“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” Sophia Loren
I came across this phrase while listening to an audio book and it struck me. I repeated the statement to myself and it felt profound. It spoke to me with curiosity, possibility, hope and opportunity.
I thought about what I could do to reclaim my beauty at a time when I am far beyond my youth.
Reading this quote by Sophia Loren, one of the most beautiful women in the world, I realize that no matter how beautiful you are on the outside you may not see yourself as beautiful unless you can truly feel it from the inside. If someone of her beauty and stature proclaims it, then I know it to be true and it's a testament to lived experience.
As one who knows first hand about personal struggles with body image, self-esteem and confidence, it has been a lifetime for me for which most of the time I am pretty hard on myself and still struggle with all the things.
Looking back though it’s clear that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about whether you are thin enough, young enough or pretty enough, it only matters what you feel inside when you look in the mirror.
Unfortunately it takes real life experience over time to come to this conclusion and it requires daily affirmation to truly believe it.
So how will I reclaim my beauty? I’ll place this statement along with Sophia Loren’s quote in plain view as a daily reminder to look inward.
If I am having trouble feeling my beauty some days when I look in the mirror, it's O.K. I can turn to the beauty of my art, experience the beauty of simple pleasures such as things found in nature and quiet meditation.
I can move forward with acts of kindness, compassion and generosity.
I can look to dear friends and family, notice beauty in others and let theirs be the reflection I'd like to see in those moments when I lack the clarity to see my own.
I can look around to see, feel and touch beauty that is present in the current moment, pinch myself and be grateful for it.
And, if all else fails, I can always smooch my pooch who doesn’t care about anything, except that I am here with her. She thinks I'm beautiful no matter what!
Giving yourself grace, a bit of self-care, living a healthy lifestyle as best you can, indulging in some beautiful new jewelry or gifting a sweet sentiment to someone else can also go a long way in you reclaiming your beauty!
With timeless jewelry that’s always in fashion -
Warm regards,
Suzanne