Ravishing Ramblings of Beauty

“What is true beauty?

It’s a very common question; you hear it in beauty pageants, entertainment shows and all sorts of other competitions. The answer you always get goes along the lines of, “True beauty isn’t physical, it comes from within”. It’s almost tiresome to hear such similar answers over and over again but the thing is, I think those answers are repeated so often because of how true it is.”

These words were conveyed by a Grade 12 student, Ms. Natalie Malubag. This realization, while ironically incorporating a cliché quotation from the entertainment industry, perfectly defines true beauty. For me, similar to her response, true beauty is an intangible aspect of a person that includes not judging a book by its cover. Beauty, as an attracting characteristic, lies not on one’s face nor figure but, in one’s soul. But, the question is: what is in our soul that describes true beauty? What is true beauty within us?

True Beauty as an Unmasked Self

Actually, there are several answers of this question but, only pertain to three kinds. The first is all about being “true”. It is all about being “you”. It is all about following what your heart desires. True beauty, for some, is unmasking oneself and being a “true human”.

“True beauty is showing the real you. It’s not about one’s physical body but, what is inside of that body. It is showing your true self not disguised by fake personality.”

– Joanna Mae Laderas

“True beauty is what reflects your soul—you, yourself as a person and an individual. It is how you deviate and outshine yourself from others.”

– Hanani delos Reyes

“For me, true beauty is the thing that cannot be seen by our naked eyes. It is the beauty inside. True beauty can only be seen by our hearts. No words can explain what true beauty is but the essence of it is in our hearts.”

– Anne Czarina Borja

“True beauty is being true to oneself, being comfortable in their own skin and having no fear to express themselves freely. It is not the outward appearance that matters for what is really inside always finds a way to manifest externally.”

– Josefa Marie Labay

“True beauty is found from within. It shows when you do things out of pure intentions. Truly, it weighs more than of what is shown outside for it reflects who you are as a human person.”

– Miriam Flores Maaño

“Beauty is… well… it is not necessarily something that one can define so easily. When one is asked about beauty, the first thought that comes into mind, more often than any would admit, is that of physical, external beauty which is seen and easily altered by simply putting up a “mask”, by adding “layers” and hiding behind something entirely unreal to both the world and themselves. True beauty is not something that can be easily defined, not by a few mere words. Though it may sound old and somewhat cliché, I personally agree with True Beauty being from a kind, caring and a real heart. One that speaks and shows truth.

“True beauty is a heart and a soul not hidden behind a “mask” of lies and well-placed smiles. When you really look closely, there is a certain amazing beauty to those who are true to who they really are. No matter what may be that the world throws at them.”

– Hessel Joy Mallorca

Thus, true beauty is being the real us. Ironically, according to millennials, it is not conforming nor emulating to what the current trends and attractive idols look or act like. It is simply, being us. Hence, the common phrase “simplicity is beauty” suddenly makes total sense.

True Beauty as a Virtuous Self

On the other hand, there are some that defines true beauty as the purity of our hearts. It is our personal attitudes conforming to what morality teaches us to be. True beauty is being personas of moral values and virtues.

“True beauty doesn’t mean being a good-looking person on the outside but, true beauty is having a good heart on the inside.”

– Carissa Vinluan

“True beauty is not only superficial. It surpasses what we see on the outside. A person is truly beautiful if he or she has a giving heart. If he or she knows how to sympathize with people in need. If he or she knows how to care and respect. I also find intelligent people beautiful. Superficial (outside) beauty fades but a person who has compassion for others will be beautiful forever.”

-Marly Jabal

“True beauty, how cliche it may sound, is never really based on outward appearances.   It is not seen after a single glance, not comprehended after a few words and certainly not judged after a sole act. It is a thing everyone possesses but we have to work hard to show it and prove we have the right to keep it. True beauty is kindness, is justice, is righteousness, and even reverence. Humans can easily grasp beauty, but only the humane ones are deserving enough to achieve true beauty.”

-Kerk Magculang

“You could have a pretty face, a graceful figure, an even set of pearly whites and all those other attributes that society has decided as the standard of beauty, but in the end, what do those things matter when you treat other people like dirt? True beauty is achieved when you have a welcoming heart – a heart that loves fiercely and unconditionally.”

– Natalie Malubag

Accordingly, true beauty is an accurate application of the subject Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) from our elementary days. It is the pureness of our soul in relation to the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Moreover, I, as a person of a catholic country, regard true beauty as an attribute following God’s agenda. This, therefore, creates an additional significant function of beauty. Consequently, beauty is not just to attract, influence, find love nor inspire. It is our way of being true sons and daughters of God. It is our key for all of us, after our inevitable deaths, find our place in heaven.

True Beauty as an Integration of Authenticity and Morality

After analyzing the answers above, I, henceforth propose another definition of true beauty: it is the trueness and rightfulness of one’s personality. Combing the two aforementioned kinds of replies, this is an answer reflecting true beauty in its highest order of “trueness”.

Photo by Kilian M on Pexels.com

Even with a variety of answers in style and tone, true beauty, in unanimous agreement, does not concern one’s physical aesthetics. It is our internal attitude that unconsciously “manifests externally”. It is an accurate reflection of our true state of being social humans. Simply, true beauty is our personality conforming to the trajectory of authenticity and morality.