Cultivating beauty

When I read the article Skinny But Fat in last week’s Urban about body parts that transgress the “perfect body” standards of beauty, I of course first checked to see which ones I was guilty of , give ‘em a little squeeze and go “Too bad” before I resignedly but happily went about my day.

Arm scallops, buffalo humps, bat wings, neck wattles… good if you don’t have them but it’s not the end of the world if you do. Or is it? Judging but the measures recommended in the article, it would seem so. Expensive treatments, surgery even.

This was for me a “It’s a crazy world” moment and reminded me why I rarely read beauty magazines any more.

While strolling through the National Museum to catch the Greek masterpieces from the Louvre yesterday morning, I have to say I fleetingly wished I lived in that era for Aphrodite, the goddess of love, had a figure not too dissimilar from mine. Wow, I’d be considered body beautiful then. Goddess material. Way cool.

One of the things I love about being in my forties is a growing and equable acceptance of my self – mind, body and spirit.

I’ll never be perfect but I am loved and accepted for who I am (thanks to JC), so I don’t give.

Sure, I do bemoan my child-bearing hips and Rubenesque thighs, especially when I am clothes shopping and cannot find much to fit, but cultivating inner beauty is of much more consequence to me.

I aspire to be clothed in humility, patience, perseverance and deep inner strength like Mother Mary.

Or to be faith-filled, wise and courageous like Queen Esther, saving her people from destruction.

Or attentive, loving and generous like Mary Magdalene and thus be able to see Jesus face to face.

While I believe as a woman I should always take pride in my appearance and make an effort to look presentable, I prefer to spend time on beauty tips that Sam Levenson wrote for his grandchild:

Time Tested Beauty Tips

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!