it is not in the thing itself

that beauty is contained; it is in the eye of the viewer, the mind, the imagination behind the eyes that illuminates what it sees. The eyes cast the light with which the beloved object shines.

It is in the heart and soul of the being who finds beauty in that thing or person that the beauty resides, not in the thing itself.

Without ears to hear it, the falling tree makes no sound.

Without eyes to perceive it, beauty does not exist.

It is in being seen, truly, completely, fully, by someone who loves what they see, that we are born, and become and remain beautiful.

It is the reflections from the eyes of others that let us see who we are and teach us to love that being we call ourself.

In fact, I would say that babies are born loving themselves and all around them. It is only painful experience that teaches us otherwise, that breaks the bonds of love and loving admiration. It is the projected fears and hatreds of others that turn us into something unwanted, ugly, unloveable. We do not do this to ourselves.