Beautiful

I have been a huge Carole King fan since I was about 12 years old. I loved listening to Carole sing, even as a young girl. I would sit on the floor in front of my mom's turntable with her albums in my lap and play her songs over and over, singing along with the lyrics that were on the back of the album or the insert that was inside the cover. Some of you don't know who or what I am talking about, but that is OK. She is a singer, songwriter and was most popular in the early 1970's. And I love her.

For my 40th birthday, my best friend gave me a copy of Carole King's most famous recording, Tapestry, on CD. I had worn out my only copy, an LP and no longer had a working turntable on which to play it. That CD has been one of my favorite gifts in my many years of birthdays and other gift giving occasions. That one CD is a winner! (thanks, Ruthie! You rock!)

I was listening to the CD the other day and listened to the words of one particular song with new interest. Here are the words to the chorus of the song, Beautiful...

You've got to get up every morning
With a smile on your face
And show the world all the love in your heart
Then people gonna treat you better
You're gonna find, yes you will...
That you're beautiful as you feel

WOW! Isn't that great! Look at all the results of getting up with a smile on your face! People will treat you better! And you will be as beautiful as you feel! Everyone wins! And it sounds to me as if it is a choice. Something about the words, "you've got to get up" lead me to believe it might not be natural, it might be an "act as if" situation. Behave the way we want to be, even if we don't feel it. The choice leads the way. The attitude, the mental state, and the beauty follow the choice.

So many days I don't wake up with love in my heart toward my husband, my children, my friends, or my coworkers. Sometimes I just feel like I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Or I am just in the mood for someone to show ME love first. But, if I reach out, if I show them love first, unconditionally...they will love me back. And as a bonus, I will be as beautiful as I feel! Forget all those wrinkle creams, the make-up, the cute clothes. Beauty comes from within.

I always knew Carole King was great. I didn't know she had the secret to being beautiful...but I think I will give it a try!

Beautiful!