The Degree of Self-Acceptance



"I always thought that people told you that you're beautiful--that this was a title that was bestowed upon you...I think that it's time to take this power into our own hands and to say, "You know what? I'm beautiful. I just am. And that's my light. I'm just a beautiful woman." — Margaret Cho

It can be very awkward when someone pays us a compliment, especially if we do not recognize the particular element within us.  Women tend to be more serious in accepting kindness when it is about personal qualities or abilities, rather than physical appearances.  This certainly reflects the conflict most women have in reference to body image.

To make it less personal, let's look at birds.  The male cardinals are beautiful and almost boastful.  Blue jays are pretty and pretty noisy.  Morning Doves are simple and sleek where eagles are majestic and hawks seem to always be in a flow.  Even small brown sparrows reflect childlike play.  My point of course, is that everything that is created has its own beauty.  And beauty is displayed in a variety of ways.

People who take the time to capture a glimpse of our beauty need to be responded to with grace.  How we define the word beautiful may be entirely different to what some one else has in mind.  The degree of self- acceptance is reflected in how graciously we respond.