20/08/2025
“To Be Beautiful means to be YourSelf. You don’t need to be Accepted by Others. You need to Accept YourSelf.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
The opening passage casts suffering as a deliberate forge, its language brimming with mythic fire and the phoenix’s cyclical rebirth. Its contemporary spiritual tone suggests an author intent on reframing pain as a crucible that deconstructs old beliefs and reconstructs identity. The paradox of “entombed in ashes” signals that even destruction can become a vessel for potential, while the dramatic arc—from questioning to emerging—mirrors ancient heroic journeys, inviting the reader to view crisis as a necessary, transformative step. In today’s fast‑changing world this reminds us that the loss of familiar certainties can, if faced honestly, give rise to a richer self.
The second quotation turns the quest for ecstasy inward, employing the tender image of a flower blooming within. By claiming that joy “is not out there” it subverts external validation and highlights the quiet power of self‑cultivation. The tone is calm yet urgent, urging a shift from chasing external approval to nurturing inner potential. This mirrors modern mindfulness practices that celebrate presence over performance, suggesting that true delight is found in the fertile soil of one’s own consciousness rather than in the fleeting applause of the world.
The final brief statement turns beauty into authenticity: “to be beautiful means to be yourself.” It dismisses the need for external acceptance and insists on self‑acceptance, echoing the core Buddhist teaching that liberation comes from embracing one’s true nature. The language is direct, almost mantra‑like, reinforcing the idea that inner harmony is the truest form of beauty.
How has your own journey of pain or joy reshaped the core beliefs you hold today?
Art by Sam Carr
