Beauty is Self-Confidence

By Jasmin Urena

“Am I beautiful?” 

“Do I look pretty in this dress?” 

I often questioned my beauty only to find that I was never satisfied with any conclusion I formulated in my mind to subside my moments of low self-esteem.  I accepted this ongoing internal battle and it never seemed to end.  However, after a long time, I asked myself, “What is the actual meaning of beauty?”  There are many interpretations of beauty in this world and different people define it in a variety of ways.  After surveying a group of teens to mid young adults, I came up with these results:

Poll:  What is Beauty?

40% - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder—in other words, to each his/her own!

50% - Beauty is something that catches your attention or makes you stand out, as in personality and looks.  This is probably the most popular way of seeing beauty. 

5% - Some simply say “I”.  I was not shocked to hear such a response because that is exactly what we should all say—“I am beauty.”  

5% - A few seemed to agree with good ole Webster!

So then, what is the meaning of beauty? “I” am the meaning of beauty—simple. 

You can’t authentically appreciate the beautiful things and people around you if you can’t authentically appreciate the beauty within yourself.  We attract what we feel and when we feel down, we attract nothing but negative energy, versus being in a happy mood and constantly keeping a strong mental state of mind, standing strong and accepting ourselves for the good, the bad and the ugly.  Don’t ever feel that you are not pretty enough—enough for whom? —Enough for what?  Remember, real beauty comes from within and reflects on your outward image.  Beauty is not a physical look or style, it is a state of being.  Only you can be who you are, and do the things you do, nobody else.  God made you as precious as he intended for you to be. 

Have you ever wondered why that “uglier than you” friend of yours is still loved by everyone?  Have you ever looked at someone who everyone thinks is “so beautiful” and thought, “She’s not that pretty.  What’s the big deal?”  Confidence is the big deal, and it is not just confidence in your taste for good clothes or good lipstick.  It’s confidence in who you are.  No one is perfect, and those we may think are perfect (or closer to perfect than us) can find something wrong with themselves, too.  The photographer, Steven Meisel, has worked with some of the most “beautiful” women in the world:  supermodels, actresses, celebrities, and he’s famous for giving makeovers that have made some of your favorite celebrities.  Like who?  Did you ever think that Julia Roberts or Madonna were ugly?  Probably not.  What about supermodel, Linda Evangelista?  In other words, these beautiful women go to him, because they think he can make them look better.  Interesting.  It is evident that women everywhere could use a healthy dose of self-esteem and confidence in their natural beauty. 

It took some time for me to get comfortable in my own skin, and I can speak from experience.  I used to feel bad about being skinny, (aaaah can you believe that, lol).  I was mad for being little, but that was only because for half of my life I was teased for it.  I came to the point of accepting myself.  It didn’t matter what anyone else thought of me or how they viewed me in reference to my body weight. (You see I’m Hispanic, and women of the Caribbean fully blossom – if you know what I mean).  Anyhow, I am ok with the way I look, characteristics, my body and anything else that encompasses my state of being.  I am beautiful just how God intended me to be.

So, the next time someone asks you to define beauty, what will you answer?