1. Write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing.
2. Link back here (over at The Gypsy Mama)
3. Go and tell the person who linked up before you what their words meant to you. Every writer longs to feel heard.
OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes for the prompt:
Beauty…
START
I think I grew up ugly. I don't mean that in a physical way, but more of an emotional lack of love and appreciation. I never, ever saw myself as beautiful in any way. I was always lacking something. From my earliest childhood, I was too fat, my brother was too skinny. Only my sister was perfect. So, I grew up wanting, somehow to be like her and always feeling not good enough.
There is an old saying, "Beauty is only skin deep". I have learned that this is so not true. It might be how the world perceives beauty, but something on the outside can hide something completely the opposite on the inside. Something that looks sweet and good can hide a rotted center core and something that is less than perfect on the outside, can be completely amazing on the inside.
I have learned that beauty, real beauty, is something that you hold and cherish in your heart. It is the breath and the beat that goes on and on. I can find beauty all about me. The sweet face of a child who has been struggling to learn to play a piece on the piano, and finally, wonderfully, gets it just right. I find beauty in the ability of a person to love and love, even when it is not returned. I find beauty in play, beauty in helping, beauty in being part of an amazing family. I find beauty in the way my children need me, and in the way my husband looks at me. I find beauty in their acceptance of me, just as I am.
I find beauty in the way my body carried and delivered nine of the most amazing babies I have ever known. I find beauty in my hands to serve and lift another. I find beauty in my mind to learn and write and think and express the wonder all around me. I find beauty in my heart that loves without ceasing and holds without crushing and weeps and lets go.
I find beauty in the strength of testimony for my Savior, in the wonder of His grace, and the unconditional in His love. I find beauty because I know that He made me who I am. I am wonderfully made. The packaging doesn't matter so much as the very heart of me.
I find beauty in the parts of me that are trying to be more like Him.
STOP
Now it is your turn. Where do you find beauty?
I would never dare try "5-Minute" Friday because my words don't flow out like yours do! What a great post and I loved your picture. I think more of us experience feeling "less than" rather than confidence throughout our lives....but being open about it, somehow makes you so much more lovable and approachable. Have a great weekend.
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