Being beautiful is an energetic state! So many times I see someone and they are just utterly captivating/beautiful and it's simply something about the way they carry themselves. Loved this piece Isabel
You’ve captured the essence of form vs substance and put it in such beautiful, written prose. I’ve been musing on the importance of cultivating who we are, and this is a very timely read!
Brilliant! Thanks for articulating that so beautifully. And it’s true - when someone is so amazing and beautiful inside - you don’t even think is he/she “pretty” or not ! It’s completely irrelevant !
Izzy - you’re amazing and just happen to be beautiful inside and out !! 😘
Thoughtful piece. Reminded me of the Maya Angelou quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, (or, to the point of your essay, what you looked like) but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Beautiful. I have focused so much on 'Being Love' in the past while, and I feel the struggle of being the thing. There's a good reason why people avoid the being, but it's so important to underline the rewards. Especially when you're in an age where the 'seeming' can have so much power.
Wow. Your article really hit me. I've recently moved to Brazil, which is among the countries with the highest plastic surgery rates in the world. It's also the country with the friendliest and most lively folks I've ever met. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, seeing everyone so genuine and cheerful, yet also opting for cosmetic procedures like breast implants.
As I've settled in, it's become clear that this has a lot to do with how outgoing and community-focused Brazilian culture is. They're always hanging out with others, which keeps their attention outward. Back in my home country, the Netherlands, plastic surgery is a rarity, and people are very individualistic.
Now, Brazil is a relatively young nation built by immigrants, and in the past, folks here relied heavily on their communities for survival. In a country like the Netherlands, where there's a strong safety net, people can afford to be more individualistic. So, my theory is that Brazilians might be so invested in their appearance because it used to be a matter of life and death to fit in with the community. This historical influence could still be shaping their culture today, even if they don't realize it.
Amazing. I especially loved this quote: “I never want to get so attached to aesthetic beauty that I forget about the kind of beauty that transcends age and appearance: the intrinsic effect we have on others—how they feel around us.”
It’s funny because I realized I’ve never once seen an elderly person and thought they look ugly. I’m way more likely to notice/describe their characteristics, whether they were kind or not. Aging naturally frees us from the prison of aesthetics! To just be ourselves! I liked your point about trying to maintain certain beauty standards as you age just draws attention to it as well. Thanks for sharing this piece with us!
Just the title and title description and I knew it's going to be a wonderful, resonant read :)
Definitely a refreshing, beautiful one 🌻
Being beautiful is an energetic state! So many times I see someone and they are just utterly captivating/beautiful and it's simply something about the way they carry themselves. Loved this piece Isabel
You’ve captured the essence of form vs substance and put it in such beautiful, written prose. I’ve been musing on the importance of cultivating who we are, and this is a very timely read!
Brilliant! Thanks for articulating that so beautifully. And it’s true - when someone is so amazing and beautiful inside - you don’t even think is he/she “pretty” or not ! It’s completely irrelevant !
Izzy - you’re amazing and just happen to be beautiful inside and out !! 😘
Thoughtful piece. Reminded me of the Maya Angelou quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, (or, to the point of your essay, what you looked like) but people will never forget how you made them feel."
What a brilliant and powerful read!
Looking forward to part 2.
Beautiful. I have focused so much on 'Being Love' in the past while, and I feel the struggle of being the thing. There's a good reason why people avoid the being, but it's so important to underline the rewards. Especially when you're in an age where the 'seeming' can have so much power.
Such a beautiful and inspiring essay!
Wow. Your article really hit me. I've recently moved to Brazil, which is among the countries with the highest plastic surgery rates in the world. It's also the country with the friendliest and most lively folks I've ever met. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, seeing everyone so genuine and cheerful, yet also opting for cosmetic procedures like breast implants.
As I've settled in, it's become clear that this has a lot to do with how outgoing and community-focused Brazilian culture is. They're always hanging out with others, which keeps their attention outward. Back in my home country, the Netherlands, plastic surgery is a rarity, and people are very individualistic.
Now, Brazil is a relatively young nation built by immigrants, and in the past, folks here relied heavily on their communities for survival. In a country like the Netherlands, where there's a strong safety net, people can afford to be more individualistic. So, my theory is that Brazilians might be so invested in their appearance because it used to be a matter of life and death to fit in with the community. This historical influence could still be shaping their culture today, even if they don't realize it.
Amazing. I especially loved this quote: “I never want to get so attached to aesthetic beauty that I forget about the kind of beauty that transcends age and appearance: the intrinsic effect we have on others—how they feel around us.”
It’s funny because I realized I’ve never once seen an elderly person and thought they look ugly. I’m way more likely to notice/describe their characteristics, whether they were kind or not. Aging naturally frees us from the prison of aesthetics! To just be ourselves! I liked your point about trying to maintain certain beauty standards as you age just draws attention to it as well. Thanks for sharing this piece with us!
Embodying means constantly reading your inner Self
Instead of looking like it, being it is more important. It was a well-stated piece on the perception of aesthetics. Thank you.