This post is part of The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest VII (2018)!
To read more entries, and potentially win a fun prize, visit the fest page at: http://www.augustmclaughlin.com/beauty-woman-blogfest-vii/ – on August’s McLaughlin’s site between today and 11pm PST March 9th.
The use of a flower in reference to -or- as a gift to a woman, is not to say we are fragile creatures, in need of careful coddling. Most of the seemingly most fragile life-forms that exist are in-fact, the strongest, most tenacious spirits. They must be to survive the conditions of their habitat. That is a gift I would like to give all women. – MTC
When August asked me to participate in this year’s The Beauty of a Woman Blogfest, two things happened. First, I was deeply honored, of course. Then the big IT struck me … what in the world would I write about?! I’m all nervous right now just thinking about it.
It isn’t like writing about women is something new for me. I write about women every single day, but they are my characters in my novels or screenplays. Writing about women … nonfiction … for the blogfest – that is a whole different thing. Talk about a fish out of water – it feels so different. It isn’t like I’m shy in writing about women either. Hardly. I love women … and then some. I am a lesbian who adores the opportunity to include love scenes in my manuscripts. Again, that different element deal.
I love and deeply admire so many women…and often on very complicated levels. The actresses whom I “cast” as my various characters, from a certain British star with fabulous legs that last forever to an American whose eyes slay me every time her picture pops up in my notifications. Actresses, musicians and other stars are not the only women who capture my attention.
The very singular woman in my life I am deeply in love with is certainly no movie star; just the thought of it would be repulsive to her. That does not alter her beauty to me in the slightest. One of my favorite pictures of her, is a close-up of her bare feet stretched out on a mossy log. Yes, she is an attractive woman, but the absolute most beautiful part of her is what lies inside her. That is a truth that (to me) carries through with every woman on the planet. You can have someone that defies world “standards” of beauty, but if all those lovely inside things that make up the true essence of a person don’t outshine the external, physical appearance…if she is empty or other negative possibilities, then there is nothing.
As August and many of the previous blogfest participants have said, it doesn’t matter if a woman is tall or short. Thin or extra curvy. Athletic, a warrior -or- physically-challenged. Think of a million differences that can be paired up … it doesn’t matter.
One of the most beautiful women I have ever had the privilege to see or meet was at a Native American powwow. At this particular powwow I was not there as a vendor or a participant. I was there to record a segment for my (then) radio show. Much to my shame, I had dismissed her as being worth interviewing, when I first saw her arrive at the powwow. Her legs were noticeably crippled as she moved past me in her electric wheelchair, intent on a mission. It wasn’t until an hour later when I returned to the dance arena, that my jaw dropped. Her inner beauty shined and dazzled brighter than the noon sun beating down on her and the other dancers. Yes, you read that correctly. She was one of the dancers, in her electric wheelchair, emanating a glorious soul! It was an experience you had to see for yourself.
Recently I read an article about a young woman with Downs Syndrome who has thrown the modeling world on it’s ear, totally redefining (for what is arguably the most stinted profession in the world) the essence of beauty. Now a world-famous model, she has also developed her own clothing line … she has totally redefined what society thinks someone with DS should be. Who knows what else lies ahead for this bold entrepreneur.
One more example I’d like to include of beauty where the average person would never expect to find it, is a woman whose job once was to kill people. She was a federal police officer in South Africa, a sniper in an elite task force (the real-life basis of one of my characters). She had to be without emotion and capable of calculating so many things in a moment’s notice, ready to take a kill shot the moment it was available, even if the dangerous criminal was a child. Many people were afraid of her from that basis alone. Few stopped to consider she was a single woman, hired as a police officer and doing the job she was trained to do…the way she made a living, while also serving her country. Even fewer people know she agonized over every life she had to take in the line of duty -or- that this bad ass cop went home every day to a bed full of cuddly stuffed animals.
That inner quality that marks the true, hidden beauty within a woman is pointed out, in an amazing way by the singer P!nk, in her new song Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken.
That to me is the best mark of The Beauty of a Woman … that inner essence which is as unique to the individual as fingerprints or a retina scan. Never try to hide that. Let your essence out to glow, shine and show your true beauty!
I really like the image of the photo of your sweetheart’s feet on the log. I enjoyed your post—you made some very good points and you write with great attitude.
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Thank you so much! I was tempted to put that photo in there, but decided not to — I’m happy to hear the mental image made it through!
