have heart

The definition of the word 'beauty' has been distorted, twisted and misunderstood throughout the centuries, and we seem to have come to a place where if aesthetically you're perfect - then you must be beautiful.
how sadness fills the air along with regret and misfortune.
to depreciate such a powerful word.

About six months ago i met one of the most beautiful women in the world.
her name was Jenny and she was a homeless lady i met while wandering the streets in the valley one night.
it was almost impossible to tell her age because although she didn't seem any older than 30 the lines on her face told her story well and she looked to have aged much beyond her years.
I sat with her for about an hour overwhelmed with sadness and disbelief that she was all alone in the world.
We tried to contact relatives but those that did answer told us that she wasn't their problem.
I gave her a cigarette and money which was all i had, and some others gave her a sandwich.
and as i sat there with tears streaming from my face and hers also, she said i was her angel and thanked me for caring about her even in the smallest way.
her lips were cracked and torn, she smelt unappealing, was sleeping on the ground and looked like she hadn't showered in a week.
but i wrapped my arms around her and told her that she was beautiful.
and she was.

I believe the most beautiful people in the world are the ones that have experienced the most incredible hardships known to man - but are still standing.
even if you're only just surviving, you're still alive and emulating an elegance most cannot attain.
those that have endured affliction and heartache from the misguided actions from others, yet still choose to love.
still choose to make the world better.
still choose to sympathize with others and believe in the value of a human life.

Those with hearts that light up people's lives.

Living differently in a world of madness and making a change by simply loving instead of hating.

I have a scripture tattooed on my ribs that says, 'love one another'
and i honestly believe its the most powerful and beautiful thing in existence.
choosing to love - despite unfathomable circumstances.

This is the beauty that i see.
and as Jenny and i felt such deep pain and gratitude for our chance meeting on a Saturday night, i was reminded of a beauty i rarely see around me.
the ability to simply care about another human being.
and the fact that this lady who had nothing in the world could still feel enough to try to thank me, instead of being bitter and loathsome, impacted me.

the beauty that dwelt within most of us has been repressed by the wounds of the world but beauty is a choice to be better than what others find acceptable.
To value people, have respect, live truth and love and simply care about something other than yourself.

most days i don't feel beautiful, but i strive everyday to change that.