The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
Today’s post is inspired by The Beauty of a Woman Blogfest. I participated in last years and had such a blast sharing, reading, and communing with all the participants that I couldn’t wait to be a part of this one!
The above is an excerpt of the Sam Levenson poem, The Beauty of a Woman, that first inspired author August McLaughlin to create a blogfest entirely dedicated to exploring the definition of beauty. Recognizing how important it is that we look beyond what’s on the surface to what really matters on the inside.
Last year, I wrote a story on body image which I found completely liberating. But this year I wanted to dedicate this post to my mom — the woman who taught me about the true meaning of beauty.
It’s not as though she ever sat me down and had a “beauty” talk or ever tried to explain to me what it meant to her. Rather, she showed me by example in her every day life.
A professional ballerina, my mom’s makeup drawer was always well stocked with all the essentials for performance days but on every other “normal” day, she hardly wore a stitch of makeup. Blessed with natural beauty, she usually just applied a bit of mascara and maybe some lipstick before dashing out of the house each morning.
She was always more concerned with her passions — her work and her family — than what makeup or clothing she wore. Mind you, she always looked fabulous. It’s not as though she let herself go or didn’t make the effort to pretty herself but she never made a fuss about it. And always focused on the more meaningful things in her life.
Loving her family. Teaching her students. Being of service. Expressing her artistry. And most importantly, staying true to herself. Which as I’ve found over the years, is one of the most beautiful features anyone can have. She had a strong sense of purpose and held true to that every day. Giving her love and light to this world in the special way that only she can.
Despite the cliché of dancers being overly obsessed with appearances, I never once heard or saw her act in such a way. I never heard one utter of self-deprecation or dissatisfaction over what she saw in the mirror.
I really appreciate this now as an adult as I recognize what an anomaly this was. Over the years, I’ve heard horror stories from friends about how their mother’s spoke to them concerning their bodies or their hair or other such superficial matters.
So to this day, I have an immense amount of gratitude toward my mother that she raised me in an environment where internal beauty was prized over the external. Where purpose, ambition, and intellect was more important that the latest fashion. And where love and acceptance of one’s self was promoted on a daily basis.
Thank you Mom. I am eternally grateful for these gifts and so many others!
Pop on over to August’s blog to check out and read the other entries for the BOAW BlogFest and a chance to win a Kindle Fire or Amazon gift card!
Also, I’d love to hear YOUR comments on what beauty means to you!
Ingrid Schaffenburg's Blog 
What a lovely tribute to your mother, Ingrid! Is that her in the picture above (with you)? It’s precious.
It is. Thanks Debra!
What a beautiful ode to your mom, Ingrid. I love your story about how she was confident each day in who she was and she put others first. I did not have a strong relationship with my mother throughout middle and high school and it was very hurtful. I’m grateful that we’re stronger now. You are a very lucky girl to have your mom so naturally beautiful inside and out! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jess! I count my lucky stars every day. Happy to hear you and your mom are closer. That’s such a blessing!
Having such a mother speaks so powerfully into the life of a child. My mother’s the same way, never fussing over her physical features and putting others first. She’s taught me a lot about internal beauty. You’re mother must be an amazing woman=)
As must yours! I think we’re extremely lucky to have the moms we do. Especially after some stories I’ve heard.
Hi Ingrid! The simple fact that your mom was willing to get her hair wet is sooooooo different from some of the moms I know. They are all: “Don’t get my hair wet!” Because, you know, they flat-iron or use chemical straighteners to make sure their hair stays bone straight. I love that your mom was willing to swim with you and give you the full experience of her embrace and the wonderful pool. Thank you for sharing!
Aw! Thanks Renée! I consider myself quite lucky 🙂
Your mom demonstrated that to be beautiful, you didn’t need all the fancy things. What a wonderful role model.
She was indeed. Thanks Kathryn!
What a lovely tribute to your loving mother, Ingrid. It’s a wonderful gift to have a mother like yours and sharing the celebration of those memories here is the perfect way to honour her beauty.
Thank you Patricia! She deserves it more than anyone I know 🙂
Very sweet. I wish my mother could see how beautiful she is, and always has been.
Actually, I wish the same for my mom. I think this post helped her see that though 🙂
Great tribute–I especially like what you said about a strong sense of purpose. I think that is so important, not only for the individual but those around them. What a lovely message, Ingrid.
Thank you Coleen!
“So to this day, I have an immense amount of gratitude toward my mother that she raised me in an environment where internal beauty was prized over the external. Where purpose, ambition, and intellect was more important that the latest fashion. And where love and acceptance of one’s self was promoted on a daily basis.”
^^I love that. I love that your mother, in a business where body type and looks are of the utmost importance, brought you up in such a gracious, enlightened manner. I can envision a required class for girls, from the time they’re in Kindergarten, right up through high school graduation, that teaches this philosophy. What a difference it could make.
Thank you for sharing your mom with us.
You’re so welcome! And I couldn’t agree more. A class like that would be invaluable! Wonder how we start that movement? 😉
Just wanted to let you know that I am enjoying your blog! So I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger award. Stop by my sight to find out the steps to accepting it, if you choose to!
http://cherylfassett.wordpress.com
Thank you so much Cheryl! I absolutely will 🙂