In its real sense, beauty is the illumination of your soul.
~ John O’Donohue
We live in a culture which places a very high value on external beauty using a standard developed by those in the world of Photoshop. Blemishes are removed through technology or the right make-up. Excess fat is removed through cool sculpting or surgery.
Yet, John O’Donohue’s words, however you define soul, ring true for me. The soul, the essence of Life and Love that we are from the beginning, this is always and ever beautiful. Before we are shaped by society, before we become obsessed with the external, we are beautiful. To dare to live so as to inhabit our soul essence and to use our life energy for the illumination of true beauty, is counter-cultural. To illuminate, to shed light on this inner beauty in another, is gift.
Who sees and illuminates your soul’s beauty?
What does it feel like to be valued in this way?
Who needs you to illuminate their true beauty?