The problem with perceived "perfection" - and the pains one goes through to attain it - is that it is a false ideal; a puffy cloud of false hopes, distorted truths and impossible goals that fades further into the distance the closer one thinks they are getting to it.

"Perfection" of the type that most are seeking in the present, fleshly guise is an anomaly. Certainly, it can exist, but not in the world of plastic. Perfection doesn't mean bottle-tinted hair, colored contacts, big boobs and pinched stomachs. It isn't about long eyelashes, well-done nails, or full, pouty lips.

A recent study, published in the journal Epidemiology, found that women who receive breast implants have a higher-than-average risk of suicide. They were found to also be twice as likely to take their lives as women who'd had other cosmetic procedures.

Why is this? Why are women who desire - and then acquire - bigger breasts still unhappy enough to kill themselves?

The fact remains that people who feel bigger boobs, fuller lips, and slimmer hips are going to magically make them happy - and feel better about themselves - are mistaken.

There's nothing wrong with a healthy desire to change your look or to look nice. The problem is with those that aren't happy with themselves inside. If you don't like the "inside-you", no amount of nips, tucks and enhancements to the "outside-you" is going to change that. Bigger boobs aren't going to make you love yourself, or the life you're living, if you don't already have a solid and established self-love before deciding on such drastic measures.

The trick is to learn to love yourself inside - then work on fixing what you are unhappy with on the outside. What you will be surprised to find is that when you love your inside - the real you - you learn to love and accept some of those outside parts you previously despised.

There is no "perfect" - there's just happy with yourself and working with what you've been given; then your real, true beauty will shine through.

This page was last updated on May 10, 2006