Have you ever heard of the "codependency prayer"? It goes directly to the heart of the fact that many of us don't see ourselves as beautiful as we really are. Here's the prayer: "God, please help me to accept the truth about who I am, no matter how beautiful that may be." We often don't accept the beautiful truth about who we are, even if it is told to us directly by other people. We don't accept it or believe it to be true. Deep inside, we believe that we are NOT truly beautiful. Repeating this prayer as a mantra will help you accept the truth about who you are. Often, this lack of acceptance comes from years and years of internalizing the idea that we are wrong and bad inside. Even the Christian church says we were born sinners. "If only they knew me for who I really was, with all my foils and foibles, they would see how ugly I really am inside." No one is truly bad or wrong or ugly inside. No one! We've yet to meet a single person who is bad and ugly at the core. It is only in your mind that there are aspects of yourself that you are not willing to face and accept. An amazing thing happens when you face and accept all aspects of yourself, even those you consider bad and ugly. Your true essence begins to shimmer with unconditional acceptance, and beauty HAS to shine through. You ARE beautiful! Marilyn L. Ali

Hi Marilyn, People don't realize the potential that they have to be beautiful. Here is a little something to mull over: For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed... never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, and one for helping others. Your Good Friend Deborah

The greatest discovery you can make in the information age is the discovery of oneself. Daniel

I believe we are born purely innocent, beautiful and pure. Somehow we acquire our "faults" and poor image, and become our own worst critics. We are lucky if we have parents who encourage and nurture us, give us wings to fly/soar with. May we all see our own beauty and all from around us. Linda

Wow, This is awesome & so very true. We must find ourselves for who we are. It makes a great deal of changes within our innner selves. Thanks Marilyn