THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

What is most merchandisable on this planet  is Beauty. The human race seems to be trading with this commodity ever since its evolution with an almost aggressive sincerity in beautifying not only exteriors albeit in everything they  feel connected to.

We as a race are obsessed with an all- consuming desire for beauty .
We are so aesthetically pronounced that we seek beauty in everything around us .
The desire to have a beautiful house with a perfect layout  ,  adorned with hand- picked artefacts  ...with the facade of the house being  specially eye- catching together with a spacious  attractive lawn / terrace garden with the best of blooms  .... all this seems to somehow  appease our thirst for beauty.  Thus architecture , interior designing and the likes  thrive and have  lucrative market value .
       The same is with food ...gastronomic delights seem even more appetising and palatable when they are presented artistically .So it is imperative that  the garnishing  and presentation   be appealing  . Just not that ...captivating , well-done up and a  soothing  ambience of these eateries enhances the gourmets' delight .
         For both sexes  ,  be it fashion  , apparels   jewellery  accessories, the best of brands ...anything and everything that beautifies the human anatomy externally evidently justifies the clichéd maxim that  beauty is skin deep. All kinds of fairness creams for the young and anti- aging serums for the elderly to maintain that youthful beautiful look  ,   even hair colours of all shades have taken the markets by storm. Extensive research  is going on for accentuating and capturing Beauty.
          Never was preening infront of the  LOOKING GLASS  all Important as it is now. The most precious object ie the cell phones are well- equipped with filters acting as the most effective beautifying agents in enhancing  the exterior  countenance.. What is uppermost in our minds is our appearance which is  most vulnerable for it is constantly under scrutiny , judgement as well as criticism.
     Beset with the human failing of depending on others ' opinion about ourselves we relentlessly keep striving to be physically attractive and sought - after . This hysterical craving has taken over us so intensely that negating our Creator's creation we try to rectify and correct  whatever we do not like in ourselves .
Consequently beauty salons , fitness centres  ,  cosmetic surgery clinics to name a few  are most in vogue . Natural  beauty is a thing  of the past when ladies just donned the quintessential bindi to adorn their faces !!
Consequently  beauty is now becoming more and more  stereotyped as it is being  "manufactured and sculpted"  with natural beauty taking a backseat !
This insatiable quest is just not  skin deep. It is apparent in every aspect of life ....academics to professional careers to business developments we desire everything to be beautiful and alluring as well as perfect.
Relationships also come into this periphery and the beauty quotient in them is an enviable issue .
      Therefore with IQ and EQ now BQ is what has encapsulated the world. This preoccupation is also responsible for promoting inequalities , status prejudices and creating rifts in relationships
        Nevertheless  admiring or seeking beauty is  the most phenomenal quality of our our  species .When we are overpowered and overwhelmed by Nature's beauty...the magnificent  mountains , the surreal snowcapped peaks , the lakes , rivers ,seas , oceans  with their undulating waves    the trees swaying in the breeze , the flaura and fauna that we are blessed with  , all that is indeed enchanting .
       If we only direct our energies to understand that beauty is only skin deep and that  real beauty is the  beauty of the soul and that is infinite ,  life would be easy,   less complicated and really worth living oozing  with that elusive state of happiness.  For this we have to constantly remind ourselves that physical beauty is transient and try as we might it cannot be eternalised.  Similarly other attractive gadgets / belongings are equally ephemeral and it is futile to horde them for that thirst again is unquenchable. The need to possess the best is a permanent attribute among humans providing no peace of mind.
          Physical beauty appears petty  when compared to inner beauty ie  the beauty of our soul which is what shines always . The secret to look beautiful lies in inner beauty. Inner beauty is devoid of negativities. When NEGATIVITIES are mitigated it radiates externally . There is a special radiance on the countenance  when the truly happy self replete with love emerges .

  Such an individual is ever smiling , appears most desirable   is highly sought - after as he / she radiates the happiness which  is undeniably every mortal's ultimate goal. And then biological age has no significance ....such an individual is charming throughout his lifespan as he /she is at peace with himself / herself.
That is real beauty. Once we realise this  and relate to every soul can we understand the true definition of Beauty.

            The intent of this write up is neither to deride the sublime capacity we humans are endowed with  to admire and appreciate whatever is beautiful or  pleasing to the eyes ,  nor to forsake our avaricious desire to seek beauty . This  power to marvel , be in awe , wonder and appreciate is a Divine gift. One who has this adroitness is truly blessed and remains  youthful forever .
 
          We just need to realise that only to yearn and possess what is manifested as physical beauty will not bring eternal joy ...that precious permanent joy will be ours only  if we are able to recognise the beauty of the infinite soul in each one of us . For that it is crucial to shed  negativities and harbour good feelings.
Regarding ourselves what we seriously need to ponder is on one of Buddha's quotes....
"You are not responsible for the versions of You that exist in other people's minds."

          The crux is to treasure and cherish beauty with all its facets and dimensions and relish and savour  its ambrosia till one  gets satiated!!