What is a Woman’s Greatest Asset?

Once there was a beautiful young woman who placed a personal ad in a prominent New York newspaper.

In her ad she said, “I’m 25 and drop-dead gorgeous. I’m looking for a husband who’s making over $250,000 a year. If you qualify, please contact me.”

A successful broker replied to her.

He said, “I want to be blunt with you. I’m someone who makes over $250,000 a year. But a gentleman like me wouldn’t want to marry a woman like you. Because what I have is an appreciating asset, and what you have is a depreciating one. My money grows every year, but your beauty depreciates every year.”

There you have it. Despite our common belief, beauty is not a woman’s greatest asset. So what is it then?

In  my opinion, a woman’s greatest asset is grace. 

I once met an ordinary-looking lady. You wouldn’t call her beautiful, or even pretty, really. You probably wouldn’t notice her in a crowded room or if you passed her on the street.

But there was something about her that made her so attractive and captivating – something so powerful that if you spent just a moment with her you wouldn’t be able to take your eyes off her.

What did she possess? Grace.

Grace is something internal.

It is something that will not fade with the passing of years. Rather, grace grows with experience and age.

A graceful woman is confident in a calm, humble and comforting kind of way.

She’s not loud, flashy or arrogant. She knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin.

A graceful woman respects herself. 

She doesn’t feel superior to those less successful or less fortunate than her, nor does she feel inferior to those who are more successful or fortunate.

A graceful woman has been through life’s ups and downs.

She’s had numerous setbacks, disappointments and heartbreaks. But she doesn’t allow them to dampen her spirit. She protects her child-like innocence and keeps her optimism and her head high.

A graceful woman doesn’t seek attention or admiration from men.

She protects her personal space, quietly and vigilantly. She knows when and how to say no respectfully but firmly.

If her man decided to leave her, she wouldn’t beg him to stay. Instead she’d let him go, thus allowing new doors to open for both of them.

A graceful woman follows her heart but she also listens to her head.

When facing the temptations of fame, money or lust, she thinks carefully before jumping into something she may regret later.

A graceful woman has a sanctuary in her heart.

She is calm and centered, both in the face of upheavals and in the mundane of daily living. She’s as strong as a rock. But she’s also as soft as water.

A graceful woman is curious and passionate about life.

She loves to read, learn and grow. She keeps herself occupied and fulfilled doing what she loves.

A graceful woman is true to herself.

She understands that only with purity and kindness of heart can one truly experience the beauty and fullness of life.

A graceful woman is kind, compassionate and reasonable.

She understands that everything in life will eventually pass. So there is no need to calculate gains or losses. She instead appreciates what she has at any given moment.

A graceful woman is a virtuous woman.

She follows her values and principles and will not compromise them for short-term gains.

A graceful woman is beautiful from the inside out.

She’s like a dedicate flower. You may not notice her among the glorious roses and lilies. But the more you get to know her, the more you appreciate her forever unfolding beauty and charm.

Before a woman reaches 40, her looks belong to her parents. But after 40, a woman’s looks belong to herself.

Her face shows clearly who she is, how she lives her life, what’s important to her, and where she’s spent her time and energy over the years.

I surely strive to be a graceful woman as I age. How about you?

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