Signora Sheila

Anyone who knows me well also knows that I don’t like ads. Always trying to convince me to buy things I don’t need and don’t have room for! But I came across this promotional video by Dove® a while back and found it uplifting! Even though it sadly demonstrates the low self-esteem that many of us have, especially women.

With the overemphasis society places on physical appearance, we often focus too much on it, and feel like we never measure up. “My ears are too big, my nose is too small, and I’ve got a funny chin. Me, beautiful?” (That’s how I often see myself!)

It’s all about perspective

In this video, people who have never met before are split into two groups. They are then paired off to chat for a while before being reunited in their original groups.

The people in the first group are then called into a room, one by one, where an artist sketches each of them as they describe themselves. The artist never actually sees them.

Then the second group goes in one by one. And each is asked to describe the person with whom he or she had previously chatted. The artist makes new sketches of the same women he drew before, based on these new descriptions.

In the end, the two sets of portraits are so different that they hardly seem to be the same people. In one set the subjects seem rather unappealing and unattractive, while in the other, they’re quite beautiful.

Because each of these groups had very different perspectives. Those who described themselves focused on their own little imperfections or perceived imperfections. As most of us tend to do.

But beauty is more than skin deep

But the people in the second group were less critical. And they painted very different pictures. They were trying to know the person behind the face. And they described things like nice thin chins, beautiful eyes, and radiant smiles.

God gave us the distinctive features that make us unique and special. No one else in the world has beautiful eyes just like yours or such a unique smile!

True beauty is more than skin deep. It’s who and what we are on the inside. It’s a kind and gentle spirit. A grateful heart pouring out gratitude. And encouraging smile. A caring word and a warm hug. This kind of beauty outshines every flaw and wrinkle!

We are more than a pretty face. And if a pretty face is all we have, then we’re not really beautiful at all. For true beauty goes much deeper than the skin.

What about you? How do you see yourself? How would you describe yourself to the artist?

Take a quick look at the 3-minute video below. Because I firmly believe that it’s time for us to change the way we think about ourselves. Because – you truly are beautiful!

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

📷 Image credit: illustration of woman