Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Mirror Mirror


I have learnt that everything is beautiful, but being beautiful isn't everything.
 Sometimes beauty is an outward display of captivating good looks, but most of the time, it's an inward reflection of a beautiful, benevolent heart, a caring soul and an engaging mind. Beauty isn't measured by the digits on a scale, by the tiara in a beauty pageant or by the shade on a box of hair dye. Beauty doesn't fall within the rigid realms and narrow expectations that society conceptualizes it to be. It lies within you. Within your ability to rise above very obstacle, your belief in a greater good and contribution thereof, and in your capacity to offer compassion without expectancy, and kindness without gratitude. It is found in the flashlight of strength that you're able to shine through life's darkest moments, your courage to face the dawn of every new day, your innate glow, set alight by your unfading optimism and charismatic spirit. It lies in your confidence to be yourself, and not a mirror image of what you see in a magazine. In your willingness to learn from your mistakes. In your patience to accept criticism; and to use it constructively, not destructively. Gazing into a mirror will only show what you want to see; it's your choice to either let that be the best that's within you or the superficial constraints that society places upon you.

Written by Me


*Picture found via Tumblr. Please do not republish.

45 comments:

Helena Resende said...

"Beautiful" post :)

The Dragonfruit said...

Wow...very well thought out and written!
Thank you for sharing this with us, you bring excellent points and reminders. We hear it all the time, but its time we actually show our beauty on the inside!

Trendy Teal

his_girl_friday said...

I dig this post! Preach it!

joy said...

This post is beautifully said, it's good to remember that beauty comes from the inside :)

Antee Gurung said...

Love the pic n the slogan in it....thnx for sharing..
Btw be sure to check out my newest as well
Xoxo

Rahul Bhatia said...

Such amazing words , so beautifully penned:) I have been regularly reading your blog but with this one post alone, I am now a follower of your lovely, sweet blog, Sam

Jan said...

I love this! Preach sistah! ;)

xo,
janmloves.blogspot.com

Janine / Being Brazen said...

lovely post

A Daft Scots Lass said...

inspirational...

Cinnamon and White Chocolate said...

This is so nice! I agree with every word! Unfortunately there are standards of beauty being imposed on women by the media... those standards are unreal becouse of the use of photoshop (and not only photoshop); that exposure to images of thin, young, air-brushed female bodies is linked to depression, loss of self-esteem and the development of unhealthy eating habits in women and girls...
Thank you for writing that; I think we should all start from ourselves and try to make a difference... :)

Denise said...

Without any doubt, this is the most beautiful and brilliant post I have ever read! No joke, noooooo joke! It's amazing! It's what I've been learning after uou-know-what-happened. I've been taken - not by choice, but it would happen - on a journey within myself and discovered many many things, what you wrote above; we are all "taught" to follow standards, but what about our standards? And principles? Yes, I have normal weight, but somehow I check it every morning, to fit standards that are not realistic... is it right? No. Well, at least not for me. But to break habits is more difficult than what we think.
I check my weight every morning for 18 years. I am glad with what I see in the mirror, but even if not, I should be glad because we have principles and health.
Wow, Sam, thanks for this amazing post. I'm preparing one for the next week, and will quote some (just some) of the sentences here, OK? They are too brilliant for me not to mention them! And you! I'll tell you later what it'll be about... and why! :)

Sharna-Marie said...

This is lovely - I hope you don't mind if I share it with others?

Daniella said...

Sam i can't tell you how incredible i think this post is,i am lost for words!! This post has really touched me,your words are so true and so meaningful,positive and uplifting. Thank you for posting this my dear,your words keep me so strong :)

Take care sweetie,Daniella xox

Michelle Lee said...

lovely

Sharna-Marie said...

Ah, thank you for that lovely comment on my blog, hun - that's great coming from such a fab blogger like yourself! :0)

I'll be sure to do as you mentioned re this post. x

Nuar said...

Dear Sam,
after reading this piece, these heart-to-heart words, I'm proud of you, and happier than ever to have come to your blog, and through it to such a wonderful person! You're absolutely right about the true meaning of beauty!
Have an amazing day, sweetie!
XOXO,
María José
http://nuarbarcat.blogspot.com.ar/

A Very Sweet Blog said...

What a beautiful message Sam! So many people need to hear and understand that. Excellent post girl.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

tres chic chica said...

Beautiful words Sam, thanks for sharing!

http://nyorkeratheart.blogspot.com

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings said...

This is great Sam. And this is the type of stuff that we need to tell to the younger generation too.

