A Woman?s Road To True Beauty

We live in a world where society dictates the norm. In today's society, beauty becomes so stringent that many women develop distorted views of body images and become frustrated at not being able to obtain the "ideal figure." Some women are so dissatisfied with their body size that they are driven to become thin and maintain that thinness, sometimes to the detriment of their health. Some women diet in order to increase their self-confidence, make a partner happy or to fit into the perceived model look hype that is so often seen on television. In some respect dieting trends reflect the cultural norms that say that women who eat less are considered to be more feminine and more beautiful. Women spend thousands on surgery to change their features or gain the nose, eyes, and mouth of their favorite celebrity.

Society's belief on what a female should look like play a significant role on how we as women view ourselves. During the teen years, women deal with two responsibilities: intimacy and identity. How they handle this period in life will have a major impact on their self-esteem, mind, body and spirit. Let us not forget that beauty is not physical appearance but, self-esteem, and humility. It is not what you see outside, but what you discover within, such as a kind heart that counts.

As women we need to be empowered with skills, knowledge, and confidence so we can challenge the entrenched structures that tend to hamper us. We should become aware and responsive to our potential and seek to continuously create and be positive role models to others. In short, we should learn to speak with strength, authority and knowledge and not place our self-esteem in the hands of others who would make money on our insecurities

Ms. Lewis is President and CEO of The Deline Institute for Professional Development, a training organization that provides workshops and seminars geared toward professional businesswomen. Ms. Lewis is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She is an Adjunct Professor at National-Louis University, where she teaches Human Resource Management. Ms. Lewis has conducted training for the Federal government on Diversity, as well as EEO regulations and guidelines. Ms. Lewis is a certified trainer with the Professional Women Network, specializing in the area of Diversity with an emphasis in Women's Issues. Ms. Lewis is a member of the Professional Woman Network and Professional Woman Speakers Bureau; the National Association of Female Executives; The African American Federal Executive Association and Federally Employed Women. Ms. Lewis' knowledge of business and professionalism is supported by 21 years of work experience in the military and 18 years of continuous work experience as a civilian with the Federal government. (Email sioc@aol.com)

---

If Theres Money in a Dead Mouse...

My 4 year old son was very excited. I had... Read More

4 Secret Ways to Stop Procrastinating

Ever wonder how to stop procrastinating?I was recently talking with... Read More

Pushing Through Your Comfort Zone

Our greatest growth in life comes from pushing through our... Read More

The Top Ten Strategies to Employ When You Feel Like Quitting

Ever feel like quitting? "Are you kidding?" you ask, "A... Read More

How To Be Motivated To Create The Life Of Your Dreams

When it comes to motivating yourself to be a better... Read More

If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It!

"I have heard it said that the first ingredient of... Read More

The Conversation of Recovery - Part One

Transformational Counseling is all about assisting another human being to... Read More

Perseverance As A Virtue

"Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed... Read More

To Boldly Go

For the first time in many years, Star Trek Fans... Read More

Nothing Ever Stays The Same

Nothing ever stays the same. On the one hand we... Read More

Intelligence & Energy

Life and evolution is the dynamics of energy in which... Read More

No Regrets

MY FOUR-MINUTE DANCING CAREERA few years ago, I decided to... Read More

Nine Reasons To Embrace Failure

I've always heard that "public speaking" is the number one... Read More

How to Eat an Elephant

I recently returned from a wonderful vacation in the U.S.... Read More

Break Free

I received an email the other day from one of... Read More

What Makes a Champion?

Imagine for a moment that you are a champion. You... Read More

Change 101: How to Handle the Changes that Come Your Way

One of the few things that are constant in this... Read More

7 Reasons To Stop Procrastinating Today

Procrastination is a delay tactic that has the ability to... Read More

The Art of Wastebasketry

Are your filing cabinets stuffed so full that it's difficult... Read More

Secrets to Motivating Yourself and Others

There is hardly anything more personal that what motivates each... Read More

The Story Of A King And Three Maidens ? Six Keys To A Successful Relationship

A King was trying to choose between three maidens to... Read More

Victorious Living

How are things going for you? Are you sitting on... Read More

How to Make Bite Size Resolutions for 2005

It never fails. Another new year approaches. You watch that... Read More

Ten Major Causes of Failure

-Lack of a specific purpose in life. You can not... Read More

The Ripple Effect: Small Steps Lead to Big Results

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not... Read More

Make The Most Of Today

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at... Read More

No Excuses

Don't you just hate it when people make excuses for... Read More

Ill Put My Money On The Kid!

Now, the Fun Part. It is nigh time to find... Read More

Personal Motivation: Without Struggle There Is No Progress

As each day ends and another begins, the words of... Read More

What are You Waiting for?

Do it now! Whatever it is you have been putting... Read More

Casting Vision

One of my greatest loves as a kid was fishing.... Read More

Motivation By Comparison

Motivation by comparison is a dynamic form of motivation which... Read More

Develop Guts to Achieve Glory

It is just amazing the amount of people who don't... Read More