The other day I was struck with an idea.  I would like to share it with my readers.  I was perusing the magazine rack a while ago and I noticed that some notable periodicals were presenting The World’s 100 Most Beautiful People.  I flipped through the pages and discovered that the people who were showcased in the list were mainly movie stars or celebrities.  I was discouraged by this development.  I thought why are these people being set apart as “beautiful” when there are so many more deserving persons out there.  It seems the criteria for the title “beautiful” was mainly based on outward appearances.  I thought I know of many people myself who are just as “beautiful” not only for their outward attributes, but also for the inner beauty I see in them every day.  I was repulsed by the idea that the world saw “beauty” only in the overblown and unattainable attributes of people who are set apart from the real every day world of the average person’s life. 

So, I decided I would create my own list, My Mental Trampoline’s List of 25 Beautiful People 2008.  I want to encourage my readers to send in their own candidates for this list.  The candidates can be anyone the person nominating personally knows whom they feel is a “beautiful” person.  I would appreciate if the person nominating would send in a photo of this person along with a short write up on why they feel this person should be on the list.  Let me know what this person does that makes them “beautiful”.  How they have impacted others’ lives and made the world a better place for doing it.  This person can be your mother, your friend, a mental health practitioner who has made an important impact on their clients’ lives, they can be a daughter or son, anyone, just please no celebrities or animals (pets).  I am currently endeavoring to create a candidate entry form, but if you wish to send in your entry early please provide all relevant information possible, i.e.: Name (Given and Surname), Age, Country in which they reside (do not send their personal mailing address, just what country they live in, thank-you), etc. Please provide your email address as a form of contact information so that we can update you on the status of the list and when it will be published.  Your email address will remain confidential and will only be used to contact you if any further information about your candidate is needed and to provide you with any pertinent updates on the list.

Let the world know that being a “beautiful” person comes from the heart first.  I will leave this nomination process open for several months in order for people to send in their candidates.  And, who knows, the list may end up growing from 25 to an even greater number.  I want to include candidates from every country in the world and please know that there will be no prejudices in the choosing of the candidates.  “Beauty” is diverse and multi-faceted, it has no borders.  Lifestyle, religion, ethnicity, age, social status, political leanings, disability, or any other such discerning features will NOT play a factor by any means in the choice of candidates for our final list.  My Mental Trampoline is a place that celebrates “the Beauty of the Human Spirit” in whatever shape or form it is presented.  Help me show the world the true meaning of “Beauty”.  Thanks in advance for all your submissions and know I look forward to learning about the wonderful lives of these important and beautiful people. 

One last note, unfortunately I am not yet a multilingual person.  Regrettably, I am only truly fluent in English.  If you are from a country that does not speak English please be patient with me, I will do my utmost to translate your nomination.  But, please be advised that if I cannot understand your submission it may take a long time for it to be evaluated.  Do not let this dissuade you from sending in your candidate, every submission will be considered of great importance.  My apologies for the inconvenience.

Kind Regards and the Best of Mental Health to all my readers in 2008,  Tash

Please send your submissions in to Tash.