What is “beautiful”?

Beauty is one of the most mind-boggling subjects ever. Every day we are confronted with the true meaning of Beauty. What is beauty? Who is beautiful? “The woman” is mostly the lab rat used to identify with the exact connotation of the word. Still it is confusing as to what kind of woman – her looks, her personality, her acumen and tendencies – that can be described as beautiful.

More than anything else, the world pays too much attention to the physical attributes of the female gender. To this effect women who do not fit into the stereotype form of what the world perceives beauty to be become very timid and vulnerable in a world that makes her feel her buttocks has to be bigger and her breasts perkier for her to achieve or attain certain goals.

I have seen young women suffer this “ailment” of relying on the society to define their beauty. And if they never get the approval from society, they spend most of their lives leaving below their capabilities.

When we think of beauty, we think of fairer skin, straight hair, proportionate feminine features… If we rely on the description of beauty from the eyes of society, we will remain doubtful of ourselves because there will always be women and/or men more beautiful than we are.

I see beauty as the point of grace between hurt and healing. That is where beauty resides – in the middle of reconciling with our past, accepting our present, and forging towards our tomorrow. Beauty is the tranquillity that rests inside of you when a colleague speaks ill of you…when another driver in traffic spits venom…when your partner acts inappropriately…when you receive the worst kind of treatment from people – it is that peace inside of us that makes us beautiful, the peace that does not respond violently or reacts similarly to what is expected. That peace that surpasses all of life’s ugliness.

So as the week progresses and you are faced with difficult situations, do not let the chaos around you define you. Let the peace that keeps you still guide you.

You are beautiful – always!

–          Stephanie

 

Comments

  1. Eila Avatar
    Eila

    hmmmm i really learnt something new about beauty. thanks n keep it up.

  2. ellie Avatar
    ellie

    wel,d netwrk its so terrible bt i wz lucky 2 read d whole on Amaka’s story- ‘my parents do not love me’.
    its so totful of her 2 hv shared her story as it wil help others voice their fears.howeva nt 2 apportn blames;i’ll say, Amaka shld hv embraced boldnex n communicatd wat she felt with her parents n she wud ve grreatly out-lived her pains,worries n her fears. she wud nt hv felt inferior if only she was very opend 2 pple who cared enuf . Also,she ended up shuttin her specialty witout knwin .

  3. felicia odere Avatar
    felicia odere

    Well spoken StephLin conned 4rm your name nd husby’s. Beauty is dat inner attribute dat keps us sane in d mist of insanity.dat maturity shown evn wen pple try talkin u down,u painstakenly talk your way out witout either parties ego bruised or sore. Nd lastly acceptin one’s self d way u r nd bn comfortable in 1s body despiite societal streotype as wat ‘beauty is’

  4. ellie Avatar
    ellie

    Dis made her live under d shadow of her younger sibling.Again witout knwin it Amaka abhored her sista n allowed envy take over her thereby loosin her touch n loosin her beauty inside her.
    Moreso,Amaka,i’m nt crucifyin u bt i do understand wat u feel n wat u re gng tru. Dear,i bliv strongly dat u re butiful n a lovable persn.Giv ursef 2 d buty in u.Let go of wat ur parents did or said n open ursef 2 God’s paix dat passes all understandin.Knw u re wonderfully made.In His image He made u n u re …

  5. ellie Avatar
    ellie

    unique. Ther’s no latenex wit God.Do to ursef those tngs u neva did b4. learn 2 luv ursef n take dt sulky look dat tends to say u re aged.Upgrade ursef.Build up ur smile,ur poise,ur grace,ur xter n ur lafta. U re one great person waitin to happen.Allyz apreciate ursef n apreci8 ur maker.
    Know dat u re greatly loved.
    Cheers.

  6. joseph Avatar
    joseph

    beauty is your inner character

  7. Issey Hazel Avatar
    Issey Hazel

    Beauty…….so inspiring! Sometimes,i feel not retaliating shows weakness or being numb buh nw i knw that its d inner beauty that graces u perfectly! Thanks steph…….

  8. barbara Avatar
    barbara

    Thanks Steph…we might know all these, but a little motivational speech/talk and inspiration help us with our self esteem. God bless you Steph.

  9. Ronke Avatar
    Ronke

    I long for the day when black women will boldly embrace their natural, God-given hair, and let it all out. It might help change the ambient mind-set if some visible black women would lead the way here (*wink, wink*). Going down the history of black hair and observing the subtle way we’ve been made to feel about our natural hair being “bad” hurts. I’m really glad to see the black natural hair movement take off so well (numerous Youtube videos attest to this). It’s about time too! We are blessed to have the kind of natural hair that makes Europeans envious (yup, I’m quoting my husband here, he’s told me about how his grandmother would have loved to have hair like mine). We only need to explore the traditional way black hair should be treated and educate ourselves anew about our hair’s typical needs. So let’s embrace our true beauty, given by the Almighty. He deserves the praise.

