Questions of the Heart: Answers of Real Women Edition 9

Today's guest post is from an old friend. Madeleine is a good friend from college. I have always admired her for her vision and perseverance for doing great things in big and little ways. You can see that in her dedication to living and helping others live a clean and healthy lifestyle while keeping in touch with reality through her Shaklee business, involvement in the Thrive Now Network, and blog. I love the title, WhoopsYummy: Tales from a messy Brooklyn kitchen. It is so insightful about life in general, especially the kitchen (at least my kitchen, but I know I am not alone in feeling like my cooking is a bunch of mistakes that somehow is edible).

 

Way back when.

 

So proud of this wonderful mother and to call her a friend! 

 

Questions of the Heart: Answers of Real Women

By Madeleine

 

What makes a beautiful woman?

A beautiful woman is one who knows herself deeply, is at peace, and who cares enough to make a difference in the world around her through living authentically and passionately. I've come to realize the joy and simplicity can't be faked, and women who reflect these traits are truly beautiful to me.

What makes you feel beautiful?

For me, being strong is what makes me feel beautiful. Having struggled with body image as a young woman and athlete, (who hasn't?) I have come into a sense of great peace as a mother, understanding that our bodies are meant not just for ourselves but also to give life to our children, and to care for our families and communities. This is made possible by caring for ourselves--exercising, eating right, getting rejuvenated and seeking strength--both physically and interiorly, in how we live. It no longer is about me and the mirror; it's about having energy to run after my 3 year old in the park, to tote my 3 week old around, and to live a full Brooklyn life with my husband and friends.

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself?

Definitely becoming a wife and mother. Incredibly so. Also, the wonderful relationships I've had with female friends--especially starting in college and early adulthood--realizing the beautiful journey into womanhood that we all travel on.

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful?

I might have to say a fun, colorful pair of shoes, and jewelry. I definitely accessorize even if I don't have time to shower! Same goes for my kids--they are the ones whose hair may not be brushed, but their shoes are darn cute.

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

I'd say understand who you are and what you are made for. Remember to accept and appreciate that your life is a gift and will not (should not) look exactly like anyone else's--so let's stop comparing and start sharing---the unique challenges we face, as well as our joys. Let's judge less and love more--and remember to just be with the people that matter to us--our modern lifestyles can often threaten to keep us so busy we don't remember how to simple be...Breaking out of a clichéd busy modern life (just because we can do it all--should we?) to be creators, dwellers, to live passionately and generously, to seek beauty, and to put relationships first--that's what I'm hoping to share with the women around me...and I am learning how to live and thrive one day at a time over here.

Thank you, dear friend!

More Questions of the Heart

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women Edition 8

A new edition to the Questions of the Heart series is long overdue. I love hearing other women's perspectives on beauty and I hope you enjoy it just as much.

 

Laura and I met through some mutual friends. Her great smile gives you a hint of her optimism that she shares on her blog: Life is Beautiful.

My love for quotes is also partial to her Wisdom for Wednesday series.

 

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women

by Laura

What makes a beautiful woman?

Humility, deep joy, and sincere love for others. Those are instantly attractive qualities about a woman. "Humility of not thinking less of yourself but rather thinking of yourself less." When women are comfortable in their own skin and are able to be real with others instead of trying to seem perfect...when they have an overflowing joy from knowing Christ...when they are truly interested in and loving those around them...these are the qualities that light up a woman and make her irresistibly and indescribably beautiful.

 

What makes you feel beautiful?

I really do feel more beautiful when I try to practice those virtues above of humility, joy, and selfless love. It's like my face softens and smiles more easily when I forget to be critical of myself and just simply love and enjoy those around me.

Of course, I also love makeup and dressing up! It's amazing what a difference it can make on my mood when I curl my hair, slip into a sundress, and have fun with the makeup. That mascara wand really is a magic wand sometimes!

 

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself?

Time, grace, and unconditional love. I struggled a lot with perfectionism growing up, and was very critical of myself, inside and out. Throughout the years, I've found such freedom in realizing my worth simply as a daughter of God. My friends, family, and Catholic Faith have also taught me the beauty of unconditional love-- that I don't have to measure up with how I look or what I do in order to be loved and worthy. There's freedom to simply be who I was created to be--and that's beautiful.

