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Reflections on beauty: 'Beauty is but in the eyes of the beholder'

Ever wondered why just by looking at someone we've never seen before evokes a spontaneous feeling of like or dislike, respect or admiration, fun or humor or just a vague negative feeling? Well, it has nothing to do with beauty or the clothing line that they adorn. While it's true that "a thing of beauty is joy forever" the reaction can still be the same nevertheless. Even the most beautiful face can look very unattractive and someone with no great features and looks can be the most attractive person we find. Is it their thoughts their confident demeanor, their body language their overall personality or what it is ? I tried to figure out

We meet so many people on a daily basis. Some can be total strangers and some we've known for a while. But more often than not that one single look and even a brief interaction can tell a lot about them. It could also be pure instinct but is our instinct generated through the signal that they send to us? But if that is true then everyone around us would feel the same about them. There would be one homogeneous pattern to it. Rather, we find that what might be beautiful to me may be a subject of total disapproval for someone else. While a painting on the wall that would keep my gaze fixed for a long long time may not even be noticeable by others.

I started wondering, may be this whole analysis or exercise is futile. Beauty doesn't fit into a logical equation. It is natural, visual or emotional but logical? I doubt so. To equate beauty to merely the physical attraction would also be unjustified. There are so many different elements to it. Its something that reaches out and touches our heart. Its unique and personal to each individual. It doesn't matter what signal they are transmitting to us, it depends on how we are processing them, which in turn depends a lot on our own mental makeup. No wonder they said "beauty lies in the eyes of beholder" There's a story behind each individual which in large part shapes their thought pattern reflecting it on their faces. Since there are so many different fragments to it, some of them might just touch that sensitive cord of us and some might just completely fail to reach to us when we come in contact with them giving us that different and wide array of impressions.

I was following the story of Youssif, that 5 year old Iraqi boy who was picked up while playing outside his house and doused on fire making his face completely distorted. A few days ago I saw that the plastic surgery done on him has been very successful and he is fast on the road to recovery. He cheered in excitement to see that he could smile and open his mouth. The things that we take for granted was a cause of major celebration for him. I don't think I have seen a smile more beautiful than that ever before and a face so full of life.

Its not them. I was contemplating.. Its us! May be there are no unattractive faces out there. We just look at it differently!
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