Today beauty standards for women are sky-high. Sometimes they are downright unrealistic. However with all the new physical and cosmetic enhancement surgery, women can change anything and everything about themselves. This probably sounds very appealing to most women. The new state-of-the-art "plastic" age is a blessing to some and a curse to others. With every new nip and tuck, anti-aging, liposuction, and other procedures, every woman could and should be a knock out. Right! All you need is plenty of cash and credit. What ever happened to the natural beauty we were born with?
A few years ago at an authentic Native American festival there was an amazing booth with beautiful hand woven blankets, handmade pottery and deerskin jackets. On one of these jackets there were three little stitches that were sewn in a circular pattern in three different places on the jacket. When the elderly Native American woman was asked what they were, her answer amazingly enough was "flaws." She then said: "Everything in life that is of Mother Earth that is beautiful has flaws." That is why the flaws were sewn into the jacket. Maybe it is that simple; that is the way true beauty was destined to be. We have a lot to learn from our Native American ancestors.
In January 2004, Glamour Magazine published an intriguing and somewhat frightening article. The article, written by Susan Daminus, was titled "Why Pretty Isn't Pretty Enough Anymore." Good question. There are two pages with full blown pictures of gorgeous Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Here comes the shock factor, these beautiful icons were assessed by top doctors around the country. Their faces and body were marked with pin-point suggestive improvements. For instance, Audrey Hepburn's recommendations were brow-lifts, check implants, correction to protruding ears and rhinoplasty. That's not all, turn the page and there was the amazing Marilyn Monroe dissected from head to toe. Glamour Magazine's Daminus summed up the suggestions made for Marilyn to improve her so called flaws as "horrifying." The pressure women must endure is overwhelming, whether they are an alluring actress or a wife and mother or even a stunning single female.
This really was a great article, albeit frightening, because it created awareness that no one can meet the perfect standard of beauty. For example, it brings to memory the discussion with the Native American woman on flaws and true beauty. But just as important it made many women tune into professions, such as being certified fitness, yoga, or pilates instructors, that focus on total mind-body-spirit wellness and not just superficial looks. They felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility, thinking about all the women who walk through a myriad of doors looking for perfection any where they think they can find it. This constant desire to make oneself beautiful is irrational, especially with top doctors advising physical and cosmetic augmentation on two of the most beautiful movie stars in history.
When did aesthetic beauty become so important that we as women, and the rest of the world as well, measure our self-worth by it? And, why has all of this created such a judgmental society? There are millions of women wallowing in insecurities. Some women believe they are attractive, sensitive, or brilliant, but many more do not feel good about themselves.
Each and every one women needs to appreciate and applaud their triumphs in life. More and more women have the willpower and determination to work out daily either with a personal trainer or in groups with friends. This promotes natural and more complete beauty. Daily exercise leads to a realistic and holistic approach for your overall body, not just selective elements such as your eyes, ears, arms or stomach. . For the women who have had plastic or cosmetic surgery: "If you're doing it for yourself and it makes you feel vibrant, good for you!" But if you are putting yourself at risk, in debt, or compromising your sense of self and oneness with nature in order to make some man or your peers notice you, remember true beauty was designed by our maker with flaws. Be kind to your mind, body and spirit--put yourself on the Number One list today! And remember, most of us really do not need plastic surgery, society has just made us think we do.
Most of us believe Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe were simply marvelous the way they were. They were two of Hollywood's most famous movie stars. Flaws or no flaws. Maybe they were lucky to have been spared the pressure of this judgmental nip and tuck, to die-for-beauty crazy society.
Maria Beck is a licensed fitness instructor and an author who has published multiple articles on fitness, spirituality, life changes, and other subjects revolving around centered and healthy lifestyles. If you have any questions about this article please go to bodysenseridgefield.com bodysenseridgefield.com
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