The boys and I spent yesterday at a waterpark in celebration of my youngest's 12th birthday. We were there for a number of hours so I had a chance to do some serious people-watching, one of my favorite things.
We've been exposed to the Hollywood and media standards of beauty and so-called health -- rail thin, flawless skin and makeup, perfectly symmetrical and artificially perky C-cups (or larger), spray tans, liposuction-sculpted torsos, over-processed hair with lots of product holding it in unnaturally natural styles, steroid and/or implant-enhanced abs/pecs/biceps -- you get the idea.
Those "beautiful people" weren't there yesterday, thank goodness. I find them rather scary.
I did, however, see some people that were quite beautiful, but not in the way most people expect.
I saw a teenage girl with burn scars over about 30% of her body out there laughing and smiling in a two-piece swimsuit (hopefully with lots of sunscreen) and not trying to hide her scars. She walked proudly and confidently with a group of her friends. It was beautiful to see.
I saw a teenage boy with beautiful curly hair down to his shoulders, a huge smile, thin arms and legs with a large torso and a valve for a gastric tube. He ran just as fast and laughed just as much as the group of friends he was hanging out with.
I saw a lovely teenage girl in great shape with no eyebrows and a thin smattering of "chemo" hair walk by laughing and talking with her girlfriends.
I saw a young father roll by in a wheelchair as he chased after his young son to get to a ride. There were lots of smiles on the faces of all family members.
I saw a young man with the arms, legs and gait of someone who has cerebral palsy. He passed by me several times as he went from ride to ride with his friends, all the while laughing and smiling.
The point is they were out there, hanging with their friends, laughing, talking, playing, and looking great with those gorgeous smiles on their faces.
I found them all especially beautiful.
The key is that they were happy. Anyone with an honest smile is beautiful.
Thank you for voicing so beautifully what many of us believe regardless of the hype.
Nice article.
The real beautiful people, I love your description of them, Voice. In particular, your next to last sentence. A great way to start of my day, with those images bouncing around in my head. Thank you.
Voice, you spoke with a beautiful voice.
You have great vision, Voice.
Lovely, Voice.
Thank you.
Carl Jung: "A particularly beautiful woman is a source of terror. As a rule, a beautiful woman is a terrible disappointment.
Thank you.
That IS beautiful!