You are beautiful to me...

"You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her."

This saying stuck with me since the first time I heard it as a teenager. In many ways, it defined not just my romantic feelings, but also all my future friendships. It is a simple saying, but perhaps it is that simplicity that causes many to ignore it as they seek complicated answers in this journey of life.

The desire to be beautiful and to be loved is not a sin. Heaven knows we've tried everything possible to capture this fluttering butterfly called 'beauty'. From the poodle skirts of the 50s to the sensual hotpants of the 60s, the bell bottoms that redefined the 70s, those acid wash jeans that were so 80s or just 90s style grunge,
we've left nothing to chance. No dress was too outrageous, no colour too bold to adorn. And yet, women feel insecure. They still worry if they're a shade too dark, if they've gained a pound too many or if they look good sitting amongst their peers.

And that's sad. Because any guy who's gone past his 'raging hormones' phase and has ( eventually ) been bitten by the sensibility bug will tell you this one simple fact about his love for you : That you've become more beautiful to him because he loves you. Looks will definitely attract a guy towards you but a personality makes
you beautiful to him forever. That's the one thing no fashion designer can weave into his creations. That's the one constant right from the 50s to this day ( And yes, I'm reliably informed by anonymous sources within the archeological department that it extends all the way back to the first caveman who brought a girl home to his
cave for his mother's approval too ! )

So the next time you're worried about the blackheads, the love handles and the burgundy hair, think also of the things your 'old fashioned' parents were trying to instill in you when you were young - to be kind to others. Remember those boring words of advice ? "To care for people"... "to smile, to laugh"... "to learn to say a
simple 'Thank you'". Well, you know what ? A generation ago, they were the young teens worried about blackheads and grey hairs and bored of the very same'grown-ups speeches'. And somewhere along the line, they learned that bell bottoms and polka dotted shirts do not endear forever; a kind personality does. Of course, it's a lesson some have learned and some have chosen to ignore. That's the way it always is, isn't it ?

And today, it's our turn to make the same decision. We can choose to be beautiful physically for the better parts of our lives and remain in a few minds ( not necessarily for all the right reasons ) or we can be sweet and kind from within and stay in people's memories forever.
Remember, the brightest shade you can wear on your body that truly radiates your beauty when you walk out that door is a genuine smile.

P.S. Don't forget to check out Yahoo!Real Beauty for more...