You Are Beautiful

By: Gus Victoria

“You are beautiful.”

These are words that are too often the hardest for someone to believe. The mirror lies speaking louder than words. Incidentally and perhaps a bit ironically words easily distort the mirror. And it is in that very mirror we place the truth of ourselves. Ever changing, never real. Not as it is. Not as we are. Only as we believe we are seen and are expected to be seen.

We compare ourselves to ideals that are unreachable because they are not ideal. The beauty in the media as projected onto young women and men is not healthy and simply untrue. Technology allows anyone to brush up what make-up and lighting could not cover up. Still too many of us strive to reach those “ideals” and when we don’t make it we label ourselves failures and see ourselves as less than beautiful. I’m too ugly. I’m too fat. I’m awkward and clumsy. I can’t do this and I can’t do that. Failure builds upon failure to create a foundation of futility and a house of despair.

“You are beautiful.”

Indeed you are. Beauty is in us all. It is the truth of existence. The marrow in the bone of the poet. It should be brilliantly shining for us all to see within ourselves and in others. It is not. It hides behind our doubts. Yes, of course, these doubts may be given to us by friends, family, or the hated media, but it is we that keep them. We are the only ones that can keep them alive and make them grow. We nurture our doubts until they become part of us and then we barely notice them. For all the harm they do to us they become invisible. How can we fight that kind of foe?

With honesty. Truth sets you free. You must realize that beauty is not given by others, but is inherent in you and recognized by others. That is quite a distinction. If they do not see the beauty within you they either don’t know you or are themselves blinded by false impressions. We must first know ourselves. Then love ourselves. And of course love others. Love is at the core. Truth there has its root and beauty is simply the expression of this harmony. Easier to assemble the words to express this idea than to actually carry it out. I know this, but it is a struggle worth fighting. Every day that you fight your doubts they shrink. Over time, they will disappear. What will be left is the same person but with a special ability; to see beyond what is labeled and what is given. You will be able to see what is. It won’t always be perfect, but it will be real.

“You are beautiful”

That shall be your mantra. It may seem a lie at first. All your other notions of beauty will try to put a lie to that phrase, but just repeat it. In time, those notions will reveal themselves as lies. When you realize your beauty you miraculously unlock it for others. A happy you will radiate and others will be forced to acknowledge. Some may be hostile, some may be resistant, but truth will protect you and love will guide you. Love thyself and love others as thyself. The world will know far more beauty this way and much less ugly hate.

“You are beautiful”

If you are not there yet keep saying it. Start believing it. Soon you’ll be living it.