Opinion: The beauty that fades not

by Akwaowo Otu

There is a beauty that illuminates from the inside out. There is a beauty that neither the sun nor rain washes off. There is this kind of beauty that doesn’t fade with time or age: Kindness.

Whenever the word beauty is said, all I hear is the literal meaning; the quality of being pleasing to the senses or to the mind. And anywhere people use it; most times it has to do with the physical appearance of what they are describing, be it a place, human being or scenario. Let’s take for example a lady, the physical attributes are what appeals to the eyes as they then send signals to the brain which then describes the lady as beautiful or not depending on what the eyes can see.

In the course of trying to please the eyes and look beautiful, beauticians have come up with numerous beauty products ranging from Mascara, lipsticks, eye shadow, and various makeup kits to hair products, hair attachment etc. These days you find ladies and men alike spending time and money acquiring these beauty products all in the name of complementing their beauty.

Gone are the days where a little powder could do the trick, as people waste (pardon me) away wearing makeup that will not last for long. My childhood friend once told me,”why wear things that won’t stand rain drops all in the name of beauty?” But there is a beauty that adorns both the male and the female alike. There is a beauty that illuminates from the inside out. There is a beauty that neither the sun nor rain washes off. There is this kind of beauty that doesn’t fade with time or age: Kindness.

A songwriter once wrote; show a little kindness because it will be a shining light for all to see. This beauty entails being caring, friendly and generous to others whether you know them or not. It is treating people well and being there for them no matter how small it may seem. Most times we feel we really need to have much before we can be kind to people, or we only show kindness to the people we know…as sad as that is, kindness is one thing that will sure make you stand out and forever be in the hearts of the person(s) you show it to.

Once I was in a fix, I had gone to my university to do my clearance. I never planned to stay for two days but due to the situation I had to as I had no alternative. After concluding the clearance, the money I had on me wasn’t enough to get me back to my home. As I stood at the bus station, I had no hope and my frustration was showing on my face. One lady walked up to me and asked what made me so sad. I recounted my ordeals to her but never asked for help. She told me it was okay, that she would foot my bill for the transit. And I call that beauty.

Every day I wake up, I smile remembering that someone who never knew me did that and gave back hope to me. I want to use this piece to tell you that a little kind act you show to someone will live with the person forever. It will neither fade nor wash off, either by time or age. I know of a beauty that fades not… Kindness

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Comments (3)

  1. Beautiful article. Teaches a really good lesson

  2. Lovely piece!!!! If we all took time out to be kind to at least one person a day…..not expecting anything in return!!!! The world would most definitely be a better place!!!

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