She Magazine SEPTEMBER 2014 | Page 42

Ouida K. Page, RN, LPC professional advice Pearls on Swine Have you ever seen a beautiful model walk down the runway and then you see her walk over and light up a cigarette and say something really ugly? She is beautiful on the outside and maybe not so beautiful on the inside. I have seen a woman on television being interviewed who has wonderful and creative ideas and seems very nice and is not as beautiful, but she glows and has a peace about her. You notice her pretty eyes and hair, and she is dressed very neatly and elegantly. She is very attractive on the inside which is what makes her physically attractive on the outside as well. Women spend millions annually on hair, make-up, and clothes. If you have an ugly, angry attitude on the inside, it does not matter how you look on the outside. You will appear very unattractive. Have you ever noticed a woman at a party from ten feet away? She has on a gorgeous dress and jewelry, but the closer you get to her, the more unattractive she becomes. You hear her loud and angry voice. She may be drinking too much and behaving badly. She is embarrassing her husband and best friend who both wish they were not with her at the party. She is beautiful on the outside but not on the inside. She has never matured and never developed grace and wisdom. She even embarrasses her children in public. This woman does not have any of the gifts of the spirit which include love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. The Bible describes Esther and Sarah as beautiful, even as older women. Esther was soaked in spices and herbs before appearing before the king. I’m sure that she had her hair done and was adorned in gorgeous clothes. A eunuch worked with her, trained her, and taught her royal etiquette. Esther was naturally beautiful and she had a loving and gentle attitude. God used her to save the Jewish people. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was beautiful. She would ride by a king’s palace on a camel and was noticed because she was so beautiful. Even when she was in her nineties, apparently she was a knock-out! Other kings were interested in her being their wife. Can you imagine? Sarah was beautiful on the inside and had Godly qualities that set her apart.  She also was loving and devoted to her husband. She was a good manager over her servants, her slaves, and numerous family members. She was a devout believer and influenced others around her. “She is beautiful on the outside but not on the inside.” I have met many professional women who excelled in their careers. They were attorneys, doctors and nurse managers, etc. As you watch them work and perform their duties you see how truly gifted and attractive they are. They are well-dressed and carry themselves in a professional manner. They use good judgment and are fair with other people. They listen intently and then answer in a well thought-out, logical, and educated manner. They make assertive and sound decisions that are ethical and based on what they believe and hold to be true. They work with and mentor the younger women around them. They help them to become strong, intellectual women who are well-balanced and use common sense approaches to problem solving. These women realize that if your character is not beautiful, beauty is only skin deep. No matter how well-dressed you are, and how perfectly your makeup is applied, if you open your mouth and say harsh and mean things to others, you are not beautiful. If you constantly criticize and belittle people, they will not want to be around you. If you are negative and always whining, you will end up lonely and alone. As I have matured myself, I find that intelligence is attractive and I enjoy interacting with a well- dressed, smart, confident woman more than I do a young, beautiful airhead. The truly beautiful women are the ones who carry themselves well, express their thoughts in an articulate and assertive manner, and know what they want out of life and their career. These are the real beauties! 42 September 2014 shemagazine.com