This is me with no makeup. It, honestly, makes me a little nauseous to share and I'm fighting the urge to photoshop all sorts of things!
Not long ago, a friend did a post inviting people to share one thing they love about themselves physically.
I sat and stared at that post for a long time trying to name something, but literally couldn't say I *loved* anything.
It brought me to tears.
This is not how it is supposed to be.
Of course, I can be thankful for eyes that see, ears that hear, legs that carry me, and heart that beats strong.
I *know* that my body, like yours, is a miraculous gift - I am thankful for what it's done every single day.
But, being grateful and *loving* each part of ourselves are two very different things.
There's a reason why compliments are hard to accept. Usually, it's because the lies someone whispered are still louder than the truths.
This was a topic of discussion amongst some of the amazing women I met this week. We challenged each other to lay it all out there and get real. To be raw and transparent about those things we try to hide about ourselves.
So, I'm taking my power back starting right here. This is my face. I'm exhausted from an amazing week, I haven't bothered with make-up at all, and all the things I don't like about myself are right there staring back at me.
I took this picture and saw: dark circles, large pores, unruly eyebrows I need to tend to, acne scars, wrinkles, melasma (especially above my upper lip), a chin that could be smoother, peach fuzz on my cheeks, a jaw that feels too strong.... the list goes on and on.
I showed my daughter and she said, "You look nice in that picture, mama."
You look nice.
Imagine if more people along the way had said that. Imagine if I'd listened to those who *did* say that more than those who criticized.
What if we talked to ourselves more like that?
It's time to get real, one beautiful flaw at a time.
Raising up a generation of women who know their beauty and self-worth starts with knowing our own and being kind to ourselves.