If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman.Louisa May Alcott, Eight Cousins, 1875
I have been re-reading some classics from my bookshelf and stumbled across this and it just rang true. I need to remember this - in this day and age of "SELF". The obsession to be perfect. The things we, as women (AND men!) do to acquire what we/society deems desireable and the equivalent to success/power/status...and does it REALLY make us happy? Truly?
Nope. And if you insist that it does- you're fooling yourself.
In this land of "It's All About ME". "The Diva". "Princess". "Just Do It". "Whatever Makes You Feel Good"- all the emphasis is on who we are and what we deserve and that we need it NOW.
I'm guilty of this mindset myself at times and I don't want my daughter (OR my son) to have this attitude. Nor do I want them to feel they must conform to worldly standards to feel good about themselves or to be accepted by others.
Don't get me wrong-- I *LOVE* the fun of fashion. And I could stand to lose a few pounds- to be healthier. But I've wasted far too much of my time on the surface, meaningless drivel of what's "hot" right now and how to aquire it to feel accepted or like myself more. Does this mean I'm going to stop working out and dress in tents? uh...NOPE! But my focus has changed. For the better. I feel like with this admission and release, that I'm making way for more meaningful experiences to savor. That I'll have a deeper perspective of life and my place in it, to share with my kidlets. Time wasted on surface things will be put to better use!!
Sure, I'll still post cute things I may stumble across here on my blog now and again. But no more POUNDS of Glamour, In Style, Self, Shape, People, In Touch, Marie Claire,etc.etc.etc. laying around here. Think of all the money I'll save! lol.
3 comments:
Very wise words!! Nothing is attractive as kindness and happiness that comes from within. A pretty exterior may get noticed for a moment, but what is truly appealing is a kind, loving, confident soul and the "things" of this world don't make for a kind, confident soul.
When I think of the people who have had the most impact on me or who have been the most important, what was on the outside has never been a factor. It's hard not to get pullled into what society tells us will make us happy though.
Thank you for the food for thought!
AMEN sistah! I couldn't agree more (as I sit here stuffing my face with a big ol' plate of nachos - lol!). Beauty is not just about clothes, hair, and makeup. It’s about showing the world what makes us unique, creative, and all-around fabulous! Great, inspiring post! :)
This was really good for me to read today as I struggle with postpartum body issues...thanks for posting!
I adore Louisa May Alcott!
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