The Beauty Within
As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, many guests have shared their Glen Ivy experiences over the years. Recently Southern California native and Miss California USA contestant, Arete Badounas, shared with us how through visits with her mother, she has grown up with Glen Ivy. Not only have these visits allowed Arete to work the spa lifestyle into her everyday life, but her spa experiences have also helped to shape her views on both inner and outer beauty.
“My definition of beauty starts with my mother. She introduced me to the traditional aspects of feminine beauty (make up, pretty clothes and high heels), as well as the importance of taking care of myself at a very young age. I believe the first time she took me to Glen Ivy I was about four years old. Back then, putting mud all over my body was a child’s dream! I was too young to understand the therapeutic aspects of this process, but I just experienced it as a fun day with my mom. As I have grown older, my ideas about beauty have definitely evolved.
I feel like the word “beauty” is too often associated with “image” and “age”—a superficial connotation that is only referring to how someone looks on the outside. What I have learned in growing older is that I feel the most beautiful when I am being productive in my life, exercising, being kind to others, eating right, and getting plenty of rest–essentially when I’m happy and full of joy. Have you ever noticed someone who is physically beautiful on the outside, but if they are not happy or content with themselves on the inside, it shows in their health, their skin and the way they move their body. This is why it is so vital to teach young girls to take care of their body and really treat it as their temple. I believe if you take care of yourself by eating right, exercising, and taking time out for yourself (maybe by going to the spa for the day!) you will not only look radiantly beautiful, but you will feel beautiful too.
I am now 23 years old and my mother and I still go to Glen Ivy. Of course it is different 
than when I was a child, but it is still time that we share together as mother and daughter and a way for us to de-stress, relax, and of course, feel more beautiful. I have decided to run for Miss California USA and people always say, “Wow that must be so much pressure.” I always respond with “No, not really” because I know who I am, I am confident in myself, I take care of myself, and most importantly, I do not compare myself to others. Beauty really is subjective when you consider only the physical aspects of someone. The old saying is so true, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder (and in my case it’s the pageant judges) so all you can really do is embrace your strengths, be the best person you can be, and your beauty will radiate both inside and out!”
Glen Ivy wants to wish Arete the best of luck as she competes in the Miss California USA pageant November 19-21, takes time to travel and embarks on her journey to graduate school!
We invite you to share your personal Glen Ivy story by leaving a comment below or by submitting your story and photos here.
