As much as I talk about cosmetics and beauty products that are designed to make us beautiful on the OUTSIDE, I was just recently made aware that maybe I need to check myself and ask, “what am I doing to make my INSIDE more beautiful??” Am I living my life in a way that projects kindness and caring to my family, friends, or even complete strangers?
I like to watch the show 20/20 every now and then, and last night was truly touched by the story done about a London woman named Katie Piper who shows what it means to be beautiful on the inside (the “side” that truly matters!) when the outside beauty is taken away.
To condense this story as much as possible, Katie was a stunning, blonde, 25 year old (before picture above) who modeled for magazines/catalogs and had been on multiple tv programs as a presenter. She had aspirations to continue being in the media. Until one day all that outside beauty was taken away by her deranged boyfriend. He had hired someone to throw flesh eating acid on her, which basically disfigured her whole face. The acid ate away at her facial features, and changed her life forever. The 20/20 episode documented the progress Katie had made from right when the attack happened all the way through her 18 month rehabilitation (and continuing) and what it was like to go from being almost beauty queen like, to having strangers stare at her for other reasons.
After not feeling comfortable leaving her home for 18 months, she finally did and is starting to be able to live her life again after enduring over 30 surgeries. Although her face will NEVER be the same – she has stated that she realizes how superficial her life was before the incident because sometimes she wouldn’t want to go out if she had a zit on her face! Now she only wishes she had zits to deal with, but that this physical change in her life has made her a “better person” on the inside. This woman’s courage to make it through all those multiple surgeries, fighting to put her attacker and ex-boyfriend in jail, and continuing to pursue her dreams of a family and work is extremely inspirational. It shows that true beauty is only skin deep and that a persons self worth cannot be measured by their appearance.
Take a step back today and reflect on all that you have to be thankful for. I know from now on when I have a pity party that I’m having a bad hair day, or a bad skin day, I’ll remind myself of Katie’s story. I should be thankful for what God has given me, and if I project kindness and confidence, no one will notice my “bad” days.
