Choosing Beauty: A 30-Day Spiritual Makeover for Women

In this day and age there is really nothing more beautiful then modesty. Most women are not built to wear the fashions that are prevelant anyway. Be modest, be innocent, be faithful and be truly beautiful. My wife bought this book and I agree completely. As a college professor I am always amazed to see what women think is attractive in fashion. The best thing the modern western women could do is reveal a bit less and work on inner beauty. Avoid all the narcisitic trappings of this world.

Even though I've haven't entirely completed reading this book, I'm already very impressed by Gina's dedication to helping women like me embrace the true beauty God has placed within each of us. As a 46 year old mom who feels older every day, it's great to be reminded that allowing my inner light to shine will have a far greater impact upon how I'm perceived by others -- and most importantly by my creator -- than will anything external I can do to my face or body. I'm greatly enjoying Choosing Beauty and can't recommend it highly enough!

Like Loehr's earlier book Real Women, Real Saints, Choosing Beauty is organized around the cardinal and theological virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and charity. After reviewing modern standards of beauty, Loehr describes virtuous women as those who light up their homes, communities, and workplaces like the sun. She offers a 30-day plan for women to learn concrete ways to develop virtue. Readers who allow the reflections to affect their lives "will be amazed at how much `brighter' your soul will be one month from now," she writes. Material on each virtue is divided into three-day segments, each consisting of a story, definition, prayer, and reflection questions. The third day ends with examples of the virtue as practiced by two models, usually Mary and another saint. Most of the daily reflections open with an incident from the author's life. Day 20, in the hope section, describes Loehr's panic as she faces an overwhelming task list in preparation for her wedding. Her fiancé encourages her to trust in God; the wedding and reception turn our beautifully; and Gina learns a lesson in hope. She discovered too late that all her worries prevented her from taking advantage of "a golden opportunity to grow in the virtue of hope and in authentic beauty." The day's reflection includes a reference to Mother Teresa's spiritual suffering hidden from others by her joyful exterior. "Women who radiate joy are especially beautiful. Strengthening our hope helps this feminine beauty flourish," Loehr writes. The prayer asks for trust in God in the face of pain, sorrow, and fear "so that I can smile even in the midst of these trials." Reflection questions address the beauty of joyful women, situations that helped us grow in hope, and areas of our lives in which we need to decide to be joyful.

An excellent spiritual manual for growing in virtue and true beauty. Each of the chapters are grouped around the seven virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope and charity. Each chapter starts with a reading and an anecdote, followed by a prayer, reflection questions and a suggested spiritual activity. I read this book independently and really enjoyed reflecting on the passages in this book. The author's voice is lively and fun and I can easily relate to her experiences and be open to God's grace.