From the time we learn to speak as children, our perceptions of “beauty” are deeply marked by external evaluations. The intimate compliments of our elders, “This child is so pretty”, the physical associations we make with others, “You look like whoever you are”, and the one-sided definitions of localized features, “Bigger eyes are prettier”, “Taller and more handsome”, these are all traces of external evaluations. “These words, like labels, quietly suggest to us that there is a set of standardized answers to the question of beauty.
However, the outside world has never been singular in its praise of how beauty is defined. Along with the chorus of praise, there is also an endless stream of comparisons. “Look at so-and-so, the color of her skin is so healthy, you’re so dark” or ‘If only her nose was a little bit taller,’ and so on, like invisible blades, piercing our hearts. Over time, our perception of our own appearance no longer stems from the real self-scrutiny in the mirror, nor do we know how beautiful we are, but is dominated by the feedback from the world around us, and we construct and confirm our own image through the eyes of others.
Thus, a question worth pondering surfaces: who actually “decides” whether we are beautiful or not?
Zhuang Zi once said, “The beauty of a human being is God’s”, this ancient wisdom reveals the true meaning of life – there are no two identical leaves in the world, similarly, each person’s appearance is a unique mark given by nature. Trying to measure beauty and ugliness with a uniform standard is like measuring a moving stream with a stereotypical ruler, which is both absurd and redundant, and essentially contrary to the diversity of life. Just like watercolor paintings, each one is unique and cannot be judged by a single technique or standard.
In fact, with the rapid development of medical aesthetics, it is easy to achieve an appearance that meets the public’s aesthetics. However, the impression a person leaves on others does not depend only on the combination of the facial features, but is a comprehensive reflection of the mannerisms, aura, speech and the way of interacting with others, which are shaped by a variety of factors.
The real long-lasting attraction is never based on good skin care, but on the unique charm that radiates from the inside out. We often find this phenomenon: some people are born with delicate features, but like a fleeting cloud, it is difficult to leave a deep impression in the hearts of others; some people may have an ordinary appearance, but once in the crowd, it will be able to instantly attract everyone’s attention.
Those who can stand out, often well-spoken, confident and calm, so that people can not help but be immersed in their words; they have an independent mind, when expressing their views firmly, do not go with the flow, showing a unique charisma; they are full of enthusiasm for life, talk about the love of things, the light in the eyes flashes as if they can light up the whole world. At this time, we will sincerely feel that they are “very good-looking”, but this good-looking is not directly related to the degree of delicacy of the features, but the powerful energy emanating from their bodies, like the combination of wisdom and beauty, which is fascinating.
Beauty, in fact, arises from the vibrant energy field of life. When we are fully engaged in something, the “dynamic lines” formed by the concentration of the facial muscles are far more attractive than the static appearance of the skin. Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting “Mona Lisa”, the most fascinating thing is not her perfect features, but that a touch of mysterious smile, behind the rich emotions and life tension, this dynamic beauty across five centuries, still let the world intoxicated.
When we begin to learn to appreciate our own uniqueness, and get rid of the dependence on others’ aesthetic judgment, the whole person will become relaxed and at ease. When we look in the mirror again, we find that we are extraordinarily comfortable. This comfort does not come from the fact that our features have suddenly become more refined, but because our state exudes confidence and ease. At that moment, we finally understand that our beauty is not defined by a single standard from the outside world, but by the recognition and acceptance of our own selves from the bottom of our hearts, which is the real beauty.
Being beautiful is always a gift given to oneself without being judged by others, and there is no need to cater to the so-called standards. With self-confidence and love to write their own beautiful chapter, you, is the unique scenery.
