letterfrompublisher
“Inner beauty should be the most important part of improving one’s self” ~ Priscilla Presley
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Welcome to Natural Awakenings’ 2011 Women’s Wellness themed edition! For so many women and girls, the laser focus on looks in our society often detracts from our (and therefore, our culture’s) pleasure, health/wellness, and wholeness. As a child, Barbie
dolls, fashion models and movie stars were my standard for beauty and I felt miles away from that (superficial) “ideal.” By the time I was 14, I was an “uglyaholic” struggling with these issues. Fortunately my perspective has evolved over the years. I have learned that true beauty emanates from within. Our outer loveliness is a reflection of our internal health. When I take good care of myself I feel better and, as a result, more comfortable with my own radiance. Within this edition stems an abundance of rich information about ways to help bring out your inherent inner beauty. Jean Houston, scholar, philosopher and one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement, and author Frances Lefkowitz are among those offering suggestions and guidelines for nurturing and valuing our inner world. This can happen through nutrition, exercise, rest, community, considering the products we use,and so much more. Local wellness professional, Virna Lisa, adds to these insights in her article about yoga as a gateway for the deep practice of meditation, which felt, for me, to be synchronistic. Given each month’s various deadlines and accompanying work and life stresses, I recently re-committed to taking at least 20 minutes twice a day for meditation. You know that voice in your head (“the critic,” as I call it), that is often judging, analyzing, criticizing and focusing on the past or future? One of the best parts about a meditation practice is that it quiets the mind and that voice. When done consistently it helps me sustain presence in each moment. What could be better? After all, the present is all there is. It is a gift to be cherished. That is why it is called the “present.” Meditation is a great antidote to what ails us as it also brings peace, serenity, and tranquility to the
spirit...more inner beauty. Exercise is another huge contributor to my personal sense of inner
attractiveness because it increases my
vitality...and women who are alive inside naturally radiate beauty! I believe that when you feel good you look good because your inner elegance is projecting outward. It’s hard not to take notice of someone who lets their inner light shine! Other means I‘ve found to uncovering and honoring inner beauty include
giving and receiving love, forgiveness, surrender (going with the flow), rest, play, laughter, a good cry, drinking plenty of water, and a diet high in fruits, vegetables, grains, and omega-3 fatty oils. As you read through this issue, I hope you find plenty of information, practitioners/advertisers and activities to help enrich your adventure to that place of inner and outer balance. Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” May your radiant Authentic Self be the “baggage” you carry so you have all you need wherever that journey takes you…
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