What is beauty?

What exactly is beauty?  Can beauty be defined by age, gender, color, body shape or size?  If so, who gets to make these decisions?  Beauty is a characteristic that is present in every human being.  Beauty can be in many different forms since every person is unique.  However, when you look at advertisements and the society they have a strict set standard for what is considered "beauty".  Thin, rail like models are what people see on a daily basis.  Because of these images of slender models, it gives one the idea that they must look like them to also be considered beautiful.  This "ideal body image" is resulting in major health illnesses such as anorexia.  Many perceive models as beautiful and many look up to them, causing starvation and eating disorders to reach that level of beauty.  Young women especially have this negative look towards themselves.  With magazines, billboards, and many other advertisements showing only small built models, gives them the idea that they must look like them to be accepted into the society.  There are many ways to make yourself healthy however, when people are so determined to be something they are not, they may push themselves over limits.  Considering starving yourself to become what one thinks is "beautiful" is very dangerous and harmful.  Instead of trying to be healthy, many are instead becoming extremely unhealthy.  Every single person is different, unique, and beautiful.  Just because you may look differently from another, or have a different build then someone else, does not mean you are not beautiful.  Everyone has a different beauty and it should be learned to respect yourself and others.  Beauty is found within yourself, not on the outside.

Ted Talks

Video #1: The Road to Health – Dr. David Katz

In this video Dr. Katz spoke a lot about diseases and illnesses that one faces.  I found this video to be most interesting out of all the videos I had watched because it could affect people my age including myself.  You would think that illness and disease would begin at an older rate however, now it is ascending down to adolescents.  I found it interesting that the top factors for premature deaths were 1 being tobacco use, 2 lack of dietary needs and 3 being lack of physical activity.  I think this video was very important for one to watch because it explains that if you change your eating habits, smoking, exercise or weight you can increase your life expectancy by 80% and decrease the chance of diseases.

http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxMindStreamAcademy-Dr-David;search%3Adr.%20katz

Video #2: Don't regret regret - Kathryn Schulz

This video taught me to respect myself for who I am and to learn from my mistakes.  To briefly explain, she had a tattoo that she later regretted however, it showed her a new life.  I can relate to this because I myself chose to get a tattoo for a strong purpose in my life.  However, after the tattoo was done I was not able to scrub it away it would be there forever, and this idea got me nervous towards being able to have a successful career.  My tattoo is very small and on my wrist so can easily be covered by a watch however, after watching this video it made me realize that it shows who I am and that I should not regret the choices I have made.  Instead it helps me learn more about myself and achieve more.  Regretting yourself for your mistakes will only make them hurt more.

http://www.ted.com/talks/kathryn_schulz_don_t_regret_regret.html

Video #3: Your body language shapes who you are - Amy Cuddy

I found Amy Cuddys’ talk about body language very interesting.  “Change your posture for two minutes…. Look at your body now.”  It shows the audience that our body language can affect how many others view us and also how we view ourselves.  While watching this video I had my arms crossed and was slightly slouching into my chair.  Apparently this body language is somewhat shy and closed in because I was holding onto myself and keeping myself together.  It is interesting how there are “power poses” and if you are in are standing in a posture of confidence even if we do not feel confident it can effect ourselves and one around us and make us more successful.  I found it extremely interesting that if one is found sitting with their legs crossed with their back straight and looking open they will be more successful in comparison to one who is leaning back with there arms folded and slightly slouching.

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html