30 days of self love – intrinsic beauty

Posted: September 3, 2010 at 8:07 am

You all rock this 30 Days of Self-Love. Your reflections and comments inspire me every day. I cannot wait to share them in future 30 Days posts and see just where this goes. I’m beginning to believe this is too powerful to just disappear after September. I know from my experience, I still need strength in my daily prayer to fully appreciate and have faith in myself. I also know we can learn so much from each other. I have no plans whatsoever but what I’m feeling cannot be put out just because October 1st rolls around. I sincerely hope that as we go through this process you get to the same point too, in seeing the power of simple reflections. In sum, I love you guys and you’re awesome! 😀

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How do you define beauty? When you consider someone beautiful does the sole focus lie in her outward appearance? When you look at yourself in the mirror, can you look past that barrier of our body called the skin and see beauty? The top definition for beauty in the Miriam-Webster dictionary: the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit. Interesting. I see nothing about a small waist, a butt that looks good in skinny jeans, luscious hair, or full lips in that definition. Perhaps because beauty does not reside in those things?

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No. Beauty gives “pleasure to the senses” or “exalts the mind or spirit”. For example, I find a compassionate quality in a person more pleasurable than white teeth. Although those white teeth will show as beautiful through a tender smile caused by the compassion. In essence, the compassion still reigns as the beauty. I also view strength as beautiful. Someone finishing a race may have beautiful, strong legs but the determination to achieve and care for her body makes them beautiful. Not the muscles.

[source]

No physical manifestation of those inner qualities of beauty need to exist. We simply need to adapt this paradigm shift of defining beauty by the inside versus the outside. Intrinsic beauty fits the true definition of beauty and flatters more than a miracle bra. When we tap into our intrinsic beauty and allow it to showcase who we are, nothing will succeed at diminishing our sparkle. Intrinsic beauty shines through. See your body as a reflection of your inner qualities. There is power…and beauty…in that.

[source]

Take a few moments to think how you showcase intrinsic beauty. What positive qualities describe you. Search deep. Through the day consider these qualities. How do they showcase in your life and make you beautiful?

My answer: I know I am truly beautiful because I love deeply. That love may show up in my arms…from carrying M around, serving others, and helping my husband with some of his beloved house/car projects…but the beauty is still the love behind those actions. My beauty is also in my faith. It helps me live my life with peace and positivity. No physical reflection of that needed.

Quote to Reflect On
Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty - they merely move it from their faces into their hearts. ~Martin Buxbaum

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*For more 30 Days Inspiration visit these bloggers who shared the message and let me know if you do/did.

  • Penny Lane – New Adventures into Eating and Life
  • Shrinking Mommy of 2
  • Renee – Sweaty, Salty, Sweet
  • Lindsey Ann Live
  • Maura – The MOH Diaries
  • Arlene – Adventures in Weight Loss
  • Jess – Eat Drink Breathe Sweat
  • Julie – Adventure Is Out There
  • Janetha – Meals & Moves
  • Anne – Food Loving Polar Bear
  • Ela – Ulterior Harmony
  • Mellissa – A Fit and Spicy Life
  • Caitlin – Eat Feats
  • Leah – Running to a Healthy Life
  • Harmony – Our Small Town Life
  • Astrid – Two Feet Ten Toes
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    92 Comments to “30 days of self love – intrinsic beauty”
    1. Ela says:

      All busy today, sorry not to’ve checked in sooner – here’s my post:
      Thanks again and lots of love
      Ela

      http://ulteriorharmony.blogspot.com/2010/09/reflection-on-self-love-for-today.html

    2. Leah says:

      Thanks for these wonderful thoughts and reflections. Still thinking on this topic and after sleeping on it will post a response on my blog

    3. […] Yesterday’s post was about Intrinsic Beauty, which is clearly something that spoke volumes to me.  She asks us to define beauty…is it found in a teeny tiny waist?  Full lips?  Long blond hair?  What is beautiful? […]

    4. […] Yesterday’s post was about Intrinsic Beauty, which is clearly something that spoke volumes to me.  She asks us to define beauty…is it found in a teeny tiny waist?  Full lips?  Long blond hair?  What is beautiful? […]

    5. lu says:

      Great post, I often find myself trapped in jealousy about other (usually thinner) ppl and I keep on forgetting that’s really not what matters. Thank You so much for the beauty definition!

