Inner Beauty Manifesto – On Love, Light and Beauty

“Your Inner Beauty Never Needs Makeup” Unknown

What I love most about the holiday season is the abundance of light. Grand bright decorations on
street houses or tender candle light on a handmade menorah, this special time a year embraces mystic
splendor and reminds me of what true beauty is made of.

Sarah was the most beautiful girl in my class. She had gorgeous blue eyes with long, black lashes, a
tiny perfect nose and full, lush lips. Boys starred at her and girls referred to a “Sarah benchmark” when
describing beauty. For some reason, Sarah never looked happy. She had a perpetual expression of
dissatisfaction on her face and whether the cause or the affect, she also never had a boyfriend.

Molly was the cute, bubbly girl in school. She was never head-turning beautiful, but was positive and fun
to be around. She had a big, contagious laugh and sizzling charisma. Boys lined up to date Molly.

A little while ago I ran into Sarah. Sadly, I couldn’t find a trace of her old beauty. Now in her late 30’s,
she seem like a gloomy, bitter housewife. Her hair short and dull and her face faded as if the bitterness
has taken over and erased any hint of allure.

Molly, who is to this day my good friend, is still an extremely attractive woman. With a handsome husband and four kids, she has taken great care of her natural looks and maintained a fit body. But more than anything else, she still glows out that positive light that draws people to be around her like moths to a scorching light bulb.

Almost everyone has met a Molly at some point in their lives. Someone who is not necessarily the best-looking person in the room, but has that special essence that makes them look gorgeous. You can call it confidence, charisma or personal charm. I simply call it inner light. The light of positive perspective. The light of a radiant big smile. The light of appreciation of what one has. The light of self-love and acceptance. The light of happiness.

So this holiday season, before splurging on another pair of boots or blaming those extra five pounds for
feeling down, I will remind myself to bring forth the very same thing that symbolizes this time a year.
That positive energy that makes anyone look a little more appealing. My own special light.

This article is written by Daniella Balaban, the founder of DB Business Coaching.  Daniella is a rare soul who has an inner and an outer glow.