I had no clue what to title this post, so I just went with “No Clue”. Don’t you just love my creative genius? *cough* Yet again, I need the sarcasm font that is yet to exist.

So, did you all have a fabulous weekend? We sure enjoyed ourselves around these parts! It’s amazing what a social life and some sunshine can do for a person.

Some of our good friends invited us over for dinner on Saturday night. I could not turn down a chance to get out and enjoy the company of some of my closest pals.

It was a full house with us girls, the husbands, and the four kiddos. In my opinion, a house full of friends is never a bad thing. Just like dinner cooked by my friend Angie is never a bad thing. She prepared a wonderful salad and pasta dinner for us.

What goes better with salad, pasta, and a Saturday night than a small glass of wine?

Nothing. That’s what I say. Well…except for maybe a small plate of dessert…

Lemon curd pie and a “magic cookie bar”. They’re magic because they’re super duper healthy! I like to play pretend like all of our little ones too. 😉

Today the good stuff continued. We went to church in the morning, with plenty of time to spare. It felt nice to go unrushed. The afternoon continued much in the same calm demeanor. I leisurely went grocery shopping without children. Then, took in some sunshine and 70 degree temps with the family.

The park!!! I have missed the park. Free and fun family entertainment? My kind of way to spend the afternoon. And the perfect way to break up the ickiness of January and February.

It felt incredible to get outside. What’s that you say? Oh. Rain tomorrow. Well at least we got out while we could!

Question of the Evening – Did you get to enjoy nice weather this weekend?

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?

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.

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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.

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Take a few moments to think how you showcase intrinsic beauty. What positive qualities describe you. Search deep. 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 my children, 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