Have you ever thought of someone, ‘There’s something about him (or her) that makes me feel so good.’ More common with men is, ‘Wow, she’s… something.’

That something is called charisma.

Charisma isn’t a thing you think about. It’s a conscious thought about someone that suddenly swings to your subconscious mind, and stays there. However, it is incredibly significant in molding the way you see your neighbor and vice versa.

Why do you think the saying ‘first impression lasts’ is so popular? Because what makes the first impression is charisma, and if your charisma rubs off wrongly on people… it will remain like that unless there is some serious change.

The good news is, that positive charisma can be built easily if it is not already there.

What is Charisma?

In a deeper meaning, charisma stems from the Greek language, and means ‘favor’ or ‘gift.’ Originally, it was considered a religious term, referring to the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, more prominent in the early church (healing, speaking in tongues, etc).

However, modern language has extended the meaning to be synonymous with words like personality, aura, charm, etc., and while this meaning is more relevant to this discussion, it does not take anything away from the original definition.

Your unique personality is a gift to you from God, and like the talents in Our Lord’s parable, you don’t want to bury it and waste the fortunes you could make by harnessing it.

The question now becomes: ‘How do I harness it?’ In fact, ‘How am I sure of which personality I possess before thinking of building it?’

The answer is simple: Know who you are and live accordingly.

You are a human being – Recognize your purpose

You are a creature, comprised of both body and soul. You are made in the image and likeness of God, meaning you have memory, understanding (rational intellect), and a will (to do good and avoid evil). You are an emotional, social, and cultural being, made to interact with the whole of creation, and especially with God himself.

As a human, the first thing you should do to understand your personality is to live as such. Use your body and soul to know, love, and serve the One that created you. He knows you more than you know yourself.

Consider how much better the world would be right now if the majority of the populace knew and lived this truth: firstly, love God. Then, love your neighbor, and all other things – especially yourself – for the sake of God. Enjoy the things that God has made for you (people, nature, food, drink, etc.), in the right seasons, and with all decency.

You are a woman – Exude femininity with confidence

Demolish that infamous saying that men and women are the same – this is definitely not the case!

You are a woman, literally meaning ‘out of the womb of man’. You were made to give life and to nurture. There is no greater task other than that of the Creator himself. God’s masterpiece, the Virgin Mary, is a woman, whom all women should take as our model.

Having this essential attribute of procreation, it is only natural that women are softer, more intuitive, empathic, compassionate, sensitive, and more acutely aware of themselves and their surroundings. Women are houses made of glass, made to protect precious stones: the presence of God, souls of tiny human beings destined to be saints, and feelings and experiences of our fellow human beings that deserve as much consideration. Women are the heart of the world.

The more you get in touch with this notion of womanhood (called femininity), the more you will tune into your unique personality.

Not all women are the same, but all women should possess these traits because they are the essence of a woman’s nature. And just as the same perfume smells slightly differently on everyone, these qualities of femininity look different across various feminine archetypes or personalities, largely informed and expressed by one’s hobbies, talents, likes/dislikes, etc.

But the bottom line is this: A woman’s charm comes from the essence of her femininity. Develop those and your personality will pop, as they say.

Fortunately, many modern women are waking up to this fact and starting to obey their impulses to be feminine. But one thing they lack is a great (not just good) role model. As Catholics, we know who that is…

You are Catholic – Stand by your morals

The heading says it all.

The fact that you are Catholic means that you can recognize true models of femininity in the Holy Mother Church (who only receives from the Head, Christ), and in Mary, the Mother of God. Taking guidance from the ultimate woman, Our Lady, you will never get lost. Ask her intercession always and she will help you develop femininity – or better yet, virtue – in all areas of your life (work, family, friends, etc.).

As a Catholic lady, your conduct should be informed by the precepts of the Church, recognizing its teaching authority in profound humility and spirit of obedience. Your conduct should also be as one living in imitation of Our Lord and the Saints. In all things, be mild, charitable, patient, obedient, chaste, modest, merciful to others and yourself, etc.

Not only will you be a woman, but you will also be a God-fearing lady; a very picture of Our Lady herself. Anyone you come across will sense this, and men and women alike will respect you.

Christine Mako

Christine Mako is an avid reader and a zealous writer currently majoring in physiology at University College Dublin, Ireland. You can find her online at dreamsoftomorrow.comwhere she shares her experiences and insights with young Catholic women to help them develop their femininity and live a fulfilled faithful life in preparation for their married vocation.

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