Be Beautiful, INSIDE and OUT!: An "Ikaw na ang Maganda!" Review

"Inner beauty outlasts outer beauty.

And so inner beauty is what we should also enhance."

--- A line from Miriam Quiambao-Roberto's Foreword for the book "Ikaw na ang Maganda!" by Malu Tiongson-Ortiz.

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How to be beautiful? That's the every question a woman asks. Is it all about how one looks, or it comes from within? Either way, enhancing both beauties will make you, us, a better being.

How does one define beauty? It depends. What may seem beautiful to one person may not be to another. Simply, there are no rules in appreciating one's beauty. Today, beauty is an asset. It helps one person to find a better job, or attract someone. For women, beauty will give them confidence. Most are willing to spend money to buy beauty products. But what if, you don't have the luxury to buy those? Does that mean that you can't be beautiful? This is what this book will teach us: That there is more to physical beauty. It's the inner beauty that make each woman beautiful. Just like what 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, "Beauty does not come from outward adornment, clothes, jewelry, hair, or makeup. There is something more to being beautiful on the outside, something that in the eyes of God, is even more valuable."

To not spoil much of the book's contents, I am to share what I consider the true essence of this book--- How to develop our inner beauty. As what the book tells, here are the key ways that I consider to develop your inner beauty.

1. Make God the center of your life, your top priority.

With God being the center of your life, you will be able to surpass every struggle and your life will be blessed with so much love and happiness.

2. Initiate forgiveness.

If we learn how to forgive, we will be free from hatred, and all will be left will be peace.

3. Watch your words.

Though they are just words, they can still hurt other's feelings, especially if delivered the wrong way. Only speak of kind words, and only words that the Lord will be rejoiced.

4. Learn to give.

God will bless people who are generous for they share their blessing with others.

5. Smile.

Smile makes everything light. A genuine smile means that your heart is filled with God's love.

6. Eat right.

It is also important to watch your diet in order to have a healthy inner beauty. Discipline is the key.

7. Sleep well.

We all need rest in order for our body to be refreshed and recharged. 

8. Pray.

To achieve inner beauty, a woman must always go back and be connected always to the one source--- our God, for he will be the only one help you with all your troubles.

9. Read God's Word.

His words will be the guide to live our lives according to His wills and plans.

10. Count your blessings.

Learn to be contented. Instead on focusing on things that we don't have, be thankful with all the blessing that God has given, and will continue to give us.

I made this review because I realized one thing: We, women, are so busy making ourselves attractive so that people will see us and pay their attention to us, not aware that we are neglecting our real beauty--- our SELF-WORTH. More than anything else, being beautiful inside and out will make you the best that you can be.

Give yourself a total makeover-- the one that enhances your outer beauty, and that nurtures your inner beauty. Do things that pleases the Lord, who is the sole source of true beauty.

"For you created mi inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in a secret place , when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  ---Psalms 139:13-16