It’s a commonly accepted belief that beauty is only skin deep, but is this really the case? A wealth of evidence shows that beauty is much more than just physical attributes – it affects not just the way we perceive ourselves, but how we interact with others. This article takes a look at the deeper implications of beauty, and how it can be a powerful tool for personal growth.

1. True Beauty Lies Beneath the Surface

We often think that beauty lies only in physical appearance—perfect noses and flowing hair—but the truth is much different. and cannot be seen through the human eye. It encompasses many aspects of an individual, including:

• Heartfelt kindness
• Compassion
• Inner strength
• Humility

Just as a beautiful facade can quickly wear away, true beauty will never fail to bring out the best in you. It starts with being content with who you are, being kind to yourself and others, being grateful and giving back to others. It is an individual’s capacity to spread goodwill, through their actions and words, that makes them beautiful. The power of true beauty is unlimited, and when combined with physical beauty, it radiates inside and out.

2. Finding Beauty in All Things

We are often so quick to overlook beauty in our day-to-day lives. Everywhere we look, from the mundane to the spectacular, our environment is filled with marvels. By changing our attitude, simply becoming aware of this beauty and allowing ourselves to appreciate it, we can find great joy in our lives.

Beauty, can come in many forms. It is not just the grandeur found in physical landscapes or abstract works of art, it is more subtle and almost everywhere. A warm embrace from a friend, the ripples of a pond, the sound of the wind, the smell of freshly cut grass – all of these can bring a sense of contentment if we allow them to.

We can begin to find beauty in our daily routine by contemplating why these moments in life are pleasant. We can seek out the moments we enjoy and seek to create more of them. And every once in a while, take a step back and remind ourselves to be grateful for the small, and often overlooked, instances of beauty all around us.

3. Beyond the Outer Shell: The Inner Reality of Beauty

It is easy to be carried away by the sparkles, glitters and shines of beauty, but rarely do we truly appreciate the deeper nuances of its inner reality. Beyond its outer shell lies a plethora of experiences, interpretations and ideas. From ancient philosophies to the newest digital technologies, the definition of beauty is ever changing – one thing is for sure, its true nature is profoundly mesmerizing!

At its core, beauty is an amalgamation of feelings and sensations inspired by one’s individual perception. The ‘traditional’ idea of beauty as something that is aesthetically pleasing is just as valid as concepts such as inner strength, resilience, and other positives seen as beautiful. A good example of this is how a work of art can evoke a range of emotions, both positive and negative, which can be interpreted differently by each onlooker.

• It transcends physical perfection. True beauty lies in the ability to be comfortable with one’s unique features and to accept oneself, disregarding the standards set by society.
• It consists of both seen and unseen qualities. A person’s inner personality, such as characteristics like loyalty and courage, can also be considered beautiful.
• It has no defined boundaries. The concept of beauty can take on many forms and is subject to change from time to time.

4. Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder

We all have different standards of beauty; these standards are based on society’s accepted norms, our understanding of art, personal experiences and upbringing. Some people may prefer bold makeup with dramatic eyes, others may lean towards a more natural look. The possibilities of beauty are endless, and that’s why it’s so beautiful.

It’s also important to respect other people’s sense of beauty. Whether you can’t understand why someone would wear a colored contact lens, or don’t appreciate somebody’s custom stilettos, it doesn’t mean the person wearing them doesn’t look gorgeous. Beauty has no restraints so let’s embrace each other’s unique sense:

• Never be judgmental – you don’t know what the person has been through to reach that look.
• Acceptance – beauty is subjective, and so everyone should be accepted as they are.
• Supporting diversity – uniqueness should be honored and celebrated.

It’s clear that beauty is much more than what meets the eye – it’s a multi-faceted concept that can mean different things to different people. And while physical beauty may be impressive, what lies beneath is truly the most beautiful.