Beautiful

After a long conversation about this with Erica, I've been thinking a lot about what makes something beautiful.  And so I decided to write my own definition of beauty.
I find a lot of things beautiful that the world would scorn or brush off.  And a lot of things that I hear praised for their beauty aren't really beautiful to me.

To me, beauty is more than a combination of colors or arrangement of atoms or a progression of chords.

For something to be beautiful, it has to be true.  When I feel a certainty in my heart that something is real and true, it becomes beautiful to me.  Anything fake or hidden just isn't as beautiful to me as something that is honest and not afraid to be itself.  Beauty flees the darkness and embraces, thrives in the light. 
Beautiful things make me happy.  And not just the quick-laugh-and-grin happy--the kind of happy that settles in my heart and warms my toes with lasting peace and comfort and just a good feeling.  One beautiful thing can change my day from mediocre to wonderful in mere seconds.  Sad things can be beautiful too, because sometimes feeling sad makes me even more grateful for what I have and what I can learn from the sadness.  And learning things always makes me happy.

I don't necessarily recognize beautiful things on sight.  Anything beautiful needs to be recognized by the heart and mind, and that might take a little concentration and time.  Nothing is truly beautiful that doesn't make you think, and even change you a bit.

Something beautiful will always touch my divine nature.  I will hear words spoken that remind me of scriptures, hear music that fills my soul with the Spirit, and see images that make me grateful for all I have been given.  The gospel is the most beautiful thing I know, and whenever something reminds me of the gospel, it is beautiful to me as well.


So when the world has decided that beauty is a skin color, a style, a place, a person, I know what is beautiful to me.  And as long as I surround myself with what I find beautiful, I think I'm set to face the world with a smile on my face.

I think this song is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard.  When I listen to it, I feel like I am listening to exactly what peace sounds like.  Just because it is from a TV show does not mean you shouldn't listen to it or should think that it isn't good quality.  I listen to it whenever I'm feeling worried or unloved or stressed and it reminds me of all the beauty in the world and that my Heavenly Father loves me.

Valentine's Day

I had the most fantastic day today.  No, I did not find my Mr. Darcy (or any other boy, for that matter,) but I did get a flower from my best friend, and heard the most amazing devotional in the whole world, and wrote a beautiful love story, and had dinner with all my BYU sisters.  I found out that I did really well on my physics test, and I talked with my dear friends Nina and Olivia.  Nina even drew me a lovely picture and sent me valentines.  I took treats to some of my friends, and sent valentines to the ones who live far away.

Today I was reminded (in a way that left me sobbing in front of about 700 people) that Heavenly Father loves me so much.  Whenever I have a specific problem or question on my mind, He takes care to find just the right person to tell me just what I need to hear.  I spent almost the entire day grinning with happiness just because I knew it so strongly.  His love for me was constantly on my mind and in my heart, and I could feel myself radiating it. 

I hope that anyone who doubts Heavenly Father's love for them can have experiences like mine today and on many occasions in the past.  I know that He loves all of us with a perfect, immeasurable love. 

To everyone who has shown me love or support or patience in my life, THANK YOU!  I love you all and I am eternally grateful to you for helping point me in the right direction.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!