True beauty tips

This is a poem attributed to Audrey Hepburn, when asked to share her beauty tips.  

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows.

The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

Doesn't this move you?  It touches my soul.  One thing I will say is that Audrey Hepburn certainly held on to her beauty until the end of her life.   Certainly much of her beauty was due to her genes.  There is nothing we can do about our genes.  We're born with them.  Yet, our attitude can certainly contribute or detract from our beauty. 

I don't know why I want to pick out my favorite stanza of this poem, because they all speak to me so strongly.  My favorite stanza is the one that speaks of the beauty of a woman not being in the clothes she wears, or her figure or her hairstyle.  No, the beauty of a woman can only be seen from her eyes.  This is how to see into her heart, the place where love resides.

We've all been there, haven't we?  We've seen the white haired, wrinkled old woman with the smiling eyes.  The eyes that still see the wonder in the world.  The eyes that show the warmth of their soul.  And, we've all seen the botoxed, facelifted woman with the eyes that look bored and show a dearth of feeling in her soul.  It's in our power to choose.  This beauty does not depend on our genes.  We can decide how happy we want to be.  We can decide how often we want to show the world our kindness.  We can decide if we will let our light shine or if we will withhold that light and hide it under a bushel basket.

I started yet another diet (or eating plan if the word diet is a four letter word) this week.  I look in the mirror and I see the years changing my face and my body.  I walk up a hill and it's more painful than it should be.  Audrey reminds me of my beauty and the way my creator sees me.  He sees through the shell and into my heart.  This is the beauty He cares about.  My choice is to develop the beauty in my heart and then to choose to let it shine through my eyes.  Let it be known through my lips.  And share it with my hands.

Thank you, Ms. Hepburn, for theses wonderful beauty tips.  :)


Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose on Thursday 


566.  Kind words making my mouth look beautiful
567.  Seeking the good in others making my eyes lovely
568.  Sharing my food is slimming
569.  Having a confident walk, because I walk with God
570.  Beautiful hands to help myself and others
571.  Growing more beautiful as I age with grace, kindness, and generousity