Many people ask why I named the magazine Worthy and what Worthy is all about. I felt like the beauty issue was the ideal platform for me to elaborate on the magazine’s origins. Our loyal readers know that the inspiration came to me as I was listening to one of my favorite gospel songs by Cece Winans, “Worthy.” And even more know that I felt like I found confirmation for the name on the final episode of the “Oprah Winfrey” show. It was the last paragraph of her words that spoke to the insecurities in me that seemed to define the person I was up until that moment.
“We often block our own blessings because we don’t feel inherently good enough or smart enough or pretty enough or worthy enough. You’re worthy because you are born and because you are here. Your being here, your being alive makes worthiness your birthright. You alone are enough,” Oprah Winfrey.
I instantly recalled all the moments that I sold myself short because of doubt. I thought of how many great opportunities I missed because I counted myself out and for a moment, I wondered where I would’ve been if I had been more kind to myself. What opportunities would the universe have given me? I say all this to say that I find that the most beautiful people are the ones who are happy with themselves. Their happiness and confidence has not been built upon tearing someone else down or pointing out their faults, which we all have. The most beautiful people, to me, are the ones who believe that they are good enough, smart enough and worthy.
It was in that final lesson on my favorite talk show that I knew what the goal for Worthy Magazine would be. Worthy Magazine would be a multicultural publication for people 21 and up designed to inspire, affirm and celebrate our readers with a focus on reshaping the socially accepted standards of beauty. The reshaping would focus largely on internalizing the definition beauty instead of getting caught up on the physical.
It’s a powerful thing to consider that your mind can alter something so permanent as your physical appearance but it can. I know everyone has noticed or met a person who upon first glance is extremely attractive and then the worst thing happens, they begin to speak. Instantaneously that person becomes less and less attractive.
Essentially I am saying that I am learning from rather difficult personal experience that the love we give ourselves can be seen by others. So hopefully this issue will be a nice supplement to aid you in being kind to yourself. Let the stories of the featured actors, entrepreneurs and dreamers inspire you. Let the brief calls to action motivate you.
Beauty is heritage, beauty is self perception, beauty is kindness. We are all capable of great beauty.
