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No, I Do Not Want To Be Beautiful, Yes, I Would Rather Be Rich In Grace

I would rather be rich in intelligence, kindness, compassion, and radiance.

madisonv

Sep 21, 2018

University of Mississippi

663

Madison Vice

Lately, I have been struggling with what I want to be in this world. Questions like "What is your major?" or "What career do you want to have after graduation?" have become the topic of conversation everywhere. It seems as if everyone is concerned with WHAT you are, instead of WHO you are. Everyone wants to know what your end goal is, and while I am unsure of what I want to be in life, I do know what I don't want to be.

I do not want to be beautiful.

I do not want to be beautiful when there is so much more that I could be. I do not want to enclose myself in a single characteristic of how I appear physically when I could describe what truly makes ME, me.

In today's society, beauty is an objective characteristic that people strive for. Humans deeply desire to be physically attractive to others- we want to be seen as worthy and acceptable. Society's standards for beauty today, however, are not in any way, shape, or form, feasible. We long to be thin, but "thick" at the same time. We want to be tan, but not wrinkly. We apply makeup, we dye our hair, we buy the right shoes, we post the perfectly-angled picture- all to maintain the way in which we are perceived by others.

While taking care of yourself or looking presentable is not wrong or immoral, we have become so engrossed in this unattainable idea of perfection. While I love to put makeup on and get dressed up as much as the next girl, I have found myself wanting to spend that time reading or writing, or anything else that is productive and good for the soul. I have discovered that I do not want to be rich in this superficial beauty that everyone is so obsessed with. I would rather be rich in intelligence, kindness, grace, compassion, and radiance. I want to have a kind heart, a graceful soul, and a thoughtful mind. I want to grow and learn and become a better person. I want to have worldly experiences and cherish my youth, instead of throwing it away by focusing on everything I am not.

So, in the days to come, I will laugh and be happy and relish in this life. I refuse to become a slave to society's standards of worthiness because I know that I am more than enough.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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No, I Do Not Want To Be Beautiful, Yes, I Would Rather Be Rich In Grace

I would rather be rich in intelligence, kindness, compassion, and radiance.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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