Beauty’s Only Skin Deep, but….

By November 9, 2012Uncategorized


As I quickly scanned through my recent copy of the Smithsonian magazine, I was intrigued by an X-ray photograph of a woman’s foot with metal pins. As it turns out, she, and countless other women are now having the ends of their toes amputated so they can fit their feet into smaller stiletto heels—all for the look of beauty. A similar article in TIME magazine spoke of American’s new love affair with Botox, all for the love of looking young and beautiful. In the same issue of Smithsonian was an article about Abraham Lincoln. Abe may have been a masterful politician, but conventional wisdom suggests that he never would win an election today. Abe didn’t have the look, in fact, far from it! It’s no secret that Americans (male and female) are obsessed with youth and beauty; welcome to the age of hyper-narcissism. Sadly, a news report several weeks ago cited a study that revealed that both men and women who are considered “good looking” by others tend to earn a higher salary than these less fortunate, plain looking human beings. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but the obsession with one’s looks is nothing less than shallow. Let’s be honest here: To be beautiful or handsome physically, but ugly in character only negates one’s physical appearance. Beauty may be skin deep, but ugly goes straight to the bone.
Stress Tip for The Day:
One of my friends has a young daughter who, by all accounts, is stunning. Well aware that she might one day be caught up in the cultural obsession with one’s looks, both mother and father repeat a mantra to her several times a day: Beauty is as beauty does. It’s a mantra we should all whisper to ourselves daily. How much time do you spend on your inner beauty? If the answer is less than your outward appearance it’s time to examine your priorities. Do you harbor ugly thoughts and feelings (toward yourself or others)? Do you engage is selfless acts of altruism? It’s time to work on your inner splendor, to reveal the dynamic beauty of your soul. When all is said and done, this is the only thing that matters.
Links and Books of Note:
I would like to request that everyone watch the video in this link called  model to billboard, just to see what goes on behind the myth making of the modeling industry… (and it’s not just women I am talking about). Priceless.
Quotes of the Day:
“The most beautiful make-up of a woman is passion, but cosmetics are easier to buy.” — Yves St. Laurent
“There is no better cosmetic for beauty than true happiness.” — Maria Mitchell
Photo of the Day
If you are looking for beauty, look no further than nature. There is plenty there, including the likes of this sunflower… Enjoy!
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 12 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7e) and the newly released, A Beautiful World: The Earth Song Journals. He can be reached through his website: www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
Brian Luke Seaward

Author Brian Luke Seaward

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