Beauty, not in the beholder, but in the being

The universe did not put you on this earth simply to be beautiful 

You were placed here, on this planet, with these eyes, 

these lips and this brain to do so much more

Your God did not put you on this planet to be a beautiful flower 

To simply be gazed upon

Acted upon

Your God put you on this planet in this time to live, laugh, and love,

You were made for experiences so much greater than what can fit on a phone screen

Even the most beautiful woman on earth will be called ugly by someone

Because humanity is cruel

And even the most homely woman will be called beautiful 

By her lover, her child, her mother

Because humanity is kind 

We all have within us some deep beauty, 

Which comes not from our perfect lips, almond eyes, or rosy cheeks

This beauty comes from behind our eyes, 

The way only you can see the world

The way only you have lived your life, 

And told your story

Your God did not put you on this earth to become a perfect portrait

Your beauty is in your very being, 

Being here, laughing here, eating here, crying here,

Beauty among laughter with friends who don’t care about your smile lines

Beauty among the bread kneaded with your own two hands

Vegetables grown by your own sunshine

Beauty among the paths walked by your own two feet 

The rain reflecting on your windowpane in autumn 

Beauty in your lover who traces your scars

With the deft hand of a painter on their canvas

Beauty in your own eyes, 

You are here to experience so much more