Let your 2012 beauty regimen include...

It has been said that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder…

There I was minding my business recently when I was touched by the smile of a little girl. She looked at me and declared cheerfully, “There comes my fatty, fatty!” while clapping her hands. Like a parrot, her younger brother echoed in the sweetest voice, “fatty, fatty”. He was jumping up and down. To my horror the cuties were referring to me!

I chose not to be offended nor did I lambast the mother of these angels. Instead, I smiled at the embarrassed mum and went about my business.

But when I went back home, I undressed before the mirror. Staring back at me was a person I did not recognise. How did that love handle grow so big? And when did my tummy become so flabby, and, were those hundreds of dimples on my thighs cellulite or did I just have happy thighs? I began to consider a weight loss programme for 2012!

In this era where image plays a huge role in our public lives, it is tempting to put in a lot of effort taking care of outward appearance using artificial hair, nails, eye lashes and derriere, etc. What about the inner you?

I have discovered that inner beauty is more precious than rubies. Outer beauty fades, but a kind spirit is not ravaged by time. That is why a wrinkly grandmother can appear more radiant than an 18-year-old beauty queen.

How to achieve inner beauty

Real beauty comes from inside and radiates through eyes, smile and skin. Paying attention to your appearance, while neglecting your inner-self is like painting a cracked wall. The cracks will show. So before we cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise our skin, let us first take care of the inside. And to make progress in 2012, here is some baggage we must throw out! 

Unforgiveness: Forgive those who have hurt you just as you seek mercy from God. If you hold onto past hurts, you will have no room for the new stuff awaiting  you.

Bitterness: Some people are so bitter that even when they smile, they have a pained expression like they’re chewing on a lemon. So you were treated badly, so what? Not everyone is obliged to like you. Bitterness can make you ill. Not even a make-over can disguise a bitter spirit. It comes out in your speech. You can become like a leper amongst your family, friends and colleagues. And a bitter person attracts bitter people.

Love:  Fall in love with yourself. How can you love others when you do not like yourself? Some people quarrel whenever they look at themselves They just point out everything they think is wrong with them. Comparing yourself to other people will always leave you feeling inferior because there is always someone prettier than you. So rather than grumble, give thanks for what you have. Say to your reflection: “You are fearfully and beautifully made. I love you.”

Anger:  There is a lizard that is always angry to the extent that should it miss its target during an attack, it breaks into two. It is easy to get angry, but staying angry is self-destructive. When we are angry, we often say the wrong things. Do not allow the sun to go down while you’re still angry. Besides, while you are seething with anger, the person who upset you is sleeping soundly.

Worry: Some people worry just about anything. Can worry add a single day to your life? No, but too much anxiety can cut your life short. So break the habit of worrying because it does not change tomorrow but rids today of its joy.

Gossip: Bad mouthing other people can become a habit if it is not checked. Gossips are usually insecure people, who find pleasure in hurting others. So learn to say something nice about everyone. If this is difficult, then say nothing.

Complaining: Usually grumbling comes from a negative attitude. Quit grumbling or risk staying in the same circumstances until you’ve learnt how to give thanks.

Image: For many of us the New Year is an opportunity to make a fresh start. That is why we make resolutions. By the end of January, however, most of these have gone with the wind. By the December 31, we are wondering why not even one of our resolutions came to pass. We often make decisions in the heat of the moment without first considering why we want to change certain areas of our lives.

In terms of beauty, think about what your image conveys. This will help you to be mindful when charting the changes you want to make. The guiding question, therefore, ought to be, “What image do I want to portray and why?”
If nothing else, let your resolution for 2012 be a quest for true and lasting beauty - inner beauty.