Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ~ that is a very true statement. We all have our own idea of what beautiful is to us, and it includes what we think about ourselves. I’m not talking about vanity ~ I’m talking about genuinely seeing our own beauty. However, if we do not love who we are on the inside we will never see it.

Without a doubt beauty emanates from within ~ from the beliefs we hold about ourselves and how we allow ourselves to feel because of them. If you believe you look good, that your smile lights up the world, or that you have great hair, the person you see in the mirror will feel good, will have a beautiful smile and will have great hair. When you believe in yourself, and believe yourself, it’s easy to celebrate the image you see in the mirror. Remember, there is no one else exactly like you!

So enjoy what you look like. Never allow an image of what you think you should look like to manifest as better than the real you ~ take pleasure in what you see, and make it fun. I do! I’ve spent decades straightening my hair, and I loved it ~ it was a great look, but about a year ago I decided to let it do its own thing and stopped blow-waving it. And I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying my grey curls. Some days I literally skip down the hall to feel the bounce!

So appreciate everything that you are, including what you look like. And don’t ever forget to enjoy it ~ I for one, don’t pass a mirror without giving myself a wink and a smile.

Inara Hawley © 2013