When you look in the mirror what do you see? A reflection of yourself, right? You may begin to pick at all of your imperfections and focus on those, but I have a surprise for you, what you see in the mirror isn’t all that makes you beautiful. Yes, each person is absolutely beautiful in their own way but inner beauty is overlooked often times as people look in the mirror.

I was at a dance class recently and was asked a question that isn’t usually asked, “what makes you beautiful that you can’t see in the mirror?” It took me a few minutes to really think about what that meant, but the truth is the possibilities are endless. Many people in the class reflected on their laugh, their love for others and their personalities. After we all shared we were told to see those things when we look in the mirror and ever since that class I have spent time finding my inner beauty instead of focusing on the imperfections I used to spend a lot of time picking out in the mirror.

Growing up I was never the “skinniest” or the “prettiest” girl in my class, but one thing I have always been complimented on was my heart. I have always been someone who will give my all to help whoever I can, to make a difference in someone’s life. But whenever I would look in the mirror I couldn’t see my heart, or the difference I was making in someone’s life but instead, I saw my imperfections.

I’ve always been told “there will always be someone who will be skinnier or prettier than you” and although that may be considered true there is no one who will be more you. No one will have your laugh, your same love for other people, your same personality. As the wonderful Dr. Suess said,

“Today you are you, and that’s truer than true, there’s no one alive who is you-er than you.”

Next time that you look in the mirror, look past the reflection you see, beauty is NOT only skin deep. Inner beauty is everything you can’t see but it makes you precious and perfect in your special way. It’s easy to focus on each and every flaw you see in the mirror, and flaws are perfectly okay, everyone has them; but when you can find your inner beauty and you can think of it, that inner beauty will shine through. God has made us perfect in each and every way.