In a recent Happinez magazine, I came across a captivating article about the beauty found in our imperfections. Photographer Jet van Gaal eloquently describes it with these inspiring words:
“For me, beauty is a face that bears the marks of a life well-lived; wrinkles that tell stories of laughter; the unique pigmentation and external traits that connect us to generations before us; the intricate patterns of our skin that form a mosaic of individuality, and scars that unveil the misfortunes that have shaped us. These are the substantial characteristics that render us uniquely beautiful, forming an integral part of our identity. I see our skin as a miraculous tapestry of millions of individual cells, constituting the largest organ of our body. It not only shields us from the external world but also serves as a portal to our inner world, housing our personal narratives.”
Explore her captivating photos on this site: https://jetvangaal.com/projects/blueprint/
Jet’s perspective on our external imperfections is truly inspiring. Society often deems these features as flaws, and we instinctively try to conceal them. However, in reality, these features are far from ugly. Our spots, wrinkles, and scars are what make us unique and, according to the ‘wabi-sabi principle,’ inherently beautiful—it all depends on the lens through which we view them.
Today, I took a photo of myself and noticed the emergence of wrinkles beneath my eyes. While the aging process is gradual for me due to my healthy lifestyle, I can’t entirely escape its effects; I can only slow it down.
Embracing my imperfections hasn’t always been easy, and at times, I still catch myself wanting to conceal these features. However, I am committed to breaking free from this pattern. Over the years, I’ve taken strides in self-acceptance and self-love. I love myself just the way I am. I don’t yearn for the perfect, muscular male body; I am content with who I am today. I am genuinely happy with myself.
In our appearance-focused world, it’s challenging to redefine beauty. While people may easily be captivated by appearances, true beauty lies in seeing each other through the eyes of love. By looking with our hearts, we tap into the vibrational frequency and energy signature of a person, revealing far more than mere physical characteristics.
In the past, when selecting a partner, my gaze was driven by attraction. Now, I’ve learned to see through the eyes of love and can let go of superficial judgments. While sex with an attractive person may be initially tempting, the novelty often fades after two years. External attraction, while present, has its limitations. It’s regrettable if external traits distract us from a person’s beautiful essence and a waste of time to engage in a relationship based solely on physical attraction, only to discover later that compatibility goes beyond appearances.
When looking through the eyes of love, both the outer and inner beauty of each person becomes apparent. Feeling someone’s energy at their core reveals the universal truth that, fundamentally, we are all Love.
Embrace the journey of self-love and share your unique story. How have you learned to see the beauty in your imperfections? Let’s inspire and support each other on this path of self-acceptance. Comment below with your thoughts and experiences, or connect with me to continue the conversation. Remember, your story has the power to uplift others. Let’s celebrate the beauty within!
