Beauty Redefined

Saw Shallow Hal the other night. Lost sleep for a long time after that -- an amazing concept for sure. Inadvertently started wondering about myself, as how would I look if one were to see just the inner beauty in me. Also, what about the people around me? Are they as good from within as they claim? Some food for thought that.

There had been plenty of instances when I felt like shouting over the rooftops to tell the world that my not-so-good-looking friends were real treasures, gems at heart.

A close friend of mine is such a darling at heart. She's a true studious, sincere, simple and sincere person. She's well educated and got a good job as a professor at a college. We make it a point to meet up once in month and spend the evening together. I run to our meeting place from my meetings, dressed up smartly in my formals, face made-up n all. She on the other hand hardly gives a thought to looking good. Not as speckle of make-up, dressed plain yet smart... We look an odd pair when we move together. But it is then that I realize that below all these upward appearances, we both understand each other well as friends and connect as nobody else can. She has been around as a friend for long, in times when I needed her most, holding my hand, listening to me crib and complain, soothing my problems out (she believes I don't have any!!!). It is these qualities in her that make her a special friend, not her appearances.

There were a few girls in my college class who were breathtakingly beautiful. I always wondered as how they could look so stunning every single moment of their life. One day, I actually spoke it out to one of the beauties. "Isn't it boring to be good-looking all the time? I mean, people take it for granted that you look good always. Compliments must be a boring thing!" As she looked at me with those raised eyebrows look, I explained, "Look, it is one of those special times when we dress up real good, festivals, b'days, etc. Family and friends come over to tell you that you look awesome. These times and the compliments and the words are treasured. With your kind of looks, it must not amount to a big deal!!!” I was expecting her to get all flared up. Instead she sighed and said, "It does occur to sometimes but then can't really help it. Can I? I make friends easily; they come across well due to my looks, not by what I am as a person..."

That was some insight!!!