Happiness takes different forms and takes on different faces depending on people’s desires. Every person has different aspirations and, consequently, everyone’s joy has different sources. As for the attitude towards our physical appearance, it can give rise to a series of feelings. If we weight a certain number of kilograms, we are happy. If we have a certain height, we are happy. If women’s bust measures a certain number of centimetres, they are happy. If their lips have a certain volume, happiness receives an extra point on the happiness score table.
But what happens if all or many of these aspects do not register too many points? Then all these become reasons for unhappiness.
I look around and try to understand what is, however, the source of these standards of physical beauty that consciously or unconsciously affect our level of happiness. As a result, I can’t help but notice who we consider as models from this point of view: stars with silicone breast implants and enlarged bottoms, influencers with lip augmentation and tattooed eyebrows, actresses who promote the wearing of wigs and extensions, singers who put more emphasis on their muscles gained with pounds of steroids than on their voice and so on. All these models have become a normal part of our society. They were presented to us with such frequency that we began to believe that this was normal. They are all so present on media and social media, obsessively posting pictures in all possible poses, that we accepted that this is the pattern of beauty in which we must fit.
And so, I note with sadness that beauty standards have become increasingly difficult to achieve. The lack of natural forms, the lack of realistic proportions, the absurd ideals achieved with great physical and financial efforts are just a few examples of unhealthy parameters embraced by our society and which lead, in most cases, to an unhappiness that is so difficult to fight. It’s hard not to lose confidence in yourself, or even fall into depression when what should have been a standard of beauty has become an impossible ideal.
I want these standards to be changed. I want them to be transformed and increasingly become more and more diluted until they reach the naturalness that once represented beauty. I want us to be able to love our bodies that do so much and so many things for us – it helps us walk from one place to another, it helps us procreate, grow, evolve, create so many beautiful things, and the list goes on.
We received this temple as a gift and it can only be beautiful, regardless of the standards we impose on it. So let us not impose meaningless standards on ourselves, standards that would turn this temple into a face of unhappiness, but on the contrary, let’s cherish it and value it as a precious treasure, taking care of it in a special way and giving it the attention it deserves so much.
‘For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.’ (Psalm 139:13-14)
Love your body exactly the way it is. Try to improve it but don’t follow the example given by all the models that only represent unhappiness. You are unique. You are precious. And your temple is wonderfully made by Him. Love it, look after it and you’ll see that it is a real blessing that can bring you happiness just the way it is.
Be blessed and always covered in the Father’s love!
Xoxo,
The Father’s Love Team