Inner beauty is a major focus of what we do in both our medical practices.  For a psychiatrist, that’s obvious: so much of the work is directed at helping patients discover ways to cope with life’s problems and to bring out the strength and self-esteem that lies at the core of inner beauty.  It’s less obvious for a dermatologist, but equally valid.  Yes, that area of medicine is about the outer beauty of the skin, but often concerns about what’s outside mask issues about the inner self: a crisis of confidence, fears about aging or a troubled relationship, worries about body image or social conformity.  In any case, it’s very difficult to help a person become truly beautiful if you are only addressing the problems on the exterior.

That’s why we particularly love this poem from writer Sam Levenson, which reflects the essence of what we talk about when we mention Inner Beauty—that true beauty stems from seeing beauty around you, reaching out to others, and having a restorative, healing, loving attitude toward life.  The poem:

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.  For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.  For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.  As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

Stay beautiful,

Debi & Eva