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Every Woman Is Just As Beautiful.
“Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder” is an often quoted expression we hear in our conversations. Some people think beauty is subjective. Thinking allowed and no pun intended, “I believe every woman is just as beautiful.”
With hindsight, you may agree that no standard for beauty has held true for all time in all places. If you are interested in cultural anthropology, you will be able to recall that at some time in history, somewhere in the world, every shape, size and look has been a perfect. Thus, today’s definition, our definition of physical beauty is just one of the many ways external standards are used to measure us or rank us and assign us a role and identity in this world.
Indeed, many people spend their lives trying to get people to see that they do measure up. That they are important or influential and better than others. I beg to differ. If you buy into this, you are buying into a lie. And as long as you believe that lie, you will hate your life.
In a world that insists one must stick out way beyond ordinary, to matter. we are often told point blank; “Those who don’t stick out, they are ordinary and average …… And nobody notices the ordinary and average.” They believe prominence rules and only those who stands out are worthy of adulation. Those who stands out have worth. They are our idols.
Realistically, aren’t we are putting too much emphasis on external things? Say, our looks, position, wealth, connections, power and influence. You see, we keep jumping the track because we are confused about what to use to measure personal value. We fail to realize that the external things ultimately don’t matter. This “you-need-to-be ………. to-matter” has lead us to believe that worth is determined by beauty, money, position and so forth.
Thus, if we believe and accept that is true, then we are compelled to do all we can to get as much of that stuff as possible. The world would becomes a place for taking, a field of competition, a place for one-upping, conquering, overcoming and a place where only the fittest survive. Don’t you agree this kind of world perpetuates the anxiety of wondering just how fit we are and if our fit is fit enough?
And, don’t you think in this kind of world; popularity polls matters, youth matters, beauty matters; the poor, the weak, the aged, the handicapped, the not so beautiful or those less than perfect are discarded and forgotten? I believe our self-image is much like a self-portrait. It is very close to who and what what we picture ourselves to be. I believe God sees us as victors and God want us to have healthy and positive self-images. He created us in His image and He is continuously shaping us, helping us to become better and conforming us to His character. And, He sees us as His special masterpiece.
I believe every woman is just as beautiful and none of us would have to look hard to find another measurement, standard or basis for comparison. Dare to believe and accept you are not a mistake. And dare to fall in love with the ordinary again. The minor details of your life matters to God. And if we don’t happen to fit today’s definition of beautiful, that only means the definition is faulty …….. Remember, it says nothing about who we are, what our value is, or for what we are destined.
Have another beautiful weekend and God Bless.
There Is Only One Place To Begin ……
In seeking peace, there is only one place to begin …….. that in our home and heart.
Where there is love, the heart is light.
Where there is love, the day is bright.
Where there is love, there is a song.
To help when things ……..
are going wrong.
And where the home
is filled with love
You’ll always find God spoken of.
And when a family prays together
That family also stays together.
For a moment today, just be. Let go of the stress and let your mind be grateful for a break. Rediscover the natural wonders as you walk past every day …… How can there possibly be that many shades of green? If you are surrounded by buildings, then, just celebrate the creative genius of human beings. Don’t think. Don’t strain. See the hope, the alarm, the love, the grief in the faces that stream by. Close your eyes and try to smell the sunshine at the thought of flowers that will soon follow. Thank someone you would like to thank. And thank whomever you would like to thank for the chance to even be here ……..
Wishing you another great weekend in advance and just be !!!
A “Thank You” Note.
Neither the years can erase nor time can destroy the memory ……..
There is a road I call Remembrance where I pass each day. It is a pleasant and happy road.
Today it leads me to a spot where I pause and dream awhile. I love the tranquil peacefulness here. As I slowed down my thoughts, a softening feel override all the bitterness of failure and of loss in me.
Around me, I see hills, fields with flowers blooming and budding trees growing. But, it is the stillness that I find so sweet. And as I sink into my comfort zone, memories of some words and deeds that gave me strength and courage when I needed badly, made its way into the recess of my mind, once again.
Life is precious and priceless. Sacred yet so sweet. It is talking heart to heart, laughing and weeping together, sharing and giving, giving and forgiving, loving and being loved that I reckon, makes life so lovable. As I count on my blessings, indeed, I have much to be thankful and grateful for. Nothing on earth can make life more worthwhile than saying ……..
Thanks to each and every one of you ……..
You know, you have touch my life so often
and fills it with much happiness.
Every time I see the “likes” and “comments”
in my posts, I feel so indebted to your
goodwill, friendliness, kindness and that list goes on.
I appreciate the continued showering
of care and affection. This truly warms my ageing heart
and …….. Thank You once again !!!
If life is a garden, roses could make the place more sweet as it touches everywhere. So “…… I’m going to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in my garden. I’m going to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in my garden”
Till we relate again in my next post, warmest wishes for a new week and may you continue to be showered with blessings from our Lord. !!!
See you and God Bless.
In The Mood For Quotes.
I reckon many things challenge us every day. So slow down your thoughts and relax if you can. Be patient. Difficulties and challenges will only bring out our hidden strengths. Remember, events do happen now and again to you and me and we cannot hurry them ……
“Even if you stumble, you’re still moving forward.” ~ Unknown.
“Have the courage to be different. Be a God pleaser, not a people pleaser.” ~ Unknown.
“The right to doing something does not mean that doing it is right.” ~ William Safire.
“Happiness is the art of never holding in your mind the memory of any unpleasant thing that has passed.” ~ Unknown.
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ~ J. Lubbock.
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” ~ Elbert Hubbard.
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte.
