confidence

What Makes You Beautiful?

imageAs my girls began puberty in our fast paced (predominately vain) and materialistic society, the words pretty and beautiful became more and more common in their vocabulary.

At one point my youngest daughter pointed out all of the people who were pretty every time we watched something or went somewhere. (OOO she’s pretty. She’s pretty. Mom, do you think she is pretty? Now she is just beautiful! Seriously, I thought the phase would never end. lol)

Most of their thoughts on beauty stemmed from what they would see on television or in books and magazines. It is what they (and their friends) saw when looking at their favorite celebrities. 

One Saturday morning the girls were talking about celebrities whom they thought were beautiful. Shortly after joining in on the conversation I decided to have a talk with my friend google. I began asking the girls which famous people they thought were the prettiest and proceeded to ask my friend google what those people looked with no make-up. (This was all in effort to teach these ladies about beauty and confidence. Next appeared thousands of images. And a bit of laughing.)

The girls were astonished.  image

(It was the day they realized that celebrities are human. That they put their pants on like the rest of us do. And that even they get pimples! )

Once they saw the first picture we spent well over the next hour or two of our morning calling out names and pulling up images. They could not believe how normal these people looked without their make-up. Images without all of the lights of Hollywood. (And of course without a lot of Photoshop.)

They looked like people you would see on the street. Our neighbors. Or like people at the park or the county fair. They were simply normal every day looking people.

The only celebrity we couldn’t find without make-up amidst our search was none other than Dolly Parton. Now we all know if a photographer gets a photo of that then it will be worth a bundle. I exhausted myself searching. And if anyone knows of one please send it to me. It’s merely principle at this point.

I have always defined beauty as something that comes from within. What we see on the outside fades in time. And anyone with a great deal of money can maintain their exterior shell to appear pretty or beautiful.

Now granted, one can gain plenty of confidence with surgeries, top hair designers, the best of clothes, a good photographer and of course a little Photoshop. But that kind of confidence is temporary. You may feel better in that moment but you won’t necessarily feel better in the end. Beauty comes from within.

imageThe most beautiful people in the world to me …..are those who have confidence. Those people whose moods are not altered or disturbed by what others think of them. They are happy. They carry their head held high and walk with a little pride in their step. There is an aura around them that attracts people to them. 

Beautiful is being proud of who you are and being comfortable in your own skin. 

Beautiful is keeping your held held high. A smile on your face. And joy in your heart. 

Beautiful is so many things to so many different people. Regardless, it is who you are and how you carry yourself that makes you beautiful. Beauty has nothing to do with what you look like on the outside.

Be confident. Be beautiful. And be you.

Beauty….. it truly is just another word for confidence.

Fear of Loneliness Forces Dating


Most people find it hard to be alone. They are insecure, and have a fear of facing themselves. Some are so insecure, that they begin a relationship before the last one is finished. Or perhaps they have finished it, moved out etc., but within days, weeks, or even a few short months they are already in a new relationship. This is very unhealthy, obviously.

Often they are fooled thinking they have found the love of their life. They see nothing but goodness in this person. This is their soul mate! My oh my, how their fear blinds them. This person has so much to offer them, they think, and they take no time to see what they have to offer themselves, without becoming codependent in a brand new relationship.

Some rush to commit because they found someone who doesn’t have the shortcomings of their last partner. They think they are in love with someone they haven’t seen in 15 years because everything seems to be so perfect. They remember being 10 or 12 together so this now makes them soul mates. It can be quite deceiving! What they fail to realize, is that the new relationship is now doomed. It may take years, but it will likely fail.

The problem is that people whom fall into this category, have done little to no time evaluating themselves or their life. They have subconsciously pinned everything their last mate wasn’t, on this new person. They have avoided confronting themselves. They most likely avoided recognizing where they were responsible in the failing of the last relationship they were in. Yes, these people who rush into things, they are insecure.

It is important that you are secure with who you are before entering any new relationship. If you aren’t, you will end up right back where you were, single. There are lessons in everything, and they are repeated until learned. Especially in relationships.

Looking deep inside ourselves before taking steps with another person, is the only chance at succeeding the next time.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerer with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.