If for one day our personalities were reflected in our appearance, what would we look like? Or if the values of our closest peers were written on our faces, what would the rest of the world read? How would people perceive us if what we have on the inside was expressed in our clothing, hairstyles, and faces? More often than not, we try to adhere our appearances to the likes of those around us. We seldom do the same with the way we speak to and treat others.

It’s sad how quickly all generations of today’s age are willing to forgo efforts to be decent human beings. Since when did society deem it plausible to make people feel bad about themselves? And when did we forget that “please” and “thank you” should be a part of our vocabulary when speaking to those who help to make our days easier? It has become a lazy habit to use crude language, ignore those in need, and focus only on personal gain.

Living a pretty life does not mean having a kind face, but a kind heart. Someone could have the face of an angel, but those angelic features are worth nothing if that person is incapable of compassion towards others. At the end of the day, when the make up has been washed off, and the designer clothes are hung back up in the closet, what really matters the most: how many people appreciated the color of your eyes or how many smiles you were able to create through person you are inside?

To the high school bully

You aren’t bettering yourself by making others feel inferior. You aren’t powerful. In fact, you’re quite the opposite. Only those who are weak feel the need to put down others in order to feel strong.

To the pretty girl who talks about her friends behind their backs

What would happen if your looks didn’t make you approachable? Would you have all of those “friends” to talk about to begin with? Imagine having only your personality to create those relationships.

To the person that doesn’t feel the need to tip

That waiter or waitress works very hard to please you. They want you to leave as a happy customer and their respect toward you will be as genuine as the respect you give to them.

To the person who doesn’t show gratitude when the door is opened for you

Someone went out of their way to help you out. While it’s a small task and a small gesture, they’re very aware that you have hands and can open the door for yourself. They simply wanted to be polite and you should return the favor.

To the person who doesn't have patience with the sales clerk

The fact that the shirt isn’t actually on sale isn’t their fault. They don’t own the company. Instead of insisting on the discount and being rude in front of everyone at the store, understand the circumstance and make a decision on your purchase. If they could help with the situation, they would.

To the racist, the sexist, and the homophobic

Your opinions are what they are and no one can change that, but you can change your actions. If you can’t say something nice, just don’t say anything at all. And quite honestly, if you do, odds are you didn’t phase them. They know you won’t change and they don’t intend on changing for you.

To anyone and everyone that feels the need to be hateful, mean, unfair, and vicious

I hope that one day, you feel inspired to live pretty. I hope that someone or something ignites a light in you that weeds out the unkind and the unpleasant. You deserve more and so do the people around you.

In order to love ourselves, we must love who we are on the inside. We must be proud of the person we show to others and the actions we carry out towards those around us. Living pretty doesn’t mean living in outer beauty. It means living in kindness that radiates through our both appearances and our personalities. It means putting the feelings of others before our own. It means that their happiness is the reason we are content.