 |
Beauty is ever evolving. Yes, we have certain culturally prevalent inclinations. But they are also changing, they always do. Look at fashion, furniture, appliances, surfaces, landscapes, decorations, makeup, hairstyles, etc. What is the one consistent thing about all of those? They are always changing. ALWAYS.
What about the ‘beauty’ you don’t like? I had a long conversation in a Facebook thread this week. We were talking about some people’s discomfort at how much skin is shown in today’s American society. The other person in the conversation (a woman) thinks most of a woman or man’s body should be seen only by their spouse. She thinks it demeans and dilutes a marriage for people to show off their bodies in skimpy attire and skimpy bathing suits.
The two of us have very different opinions about this. BUT what we do have in common is the belief we both have the right to define beauty for ourselves. She should not be made fun of or pressured to show more than she wants, nor should she be pressured to not state her opinion about what is, in her mind, appropriate to be worn in public.
The flip side is to make sure that, while she has the freedom to express and pursue her own ideas of beauty, she shouldn’t take that idea of beauty and make it absolute for others (and neither should anyone else).
The truth is YOU get to decide what is beautiful, whether in yourself, in others or in the world. You have the right and freedom to pursue your idea of beauty.
Pursue and enjoy it.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily
