The Beauty Within.....What It Means To Me!

The Beauty Within

“You got to have style and learn to be original and everybody gonna want to diss you!” -KRS-ONE, My Philosophy.

My Philosophy in life…… Be original!! I love hip-hop with every bone in my body! Hip-Hop music has had a tremendous effect on my life. As a child of the culture, the way I view the world and even the choices I make, good and bad, and the way I view the world at times stem from hip-hop.  The reason why I want to talk about hip-hop is because when I was thinking about my health and nutrition tips this week, I kept thinking about originality. In our society it’s so hard to be original and be accepted. A lot of rap music today is not about originality. Most artists express themselves not through words and poetry, but through negative symbols and sex. So often, hip-hop music glorifies drug use and alcohol consumption without mentioning the side effects that occur as a result. Rappers rarely touch on topics like good nutrition and meditation.

While thinking about my topic my mind began to wander to 1988 when I got my first record, Criminal Minded by Krs-One. This following quote has always stuck with me since I was ten years old: “You got to have style and learn to be original and everybody’s gonna want to diss you!” It stuck with me throughout my whole life because I was ostracized for being different. I never really fit in anywhere, I tried to wear the trendy clothes, but I never looked cute enough. I was just too tall, too skinny, too black, not black enough you name it. Basically I always got dissed.  Since my first rap record until now I have gravitated to original thinkers.  Artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, X-Clan, Public Enemy, The Fugees, and Outkast have always been my mentors because of their originality and awareness. KRS still inspires me to this day, he is a little like a father figure, always encouraging me to eat right, love myself, and stay aware and educated about issues affecting my community and the world. Currently I have Dead Prez in heavy rotation on my I-pod, their song Beauty Within always reminds me to accept myself and be myself. I am reminded that I am beautiful simply because I am.

Femme Noir’s Ten Tips to the Beauty Within:

1.       Be Original! So what your outfit didn’t cost $400, actually you got it from a thrift store, but if you like it and it makes you feel good wearing it then wear it with confidence.

2.       Express yourself through whatever talents you have, communication, writing, singing, drawing, dancing, let your life be an expression of the way you feel on the inside.

3.       Embrace all of your imperfections and highlight your best features. If you have great legs throw on a pair of skinny jeans, or a pair of killer heels.

4.       Avoid negative music and suggestions that make you feel like you are not special. Surround yourself with images that lift you up and allow you to be the best that you can be.

5.       Watch your alcohol intake, you look beautiful now, but in a few years alcohol can add many years to your face and body.

6.       Indulge in a massage whenever possible, if it’s too expensive I recommend trying a local massage school where students will do it for a fraction of the price a licensed massage therapist would charge, and they are just as good if not better.

7.       Repeat positive words (affirmations) out loud to yourself. Here’s one of mine, I am beautiful on the inside and the outside. See how your mood changes after saying that ten times in the morning and again at night.

8.       Believe in yourself and believe that you are an original! There is nobody else in the world exactly like you.  Dare to be different.

9.       Take care of yourself.  Stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water every day. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise, and get plenty of rest.

10.   Meditate.  Take at least thirty minutes a day to let your mind wander and bring forth the brilliant plan that you have within.

Remember that we are here to live not merely exist. Embrace your beauty within!