I think so!

Pictures of impossibly long-legged, airbrushed, flawlessly bronzed supermodels seduce our psyche. Juggernaut cosmetic industries promote celebrities with perfect bodies, hair, skin and nails, and minus any scars or wrinkles. We rarely get an insight into how long or how many people it takes to produce this type of perfection.

Add to that the $16.6 billion spent on cosmetic plastic surgery in USA in 2018 and it seems there’s no shortage of people chasing perfection.

Families are losing relatives to suicide. 

I know that not all suicides are the result of this pressure to be beautiful on the outside. But I also know, from my work, that many are — or that it's often a contributing factor.

Why is it so unacceptable to simply be who we are, and appreciate ourselves and each other? 

As tiny babies, we're accepted and loved, we're a part of everything that's going on. We're unable to discern any separation between us and the world. As we grow, we're encouraged to develop a sense of self and to strive for independence. We often forget that we are perfect, spiritual beings of light having a human experience. Rather than being a part of our environment and those around us, we endeavour to set ourselves apart.

We all have many skills and talents with at least one aspect that makes us unique and special. And as we're all constantly changing and evolving, maybe it would be more worthwhile to concentrate on developing the innate gifts we bring to this world of ours. It would undoubtedly be more useful than worrying about how we look on the outside, and whether our bodies fit into a perfect mould that 99.9 per cent of the population cannot possibly squeeze into. 

If people fully embraced who they are at their core, the cosmetic industry and its associated activities might eventually die out. But really, would that be such a bad situation? It could, at least, be a sign that we are evolving as a species, and beginning to see and appreciate people for who they really are. It would prevent us from being blinded by the outwardly attractive people on Hollywood's 'most desirable' lists. We would remember that those people who have the currently sought-after shape, looks and flowing locks are just doing a job — the same as everyone else.

Instead of focusing on external appearances, we might concentrate on heartfelt appreciation of people simply because they share the planet with us.

By finding a true heart connection, we'll discover their unique attributes, recognising each soul as another aspect of ourselves. Maybe we would begin to understand ourselves and spend our time and money developing the gifts that, innately, we already have.

Find your special talents and skills, then flaunt them for all the world to see and hear! Figure out what you're able to contribute to the world — and get cracking. The world needs you!