“The best thing you can do is the right thing. The next best thing you can do is the wrong thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt.
“If you learn only methods, you’ll be tied to your methods. But, if you learn principles you can devise your own methods.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.
“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” ~ James D. Miles.
“While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior.” ~ Henry C. Link.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King.
“Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give.” ~ William A. Ward.
“Where you end up isn’t the most important thing. It’s the road you take to get there. The road you take is what you’ll look back on and call your life.” ~ Tim Wiley.
“Someone was hurt before you, wronged before you, hungry before you, frightened before you, beaten before you, humiliated before you, raped before you ……..yet, some survived …….. You can do anything you choose to do.” ~ Maya Angelou.
“Change your opinions, keep to your principles, change your leaves, keep intact your roots.”
~ Victor Hugo.
Wishing you a happy weekend in advance and God Bless.
In A Lighter Vein.
“Success is living up to your potential. That’s all. Wake up with a smile and go after life ………. Live it, enjoy it, taste it, smell it, feel it.” ~ Joe Knapp.
Happy Morning everyone,
One of life’s great blessings is our ability to “pause” and think.
You see, a pause to think can lead to conclusion, “This is bad” or “This is better.” Both conclusions, either to avoid a negative path or to follow a more positive one, create the potential for future success and less future suffering.
I believe we are wise enough to recognize that it takes only a few moments to weigh the potential consequences of a decision or to map out a plan that will bring increased effectiveness, efficiency or quality.
So don’t let anyone place your happiness in jeopardy by rushing you to a decision before you are ready. Pause for the sake of your own happiness. Take your time. Trust your instincts ………. You will have the answer precisely when you need it.
Have a great week ahead !!!
Be Clear ……
“Clarity of mind means clarity of passion, too. This is why a great and clear mind loves ardently and sees distinctively what it loves.” ~ Blaise Pascal.
The more we know why we are doing what we are doing, the more freedom we have to explore all kinds of ways to get there. Say, if we do not know why we are doing something, don’t you think our activities lack clarity, meaning and direction?
So the clearer our purpose, the more ways to fulfill it.
The more we can tap on our ideas, possibilities and out-of-the-box options for achieving success. Knowing our purpose, we have a criterion in our decision making and success in those endeavors coupled with the motivation to creatively circumvent the obstacles in getting there.
As I conclude this post, I wish to leave you a food for thought, “Rule your mind or it will rule you.” (Horace)
Have a meaningful day. Enjoy it and God Bless.
Caring Is A Loving Feeling.
“Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere when individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open and rules are flexible – the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.” ~ Virginia Satir.
Further to my previous post, I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for reading and leaving behind some very comforting words for me and my family. You see, caring is a loving feeling ……. And, I am humbled by your kindness, thoughts and concern.
“Thank You and have a great weekend.” !!!
What Happened Last Week.
Surfing the internet last Tuesday morning, I read about a jogger being mauled by a pit bull and was killed in less than four minutes. Then, in the evening, there was a brief news report on this incident. Like most people, I was shocked and saddened by the mishap.
By the time I finished reading the same article in the newspapers the next morning, something made me called my mother and relate this unfortunate incident to her. At that moment, I was wondering if the victim was her younger brother because they had the same surname and he was around that age as well.
She wasn’t sure and wanted to call her youngest brother if he have any information. So just before I hung up, I told her I will be calling her back to check on this. Immediately, she called her youngest brother. But, no one answered. Fortunately, she made another call and managed to speak with an auntie who reluctantly let the cat out of the bag.
Like others, the prospect of losing someone dearest to our hearts is a somber, almost untenable thought. Chocked with emotions she confirmed that this was her younger brother. My uncle and his family were already on their way to be with the victim’s family in this hour of pain and grief. After making some calls, I left everything aside and proceed to do what needs to be done immediately.
You see, all of us have lost touch with them for some forty years or so. I did not expect the jogger that was mauled by a pit bull was so closely related to us. He died at the scene after the dog bit him on the neck, face and with his right ear almost ripped off, at an age of 74 years.
More members of the family were informed of our uncle’s tragic death. Every one was taken aback and made their way back to pay their last respect gradually. By the morning of the funeral service, members of the family, including my mother, sister and brother-in-law had gathered to pay our last respect. Indeed, it was difficult and painful for us to accept his demise in an uncommon way. However, there were no alternatives except to look at the bigger picture. If I may add, his sacrifice generated much public awareness, especially on the handling of some difficult to manage species.
We may have strong imprints from the past. But, if we keep reminding ourselves of the pains of the past, most probably, we will end up fighting against each other and consequently everyone in the family will be destroyed. Do we need to punish ourselves like that? In this case, his sudden departure paved the way for his loved ones and other family members to let go the baggage they have been carrying for so long. With the Grace of God, every family member can now look forward to forging the bond that have been missing for so many years.
As I looked around those in attendance last Saturday, I saw faces that were extremely weary and sad. Some were tear strained. And it was an agonizing thing to watch one of his children crying uncontrollably. The thought that someday, I, too, will go through this ceremony was brought to my mind. I felt a painful stab into my heart. Then, I felt a lump in my throat swelling and as I tried swallowing the sad impression, I felt better when I think of Christians referring to a departed loved one as having, “gone home to be with the Lord.”
We struggle in this life with many uncertainties. We are never assured of anything except God. He is the one constant, unchangeable element in all things, the hope of all who trust in Him. God understand the anguish. What death has stolen will be replaced immeasurably by the good hand of our Lord. Our hope is not in this life but in eternity. Each sigh of grief will be replaced with the unspeakable joy of reigning, side by side, together with Christ forever ……….
Have A Dream 