Beauty Is Fleeting, But Godly Character Lasts
Reading time: 5 minutes
After a tiring day of work in the factory garden, I treated myself to a visit to the museum and the local Rose Festival in Kazanlak. I had an amazing time meeting charming girls and taking photos, which made me think about how fleeting beauty is.
A Tiring Day at Work
I am working in the apple garden at work in the factory. The work is exhausting and heavy, and I get irritated. I am trimming very long and thick grass, which is hard work. On top of that, a female coworker of mine is constantly moaning about little things, which makes me even more nervous and angry. But that is what this kind of village work brings.
When I go home, I notice that some type of event is happening at the local museum. I dress up and go to visit the museum with a friend.
Meeting a Famous Actress at the Museum
At the museum, I discover that a special event is happening—a famous Bulgarian actress is performing a catwalk through the exhibits. She walks gracefully, followed closely by a photographer who captures her poses.
As our eyes meet, it seems like she wants to laugh but is trying to hold it in to keep her serious model face.
I decide to ask her for a photo. The actress is famous for her beauty, as you can see in the photo. Although she is famous and beautiful, she acts humbly, which surprises me and makes me feel good.
With Maria Silvester – a Famous Bulgarian Actress at the Local Museum
The Rose Festival and a Fun Encounter
Later, I walk through the park as the annual Rose Festival in Kazanlak begins. One of its highlights is the beauty competition for the Queen of the Rose Valley. Girls from the 11th and 12th grades, aged 18–19, compete for the crown each year. The winner gets to represent the town during the famous Rose Festival and at events throughout the following year, including a visit to Japan.
The competition has just ended, and I spot the newly crowned Queen of the Rose Valley posing with the second-place winner near a monument. My friend tells me to approach them and ask for a photo. They agree, and as we pose, the second-place winner jokes, “We won’t put a crown on you.” I don’t quite understand the joke, but I laugh politely and enjoy the moment.
They also seem very humble despite being the queen and the second-place winner, which surprises me. I have noticed that beautiful girls in general act friendly when they are young, but with time, most of them change their attitude and become more arrogant.
With the Queen of Roses and the Second Place Winner at the Local Park
Appreciating Beauty and Humility
Meeting beautiful girls is always pleasant, but what stands out to me is how humble and kind many of them are. Beauty paired with humility is truly special, and I am grateful for the cheerful moments I have.
It is not every day I get to talk and have a photo with beautiful girls, so I really enjoy the moment.
Beauty and Youth Do Not Last Forever
A few years later, I think about how people change with aging. I look at myself in the mirror and notice that I do not look as good as I used to when I was 20 or so. This is the same for all people.
Actors, actresses, and singers who used to look flawless and perfect when they were young often look completely ordinary when they pass 40 years of age. Some change drastically and reach a point where they look very different, while others manage to maintain a youthful appearance and still look good for their age. But even then, it is still almost nothing compared with how they looked when they were young.
Comparison Between an Old and a Young Woman – Pexels.com
Comparison Between an Old and a Young Man – Pexels.com
Life in general is short—it passes like one day. And beauty is even much shorter—from perhaps 16 to 35, it lasts only a little period of this life, which passes like a day.
So I remember the verse from the Bible:
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30
Proverbs 31:30 teaches that physical beauty is temporary and fades with time. Good looks are not the most important quality in a person. A godly character is far more valuable and lasting than physical beauty.
Focusing on What Lasts
When I am young, I do not realize how short youth and being good-looking are, and I believe many of you do not realize it either. It all passes like a summer day, as I remember from the words of a famous Bulgarian song.
So it is important to focus on the everlasting things—faith, hope, and love.
Life is fleeting.
Beauty and youth are fleeting within this fleeting life. Most importantly, one must concentrate on living a godly life that will bring everlasting life.