Did you see the news coverage last week about Dove's "study" on beauty? They gave women patches to wear on their skin and explained that they contained ingredients that would promote beauty and help them feel more beautiful. In a true example of the placebo effect or a 'self-fulfilling prophecy' all the women reported feeling more beautiful while wearing the patch. The participants cited examples where others were suddenly complimenting them. They reported personally feeling more energetic and relaxed. After finding out that there was nothing in the patch, the realization set in for the women that each of us create our own beauty based on our thinking and perceptions.
Our culture has some pretty deliberate ways of going about getting us to feel inadequate (mostly so that we will then buy a product that will restore us somehow). This is especially true for women, but men are experiencing a pressure to look a certain way as well. We have become obsessed with what is wrong with our looks and our physicality, instead of honoring our bodies and treating them with respect and care.
Instead of spending energy this week on berating yourself or being self-critical, be deliberate about being the very best YOU that you can be. Yoga teaches us that each moment and each breath is a new start....so use your time well. Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is worthy of praise....think on these things!
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2 comments:
Sometimes it's hard to find beauty when we're all running around and crazy busy. Funny how it's easy to find beauty when I'm doing yoga. The space between my ear and shoulder, the muscle I can relax when others are tight, the ease in my back during relaxation, all beautiful.
I will focus on inner beauty!
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