Beauty is only skin deep... or is it?

The other day, I had a conversation with some co-workers about plastic surgery. One of my co-workers is obsessed with her looks. Everyday she asks our opinion or makes some kind of comment about her nose, her eyes, wrinkles, blah blah blah. She's had a face lift, at least two chemical peels, botox and some kind of roseacea procedure. How much is enough and, will it ever be enough?? Quite frankly, I don't see that much of a difference after her procedures. It's like she's chasing an eternal fountain of youth. I ran across an article about the Top 5 reasons women have plastic surgery. Men, Career, Beauty, Coveting the neighbor's looks, and to look like a movie star. I could easily see which categories she falls into... #'s 3,4, and 5!! I feel bad because I believe she is already a beautiful woman inside and out and it's sad to see her and millions of women go through so much to seek beauty they will be comfortable with. Heck, the industry is even seeing a rise in the number of women having Vaginal Plastic Surgery That's a bit too much for me too handle!

Why do we let others define our beauty and then put what God has given us in the hands of another human being to shape according to their creativity? I'm guilty. I had a breast reduction in 2005. I like to think that my reasons were more medical than anything... You know~ hurt back, grooves in the shoulders from the heavy duty support needed to keep the girls still while at work and in the gym. It was a medically approved surgery but I know deep in my heart, I was simply not comfortable with the abundance I'd been blessed with. It was a chore to shop for clothes, two piece bathing suits were totally out and I could never wear cute tops to the club... It wasn't a hard decision to go under the knife...

I was a different woman as soon as I woke up from the surgery and I had a renewed confidence in the difference I was going to make in the world now that I'd altered my looks. Or... was I a new woman?? Did it change any of my inner beauty or the light that shines from within me? As I reflect, I'm still the same person. I still have a bleeding heart for injustice to any living thing. I still live life, love hard and give everyday my all. In the end, the woman in the mirror is still the same. I'm convinced I won't be like my co-worker and chase that eternal fountain of youth. Especially at today's plastic surgery prices! Gotta pay for gas ya know! Anyway, I'm at peace with me and my beauty. I'm satisfied with how I look whether someone else finds me attractive or not...In the end, that's what's most important... I gotta say, I LOVE ME!!