What is real beauty?

In my teenage years my uncle drove me to school when ever he could. I thought he was the most handsome guy on earth; he was beautiful.

I often told my friends about him, about his beauty and how gorgeous he was. They slowly got excited and wanted to see this man. One day they decided to meet me where he drops me off, so they can take a look at this handsome guy.

He dropped me off as usual with a smile on his face. His beauty was like something I have never seen. I was so proud to show him off to my friends.

After he left my friends laughed and said, we don't know what you mean by beauty, he was just an average guy, nothing special about him; what you described was totally different to what we saw. He is an OK guy, but handsome? and the most beautiful man? No my dear they said "You don't know what beauty is."

I thought to myself what did I see that they did not? I saw his real beauty, the beauty that comes from within. His genuine smile and helping hand.

He did not have the best car on the road but he was content with what he had and shared it with someone less fortunate. He gave from his heart without asking for any thing in return. He smiled and made you smile and feel good; he made you feel special. You saw and felt his beauty, his real beauty!

Yes, his beauty was real, coming from within, that's exactly what I saw.

Beauty is not what you see on the front page of a Vogue magazine. Never compare yourself with the painted picture "the image", the man-made image which is driving us to be so critical about the way we look.

Don't be so hard on yourself, all these images are not real, they are all being touched up in so many different ways and forms by making them look taller, slimmer, giving them that flawless look. Let's be honest this image is there for one reason and one reason only to manipulate us to buy their product.

You should never compare yourself with others; always compare yourself to whom you are willing to be. You are unique and special in so many different ways; all you need to do is find your real beauty. The way you feel about yourself no matter what size, shape or age you are.

Your self-confidence is the way to your own individual beauty. Being happy with what you have and what you've got to offer is the real beauty, being satisfied and content will lead you to the real beauty and your unique style.

There will always be someone prettier, healthier, and wealthier, the key to happiness is being happy with what you have now and only compare yourself to whom you are willing to be!

Real beauty is to know more about you, gathering knowledge on how to be confident with what you have, what you've got to offer; this is the key to real beauty.

Your own beauty starts with a genuine smile and you will be surprised where this simple smile will lead you, best of all, it will not cost you anything. So start with a smile, it's the way to happiness. "Smile and the world will smile with you"