Master the Art of Inner Beauty

“Beauty lives with kindness.”

— William Shakespeare

While outer beauty is merely skin deep, inner beauty allows your soul to shine through. Traits such as honesty, compassion, and generosity help you glow from within. Happiness comes and goes, but acceptance of life’s ups and downs brings a deeper sense of joy.

Inner beauty doesn’t fade with age. In fact, it usually grows. It does, however, take some work. Get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, practice yoga and mindfulness, and find joy in life’s simple pleasures. Seek that delicate balance between feeding your hunger and feeding your soul. Play music instead of watching the nightly news. Skip that sugary snack and stretch. Exercise more, not just to improve your body but to enjoy those feel-good endorphins. And “sleep, perchance to dream.” It is the balm that holds body and soul together.

There’s nothing more attractive than those who are comfortable in their own skin. Exuding a quiet, steady confidence can be incredibly appealing. Nurture feelings of gratitude—you’ll simply feel better and so will those around you. Pay it forward and express your inner beauty. Engage in activities that ignite creativity in yourself and others. Perhaps the best thing you can do is learn to forgive yourself and those around you for not living up to all those beautiful expectations.