Okay, well, I have been thinking about something the last couple of weeks. Body image...a touchy subject, but a HUGE issue (no pun intended, well maybe).
I have some close friends of mine that are dealing with this subject, and it makes me so sad. Why can't we all just be beautiful no matter what we look like? It has taken me a LONG time for me to say this, but "I like myself." I may not be perfect, but if you don't like me, then it is your problem. Granted, I still worry about what people think about me when I am at the gym. Why is that? Because somewhere along the line in my life, I lost the idea that I was "worth it, and darn-it I am beautiful in and out."
My friends that I am thinking about, are wonderful woman, smart, funny, thoughtful, and I think, much more beautiful than I am. Why is it that we care so much about how we look?
I have to think about this in a bigger picture...Heavenly Father sees us for who we are right? He sees us for the beautiful spirit and person inside right? He sees us for the loving mothers, sisters, friends, aunts, grandmas, that we are right? Why can't we see ourselves as He sees us?
I really do think it comes down to self-esteem, obviously. We have to deal with this our whole lives...in everything we do...school, peers, neighbors, church, society. I am here to say right now. I am sick of this problem. I am going to fight this problem. I am sick of anyone feeling inferior to anyone else.
One of my friends has really taught me that it doesn't matter who you are, you are somebody, but she has a hard time knowing that she is "somebody." I want everyone who reads this to know, you are somebody...beautiful in and out. Wouldn't we all be happier if we just forgot about how people thought about us? We would all feel so much more comfortable around each other...and life would be funner.
It is funny, lately, I have been running into a lot of old schoolmates. It is awesome to see them...because, I don't care like I did when I was in High School. I can actually talk to them, feel equal to them, and I don't care what they think of me....why couldn't we just be that way when we were IN High School?
I have also had to deal with this with Riley lately. As some of you may know, one of Riley's school friends told her that her father doesn't approve of her being friends with a "black" person. Riley came home afraid of school, and didn't want to leave the house. Why the hell do people feel that they are better than anyone else! Okay...I better calm down, ha.
I know, I may not have made much sense in this post, but I am so sad inside that any of my friends feel bad about themselves, when I think they are amazing. Maybe, we just all need to get out of our own heads...and realize that we are "worth it, even if we aren't perfect." Heaven knows, I am far from perfect...and that is okay.
"If you could only see yourself as I see you."
I have some close friends of mine that are dealing with this subject, and it makes me so sad. Why can't we all just be beautiful no matter what we look like? It has taken me a LONG time for me to say this, but "I like myself." I may not be perfect, but if you don't like me, then it is your problem. Granted, I still worry about what people think about me when I am at the gym. Why is that? Because somewhere along the line in my life, I lost the idea that I was "worth it, and darn-it I am beautiful in and out."
My friends that I am thinking about, are wonderful woman, smart, funny, thoughtful, and I think, much more beautiful than I am. Why is it that we care so much about how we look?
I have to think about this in a bigger picture...Heavenly Father sees us for who we are right? He sees us for the beautiful spirit and person inside right? He sees us for the loving mothers, sisters, friends, aunts, grandmas, that we are right? Why can't we see ourselves as He sees us?
I really do think it comes down to self-esteem, obviously. We have to deal with this our whole lives...in everything we do...school, peers, neighbors, church, society. I am here to say right now. I am sick of this problem. I am going to fight this problem. I am sick of anyone feeling inferior to anyone else.
One of my friends has really taught me that it doesn't matter who you are, you are somebody, but she has a hard time knowing that she is "somebody." I want everyone who reads this to know, you are somebody...beautiful in and out. Wouldn't we all be happier if we just forgot about how people thought about us? We would all feel so much more comfortable around each other...and life would be funner.
It is funny, lately, I have been running into a lot of old schoolmates. It is awesome to see them...because, I don't care like I did when I was in High School. I can actually talk to them, feel equal to them, and I don't care what they think of me....why couldn't we just be that way when we were IN High School?
I have also had to deal with this with Riley lately. As some of you may know, one of Riley's school friends told her that her father doesn't approve of her being friends with a "black" person. Riley came home afraid of school, and didn't want to leave the house. Why the hell do people feel that they are better than anyone else! Okay...I better calm down, ha.
I know, I may not have made much sense in this post, but I am so sad inside that any of my friends feel bad about themselves, when I think they are amazing. Maybe, we just all need to get out of our own heads...and realize that we are "worth it, even if we aren't perfect." Heaven knows, I am far from perfect...and that is okay.
"If you could only see yourself as I see you."
Life is hard. I have a neighbor that has struggled with an eating disorder for of her life. The only time she has not was when she has been pregnant. Her life has been complicated by issues that have come as a direct result of her eating disorder. It is hard to live in a world that says one thing and show another about body image. Just yesterday my kids tell me that our 9 yr old neighbor told them she is on a diet. I almost lost my mind, because she is VERY thin to begin with. I have always struggled with body image, but know that I can not in front of my girls, because I do not want them to obsess about their bodies. I know all about the sadness inside. It is odd you mention high school, I was thnking about this exact thing yesterday. I have a guy on my FB that to some we use to go out to others, it was just a crazy thing. Anyway, when he is on I find myself adjusting my clothes or something, even though he can not see me. You are awesome Brook!!! Your spirit shines through so strong.
ReplyDeleteI think people have nothing better to do but complain about things.
ReplyDeletePlus they want attention too.
I also agree about the high school thing.Why were we so silly & dumb then.I guees we have to grow-up.
Sometimes we forget the simple things in life~
Brook,
ReplyDeleteYou always have the best posts. I totally understand and relate to everything you said. I get down on myself and Mark gets mad at me and will say "I wish you could see how I see you" He always tells me I am beautiful, but I just can't accept it because frankly most times I don't feel it. You are such a great friend and a wonderful, beautiful woman inside and out. It is a privilege to know you and call you a friend.
Love ya,
Rebecca
ps I really miss Amy :(