The way I see it, there is a huge difference between looking pretty and Being Beautiful.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to make yourself look nice, and there is nothing wrong with feeling confident about yourself. However, I feel like this generation places way too much value on looking pretty.

Sure, being pretty is what will catch someone's eye, but Being Beautiful is what will make you capture a person's heart, and here's a little secret for you: if you have a person's heart, you will always have that person's eye.

So what do I mean by "beautiful"? Do I mean simply better-looking than "pretty"? Well, no, I don't. The kind of beauty I'm talking about is not something you can achieve through mere outward appearance, no matter how many nice clothes you buy, how much makeup you apply, or how perfect your hair is.

This kind of beauty, the beauty that never ages or withers away, is a matter of the heart. When you possess this true beauty, you carry it with you always. It doesn't matter if you're fully polished in your nicest clothes and makeup, or if you just woke up and look kind of gross, because this beauty is constant. It shines through the way you smile or the way you talk. People notice it in the way you light up when you tell stories. People marvel at it when they see the way you carry yourself with grace, even amidst the chaos.

So just how do you become beautiful like this? You see, the best part about all of this is that we all have this beauty—every single one of us! We just tend to cover it up or ignore it by worrying so much over how we look on the outside. So just pull your focus away from improving your reflection in the mirror, and instead, focus on improving your heart. Here's what I mean:

Kindness is beautiful, so be kind.

Compassion is beautiful, so care for people, and I mean really care.

Joy is beautiful (and contagious!), so always search for reasons to be happy, and laugh a lot.

Honesty is beautiful, so tell the truth, even when it hurts.

Intelligence is beautiful, so always be open to obtaining new knowledge, and make yourself humble in the fact that there will always be more to learn, and you will never know it all. (PS: Humility is beautiful, too.)

The list goes on, but as cliche as it may sound, it all boils down to being yourself. Girls, don't worry about looking like the girl who has the most "likes" on her Instagram posts; and guys, don't worry about looking like the guy who gets the most "gains" in the gym. Embrace who you are, even your flaws, because nobody has the exact same flaws that you do.

Being genuine is rare and so beautiful, so when you learn to accept everything that makes you different and everything that makes you who you are, people will notice it and be drawn to it. They'll respect it even if they don't agree with some things, because there's just something admirable about someone who is real.

Remember: it's okay to be pretty, but it is important to Be Beautiful. After all, a pretty face will fade away with time, but a beautiful heart is what will make you unforgettable.