 

 

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful?

I've got a whole list for this one--I'm armed and ready for those days! Painting my nails, putting on a green clay face mask, baking cookies, lighting candles, going for a run, fruity-scented lotion after a hot shower. The little things can be such a treat!

But you know, while those pick-me-ups are blessings, I can't help but think of the women who don't have even such small luxuries. A month ago I traveled to Haiti and experienced poverty like I've never seen before. I saw women dying of AIDS, women waiting hours for medical care, women stick-skinny with mismatched clothing...these women have no idea what it's like to treat themselves to a hot shower or flowery lotion or fresh-baked cookies. I can't forget their faces, their smiles, their pain, their unquestionable beauty. And when I contemplate them, beauty becomes redefined for me.

 

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

You are absolutely beautiful simply because you are wanted, loved, and chosen by God our Father. He delights in you, He sings over you, He dances with joy because of you (Zephaniah 3:17). The world is so stifling with its view of beauty-- harsh, plastic, cold, joyless, counterfeit form of beauty. I know it's tough, but don't let that view damper your natural, God-given beauty. Seek His friendship and His love first and foremost, and from that confident security, let who you were created to be truly blossom. Be wild and crazy. Be gentle and thoughtful. Be happy and grateful. Be creative and nurturing. Enjoy your femininity and celebrate it freely--it's beautiful.

 

 

It was such fun planning this with you, Laura!

 

For more Questions of the Heart you can visit my own answers to Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and those from  Monica, Melinda, Emily, Anna, Tess, Rachel, and Lindsay.

Questions of the Heart: Encouraging Beauty

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

This post has been a long time coming. I began Questions of the Heart, asking myself five questions. Reflecting on these questions has been an edifying experience. They have prompted me to look at what beauty really is and how I can live it. The most challenging part has been realizing that the one thing I want for others the most is that I struggle with myself. I have a passion for helping others know they are beautiful, worthy of love, and are loved. In the end I think this is one of my main objectives with this blog.

I want Waltzing In Beauty to be a place to encourage and inspire others to be content, to enjoy the little things of beauty in life, to dream, and to follow dreams. And by joyfully living each day and finding the beauty in it that others will see that they are valuable, they are enough, they are beautiful, they are worthy of love, and are loved.

This post may be the end of my addition to Questions of the Heart, but it will not be the conclusion of reflecting upon them and discovering how to integrate the fruits in my own life. It will also not end this series. When I began asking myself these questions, I realized that I had a deep desire to know what others thought. I wanted to share this process of reflection with others and to learn from their experiences and thoughts as well as my own. Connecting with other bloggers through the guest posts has been one of my favorite parts of Waltzing In Beauty thus far. So Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women will continue.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, dear reader.

Thank you for taking time out of your day and visiting me.

Know that you are truly appreciated by me.

You are beautiful.

via

  

If you are interested in contributing to Questions of the Heart please contact me. The more the merrier!

More Questions of the Heart:

  What makes a beautiful woman?

What makes you feel beautiful?

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself? 

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful? 

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

 Monica, Melinda, Emily, Anna, Tess, Rachel, Lindsay

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women Edition 7

Today is the second and final part of my exam for my masters degree in theology. It only seems fitting to have a special guest who shares my love for theology to talk about another favorite topic of true beauty. 

Lindsay and I met a few months ago in the bridal party of a dear mutual friend.  I knew she was amazing when her R.S.V.P.  for a bridal shower was impeccably written and signed "With Joy".  Her signature suits her so well; she is full of it!  She has a story for everything and cannot be beat in line dance knowledge. :)

It was so fun getting to know Lindsay throughout the wedding festivities and I am happy that we can continue our friendship via social media and now blogging.  I hope you enjoy her insight and get to know her over on her own corner of the web at Lindsay Loves.

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women

By Lindsay

What makes a beautiful woman?

