Pretty v. Beautiful

In this image-obsessed society in which we live, many people are overly concerned with their looks. Looks which, to be perfectly honest, are more a matter of genetic luck, than a means to judge a person. When I encounter someone whom societal norms would consider “pretty,” I think that this fortunate individual was given a set of genes that would make life a bit easier, but I don’t wish I could be more like that person. That person’s facial structure may allegedly make him or her more attractive, but it can’t make them beautiful. I don’t overly concern myself with my own appearance (yes, I know...thanks Captain Obvious), and I don’t judge you by your looks either.
Yes, a person can be pretty and beautiful, but a person can also be pretty and not beautiful. The old saying claims that “beauty is skin deep” but I beg to differ...for me, pretty is skin deep, while true beauty is so much more. True beauty is not contained in one’s skin; but rather in one’s thoughts, one’s actions, one’s heart. Our appearance-obsessed world has put pretty people on a pedestal, while often ignoring the beautiful. A person’s looks can make the pretty person’s life easier, while the deep beauty of another can go unnoticed.

How you treat others, whether more or less fortunate than yourself, is a measure of one’s beauty. In my mind, I suppose the single most important aspect of being beautiful is respect. Respect for other people, animals, plants, property, our planet, etc. (And don’t forget to respect yourself, as long as you are in a respecting mood!) I certainly am not omniscient enough to tell you all how to respect one another, each individual will display that respect in a different way than anybody else. But deep down, the beautiful people reading this know what to respect and how to respect. Not only do they know this, but they do it. This is what makes these individuals truly beautiful. Knowing, but not acting respectfully, is a sure sign that you may be pretty, but you are not beautiful. I’ll take beautiful over pretty every time.
Me? I’d much prefer to enjoy a cup of coffee or a pint of beer and some conversation with my beautiful friends, rather than to look at someone who is pretty, but not beautiful.
Stay beautiful, friends

Mick

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