Inner Beauty Day 2022 | JOY for Today

(Updated 10.26.2023)

We all know it is the heart of a person that truly matters, but outer beauty demands center stage with spotlights in our attention and interaction with others. Yet, when we allow ourselves to make that shift and choose to recognize and honor the inner beauty of ourselves and others - that is when JOY abounds.

JOY for Today Offerings:

• Did You Know... Facts about inner beauty
• Wolfe Stew Connects To the challenge of showing your inner beauty.
• Bible Verses and Quotes Inspired by inner beauty.
• Activity Suggestions SEL, stories, questions, and family challenge.

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:

• Columbus Day (October 9th Annually)
• National Grouch Day (October 15th Annually)
• Reptile Awareness Day (October 21st Annually)

Did You Know:

1. The Free Dictionary lists properties associated with beauty? The definition reads: "a quality or combination of qualities that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is often associated with properties such as harmony of form or color, proportion, authenticity, and originality." (The Free Dictionary)
2. Your inner beauty has a code? There is only one you coded by a unique strand of over three billion nucleotides with a combination that results in precisely, uniquely, and beautifully you. (gene-decode.com) 
3. Your inner beauty is tied to your unique life experiences? While we all have a brain that is formed by genetics, our perception (interpretation, experience, and organization) of events uniquely differs because we all assign different meanings based on our past experiences. No other person sees life like you. (Reference.com)
4. Connecting with the inner beauty of others is good for our well-being? When we allow people to see us for who we really are and we see them for who they really are, that is when we truly connect. This authentic connection positively contributes to our overall health, specifically in insulin production, heart health, and immune function. (Wharton Magazine)
5. Sharing our inner beauty is a common challenge because it means facing rejection? Often, we hide our inner beauty because we fear rejection. Rejection is a common fear that produces physical and vividly relived pain. We were created to be in connection with others, so when we share our inner beauty and perceive it as rejected, we hurt and often respond in anger toward ourselves or others. (Psychology Today)

We'd Love to Know:

Which fact helps you better understand inner beauty?

Wolfe Stew Connects

Why celebrate Inner Beauty Day in October? Surely it would fit better with Spring in March or Valentine's Day in February. But October? October is Halloween, a day we transform our identities to deceive others. For one night we get to be someone other than who we really are. 

Why are we so scared to be who we are? 

Is it fear of rejection? Boredom? An infinite grasping for something better? Or is it because while we all long to be truly known and still loved this goal feels unattainable?

Owning your inner beauty and sharing it with another takes bravery, but that bravery has high dividend earning potential.

Sure, it's scary. Often, it's rejected. We all long for attention, acceptance, and admiration. Yet, many times when we share our inner beauty, it is met with callousness, confusion, or criticism. And it stings. 

It can sting less if you accept who you truly and uniquely are and learn to see the beauty in it. Take time to realize no one else on Earth can do what you do, say what you say, connect how you connect, or experience life the way you experience it. Know that no matter how many people reject you, Your Heavenly Father never will (I Samuel 12:22). Furthermore, He wants you to share your life, your inner, beautiful light with others. Matthew 5:14-16 ERV:

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

So, I ask you: 

1. Be brave and share your inner beauty with others. Own your uniqueness; be honest about who you are. When you do, know that any reaction to your vulnerability does not affect your worth. Nothing can. You are precious, irreplaceable, and your worth is beyond measure. 
2. The very next person you encounter, connect with their inner beauty - their gift of authenticity and originality - and comment on it. Let them know you see them. When you do, know that no matter the reaction to your words, you are better for making the connection.

If you struggle with fear or are unsure of your victory in Jesus, we invite you to join us. Remembering Satan is under our feet is our GROWTH focus next week. Each day we will undergo short, but impactful, Bible based exercises to train us in remembering this truth. Let's together commit to living as confident victors, Warrior!

We'd Love to Know:

What's one word that depicts your inner beauty?

Bible Verses and Quotes 

Bible Verses

• "My darling, you are beautiful all over. Every part of you is perfect." - Song of Solomon 4:7 ERV
• "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on jewelry, or beautiful clothes, or hair arrangement. Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God." - I Peter 3:3-4 TLB
• "All this is for your sake so that, as God's kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God. That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:15-16 NOG
• "But the Lord said to him, 'Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.'" - I Samuel 16:7 GNT
• "You Pharisees and teachers are in for trouble! You're nothing but show-offs. You're like tombs that have been whitewashed. On the outside, they are beautiful, but inside they are full of bones and filth." - Matthew 23:27 CEV

Quotes

• "Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well." - Naya Rivera
• "Beauty...when you look into a woman's eyes and see what is in her heart." - Nate Dircks
• "For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Never throw out anybody. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows." - Audrey Hepburn
• "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
• "No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful." - Eleanor Roosevelt

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote you are writing on your mirror?

 

Activity Suggestions

Challenge each other to embrace your inner reflection. You are remarkable!

Our Nephew's Suggestion:

Feel beautiful, even if you aren't on the outside.

I love the bluntness of this statement and immediately acknowledge belonging. So many of us struggle with identifying ourselves as beautiful - internally and externally. But today, forbid that negative self-talk. Your uniqueness and authenticity make you singularly stunning. So, shine bright; the world needs your true, radiant light.

Our Suggestions: 

Describe Your Inner Beauty

Fill a human body outline with inner beauty words that describe you. Make sure that one of those words means "original."

Explore Media on Inner Beauty

• Preschool to First Grade I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont (links to Goodreads)
• Second to Third Grade The Ugly Duckling by Walt Disney via YouTube
• Fourth to Fifth Grade The Rough Face Girl by Rafe Martin, illustrated by David Shannon (links to Goodreads)
• Sixth and Up Wonder by R.J. Palacio (links to the book's website)

Discuss "Would You Rather...?" Questions

• Sit and stand as tall as you can all day or genuinely smile at everyone you pass?
• Make a gratitude statement each time you feel jealous or compliment the person you feel jealousy toward?
• Really focus on eating healthy or commit to an exercise routine?

If you'd like three "Would you rather..." questions for every October day, download this Wolfe Stew PowerPoint. It's also available (for free!) at our TPT store.

Take on the Family Challenge 

Hold each other accountable for making authentically positive statements about others and yourself. 

 

We'd Love to Know:

How you let your inner beauty shine.

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. Come back next week for...Columbus Day!

Fighting the Good Fight with You,

Sample one of these related posts:

To sample other holidays within this week.

To accept your unique skillset.

To celebrate who you already are.
To reflect on who you were with the Mr.
To know your worth.

Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.