The holidays brought to my attention the value of beauty that society places upon us, and on women especially. So many advertisements feature extraordinarily beautiful women next to exceptionally handsome men. If I have to see this Dolce & Gabbana commercial one more time…well, I may jump off a cliff.
I’m not seriously going to attempt suicide, but some of these marketing strategies make many of us feel insecure, inferior, and basically…ugly. I try to understand the reason behind this societal push for women to be 5’10”, size 2, super models or men to resemble Adonis. I think it comes down to the fact that people want to look at beautiful people.
Not everyone has a super model body, and not everyone should. Accepting the bodies we have, and living healthy lifestyles, is more important than looking like Heidi Klum. The inclusivity, anti-body shaming, movement has picked up a lot of steam over the past few years. I think it’s wonderful that we have plus-sized models willing to pose in swimwear and lingerie. They show the world that they love the skin they’re in (thank you, Oil of Olay, for that catchy phrase), and they empower others to accept themselves for who they are, not who society says they should be.
All of these thoughts beg the question, what does beauty actually mean?
I dug out the dictionary and read the definition.
beau·ty
/ˈbyo͞odē/
noun
1. a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.
“I was struck by her beauty”
2. a beautiful woman.
“she was considered a great beauty in her youth”
Truthfully, everyone’s definition of beauty is different. What I find beautiful, you may find to be less so. I remember hearing the expression, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” as a child, and thinking how odd this phrase was. It had negative connotations for me because I applied it to my physical appearance.
While one person might find me beautiful on the outside, another may not. For an insecure teenager the phrase is even more troublesome, especially for girls. When society is constantly pushing a narrative that your body size and attractiveness directly correlate to your value as a person, you can imagine the psychological trauma that is inflicted and the mixed messages that are received.
For me personally, I look beyond someone’s physical appearance. When I’m photographing people, I try to capture the spark in their eyes, their unique smiles, and how the light shines on their faces. My favorite part of taking pictures of friends and loved ones is noticing the laugh lines, crows feet and smile creases. To me these are signs of a life that has been lived and experiences that have been gained.
There is beauty in everything if you look closely. When I’m taking walks with the dog I always bring my camera. The excitement of seeing the trees, sun, or clouds against a bright blue sky, and the way it all comes together like a brilliant painting, fills me with emotions that I find difficult to describe. Friends have commented on my obsession with color and light and nature scenes. They don’t understand that the way trees frame a walking trail, or the way sunlight hits leaves so brilliantly, sends my mood soaring as high as the birds in the sky.
My definition of beauty is to notice, to create, and to cultivate the exquisiteness and loveliness that surrounds me. Not only am I drawn to the beauty in nature, but I seek out beautiful souls, people who bring a smile to the faces of others. I look for their beautiful qualities; how they behave, choices they make and how they interact with others.
Sometimes it isn’t easy to see the beauty in our lives. In addition to keeping a gratitude journal, I also keep a list of all the ways I invite beauty into my life. My eyes and ears are always open so that I can pay attention to and appreciate the small beauties of each day. It’s also important for me to disconnect from digital screens as much as possible so that I’m present in the physical world and intentional with the quality time I spend with those I love.
In my home I have begun to make changes to my décor so that everywhere I look my eye falls on something beautiful. Last summer I took a painting class and painted a gorgeous sunflower. For weeks that painting sat on my table until I finally hung it on the wall near my bookshelf. It’s the first thing I see when I go to my reading nook. Sometimes I pause after a few chapters just to look at what I created.
When you become conscious of the beauty in your life, your outlook changes. Instead of dwelling on the negative, you’ll find that your attitude becomes more positive and your mood is lifted. The best part is that this kind of awareness is contagious. Share it with others and watch as they become more positive and aware of the beauty in their lives.
Beauty is everywhere. Invite it into your life. Notice it. Create it. Cultivate it.
Hey Dana Jane 