Do you ever wonder what people think of you when they first see you? The thought of what people think when they first see me crosses my mind a lot. I can say with certainty that I spend ten or more hours every week on my beauty routine: showering, doing my hair, and applying makeup. Ten hours is probably on the lower side too, if I am being honest. I know I am not alone in this, right? We as a generation like to look good! I've heard the quote "look good, feel good" countless times and this is more than proven true in our society. Society places a huge emphasis on our outward appearance. We are taught to think that the better we look, the better we feel, the better our life is, wouldn't you say? So when I spend time on my beauty routine and I look good, I am eager to know what people think when they see me! I like to hear that people think I look good when I put a lot of effort into my appearance so I ask what people think of my outfit, makeup, hair, etc. on these days and I usually like the answers I receive, I mean who doesn't like being complimented?

I have noticed that one question that I don't often ask people (probably because I don't think I will like the answer) is what they think of me when they get to know me? Do they think I'm smart, funny, interesting, etc? Or will they find me vain, self absorbed, and unkind? I can tell you that I am guilty of coming across as unkind on a daily basis. I most certainly can be self absorbed and definitely have a little vanity in there as well. It is a struggle to live beautifully both inwardly and outwardly.

So here's the conclusion I'm coming to... If I (and others) can spend over ten plus hours a week on my outwardly beauty routine, shouldn't we take the time to beautify our insides too? Wouldn't it be amazing if not only were were good looking? If we were honest, kind, forgiving, selfless people, wouldn't this world be a whole lot better off? In Proverbs 31, the bible says that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, so why work so hard on what ultimately isn't going to last forever? If I spent even half as much time working on my inner beauty by learning to be kind to others, having a little more patience with the kids a work, saying a quick thanks to all the people who make a difference in my life, then I believe I would truly look AND feel good. So, first impressions may seem important, but lasting impressions are what truly matters.