Mindful Beauty: The Beauty of Acceptance
I live in a culture that often confuses acceptance with submission, or worse, consumption. But true acceptance isn’t an invitation for something to overwhelm you.
For a long time, I thought I had to work hard to change people or force myself to tolerate discomfort. I found a profound, unexpected calmness the moment I realized that acceptance wasn’t about events around me. It was about changing the way I viewed things on the inside.
It reminds me of a beautiful concept shared by one of my favorite speakers, Abraham Hicks. She declared that whenever we get locked in deep resistance or don’t like something, it’s because we’re not seeing a situation or person the way God sees it. Instead, we comprehend it through our own limited point of view. And I say limited because, compared to the thoughts of the Creator of the universe, I know nothing.
But when we step back and view a situation through the eyes of the Divine, friction melts away. There’s a realization that everything has a place, and we don’t have to fight it to protect our own inner peace.
“When you stop seeing through your own limited lens and begin to see through the eyes of the Divine, friction doesn’t just soften — it disappears.”
This truth becomes incredibly visceral when it comes to self-acceptance. There’s nothing wrong with expressing ourselves with a new hairstyle or wearing a little makeup, but it shouldn’t come from a feeling of dislike or a desire to cover up who you are.
When we fight our natural look or personality, we are viewing ourselves from that limited, critical point of view. Self-acceptance is realizing that God didn’t make a mistake when designing your canvas.
I can’t tell you how often a client with beautiful, dense, coiled kinks tells me they wish they had sleek, straight hair — while the very next person with pin-straight strands begs me for a perm. We fight what we are born with, totally blind to the fact that every single texture has a divine, built-in benefit:
- Straight hair has an incredible capacity to reflect light, giving it that effortless, glass-like shine. Because of its structure, natural oils travel easily to keep it hydrated and protected.
- Curly hair brings built-in drama, volume, and movement. It frames the face with an organic, playful energy that you just can’t recreate with a curling iron.
- Kinky and coiled hair holds a majestic, architectural versatility. It can be sculpted into breathtaking shapes, woven into intricate protective styles, or worn as a powerful, gravity-defying crown.
Acceptance is not passive neglect, either. It isn’t throwing your hands up and saying, “Well, this is just how I am, so I won’t bother.” True acceptance is an active, loving stewardship. It is the intentional act of taking care of your skin, hair, nails, and — more importantly — your self-perspective.
There’s no need to alter yourself into something you’re not. Only give nourishment and be the healthiest version of what you already are.
“You stop trying to change the canvas, and you begin to appreciate the Creator of it — and that is where the real beauty begins.”
When you deep-condition your curls, moisturize your skin, care for your nails, and say your prayers, you are telling your body: I see you, I accept you, and you are worthy of care. You stop trying to change the canvas, and you begin to appreciate the Creator of it. And that is where the real beauty begins.
Sylvia Adera owns Mindful Beauty in Winter Haven. She has over 20 years of experience as a stylist and is passionate about sharing a positive message. https://www.mindfulbeauty.app/