A beautiful woman radiates with joy. I sign all my cards and emails "with joy," because I honestly believe the joy of the Lord is what gets me through my days. Joy can manifest itself as confidence and peace. Sometimes I'm having a fantastic hair day. That makes me feel confident and attractive, which makes me joyful. Other times, I'm home sick with no makeup and a grumpy attitude, but if I can rest in that abiding joy, then I can still feel beautiful.

What makes you feel beautiful?

Good hair days, of course! I also feel beautiful when I create something beautiful through writing, fashion, or (rarely) visual art. And I feel beautiful when people compliment me on my clothes or hair. For the record, I also feel beautiful when people compliment my personality traits, but that kind of compliment doesn't come nearly as often—it can be awkward to work into conversation. I try to minimize awkwardness whenever possible.

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself?

The support of my parents means a lot to me. I don't think I'm quite the person they expected me to be, but they've been supportive of the bold life choices I've made so far. Knowing that they're behind me is really encouraging. On a more superficial level, I participate in the What I Wore Sunday meme at Fine Linen and Purple (finelinenandpurple.com), which specifically helped me realize that I don't actually wear the same thing all the time. Even my fashion life has variety, and I have hard evidence of that.

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful?

It's funny you should ask that. I was having an "ugly day" once, where I just didn't feel beautiful at all. I was walking through Target and stopped in the hair tools aisle. I noticed a bright blue ribbon flower clip. It looked so pretty, and I felt so not. So I bought it. I didn't wear it for a few days, but when I did, I felt like I'd ruffled my feathers—in a good way. Something as small and simple as a hair clip made me feel like the beautiful person I'd forgotten I was.

What would you like to share with women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

God doesn't make junk. Whether you are tall or short, have love handles or no hips, wear hipster glasses or have perfect vision, can't run or can't sing, your beauty is unique to you. If you were just like someone else, you wouldn't be you. If you're having trouble finding your beauty, get a close friend to help you take a good look. Play up your best assets and learn to manage what you can't change. Be patient—good always wins in the end.

Thank you for sharing the joy, Lindsay! 

For more Questions of the Heart you can visit my own answers to Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and those from  Monica, Melinda, Emily, Anna, Tess, and Rachel.

 

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women Edition 6

I am thrilled to introduce you to another good friend for a new edition of Questions of the Heart.

 

 

I first met Rachel through her cousin, a very close friend of mine from college.  After college and moving back to my home town, I was fortunate to have a great group of girlfriends all the in the same boat- single, working full time, waiting for Mr. Right, and trying to live a good life.  Rachel was a welcome addition to our little group when she moved in with her big sis.  These girls have been such a blessing and we all have had some great times together.

  

Yep, I was Bieber Fever for Halloween.

 

Sweet is probably the word everyone would use when describing Rachel.  But this girl's also got some spunk!  She has a great smile and when she blushes, oh when she blushes, you just cannot help but love her even more!  Rachel's kind, easy going, and feminine nature can be seen from her thought filled posts on R-Fog-Blog.  Make sure to stop by and say hello.

 



Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women

by Rachel

 

What makes a beautiful woman?

 

I think a beautiful woman is one who realizes her intrinsic beauty and her femininity that has been given her by God, and lives this femininity with virtue, etiquette, and grace.

 

What makes you feel beautiful?

 

Taking the time to accessorize my outfits with jewelry and cute shoes (yep, I love me some cute shoes), as well as taking a little extra time to apply mascara, eye liner and lipstick.  I also feel beautiful when I can serve others and when I am constructively productive.  Outer beauty aids inner beauty and vice versa.

 

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself?

 

The boundless love and mercy of God has had the greatest impact on me.  The love and encouragement from family and friends has helped me believe in myself and helped me to relax when I get caught up in the minutia.

 

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful?

 

Listening to my favorite songs on the radio or to my own music collection, prayer, practicing my free-throw for basketball, playing piano, and putting on a cute outfit...with heels of course ;)

 

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

 

I would encourage other women to fear not.  Be confident.  God made us the way we are for a reason, hence there is just one of each of us.  A Bible "go to" verse that helps me is Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."  He fills the space when we feel lacking.

 

Thank you so much, Rachel!  I hope I didn't make you blush too much.

