Taking "Beautiful" to the Next Level

We all have that experience. We meet someone breathtakingly beautiful. However, as you spend more time with that person, his/her beauty dulls and fades slowly, and slowly, and slowly...

Then, there's this other person whose physical appearance we might consider "average" or "just the right combination". But as you associate with him/her, he/she glows and blooms and gets more and more attractive. It's like there's just "something" present in that person that you just caaaaan't explain.

What made the difference? What was missing from the first?

I have been associating with different people I have met from diverse places. True to reality, I have likewise experienced both scenarios. I would like to share to you 5 of the many factors I have observed that make one person radiate beauty that is not just skin deep; 5 factors that take beauty in a whole new level. :)

1.) People who are extraordinarily beautiful are interesting.

These are the kind of people who know that beauty alone will not get a person's attention. They are funny, they are smart, they are good conversationalists. Their eyes light up and dance when you talk to them because they have always something to share. They do not hesitate to show their talents (even though some of them are quite weird). They love laughter. They crave for adventure. They have a reservoir of facts, a good collection of jokes, and pocket-full of inspirational quotes (some made by them!). They are the people who are confident because they know. :) They are the ones who don't just mope around the corner but they go around and give free smiles to everyone.

2.) People who are extraordinarily beautiful are always interested.

The most beautiful people in the world are those that are good listeners (ohh, an oft forgotten art). No matter how interesting they are, that doesn't stop them from being interested; they can still have moments of awe. They know that the world does not revolve around them. Have you experienced having a conversation with someone who just sat there, listened to you intently, empathized, rejoiced, and only gave advice when you asked them? They did not speak more than 100 words but you end up saying "Gosh, she's such a great listener! I wanna talk to her again!" People who are extraordinarily beautiful know how to give honest compliments, and they master the art of building other people's confidence. It is their happiness to make people feel good.

3.) People who are extraordinarily beautiful are always an inspiration to others.

I dunno why but there's something in them that is just so inspiring. Whether it be their dedication to their calling, the optimism that they have in life, or their trust in what they believe in, their character is always worth the example. I have a teacher when I was in college who was really simple (no makeup, no bling or what) but she radiates a beauty that is just so indescribable; it is really attractive! She was always so passionate when she talks about her faith, and she is ever so optimistic in all her trials. She loves laughing despite the pain that she goes through. Her quiet resilience and strength of character made her sooooo beautiful in my eyes.

4.) People who are extraordinarily beautiful are "we" oriented persons.

Selfishness and being self-centered are the two main culprits of that "glow" that makes one more beautiful. Even if your face is front-cover worthy, if you are mean, you're still boring. Extraordinarily beautiful people are those who are selfless and who forget themselves for the sake of other people. They are those whose hands are dirty because of volunteer work, those who go out of their way to help a friend in need, those who leave the company of their close friends to befriend and accompany a lonely person. They are those who live their lives in service of other people. These people may consider their efforts trivial but to those who see them, they are great examples. They are those who understand that "we" is better than just "me". 

5.) People who are extraordinarily beautiful know from which source their beauty comes from and they strive hard to retain it.

These people know that their gauge for beauty and confidence is not based on the number of likes they get on facebook or the amount of followers they have on Instagram or Twitter. They know better that they should not measure it on trivial things. They get their "glow" from much deeper sources: their relationship with Heavenly Father, the love of their family and friends, the admiration of truest friends, the company of good books, good conversations, and development of talents. They are rooted on a sturdy foundation. They are much more beautiful than the standards of the world and they strive everyday of their life retaining the "glow" that makes physical beauty so much more attractive. :)

There are so many criteria of beauty today. The media and society has their own basis of measurement. Sometimes, the requirements are overwhelming. But if you know how to look on the inside and strive to develop from there, you will gain a beauty even models would be dying to have. :)

Because He Lives

     What great comfort it is to know that every broken heart, every sorrow, every stain of sin, failure, and the sting of death can be endured and overcome by any one because He, our Savior, lives.

     I was eight years old when I first got the gist of what the older people called "the Atonement". The mini me randomly asked my mama "Why do we go egg hunting on Easter Sunday?" She shrugged and said she does not know. However, she gave me a wise response by asking "But do you know the importance of this day to you, to me, and to everyone?"

     It has been 15 years since that Easter Sunday but the lesson which my Mama lovingly gave continues to stay with me and has comforted me during the times that I needed it the most....and by that I mean "everyday".

     How can the knowledge that Christ, the literal Son of God, walked on the earth and lived like us help us in times of trials and challenges?

     How can knowing that Christ suffered in Gethsemane and died in Calvary give hope and renewal to a soul marred with sin?

     How can the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Resurrection Sunday comfort us when we are separated by death from a loved one?

     Our loving Father in Heaven knows that living here on earth is not easy or convenient. As human beings, we are susceptible to pain, sorrow, and sin. Because He is "all knowing and all loving", He gave us His only begotten Son to be our Savior and Redeemer -- to save us from our iniquities and infirmities.

     When Christ lived here on earth, He had experienced hardships much alike ours. He was never financially rich. He was always rejected, mocked, accused. He felt the pain of losing a loved one. He knew how it is to be tempted. He understands how it is to be denied by your closest friend. His heart also broke. Allowing himself to undergo these events that comes with being human, HE KNOWS AND COMPREHENDS WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH. A Book of Mormon prophet placed it this way:

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

...when you feel that your heart is overwhelmed with the pains of the world and it seems like comfort cannot be found anywhere, turn to Him. He understands because He lives.

     As human beings, our flesh can sometimes be weak which results to us breaking God's commandments. Oh, the guilt that comes with sin; the agony that comes with regret! The heartbreaking moments that you could shout and say "If only I could turn back time!" When we feel that we are like a hopeless case, we are reminded that Someone loved us so much that he drank the "bitter cup" to save us from our sins. It was never easy to bear the sins of the world but have you ever thought of the incomprehensible love that inspired Jesus , despite the many temptations that came to Him, to make sure He is worthy and pure to fulfill the role of a Savior? Our chances don't end when we commit sin. We can change and be clean from our sins because He lives.

     One inevitable event that comes with life here on earth is death. It may be a death of a loved one, death of a dream, death of plans so joyfully made, death of a peaceful comfortable life. Whatever death it may be, its sting, undeniably, is crippling. We tend to ask God "Why?!" When everything seems hopeless, may we always remember that since Christ overcame death, we too, can overcome the deaths in our lives. We will "rise up from the tomb". We can be reunited with those who have gone from us; we can rebuild our lives; we can start building new dreams and plans from the ashes. Despite the Maundy Thurdays and Dark Fridays of our lives, Resurrection Sunday will surely come. All of this is possible because He lives.

     What great tender mercy it is! What great wisdom and great love! Because He was sent here, He died, and was resurrected, we can endure life and be back to Father once again. Indeed, God loves us all so much.

     May we see this Sunday beyond the Easter Eggs and family vacations. May we always remember that everything is possible because HE LIVES.