That’s What Makes You Beau.Ti.Ful. (The One Direction to Beauty)

Have you ever met someone who lights up the world like nobody else? What was it about them? Is it about the exterior or the interior? What even is beauty in the first place? Is beauty just in the eyes of the beholder? Or is it objective? And why do some of us struggle to see ourselves as beautiful? Is there a way to become more beautiful?

Wow, enough questions for now. Let’s see if we can bring some clarity to this conversation!

No matter who you are, we’ve all encountered beauty at one time or another. Whether it be a mountain landscape, a breathtaking piece of music or art, or a human being, beauty is all around us.

And this sense of beauty is evoked within us for a reason! Beauty doesn’t exist in and of itself, but as a secondary descriptor of something else. Think of it like this – in order for someone to be beautiful, he or she has to exist in the first place. Sounds simple, but this is foundational!

When something reflects the truth of it’s being, beauty is the result. Beauty, in short, is a reflection of the truth. Beauty and truth are intrinsically tied to one another! The more the truth is reflected, the more beautiful the person, object, or experience.

Now let’s apply this to that beautiful someone that came to mind in the first sentence. You know, that someone about whom you can exclaim: being the way that you are is enough-gh-gh! And, why is it that everyone else in the room can see it . . . everyone else but you?

Hmm . . . well, have you ever gotten to know someone, perhaps even a significant other, and the more that you grew in relationship with them the more beautiful they seemed to become? That experience exemplifies how truth exudes beauty. The more they reveal the truth of who they are created to be, the more beautiful they become! And on the other side of the coin, when someone is constantly rude, demeaning, or hurtful, they can seem to become less beautiful.

So how do we explain why she don’t know she’s beautiful? Perhaps it’s because she sees all the ways she might not be fulfilling her potential to reflect truth and goodness. We know ourselves best and can be our own worst critics, which can make it difficult for us to see our own beauty.

With this understanding of beauty in mind, where do we go from here?

1. Know your immense capacity for beauty! We are all uniquely created individuals, so your beauty is unique from anyone else’s. Kick comparison out the door!
2. As cliché as it sounds, remember that beauty isn’t just skin deep. Your body is the visible vessel through which your interior is expressed. Thus, interior beauty is outwardly manifested. This means beauty isn’t limited to looks, but comes from the ways in which you outwardly express your interior – the way you treat those around you, for example.
3. Grow in beauty by growing in virtue. You are created in the image and likeness of God! Therefore, the more you live according to that reality (the more you grow in virtue), the more you will allow the truth of the Lord’s goodness to be reflected through you. Beautiful!

Next time you’re questioning your own beauty, remember that the Lord is looking at you with love exclaiming: if only you saw what I can see! Spend time in prayer with the source of all truth and ask him to remind you how beautiful He has created you to be.