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Powerful examples, Maeve. Isn’t it fascinating how if we slow down or stop to truly see things, we have so much more understanding, respect, and admiration for them. We can embrace the differences. I worked with a diversity education group in college and we had a gentleman in a wheelchair who always performed the step routine on stage with us. We wanted to be inclusive, allow him to do as much or as little as he felt comfortable with, and be viewed by the audience as very much a part of our group. One of the learning lessons along the way that another member shared was when she leaned on the arm of his chair and he said “Can you please lean on me and not my chair?” It was about seeing him as a person, like you’d lean on a friend, and not invisible like his chair or a pillar. I love that story and it will always stick with me. Your story about the woman in the powwow reminded me of that. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Jess – for both you liking my post and how you added to it. WONDERFUL! 😉
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Being able to the inner beauty of a sniper is a talent not practiced by many who will only see the uniform, the job, and the experience. People don’t think of women who do this kind of work going home to stuffed animals, something that makes her very human with an inner beauty. You show that essence in your writing about inner beauty. Really interesting to read.
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We all have many layers unique unto ourselves. Think how much better off the world would be if we all took the time to view or consider those layers, leading to better understanding and idyllically appreciation of others.
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YES! I can’t agree more.
And you know, it sounds kind of goofy, but I was about 14 when I realized actions could make or break aesthetics for me. I grew up watching General Hospital (don’t laugh…I got hooked at 3 years old in Germany where my family was stationed). They had just introduced the characters of Jagger, Karen, and Brenda (Vanessa Marcia). Everyone went on and on about how beautiful she was, but I couldn’t see it. All I could see was this lying, scheming conniver…until she developed this friendship with Robin Scorpio and I saw her true heart, generous spirit, and wounded soul. Then, I thought, wow…when did she become beautiful!
I love everything about your post because you’re right. Women may look soft and weak, but we’re resilient as hell and come back stronger every time we get knocked down.
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😉 …and though it may have come to seem rather cliche – hear us roar! Well, this is where you got hooked on romances, Kitt…watching the soaps at 3y.o.!
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LOL! You may be on to something. And it may be cliche, but that doesn’t make it any less powerful.
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I love these examples of true beauty, Maeve! “…that inner essence which is as unique to the individual as fingerprints or a retina scan.” SO MUCH THIS! Our own uniqueness is perhaps the most beautiful thing we can hope to possess. And now I wanna go dance to some P!nk. 🙂
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LOL — Enjoy the dance! ❤
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The older I am, the more I love the image of the flower, that decision to leave the safety of the bud for being a bloom in full blossom. Such remarkable risk, and that’s one of the many traits in women I find irresistible. I am a lesbian, cis-gender, and have been fortunate to be with some beautiful women in the largest sense of that word, some similar to the traits you mention and all uniquely resilient with that “inner essence” you mention, the beauty of a woman. Enjoyed the post. Thank you.
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So glad you enjoyed it, my friend – thank you! I think every single one of us participating in this year’s blogfest are exhibiting our inner essence rather grandly!
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Loved your post! The binding force in all these starkly different examples of women was the inner strength, determination and that’s what is beautiful. Wonderfully put!
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Thank you – I consider myself blessed to have such beautiful women in my life. I am very proud to know them & all my new BOAW sisters!
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I love this piece. I totally advocate this concept to my clients. True inner beauty is in all of us. It is up to us to light it shine. Let us all radiate our raw, primal, inner beauty.
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Indeed – the world needs all of us to be be doing this. Glad you enjoyed my expression.
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Your examples of true beauty made my brain work. It painted pictures of what you described and most of them made me smile of pride to be able to see, not only read. You painted these pictures with your words. The pure power of your descriptions touched me deeply. What a great post.
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Thank you, Aurora – how touching your kind words are to me…truly! This has been such an incredible experience. I hope all of the others are getting the same joy and fulfillment in participating!
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I hope too. I definitely did. 🙂
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Ah, the deeper glimpses we are honored to see…truly a thing of bauty.
I did want to comment that the combination of text color and style was very hard for me to read on this background. It strained my middle-aged eyes.
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I have tried to find a happy medium for all, but it seems to be an impossible task…SORRY, Shan.
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It’s OK. I was very tired – that may have contributed. You should do what makes you happy – I just thought you might like to know, because your words are so powerful and deserve to be read. =)
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Maeve, thank you for sharing such a touching post. This line was particularly striking “Let your essence out to glow, shine and show your true beauty!” and left me with a huge smile on my face 🙂 Whoever said “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” got it all wrong! As you clearly demonstrate, true beauty lies within!
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Hey, Erica – so happy you and others have enjoyed it. It does, and I love this community that is being built!
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