Looking at the urban definition of fabulous, it got us thinking about the connotation as it applies to real people, living real lives. What truly is ‘good looking’, ‘wonderful’ and ‘near to perfect’ anyway? And is any human being actually capable of perfection? Pfft nope. We decided it’s time to re-define fabulous for what it truly is.
Fabulous (adj): To show true beauty, i.e. to be kind.
So who’s fabulous?
Have a little think for a minute on this: who do you consider, in your own life, to be truly ‘fabulous’? You could assume most people would think of someone falling in that good-looking/perfect category but interestingly, when we surveyed family and friends, it tended to be more about style, attitude and personality. And a big part of the latter was kindness.
‘Forget insta-models, Mother Theresa was the most fabulous woman of her era,’ said one. ‘Audrey Hepburn,’ declared another. ‘She was even more beautiful as she aged because the kindness became etched on her face.’
‘My Nana was fabulous. When we used to ask her why her cakes always turned out so nice she used to say it was due to her secret ingredient: love.’ (That response got unanimous ‘awww’ from the Super Staffers.)
‘Fabulous’ may have started out as a hip word for physical attractiveness but it seems to have morphed into something far more precious and lasting. And it isn’t just beautiful, it’s fulfilling.
Why it totally rocks to be fabulous
When you radiate fabulous everyone around you benefits and, bonus of bonuses, that warmth often radiates right on back. Kindness is contagious and brings happiness into the everyday which, quite simply, just makes for a sunnier existence all round.
Here’s some ways to be fabulous out there in the world:
- Be aware of struggle. Is that elderly lady trying to push her trolley up a hill? Is that woman trying to lift too many things into her car? Is that man counting small change to try to afford his coffee? Sometimes kindness is simply noticing.
- Get in the habit of thinking: who will end up doing it if I don’t? Sometimes washing up for the poor woman at work who always ends up doing it is enough to make her day.
- Practice the generosity habit. The opportunities to be generous are endless but not always obvious. It can be as small as letting someone sit in your comfy chair or offering them the last piece of chockie. Okay, that’s kind of big.
- If you think something nice about someone, say it. If you think something not-so-nice, don’t. This little primary school gem rings truer than ever as adults; our playground is a lot meaner and genuine compliments often go unsaid but oh, how they can make someone’s day! It costs you nothing and it’s, um, kind.
So, the next time you look in the mirror don’t just see the body that is transforming or the face that is putting on makeup, look a little deeper to what really matters when it comes to being the best version of you. To what lies beneath the surface. Because it’s the kindness inside that is your truest beauty – the part of you that lasts. And when people notice and appreciate that?
Well, that’s just fab.