What I love about myself: My heart and my spirit. Even though sometimes my heart hurts and my spirit sags, those lows exist with sublime highs, so I love the ride between the two! On my body, I love my feet, my hands, and my head, especially.
My biggest challenge in accepting my body and beauty: Because much of my adult life I have been heavy, I constantly swing between feeling like my girth represents life experience and wisdom and wanting to be thinner for health and aesthetic reasons.
My biggest support in learning to appreciate myself: Meditation and self-discovery have led me to appreciate my body as it supports me daily and to love whatever state in which it currently operates. My granddaughter used to tell me early in her life that she liked my lap because it was “soft” and I realized that my body echoed my desired and intentional softness of spirit. I adopted her evaluation and cultivated my softness and hugability. I also read and listen to those around me who like who they are and are good role models.
Beauty is: the collective representation of the life vision and soul as it appears with the body. Beauty literally grows within and spills out through the eyes. A person can be physically beautiful, have terrific body parts, but still not BE beautiful if that person isn’t integrated with a beautiful soul.
Why I am strong: I am strong because I love and am loved. My greatest strength comes through practicing love and compassion daily in the world.
Why I am beautiful: I am beautiful because I am living intentionally by growing and spreading love, beginning with myself and spilling over into the world.
What women must know: That despite advertising’s emphasis on physical beauty, most of the world values soul beauty more. Knowing who you are and living your life around your inner wisdom makes you happy and beautiful and heals the world.
