Isn't she incredibly gorgeous?
Like, breathtakingly-unbelievably-insanely gorgeous?
I'm her mom, so it's my job to think so, but really....
she's beautiful by any one's standards, not just mine.
I read an article today about body image.
GO READ IT.
Especially if you have a daughter.
Or if you are a woman.
Or a member of the human race.
Because of it, I have spent the last few hours reading, pondering, and assessing the way I view myself.
Am I negatively affecting my baby girl and the way she views herself because of my words or actions?
If I have, it stops now.
I am done being self deprecating.
I am done hating my post baby body.
I am done talking about my hair, my skin, my looks, and my body negatively.
My mom rocks and has always told me that she thinks I'm beautiful, but somehow even with awesome loving parents I sometimes buy in to the false ideal that "thinner is better."
This site has so many good articles, so if you have time, take a moment and read them.
Things ranging from the sexualization of toddler toys (hello, bratz dolls!), to the negative affects of photoshop and how it works on our brains over time, to the infiltration of pornography in to the mainstream media and it's harmful power.
The website/movement was started by 2 twin sisters who are working on their doctorate in communications studying representations of the female body in popular media.
From the website:
"Researchers have found that overweight girls who were more comfortable with their bodies were less likely to gain weight as they entered young adulthood. The girls who felt good about themselves were more likely to be physically active and pay more attention to what they ate. Meanwhile, the girls who were the most dissatisfied with their size tended to become more sedentary over time and paid less attention to maintaining a healthy diet, which caused them to gain more weight. This shows that encouraging women to love and care for their bodies - whether or not they match media beauty ideals – may be one way to reverse or at least slow the progression of the obesity and eating disorder epidemics. Beauty Redefined aims to continuously promote the idea that all women are worthwhile AND beautiful while fighting against the harmful ideals we’re sold at every turn."
I hesitate to even mention this in a public forum, but I have a dear dear friend who has struggled with this issue for a while now. She is so beautiful and it makes me so upset and sad that the world/media teaches these crazy-incredible women that they are less than wonderful!
Recently she has begun to be more vocal about her struggle and is fighting to help change the way women view themselves.
I think this is partially why this struck a chord with me today.
So- for me, for my daughter, for my friend, I'm deciding to change.
I'm deciding to love my body the way it is.
To be healthy in both mind and physique.
Because they are equally important.
And more than anything I want her to know that she is, and always will be, gorgeous.
A daughter of me, and more importantly, a daughter of a loving God who created her perfectly.
He doesn't make any mistakes.