 

For more answers from real women check out the posts from Monica, Melinda, Emily, Anna, and Tess.

 

 



Questions of the Heart: Beauty Go-To

Welcome back to number four of the five questions on my heart.  We're almost there!

Do you ever have days that you feel anything but beautiful?  You look in the mirror and you just see plain ol' day to day you?  You know that you are pretty, but you just cannot see it and you definitely do not feel it.  Maybe you are burnt out from life, feeling ill, struggling with something personal or feeling insecure.  All those things take a toll, it happens, but what do you do when it happens?

 

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful?

 

It may sound cliché or self absorbed, but on those days I dress up a little more.  If I'm going to work I will put on a skirt or my nicest pair of slacks.  For an evening out or a weekend, you can bet my outfit will be styled around an item that makes me happy because it has sentimental value or makes me feel good about my body.  The new splurge item, a religious piece of jewelry, something in my favorite color, the shoes that I like my legs in, the necklace from my grandmother, the dress my boyfriend complimented me on, something shiny or sparkly...

 

Dressing for my body type is a big part of building confidence through my wardrobe.

 

I also will dedicate extra time to putting on my make up.  Eyeliner and mascara (waterproof for these extra teary days) are a must!  Something about paying attention to the little details is relaxing.

 

via

 

Some days it takes a lot of effort to get ready and get out the door, especially when every ounce of my being wishes I were an ostrich and could bury my head in the sand and live in happy ignorance of being "unseen."  Paying extra attention to dressing nicely, however, builds my confidence.  Even though I may not feel beautiful, I know that I look nice and I should not worry.

 

Last but not least, turn that frown upside down.  Because, as Little Orphan Annie taught me, "You're never fully dressed without a smile."

 

What makes a beautiful woman?

What makes you feel beautiful?

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself? 

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful? 

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women Edition 5

Today's Questions of the Heart guest is Tess from Little House in Chicago (formerly Book Smart Girl in DC).

 

Tess and I lived in the same dorm in college (Yay, Badin Bullfrogs!).  She is one of those girls that you meet and instantly you want to get to know her better, because she is so kind and talented.  In addition to being a classic beauty, Tess has a lot of wisdom to share.  Check out her reading lists on her blog.  Love them!

I was so excited to stumble upon her blog; it was like running into an old friend.  I'm so proud of all that Tess has done since I met her as a freshman and happy that she found someone who sees what a gem she is.  I can't wait to see where the future takes Tess and Frank after their May wedding.

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women

by Tess

What makes a beautiful woman?

 

A woman who is happy with who she is—who respects and loves herself, and respects and loves the people around her.

 

A woman with confidence, self-assurance, and graciousness.

 

A woman who, when she walks into a room, doesn't declare, "Here I am!" but rather says, "Ah, there you are."

 

What makes you feel beautiful?

 

Being around children—they care about how you treat them, not who you are or how you dress, so you kind of have to be the most beautiful version of yourself with them.

 

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself?

 

I'm really grateful to my faith for teaching me to see myself as God's daughter whom He loves.

 

After that, books and blogs I've read have had a big impact. I've come to see that each woman's talents and beauty are different, and that the immense variety of female beauty is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

 

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful?

 

Natalie once said, "Patience is a virtue available in regular or waterproof"—her way of saying that wearing a little mascara helps her mood. I feel the same way—taking an extra five minutes to fix my hair or put on mascara and lipstick do a LOT to make me feel beautiful (this might be a little shallow, but it's true!).

 

Exercise is also an instant mood-lifter. A good work-out makes me feel strong and beautiful. Like Elle Woods says, "Exercise gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy!"

 

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

 

Be yourself. It sounds like such cliche advice, but it's so important and so so hard to live by. I think most people live their lives just doing what society tells them without thinking through if they should/want/need to. It's beautiful when women do things their own way—thinking things out for themselves, turning a blind eye to the status quo, and making the effort to be authentic. To me, that's the most beautiful a woman can be—wholly, truly, and uniquely herself.

 

Thank you, Tess!

 

For answers from other lovely ladies check out the posts from Monica, Melinda, Emily, and Anna.