  10. Vera Uche Avatar
    Vera Uche

    wow! i love this …Well said dear. thanks and keep it up

  11. jenny Avatar
    jenny

    Yes I am beautiful in every single way,thanks steph

  12. Toba Avatar
    Toba

    You have said it all…..Kudos to u.

  13. ummaima Avatar
    ummaima

    Lovely one Steph, pls keep it up

  14. victoria Avatar
    victoria

    Very Inspiring

  15. Nkeasi Joan Avatar
    Nkeasi Joan

    Your are making us know some things that we could never have known without you. You are wonderful

  16. dabond Avatar
    dabond

    Okay… This piece is really Beautiful and so is Stephanie.

  17. Agboola Abimbola Avatar
    Agboola Abimbola

    nice one

  18. Ada Nnanna Avatar
    Ada Nnanna

    Dis is nicely said.I hav really learnt smtin about beauty 2day.I now see beauty 4rm anoda perspective.tanx

  19. Bolj Avatar
    Bolj

    This write up can only come from someone who appreciates what God has given to her.Steph,God has blessed you with lots of Talents,this write up is one of them.Good work

  20. vera akhigbe Avatar
    vera akhigbe

    that`s my personality you just mention,God has so help me dat am beautiful both in and out.luv u steph and am a first timer in this blog so kip the g8 job.

  21. tracy Avatar
    tracy

    Beautiful and well said steph,keep it up.

  22. Jenny baby Avatar

    Love this piece of writing and there is every truth in everytin u wrote…Beauty for me is appreciatin wat God has given u and being confident in urself,also protraying a gud character so for if u r beautiful inside u r beautiful outside.

  23. Chicwtprettyface Avatar
    Chicwtprettyface

    Beauty to me is appreciating who I am even if no one sees it, v grown to appreciate it that no one can love me more than myself and probably my parents esp my mother, learning to take care of myself has boosted me n so many ways as always not beautiful, but v noticed that when u r well put together as a woman, d aura that flows around is impeccable, God has created us to be beautiful, spend a little more money and create some space to pray to God and u’ll be amazed @ d compliments that u’ll get!l

  24. Cathy Avatar

    i concur with these very words. #blessyourheart

  25. tolu Avatar
    tolu

    Steph, I quite agree wt u, most of us av allowed people determine aw beautiful we r. True beauty is dat peace u experience inside u inspire of d chaos around u. This is really inspiring nd I think its time I begin to tem, myself I AM BEAUTIFUL WITHIN AND WITHOUT NO MATTER THE SITUATION AROUND ME. *big hugs steph*

  26. Anne Obi Avatar
    Anne Obi

    Feels so good reading this article and much better after reading it! Ɲ wonder it ΐƨ said that Patience ΐƨ a̶̲̥̅̊ virture, for without it that inner beauty won’t be appreciated! Beautiful piece from a̶̲̥̅̊ beautiful damsel. Weldone Steph.

  27. Nguseer Avatar
    Nguseer

    Thanks steph this is something all girls need to read, its so inspiring and motivating

  28. zainab Avatar
    zainab

    this is absolutely beautiful and true Stephanie. thank u so much!

  29. Victoria Avatar
    Victoria

    Nice one Stephanie.beauty is not d physical structure of a persn it rather lies in d inside of a person.dats where d real beauty of a person is.u are on point Steph.its so inspiring.

  30. Kosoko olaitan adunni Avatar
    Kosoko olaitan adunni

    Just in time and straight to my heart.
    GOD BLESS YOU!

  31. chinenye nwaja Avatar
    chinenye nwaja

    i’m motivated by dis words, no more low self esteem. ladis nid more of dis words 2 break off 4rm dis shell of low self esteem. tnk u ma LADY.

  32. chinenye nwaja Avatar
    chinenye nwaja

    i luv dis words, no more low self esteem. ladis nid more of dis words 2 break off 4rm dis shell of low self esteem. tnk u aunty steph.

  33. obialunamma Avatar
    obialunamma

    This is simply breathtaking and well said. ⌣»̶·̵̭̌·̵̭̌✽̤̈̊Ŧђɑ̤̥̈̊п̥̥̲̣̣̣kƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇✽̤̈̊·̵̭̌·̵̭̌«̶⌣ Stephanie. Please keep it up

  34. obi ij Avatar
    obi ij

    There is only one word for this write up…WOW

  35. America;The land of the brave Avatar

    Thanks for sharing.
    Like it is always said, BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER.

  36. Okocha Anthony Avatar
    Okocha Anthony

    Beauty goes beyond what meets the eye, beyond physical apperance and style, beyond level and class. It is a status born from within, a virtue that only the worthy can comprehend. I love u Steph.

    CHECK THIS OUT GUYS
    http://payram.com/ref.php?page=act/ref&invcod=7082

  37. sylvia Avatar
    sylvia

    One thing i know for sure is that beauty is not just the outward characteristics of a person, it involves ones attitude. Thanks for sharing this. you are awesome

  38. Badejoko Avatar
    Badejoko

    A great piece from God’s masterpiece… I’ve been truly blessed by this. God bless u

  39. jennietobbie Avatar
    jennietobbie

    tears**** simply beautiful

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