Day 122 - Beautiful People

In my life, I have had the great privilege to meet and know some AMAZING people.  And I don't mean people who are celebrities or who are rich and famous or anything like that.  I mean people who know (or at least have a pretty good idea) what it means to live and exude the presence of the Divine.  These are beautiful whose very presence and spirit are uplifting and peaceful at the same time.  While they are not all the same by any stretch of the imagination, they share similar attributes that gain them the label "beautiful."  Now, this is not to say that every person alive is not beautiful in his or her own way, but some people have realized it and show it in most amazing ways.

• Confidence - the inner assurance of one's self that is lived and manifested with a powerful walk and strength of voice.  Now, this is not to be confused with the false confidence/bravado that puts "swag" into the walk and "bass" into the voice of so many people.  Some of the most insecure people put on the best act and the most confident face, but this is only a cover.  Real confidence doesn't need to pronounce itself - it simply is because it flows from the essence of one's being.  There is no striving to attain or to be or to live... it's just easy.  This isn't to say that this person never has insecure moments, but overall, they are strong enough within to be at ease and put others at ease.
• Strength - the power to be and work through most any situation in a healthy way.  Being beautiful in a world of advertising that preys on people's insecurities to get them to buy beauty products and aids that we don't really need is a tough thing to do.  This isn't to vilify make-up or nice clothes or the newest weight loss drug or anything like that, but it does remind us that true confidence can be hard to get and maintain when we're constantly told that we need improving.  And our relationships with other people aren't always the most helpful in this aspect either.  It usually takes going through some things and some years to gain enough strength to stand on our own two feet and live our beauty.  After some battles with self and others, we can find the strength to believe in our Creator and our creation.
• Divine Connection - in my experience, you don't typically exude beauty without being in touch with the Source of all beauty.  Whatever name you call God matters not - what matters is that you are aware of the Divine and attempt to live in the beauty thereof.  Not to sound spooky, but you are sensitive to changes in the atmosphere, to the feelings of others, and to what is seen and not seen. You most likely maintain some sense of connection by prayer or meditation or other spiritual discipline/practice.
• Wisdom - an intelligence that comes from experience (both your own and that of others).  As I talked about, strength has to be gained to find/maintain one's beauty, and in gaining strength, you tend to gain the wisdom of your experiences.  Now, anyone can go through something, but it takes focus and introspection to find the lesson(s) in what we go through.  With that, wisdom is gained so that you can know and do better in your own life and so that you can teach others to do better.
• Compassion/Heart for Others - the willingness to share with and care for others.  Without a heart to help other people, you can be confident and strong and wise but never do any good.  I find it hard to believe that you can be authentically connected in relationship with the Divine and not have compassion for the pain and needs of others.  Most, if not all of what happens to us in life is a tool for our strengthening and a tool for instructing/encouraging others.  I've often been amazed at the things that I've had to deal with that have ended up helping other people.  But my experience can't help others if I'm not willing to share and pass on what I've learned.  

Think about the people you've met who you just felt that there was just something different about them (in a good way).  They may have been a beautiful person whose footsteps are grace, whose words are peace, and whose actions are love.  And know that you too can be beautiful no matter what your family, your "friends," your enemies, or popular media says.  Become more acquainted with yourself through introspection, and be open to who you are and can be.  While beauty isn't easy to gain, it's a worthwhile pursuit.
BE BEAUTIFUL...