Questions of the Heart; Defining Moments

This post has been a long time coming.  Sometimes the questions we ask ourselves are the hardest to answer.  I have found it to be true with this one.
 
What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself?
 

Life is made up of so many moments that weave together like a beautiful tapestry.  Each thread is important to the overall picture, but on its own may seem insignificant.  Defining a solitary moment that has had the greatest impact on my life has been a little daunting. 

As a child I was horribly shy.  I remember being mortified in preschool because I had been declared the cheese while playing the Farmer in the Dell.  Being encircled by my classmates singing, "the cheeeeese stands alone," was too much for my little shy self to bear.  Was it the fact that everyone was looking at me?  I think that was part of it, but looking back I think it was being alone that was worse.  My shyness was, ironically, paired with a great love of people and an even greater desire to be loved by them.

To say I was not loved would be a horrible lie.  I was so very loved that it seems insulting to those that love me to admit that I doubted it.  I have been blessed with so many people that each in their own way have played a roll in my life that cannot be replaced that the question of defining one moment as having the greatest impact gave me writer's block for weeks on end. 

 

In my darkest moment when I doubted my worth more than ever before, they were there, loving me.  My mother would constantly remind me to hold on to what I knew was true: I am loved.  Clinging to those words and the many examples in my life of how loved I truly was, I was able to slowly climb out of the pit, not without many wounds and scars, but out of the darkness to see the beauty of the world in the light of the sun.

Long story short, the greatest impact on how I view myself that has encouraged me to be me has been; love.

"He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means,

"Little girl, I say to you, arise!"

~ Mark 5:41

 

What makes a beautiful woman?

What makes you feel beautiful?

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself? 

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful? 

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful?

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women Edition 4

Happy Easter! 

and Happy First of April! 

Sorry for the mini break from the blog without forewarning.  Easter preparations and such were first priority and did not allow a minute for reflective writing. 

The following is not an April fools of any kind.  I am beyond thrilled for today’s edition of the Questions of the Heart series.  One of my favorite bloggers who never ceases to inspire me each day and who I admire greatly will be sharing with you her view of beauty.  Want a clue?  Here it is: #Encourage Beauty

That’s right, Anna from In Honor of Design is my guest today.  This is so very exciting!  I have been following Anna for a good while, she is one of my blogging inspirations, and one of the two women who started the #Encourage Beauty campaign which inspired Questions of the Heart.

I am honored and humbled she agreed to participate.  This confirms without a doubt that she is just as kind, generous and lovely as her blog advertises.  I admit I had no doubts this would be the case because I know one of Anna’s sisters and several of her cousins, however, the honor is still all mine.

So without further ado, I give you the Edition Four.

Questions of the Heart; Answers of Real Women

By Anna 

What makes a beautiful woman? 

I think a woman's most beautiful feature is her dignity and grace. When carried with confidence it positively impacts anyone they meet. 

What makes you feel beautiful? 

After having children, I feel beautiful after a good night's sleep, a run, or a shower. Even more than that, when I nurture my children, I feel so happy to be doing what I was made to do, and it makes me feel beautiful. 

What has had the greatest impact on how you view yourself and encouraged you to be yourself? 

I had a few important role models remind me that I was created beautiful in the eyes of God and that was enough. When you focus on that, its easier to accept your flaws. When I started dating my husband, he showed me what unconditional love meant...accepting me for all who I was. That changed my heart immensely! 

What is your beauty go-to for the days when you feel anything but beautiful? 

A good mascara, tinted moisturizer, and dry shampoo! 

What would you like to share with other women to encourage them to recognize their value and to be beautiful? 

EVERYONE has gifts. To each their own. When you can accept your weaknesses and embrace your strengths, confidence will follow. A confident woman who can wear a smile, and uplift those around her makes the most beautiful kind:) 

Thank you so much, Anna! 

Did you participate in the #Encourage Beauty campaign in March?  Anna and Hilary are offering a calendar so that you can challenge yourself to encourage beauty at any time.  With this in mind, I will be continuing the Questions of the Heart series through April and maybe beyond.  Feel free to share your responses with me, I love hearing what other women have to say about beauty.