Obey your thirst.

Long before Dove came out with it's real beauty campaign, an art director and I hatched a concept that was so true and so, well, un-sexy sexy, that the client, a block-headed, Carson-Daily look-alike, couldn't grasp the idea of beauty not being Malibu Barbie. The concept was left on the table, and now resides in my portfolio.

Years later, here we are, and somehow everyone is now heralding this unconventional idea of beauty as if it were a new concept. It is not new, neither is it your own concept. You've just finally grown up. And it's about time.

Look at most of the men and women in your area, in your office, at your old grade school. Hot? FHM-ready? Is everyone slathered in bronzing oil? Not likely. Even beauty queens and super models look like average milkmaids without their MAC and Loreal crews. Ever seen Oprah without the glam? And, as reality TV make-overs reveal, anyone, ANYONE, can look amazing with the right haircut, clothes and make-up. The question is: why can't we think people look amazing WITHOUT the make-over? Why can we see the soul rather than the face?

Women are especially strange when it comes to appearance. If you are one of those sadistic women who delights in another woman's pimple, water retention or gray hairs, shame on you. There will always be someone prettier, more fit and younger than you. Your beauty is not based on others' beauty. Yours is God-given unto you alone. What a gift! And what if before God gave you life, what if your soul chose your body? What if you chose oily skin, big feet and beautiful smile? Apparently, I chose, the big feet, the round rump and interesting hair. And for me, whenever I've simply noticed a zit on someone else, I get one in the exact same spot within a week. Lesson learned.

How different our idea of beauty would be if everyone were blind. If you had to rely on the tone of people words, their mannerisms and their doings to form your opinion of their beauty?

Here's an idea: turn off the TV. Stop relying on the media to give your beauty standards and instead, create your own. Throw away the scale and just make healthy decisions. And instead of fussing over yourself, just confidently get ready in the morning and head out the door to make the world better instread of your body more "beautiful."