What is Beauty?

What exactly is beauty? 

This is something I struggle with.  There are days where I feel really good about myself and other days where I constantly criticize myself to the point of tears.  Being a dancer, you constantly have to look at yourself in the mirror in only leotard and tights.  If that doesn't make someone self conscious, I don't know what does.  I think of myself as someone who is in shape, but I still struggle with the fact of being happy with my body the way it is. 

This has been my life.  I will probably always struggle with this.

Lately, I have been so caught up working and such that I haven't had time for a dance class, which keeps me in shape!  I feel that I've been getting a little "fluffy".  I love to eat too, so that doesn't help my cause.  Sad as it is, I use food as a coping mechanism!  I live to eat, rather than eat to live. 

I miss dance.  No only because it kept me in shape, but because it is my passion.  MY way of expression that nothing else can compare too.  I want to be an 80 year old Grandma and STILL be dancing. 

I just want to get to the point where I can accept, love and embrace the body that I was given.  I know it seems crazy, but I never considered myself beautiful, even though people tell me that I am. 

SO...what does REAL beauty look like? 

 I think beauty comes from within.  It comes from the person who has the confidence to love and accept themselves and embrace every single imperfection.  I strive to be that person.  I went through some trying times in my teenage years and I don't want to see any girl have to go through what I did.  So girls, ladies...LOVE YOURSELVES!  Life is too short...eat that muffin if you want it!  Beauty isn't something that can be measured by the media or anyone else.  Who you CHOOSE to become is how you can become beautiful. 

This is my trial in life...but I will continue to work on it!

Watch the video from below:

No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted.