And you know, I used to be embarrassed by such reactions. In Catholic culture, we are taught chastity, modesty, respect for the body as a temple. But as I grew older, I began to understand that one does not exclude the other. Admiration is not the same as lust. It can be pure. Subtle. Almost prayerful.

One summer evening, I was sitting on the terrace of a small cafe. It was sunset - that very one, soft, honeyed, when everything around seems to be tinted with gold. And here was a woman walking down the street, about forty years old, not a model, not a celebrity, but there was something about her that was impossible not to notice. Not deliberate vulgarity, not bright clothes, but inner integrity. She walked as if she knew that she was loved. Not by someone in particular, but in general. By life. By God. And I wanted to be like her. And at the same time, I was sincerely happy for her. Just for the fact that she exists.

Why am I writing about this? Because I often hear from men at work in the office that they are afraid to admire women. Afraid to seem rude, afraid to violate boundaries, afraid to be misunderstood. And this, of course, is important - respect, tact. But still - if you feel that a woman's beauty pleases you, like the morning light or the smell of baking pleases you - it is not a sin. It is part of your human nature. And part of her nature is to be beautiful, inspiring.

I remember once a man I knew — an adult, intelligent man — told me something very simple: "When you smile, it seems to me that God is smiling through you." I still remember it with warmth. He didn't cross the line, he didn't try to flirt — he simply reflected my essence in his gaze. And it was so humanly correct. And he is happily married. He simply decided to express his thoughts.

You know, I think God created women beautiful not only so that they could be loved, but also so that they themselves could share this beauty. And bring it to the world. In our Catholic tradition, we have Saint Therese of Lisieux, who said that she wanted to be "love in the heart of the Church." I think this is about the same thing. About the ability to inspire not only with your actions, but also with yourself — your image, gestures, voice.

I am not one of those who post hundreds of selfies or seek confirmation of their value in the eyes of others. But I love it when a woman looks well-groomed, when she lovingly picks out a dress, fixes her hair, chooses perfume not to seduce someone, but to emphasize what she already has by nature. And if someone notices it, there is nothing sinful about it. It is even, in a sense, gratitude to the Creator. Like gratitude for a rose that just blossomed.

There is a line in Scripture: "Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and of good report... if there is any virtue and if there is anything to praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). I think that true feminine beauty is precisely from this category. It is virtuous when it comes from within. And it can be a reason for praise if it is noticed with respect.

And we, women, should also learn to accept this. Without fear, without self-abasement, without "oh, what are you saying." Just with gratitude. For the fact that there is a place for beauty in this world - alive, real, imperfect, but deeply human. And let every look full of respect be another reminder that we were not created by chance.

Lana Banana