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings

Stephanie said...

I absolutely love this photo!

http://fashionroll.net

Oh my Dior! said...

really beautiful dress!!

http://www.ohmydior.org/

Anonymous said...

Love that you're posting on this topic...outer beauty IS just a socially constructed idea...look at art through history and you can see how much ideals of beauty have fluctuated over time. 500 years ago, the models of today would have been considered hideous and undesirable...It's important to spend your time and energy crafting inner and lasting beauty rather than expending yourself on your physical beauty. We only get one life--what are we going to be remembered for? Might be cliched, but I'd rather spend my hours making a difference somewhere than worrying about the ways that I fail to meet today's standard of physical perfection.

<3 Cambria
jupefashion.blogspot.com

Oh to Be a Muse said...

Well said. I agree with pretty much everything that you wrote here. Simply, beauty is more than skin deep. :)

Sandra Leiva said...

That's great! <3

Elisabeth said...

Wonderfully beautiful words! No wonder you're a blogger. You've got a true talent for writing. Thank you for sharing this text with us.
And the dress in the photo is stunning! What perfect details, as in all of us as well.

xxx
E from Helsinki
http://dragonflyelisabeth.blogspot.com/

hope in high heels said...

Too true. Beauty really is more about what's on the inside than the outside - I think personality is a large part of how beauty manifests physically. The most beautiful people are those whose happiness, calm nature and self assurance shines through.

Plus, society's definition of beauty is based on completely unrealistic images (thank you photoshop) so using that as a comparison is setting yourself up for a life of permanent disappointment.

I wish I'd learned all of this when I was a teenager... thanks for sharing your wonderfully written and thoughtful musings x

Sara SHOEmaker said...

wow you wrote that?? that was very good and such an amazing message. It's good to be reminded of what's truly important when it's so easy to get lost in the hype of it all. I did a thesis once in college on this same type of topic. I showed how what everyone sees on the magazine covers is usually fake or photo-shopped, giving everyone an impossible standard to try to meet. Beauty is so superficial these days- everyone needs to remember what Real beauty is!

The House of Shoes

Unknown said...

You are such a good writer dear! I can recognize the things you said and it's true! Beauty is on the inside and in every little thing you see in nature for example.

Elle Sees said...

Im still learning to love myself

Anobano's Blog said...

Fabulous post! Love your blog a lot!
Im following you, so please follow me back:)
Don't forget to visit my blog: WWW.ANOBANOOO.BLOGSPOT.COM
Kisses,
Anobanooo:***

Alexandra said...

It can be so tricky not only being a girl, but also being a style blogger to keep a normal perspective on self-esteem and what being beautiful means. I am so loving this post and your words love!

Alexandra xo

http://tovogueorbust.com/

VintageDanielle said...

You write the truth. Love the care and attention you put into your posts.

Test said...

This is such and inspiring blog... we have to love ourselves no matter what!

Audrey Allure said...

I agree with you, great post!

little luxury list said...

Beautiful post Sam. We should all strive to be beautiful inside!

Unknown said...

Very beautiful and inspiring and powerful post. LOVE IT and I always tell my followers in order to feel beautiful it needs to come from inside out.


<3 Marina
Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle

Paris said...

beautiful! I completely agree :)

xoxo,
Paris

glitteratiandglamour.blogspot.com

Jelena Zivanovic said...

Marvelously written my dearest Sam, I agree with each line, each word! Beauty is indeed inside of us, outer one is only reflection of our inner world. That's why u're so beautiful!:)
kisses & hugs

Jelena
glamfabchameleon.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you Sam :)
I've learnt that it's so important to be patient, and to try and accept certain things and then to move on and make the most of it.
xxx

Fashion-Bridge said...

Very well written dear! You writing style is truly fascinating and welcoming to keep on reading;)
I absolutely agree with you: beauty comes from within! No social templates of what is beautiful will ever ever make you beautiful!

Xx

Alexandra

www.fashion-bridge.blogspot.com

CJ said...

Lovely! Pinned!

sophiaalbanna said...

thank you!!! shes my fav model too!

sophiaalbanna said...

thank you! i had a great photographer and model! I don't even know this blogger but I am flattered that my dress inspired him!

sophiaalbanna said...

thank you! I can't take credit for the photo or the model, but the dress was my work. It still inspires me :)

Skinny Moonstick said...

I read it, and I want to give you a big hug! If only everybody in this world would have such beautiful approach to beauty, this world would be a beautiful place to live in!
Good luck!

skinnymoonstick.blogspot.com