Beauty in Friendships and in Self

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.


~Audrey Hepburn


I think what I find most attractive in people, women in particular, is not their faces alone. That, to me, would be like finding a blank movie screen attractive. It is what plays across their faces. When there is nothing behind their smile, there is no real smile to return. When they are lost in a discussion between a close friend, their attentiveness and love for the person shows in the openness of the face, and sharpness of the interested eyebrows. When they are laughing at a joke, there is vulnerability. When they are searching for understanding, the earnestness of the words and pleading of the eyes are breathtaking.


When I used to spend time with friends, I felt like I was in a category. I was the fat friend (even when I wasn't heavy). The funny friend. The nervous friend. I have noticed lately that I feel less labeled. Probably because I have stopped labeling myself. I have thrown out my label maker. I don't use it on myself nor on my friends. My heart does all the work for me now. I am mature enough to be graceful about it- no need for proclamations. I know who is a good friend for me because the friendship is clean and unconditional. We don't get along because we are at a party. We just get along. We don't get along due to a shared interest. We just are. They add to who I naturally am. I can add to who they are.


So, these are things I have thought about over this Spring. Going through life changes and being as graceful as I can about it has caused me to be more introspective. To be more perceptive. And you'll be amazed by what you see when you just shut up for a while.


Do something awesome for yourself. Go email, call, text, facebook...reach out to a friend or 2 and tell them why they make you more you. And with that should come a thanks.