“O God, help me to believe the truth about myself – no matter how beautiful it is!” ~ Macrina Wiederkehr
 
Some of us were surprised when we read "no matter how beautiful it is!" 

So, in that Touchstone reflection, I challenged us to repeat this prayerful quote every day. The objective was to see if we began to better sense the truth of our beauty. I know of at least one woman who accepted the challenge and prayed it faithfully each day.

I have a confession to make. That woman is not me. I applaud her. Some days I forgot.

I have an apology to make too. I'm late in asking, "How well are you sensing, seeing, and feeling the beauty in you?" I had said I would ask that on Valentine's Day.

All last week, I saw wondrous beauty outside myself, in nature and in art. My heart and soul soared in gardens, playgrounds, and museums. I fully trust that awesome beauty lives in me and in you. It's the beauty in us that resonates with the outer beauty that thrills us. But I don't always sense, see, and feel it in me.

How well and how often are you sensing, seeing, and feeling the beauty in you?

I'm not going to challenge myself or you as I try this another way.

I'm promising myself to display Macrina's quote in some way(s) so that I see it every day. I may paint it on a rock, print it on pretty paper, write it on post-it notes, or something else. I'll see. You will too. I will show you. 

Of course, you are most welcome to join me, if this appeals to you.

I'm also intending to remember to choose love and act kindly when my first reaction is to turn away from something or someone. Perhaps you'll join me in this.

For sending, seeing, and feeling our beauty,
Charlene

THE SECOND GIFT IS BEAUTY: May your deeds reflect its depth. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth