There’s a certain kind of person that we just feel good being around. It has nothing to do with how they look on the outside and everything to do with how we feel when we’re with them. We’re naturally drawn to them because their inner qualities are shinning and we’re attracted to their light. They have a glow and warmth about them because gratitude and kindness radiate from their soul. Their beauty comes from inside. As Khalil Gibran wrote, “Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” Inner beauty is far more powerful than any cosmetic.

Some of the most beautiful people I know have had the most intense financial struggles, illness, family tragedies, or job stress, and been at the point of despair. The difference was they used these hardships to develop self-acceptance, so they could embrace themselves exactly as they were. They let go of societies standards of perfection and concentrated on who they wanted to be. They learned how to take painful challenges and come back stronger, braver, and more resilient than ever. That’s being lit from within.

We all radiate inner beauty when we practice the characteristics that help it develop. I’d like to suggest that the glow, the warmth, the light in the heart begins when we love ourself enough to forgive ourself and others, so we are free from anger and fear. I’ve known people who have a scowl on their face all the time. Their negative energy only attracts more negative energy. No innate inner-glow will happen when we’re full of negativity and unkind thoughts because that is what will seep through for everyone to see. Forgiveness takes the wounds from our past and transforms them into wisdom, resilience, courage and strength. This creates the positive energy for inner beauty.

Inner beauty comes from authenticity. It takes courage to show up as ourself without putting importance on what other people may think. Being authentic doesn’t happen without self-love, which embraces our weaknesses as well as our strengths. When we’re loving ourself, we stop comparing ourself to others, and stay true to our personal priorities.  We nourish ourself on all levels. People with self-love treat themselves with respect. It’s no wonder that living authentically and loving ourself makes us naturally happier, so others want to be around us.

Gratitude and kindness are part of those who radiate inner beauty. There’s something about gratitude that boosts our well-being and inner energy, keeping us positive so joy can be felt. The other day I was at the dermatologist and was asked if I was doing anything special that day. My reply was that I was enjoying the simple, ordinary pleasures of life. He agreed with me that these are often overlooked and can offer precious moments. Gratitude doesn’t take anything for granted. Kindness is a gift to both giver and receiver. It has the power to diffuse anger, comfort a broken heart, reassure someone they are not alone, and turn a stranger into a friend. Kindness is one of the strongest indicators of inner beauty because it gives without expecting anything in return.

Inner beauty taps into intuition which is our spiritual guide for sound decision making. We know when something needs changing and have the courage to follow through. This cultivates inner peace. The more we love ourself, the more we’re able to cultivate inner peace even in life’s most difficult moments. People with inner peace manage to stay grounded even in the middle of chaos. There’s nothing passive about this because this is about inner harmony and stability, no matter what is happening. Right now the world is full of negativity and chaos, but that doesn’t mean that we need to join it. We can choose to be calm and peaceful.

Let’s be lit from within by practicing forgiveness, self-acceptance, authenticity, self-love, gratitude, kindness, and inner peace. We’ll be the ones radiating inner beauty, enriching our life and those around us. Shine on precious people!

Until Next Time – Sylvia