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
40 Comments
math
August 27, 2012 at 9:52 amnice one
Eila
August 27, 2012 at 10:21 amhmmmm i really learnt something new about beauty. thanks n keep it up.
ellie
August 27, 2012 at 10:26 amwel,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 .
felicia odere
August 27, 2012 at 10:34 amWell 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’
ellie
August 27, 2012 at 10:37 amDis 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 …
ellie
August 27, 2012 at 10:48 amunique. 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.
joseph
August 27, 2012 at 10:59 ambeauty is your inner character
Issey Hazel
August 27, 2012 at 11:02 amBeauty…….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…….
barbara
August 27, 2012 at 11:09 amThanks Steph…we might know all these, but a little motivational speech/talk and inspiration help us with our self esteem. God bless you Steph.
Ronke
August 27, 2012 at 11:10 amI 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.
Vera Uche
August 27, 2012 at 11:20 amwow! i love this …Well said dear. thanks and keep it up
jenny
August 27, 2012 at 11:27 amYes I am beautiful in every single way,thanks steph
Toba
August 27, 2012 at 11:28 amYou have said it all…..Kudos to u.
ummaima
August 27, 2012 at 11:50 amLovely one Steph, pls keep it up
victoria
August 27, 2012 at 11:57 amVery Inspiring
Nkeasi Joan
August 27, 2012 at 12:11 pmYour are making us know some things that we could never have known without you. You are wonderful
dabond
August 27, 2012 at 12:26 pmOkay… This piece is really Beautiful and so is Stephanie.
Agboola Abimbola
August 27, 2012 at 1:05 pmnice one
Ada Nnanna
August 27, 2012 at 2:00 pmDis is nicely said.I hav really learnt smtin about beauty 2day.I now see beauty 4rm anoda perspective.tanx
Bolj
August 27, 2012 at 2:29 pmThis 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
vera akhigbe
August 27, 2012 at 2:36 pmthat`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.
tracy
August 27, 2012 at 2:37 pmBeautiful and well said steph,keep it up.
Jenny baby
August 27, 2012 at 3:06 pmLove 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.
Chicwtprettyface
August 27, 2012 at 4:17 pmBeauty 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
Cathy
August 27, 2012 at 4:58 pmi concur with these very words. #blessyourheart
tolu
August 27, 2012 at 5:00 pmSteph, 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*
Anne Obi
August 27, 2012 at 5:57 pmFeels 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.
Nguseer
August 27, 2012 at 7:13 pmThanks steph this is something all girls need to read, its so inspiring and motivating
zainab
August 27, 2012 at 7:59 pmthis is absolutely beautiful and true Stephanie. thank u so much!
Victoria
August 28, 2012 at 4:21 amNice 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.
Kosoko olaitan adunni
August 28, 2012 at 7:00 amJust in time and straight to my heart.
GOD BLESS YOU!
chinenye nwaja
August 28, 2012 at 2:58 pmi’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.
chinenye nwaja
August 28, 2012 at 3:13 pmi 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.
obialunamma
August 28, 2012 at 5:41 pmThis is simply breathtaking and well said. ⌣»̶·̵̭̌·̵̭̌✽̤̈̊Ŧђɑ̤̥̈̊п̥̥̲̣̣̣kƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇✽̤̈̊·̵̭̌·̵̭̌«̶⌣ Stephanie. Please keep it up
obi ij
August 28, 2012 at 6:07 pmThere is only one word for this write up…WOW
America;The land of the brave
August 29, 2012 at 2:36 amThanks for sharing.
Like it is always said, BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER.
Okocha Anthony
September 6, 2012 at 5:39 amBeauty 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.
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sylvia
September 7, 2012 at 1:05 pmOne 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
Badejoko
September 15, 2012 at 7:52 amA great piece from God’s masterpiece… I’ve been truly blessed by this. God bless u
jennietobbie
September 18, 2012 at 4:12 pmtears**** simply beautiful