Beauty is an Inside Job… inside you and inside me…
Comments(13) Repeat after me: I am beautiful! I am beautiful just because I am. I am beautiful because I am a woman. I am beautiful because I am soft and warm. I am beautiful to me!
We have been raised in a culture that does not support us feeling good enough 
and beautiful unless we fit some whacked out description of what is acceptable in the media.
I’ve never in my life fit the media’s perception of beauty. I happen to be big boned which disqualified me right at the start. Top that off with a life long struggle with disordered eating and the subsequent excess weight and I would have choked on those words…
Now… at 50… I am healthy, I have long since released the excess weight but have hung onto the baggy and droopy bits… I have wrinkles, and lots of grey hair… and gravity is not my friend… 
))
And yet… I can stand in front of a full length mirror wearing only my birthday suit, look myself full on and appreciate my beauty.
I don’t think beauty has much at all to do with the wrapping… it is the whole package… beauty is a delight of all the senses… It’s an honest smile, an open face, a love of life… an inside job…
Isn’t it?
What do you think?
You are so right!! Great blog Joyce. and I love your innner beauty. And this pic of you is also beautiful Joyce!! You are the best example of beauty inside & out and I am grateful to call you friend!
What a perfect reminder to us all that the intension we set today and the practice we do pays off in so many ways. Thank you for the Blessings of Being YOU. “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”, so let that beholder be me. Love and Light, Sequoia
This was beautifully written and you are definitely a beautiful lady. I am so grateful for all of your posts.
I remember my Mom saying “Pretty is, as pretty does,” which meant what we do is often looked upon much highed than our looks. She also said “Beauty is on the inside.” I wasn’t sure what that really meant until I got a little older.
Wishing you a day and week full of peace and love!
Many blessings,
Carol
Thank you for writing those great words today. I woke up on the WRONG side of the bed and your writing definitely helps me feel a bit better today.
Have a blessed day full of your favorite things,
Shirley
Joyce, your absolutely correct. Women need to feel beautiful from the inside and it does reflect outwardly. Love your blogs and your words inspire me. I have a daughter that models and she is beautiful but she goes to castings and modeling jobs and before she leaves she critizes everything her outfit her hair, her skin, and she is perfect and looks like what all women would desire, I have to tell her and remind her that her real beauty is inner. So I guess it doesnt matter how beautiful we are on the outside.. we still must feel in from within.
Thank you for writing this! You ARE beautiful…the light emanating from you in the photo is just obvious. You are right, the “entire package” is what draws people in and think of you as beautiful. I am so glad you are encouraging others to redefine the idea of beauty. I was 50 before I even realized I was beautiful…When I look in the mirror, I see an ordinary face, but when I peer into the face of someone I love, I feel GORGEOUS!
You are all beautiful women!
Thank you Joyce for reminding us of our Inner Light. That is where it all starts.
Shine on Beauties!
Our inner beauty shines through us to our outer beauty which others see. When our hearts and souls are filled with joy our beauty shines brightly. Have a shining wonder-filled day!
Joyce, I had no idea you are 50. I thought you were more like 30, so does that tell you something? You have the enthusiasm and free spirit of bee-ing young woman. I love your article, it helps me relax to know you are there with me,loving yourself as you are. Such a sister. hugs, Annie
Good Morning Beautiful Being!
Thank you soo much for your post this morning! I truly love how the universe works. Yours is the second reminder of just how beautiful we all are on the inside and to allow that beauty, light to shine so that others may see and do the same.
Joyce, weve been friends for nearly 20 years now. You have been beautiful at every stage. Do you remember me telling you how beutiful you were years ago and the shocking reaction that I recieved from you? Now….when I tell you that you smile and say thank-you. You are truly a breath of fresh air in every way. It takes me nearly an hour every morning to make myself beautiful on the outside. Id like to make an effort to take an hour a day to work on my inner beauty. Thanks for all your positive messages, its making a difference in my life.
Joyce, thank you so much for being such an inspiration to so many women! Your thoughts are helping me to love myself and feel beautiful as well, you truly are appreciated!
Nice work! I’ll have to do a cross post on this one