Since we tend to hear the word beauty used so much nowadays, I want to share what beauty is to me. I wrote an acronym for B.E.A.U.T.Y which stands for “Being Eternal Always Unique Truly Yourself.”

What does the word “beauty” mean to me? This is a difficult blog for me to write, even now after being in recovery for the past few years. First of all, “beauty” means writing down my thoughts because the process helps me to keep healing and therefore, supports others also. I believe that our beauty comes from the very depths of our souls, and what we feel, think, say and do with our lives is what makes us shine.

 I do not perceive beauty to be made up of markings from the physical, but rather, reflections of our limitless potentials from the inside.

What are our limitless potentials? Well, let me tell you that I did not know that I even had potential growing up. I excelled in school, and that made me happy, but I never felt that I knew how to connect with other people in a deep and critical way because of the abuse that was going on at home behind closed doors. How could I have learned what I was capable of becoming when I felt so ashamed of myself and never really was fostered in a safe and loving environment?

Recovery has been an extraordinary gift that I love with all of my heart and soul; it has been my best friend in so many ways. Rehabilitating has taught me how to re-learn all about myself and therefore, understand that I do have so much to offer. I have had to ask myself these questions, and apply the answers to my life daily: “Who am I? What do I like to do? What makes me happy? What do I want to do in life? What talents do I have that can contribute to the world in a greater way?” Living my life one day at a time without the eating disorder and exploring these questions has changed my life in ways that I never even dreamed of. I now know more of who I am as a person and I am sure that I deserve the best things that life has to offer.
 
Now that I know that I have unlimited potentials, I also see the grace in everyone and everything around me. I remember visiting the ocean a few weeks ago in Malibu and walking alone in the sand. I will never forget how just being able to breathe in deeply the fresh air and know that I was alive and healthy made me understand that I was truly blessed and had so much to be grateful for.

This has been my experience, but I’m interested to learn about how your perceptions of beauty and life have changed since you’ve started the process of recovery. Or if you’re still struggling, tell me about what you hope for yourself when you do begin to heal. Join the conversation on Twitter. Follow me at @TheNikkiDuBose and use the hashtag #BeautyProject.