MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP
'Redefining Beauty from the Inside Out'
Personal Story by Paul S. Rogers

​Release The Genie Fact:
The Genie never answers the phone, as the Genie answers to no one.

In society beauty has been packaged and sold as a commodity. There is a clear line dividing those who have and those who don’t have beauty. Social media doubles down on surface polished appearances, carefully curated images, flawless skin and picture-perfect smiles. Being “perfect” and “beautiful” have become interchangeable ideas designed to keep us locked into an overconsumerist pursuit of happiness.

With all this interference it is easy to forget what beauty truly is. True beauty, which is more than skin deep, has little to do with symmetry or perfection. It is born of character, kindness and authenticity. It is more preoccupied with the way a person makes others feel when they are near. When beauty is more than skin deep, it transforms from something superficial into something far more enduring.

We have all met people whose presence lights up a room without any need for glamour or fanfare. Instead, it is their laughter, compassion, and willingness to listen that make them magnetic. They remind us that beauty is not a possession but a gift we offer through the way we live and love. Surface charm may catch the eye, but it is the depth of spirit that captures the heart.

True beauty often shines brightest in ordinary acts. A smile given to a stranger, patience with someone struggling, encouragement given when another is on the edge of giving up. These are the brushstrokes that paint a true portrait of beauty. Such gestures will never make the headlines, yet they ripple through the lives they touch. When we look back on the people who mattered most to us, it is rarely their physical appearance we recall, but rather how they treated us, how they believed in us, and how they made us feel valued.

This deeper kind of beauty stands outside the ravages of time. It grows rather than fades. Physical features inevitably change but age has a way of softening the sharpest edges and gracing us with lines that tell stories of laughter, tears, and resilience. A person who nurtures compassion, integrity, and courage becomes more radiant with every passing year, because their beauty springs from an internal source that cannot diminish.

When beauty is more than skin deep, it becomes an act of service. It reaches beyond the self and seeks to uplift others. The most beautiful people are often those who have walked through hardship and chosen to let it make them softer rather than harder. They carry a quiet strength, a grace that inspires, because they know what it means to stumble and rise again. Their scars are not blemishes but remind us that even in brokenness, beauty can be found. In Japanese culture this is celebrated in “Kintsugi.” Kintsugi is a traditional repair method for broken ceramics using gold to join the fragmented pieces together. This process creates something uniquely imperfect but also far more beautiful.

This understanding not only changes the way we see others but also ourselves. Instead of striving for the unattainable ideals set by society, we can cultivate beauty that grows from within. Every time we choose forgiveness over resentment, hope over despair, generosity over selfishness, kindness over being right we add to our inner light. That light not only illuminates our own path but also becomes a beacon for others who may be walking in darkness. This is why being of service to others also lights our own paths more clearly.

​This kind of beauty is available to everyone, not just the select few. We do not need wealth, fame, or flawless features to embody it. It is found in authenticity and having the courage of showing up as who we truly are. It is choosing to contribute to something far greater than ourselves.

When we start to view beauty in this way, our perspective shifts. We see beyond appearances, valuing people for the stories they carry, the battles they’ve fought, and the light they shine. We become less critical of ourselves, recognizing that our worth is not tied to perfection but to presence. And we begin to live with greater intention, knowing that every word and action can add to the beauty of the world around us. ∎

listen to podcast

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP
Written & Narrated by Paul S. Rogers
www.awarenow.us/podcast/more-than-skin-deep