"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." A common enough phrase; one that implies that each person has their own standards, and also implies (albeit much more subtly) that some people who are considered unattractive can be found "beautiful" by the right person. But what is "beauty" but a set of arbitrary standards set by society? In the U.S. and most Western European nations, those standards are set by the media (movies, TV, music stars, advertisements, etc.) for everyone else to follow. So, the "beholder" and the "beauty" are still subjected to societal norms, which largely direct their own opinions (at least in the developed world).
So, beauty is not truly in the eye of the beholder, but in the eye of society. The beholder has to be able to see beyond what society tells them to see, else he or she is likely in for a very rude surprise--and it can be very difficult to learn how, depending on just how inundated a person is with examples of what society tells them they should seek. As for a "beauty," that person must be able to believe in themselves, because not everyone can measure up to society's standards, and without society's approval, life can be a whole lot more difficult. Self-confidence (and a certain degree of empathy for others) go a long way to proving my favorite aphorism: "beauty can be only skin deep." Mere societal beauty can get by with being as shallow as a rain puddle, but it's the depth that counts. Cheerful thought isn't it?
***************************
That was the result of me philosophizing at the end of last semester instead of studying for my thermodynamics final. Maybe I was just a bit bitter at recent events...it's very possible (hence the "rude surprise"), but I find that's when I'm at my best for introspection. I really don't want to start out the new year that way, so this is me reminding myself of a fact I was sort of cognizant of before last month, but never really experienced for myself until then.
Until next time, friends!
--Mr. NFO 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
My gal pals always insist that I have "low standards." I think I just see what others don't. Not that I don't appreciate a good Abercrombie model now and then...I'm just sayin.
ReplyDeleteThinking about non-finals stuff during finals time was always my best thinking time too :)
You know what's nice though, society/the media can only do so much to project a certain PERSONALITY type upon us as beautiful. Pictures are images. Commercials are seconds long. Movies cast the same actors and actresses into different roles.
ReplyDeleteEven if a certain 'type' of outward beauty is glorified, that is only half of the equation.
I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, most people are too lazy to think for themselves, and allow others (in this case, commercials and popularized celebrities) to show them what to think. It's far easier to go with the flow rather than do the work. And it's the inward beauty that lasts: fame is fickle, and tight skin doesn't last forever.
Man, I wish more ladies had their ducks in a row, as you LOMB ladies do.