I have two young girls, they are 8 and 10 years old. I am concerned that this world will try and force them to think that outward beauty is the thing to aim for above all else. I really want to help them believe that the qualities and characteristics that are really important and that are actually worth having are those that you have within you.

I want to show these precious gems that I have under my roof that even though that magazine cover has an image on it that seems flawless. It is the result of hair and makeup artists, professional stylists, and then finally because that still isn’t quite enough, the girl in the photo is airbrushed and altered to fit in to this worlds’ idea of beauty.

I am a firm believer in the fact that you can see a beautiful woman, who obviously spends lots of time and effort looking gorgeous, and you think ‘Wow she is stunning!’ But then she opens her mouth and what comes out is anything but pretty. You then begin to wonder why you thought she was beautiful at all.

What is true beauty?

True beauty shines from within. You can see it by a genuineness in a person’s eyes. By their selfless, loving acts towards others, by their empathy for others less fortunate, for their lack of hypocrisy and double standards and for their open, honest and warm smile.

That is what I want to teach my young girls. In my mind that is real beauty. These are the qualities that others will look up to and will love them for.

I want them both to look in the mirror and love what they see.  Not to be unhappy because they are too thin or too fat or too tall or too short or whatever the style of the day is. I want them to be able to look at themselves and see a beautiful person, because of their amazing qualities, because of their loving spirit and their kind souls.

I think if you are trying to do the right thing. If you are generous, loving and kind hearted then you truly are a beautiful person.

Do you think this world is obsessed with outward appearances? Do you believe that real beauty shines out of a person’s eyes?