Embody Real BeautySHANNON IRIS

My Auntie sent a response to my last blog post that was so provocative that I felt compelled to post it here in it’s entirety.  I hope you all get as much out of it as I did.

Hi Shannon, I’ve read your blog and you’ve definitely hit a chord with your comment about striving for beauty.  I doubt that I’m alone in my quest to maintain attractiveness judging from the bombardment of beauty products, weight loss diets, fashion paraphernalia, perfumes etc….   Seems that many of us are constantly in a state of striving or alternatively in despair with regard to creating and maintaining image.  And now at age 60, striving has become an obsession.  Exhausting isn’t it?
My idea of beauty has always leaned in the direction of natural; you know the healthy, athletic, wholesome variety of beauty; shiny hair, radiant skin, white teeth, lean and buff body, glowing with vitality, effervescence, sensuality and poise; the inside/out kind of beauty.
Naturally when 10 pounds of excess blubber persists on inner thighs and abdomen, and eyes once gleaming with youthful sparkle are replaced by dull hooded eyes; despair sets in.  Despair is not skin deep and it is NOT pretty.  I don’t mind the grey hair, but spare my vitality.  You are so right; way too much precious energy is invested in striving and the end result is despair if one gives in to our cultural definitions of beauty.
Thoughts about this being shallow and vain got me to thinking about the difference between vanity and beauty.

Vanity is arrogant, self conscious and self centered.
Beauty is generous, gracious and simply “grounded“.
Vanity demands attention, Beauty attracts it.
Vanity holds secrets and shame, while Beauty recognizes mistakes as part of life’s journey, accepting her inner buffoon with forgiveness and grace.
Vanity is critical and quick to judge, Beauty remains open, releasing tension to preserve lightness of being.
Vanity’s self importance clings to past failure as though her perfection really matters,
Beauty laughs or cries and then let’s go; clearing the way for the present.

Aunt Jean