      I have a nice smile- because I’m happy to be God’s child and to be able to appreciate even those little everyday things, everything God provides me with. And I’m ready to share all the love I receive with other people.

    6. […] Posted on September 6, 2010 by tarynehanson Today is Day 3 of 30 Days of Self Love (yes, I will post about it everyday), and today Tina discusses true […]

    7. […] Posted on September 3, 2010 by tarynehanson Today is Day 3 of 30 Days of Self Love (yes, I will post about it everyday), and today Tina discusses true […]

    8. ” See your body as a reflection of your inner qualities” I love this comment and I truly never thought of it in this way! It’s so true though!!

    9. I know I am beautiful because I care about the concerns of others above my own. I love them and want the best for them in all circumstances and do my best to put that smile on their faces each day.

    10. […] much. Those moments of personal reflection brought me to the healthiest I have ever been. I learned what defines true beauty, how to trust my body, the things in life of real worth, how to lose the all or nothing mindset, […]

    11. I’m with you on the loving deeply, Tina! (PS: I can SEE that in you…seriously…when I see you and your family in pictures, there’s no doubt in my mind you’re beaming with love!)

      When I love, I LOVE. Sometimes I love my family (kids, husband, sisters, Mom, and even my Dad) so much it brings me to tears. When I’m focusing on the love I have for them AND my life with them, my smile shows it. My mom told me yesterday that not only am I fitter than when I left school, but it shows in my smile that I am in a much happier place than ever before. When happiness and love show in a smile, it’s the most beautiful smile.

      You can take the slimmest, fittest, most physically attractive woman (or man) and see everything but beauty. Why? Because if that person isn’t feeling the beauty, it’s not there. I don’t know about any of you, but I’ve seen my fair share of women I would normally “envy” physically and gone, “Whoa. Not so much.” Something about them says they aren’t beautiful on the inside. Now this isn’t me being superficial. This isn’t me being judgmental. I don’t judge. Sometimes people surprise you. But to me, beauty DOES come from within…not from the outside. (Sure, I still comment that I wish I her waist, but to me, I’d rather be my pudgy self than be skinny and unhappy.)

      I’m praying that was written the way I was thinking it…ha!

      • Tina says:

        It was written beautifully and makes perfect sense. I completely agree that people need to be beautiful on the inside for it to really shine through on the outside.

    12. Great Quote!! and I’m loving these 30 days of self-love-keep up the good work!

    13. […] ). When looking for yourself and your worth…look to the more defining qualities you possess. Your intrinsic beauty, what others see in you, what you give to the world, and more. Don’t let your body play the […]

    14. Deborah says:

      Tina

      Another good topic. After some thought I’ve come up with: compassion and consideration.

      http://dietschmiet.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/30-days-day-3-intrinsic-beauty/

      Deb

    15. […] topic of the self-acceptance series I started the other day from Faith, Fitness, Fun, is Intrinsic Beauty.  I was not really sure what to do for this one but then I realized that my ability to shift […]

    16. […] Today, ‘take a few moments to think how you showcase intrinsic beauty. What positive qualities describe you? Search deep. Throughout the day, consider these qualities. How do they showcase in your life and make you beautiful? (Original post.) […]

    17. Xandria says:

      I am beautiful because I care about my body and take care of it. I love deeply and don’t discriminate. I am beautiful because I am non judgmental and compassionate. I am forgiving. I am beautiful because I have passion to do and work for the things I love. I am beautiful because I want to love life.

    18. You can apply the lemon juice to your face with a cotton ball at night
      and rinse off your face in the morning. Associated with
      screaming noisy, thinking of even now exploring the reflection wanting sign in confront praying to our
      god that people scars from acne simply obviously fade out.
      Exposure to Agent Orange and TCDD has been linked to a wide range
      of health problems, including many different cancers.

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