star, we’re not beautiful. When, in reality, our favorite stars don’t even look like that themselves. We tend to compare ourselves to others and compete with them when all we need to to do is work on ourselves, make sure we’re the best we can be instead of seeking validation from everyone else. We need to validate ourselves because once you start living to impress other people, you stop living for yourself.

There’s so much pressure, as a woman, to be as close to perfect as possible. Expectations from the world are so high and unrealistic and if we don’t meet every single one, we deem ourselves as “not good enough” or not as “desirable”as we should be…to a shallow society, of course.

One of the most beautiful things about women is the diversity that lies within us. There are the soft spoken women with big hearts, the outspoken women with strong opinions, the women with confidence radiating from them or even the shy, timid women wearing a kind smile. From short hair to long, curly to straight…It’s all different and its all beautiful.

It’s an accomplishment to be different in this day and age. Society has led us to believe we need to be clones of a certain look to be considered slightly beautiful or even acceptable. Is fair skin, a slim body, and long hair all there is to beauty? No, there is so much more to it than that.

It’s crazy to think that we’ll call a woman who is physically attractive but arrogant and self-centered, beautiful before we call an “average looking”woman with a big enough heart to serve the less fortunate everyday, beautiful. There’s a difference between simply being attractive and being all around beautiful.

So again, what is beauty? It lies deep within. Deep within your soul. It’s the pureness of your spirit. The kindness of your heart. The creativity in your mind that inspires others.

We all have something so beautiful inside that God has endowed us with. A light that shines so bright that it may overshadow those, so called,“imperfections”we stare at in the mirror day by day. The key is to remember that your beauty is still there. Pretty doesn’t have to hurt. God’s definition of beauty outweighs society’s any day. Let yours show, in spite of the negativity.

In Collaboration With Aaminah Ishmael
Photo by Alejandro Escamilla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Travanna Clark

Travanna Clark

Travanna Clark is a 17-year-old senior at R.L. Osborne High School in Marietta, Ga. She plans to attend Alabama State University in the fall. Reading and writing has always been one of her favorite hobbies and she feels blessed to have had this experience writing for CHISPA.
Travanna Clark

Latest posts by Travanna Clark (see all)

Travanna Clark

Travanna Clark is a 17-year-old senior at R.L. Osborne High School in Marietta, Ga. She plans to attend Alabama State University in the fall. Reading and writing has always been one of her favorite hobbies and she feels blessed to have had this experience writing for CHISPA.