Seeing Beauty vs Seeing Beautifully

Refocusing my eyes for the newest journey...into the sunset of life...I find myself thinking a lot about beauty.  Am I still beautiful?  Will the rest of my life be beautiful?  How can I express to others that I think they are beautiful?  What makes a seasoned woman beautiful? 

Just this week, I viewed a short video on Facebook which demonstrated our reluctance to accept that we are beautiful.  You may have seen it too.  A young woman asked strangers to look into her video camera, and then she said something like, "I think you're beautiful!"  Few could manage a 'thank you' with poise.  Most bent over in bashful laughter, and almost all covered their faces! 

Why do we deny that which is so obvious to others?  Oh, I know there are the usual, quick answers to that question....we have been taught that we are not perfect enough to be 'beautiful,' meaning super model beautiful.

But I think we deny it because we aren't sure we deserve it.  After all, I know the condition of my body parts; my inner feelings; my fears and insecurities; my past failures and broken dreams.  They all cause me to shrink from the perfection of beauty.

HOWEVER, I also know the successess in my past; the standing ovations of life; the courageous moments; the times my life bettered another's.  I know when a man lived only for me.  I know when my soul soared because God touched me suddenly.  I see the rows of little awards and photos of the children who have loved me. And these things make me know that I am beautiful. 

Perhaps, before leaving our homes to go out to lunch or dinner or an important occasion in the community, the church, or family....we might want to turn away from the mirrors and turn toward the little framed awards, the family photos, the love letters, the diaries of secret dreams...and walk out the door clothed in fulfilling accomplishment.  I have always mattered...I made a differnece...I am beautifully woman.