The Definition of Beauty

Recently, I attended a body image workshop at my local yoga studio. I understood the message that was given and I understand the concept of good body image. Learn to accept your body. I get it. I really do- the whole "fake it until you make it", this is the only body you're going to get might as well accept it concept. And for the most part I am grateful for the body I do have. I have two legs, two arms, and can function normally- as long as it's not between the hours 11pm and 8am. I don't want this post to turn into an "I hate myself" post because that is just not true. I have come so far in not hating myself complete and I don't want to backtrack.

However, actually learning to accept your body is much hard than it seems. From a young age in our culture, we all (males and females alike) are convinced that they have to look a certain way in order to be loved. What kind of message is that to be sending?

It is complete and utter poppycock! You should not be loved for only your appearance. It is just a trait and not even a very good one. Would you rather have someone who looks good on their Instragram page or someone who can carry on a conversation, or is caring, or someone who is compassionate? Yes, it's nice to have someone attractive mostly because we are a sexually based culture, but the most beautiful person could be the meanest, rudest person you know. Who wants someone like that? I'm going to make an analogy about food because I like food. Would you rather have a burger that looks delicious that tastes disgusting or have a sloppy, hot mess of a burger that tastes delicious?

With that being said....I am definitely one with body issues. I've come to terms with many of the problems but still every now and again they come back and I have to reevaluate. Starting in high school, I developed many of the issues that women face in this day and age. My hair isn't long/straight enough. I'm too short. My waist isn't small enough. My boobs aren't big enough. Nothing is perfect. I'm not good enough. No wonder no one likes me etc...

These are the destructive thoughts that pass through not only my mind but the minds of many, which is sad. Sad that we are so caught up on one trait of ourselves. Why not work on being loyal, trustworthy, loving, smart, strong? Why are we all so stuck on the fact that our teeth are blinding people? And I am at fault for it too. Don't think I'm sitting here thinking how much I love my body. In all honesty, the reason I finally decided to finish this blog was because I was lying in bed thinking how big my waist was. I'm the girl that sits there and untags myself from photos because of how much I think I look disgusting (Don't believe me? Look how many pictures I'm in on Facebook). I am and I won't lie about it.

I have been working diligently since December to start to feel better about myself and what I have learned is making yourself healthy makes you feel better. Not 100% better, but it makes you more grateful for having good health as opposed to being sick and having a skinny waist. I love the way my lungs fill with air. I love the way my muscles move and grow. I focus on loving what my body can do over trying to force myself to love what my body looks like.

Another thing I have learned to do is to love looking at things other than a mirror or pictures. Have you ever watched the first snow fall of the year? Or watched the stars fill the sky? Or watch someone PR at the gym? Or someone interact with their kids? Those are the things to watch. Why waste your time looking at something that you can't change and makes you upset when you can look at something that touches your heart? I'm not saying it's going to be easy to build a positive body image, but maybe you should focus on fixing other traits you have an put "beauty" in the background for a little bit.

25 Things That Would Make Our Friendship Easier If You Knew...

1.) I either like you or I don't....love wholely or not at all
2.) My actions are based on what will please others
3.) I hate small talk. Tell me about your dreams, fears, problems and life
4.) I grew up being shown how to hide my emotions and feelings. I bottle them up. They exist way down deep and your important if you can reach them
5.) I'm the perfect silent hostess for parties. I swear I should have been born in the 50's
6.) The concept of love is confusing for me so I'm sorry I space out when you talk about your boyfriend/girlfriend
7.) Most nights I go to bed promptly at 10:30(unless it's a nightmare week) so do not call or text me at that time.
8.) Nightmare week happens every so often where a recurring nightmare happens all week. Fun fact. The nightmare probably has something to do with you getting hurt which terrifies me.
9.) If I don't get sleep, bacon, or exercise I turn into a monster.
10.) I hate brushing my hair and getting all fancy so stop judging me and my sweat pants.
11.) I get dressed up when I really need to so stay cool man
12.) When I think you act less mature than me (which is most people) I call you kid
13.) Yes, I act like a mom...because I said so.
14.) Partying hard is a waste of time. Don't ask me to waste time because I value it
15.) I abhor surprises. Uggg they are THE WORST. Don't even bother with wrapping paper
16.) The waitress at the restaurant will judge me for ordering so much and eating it all before she gets back. Just smile and give me the dessert menu
17.) I hate showing up to a house empty handed. Just rude
18.) I believe in manners to an extreme
19.) Very few of you get to see a very obscure side of me. Consider yourself lucky
20.) My sarcastic tone has turned into a serious tone since I have aged. Almost everything I say is a joke so don't get your panties in a bunch. Chill
21.) I committed to twenty five facts when I started this. Will. Not. Quit.
22.) I'm secretly 60. I watch Frasier and Cheers. I drink black coffee but I need ice or water to cool it off. When I used to drink I would have jack and ginger. I enjoy napping and reading. I do the puzzles in the newspaper. My joints crack she its going to rain....guys, it's to the point where my grandmother makes fun of how old I am
23.) If we are being chased by a bear, I got you. I will just lay down. I hate running that much
24.) I will be loyal, brutally honest, caring, loving and accommodating to you if you let me. I want to please everyone because that's just how I am. I want you to be happy. Just let me do what I enjoy doing and stop making a fuss about it.
25.) You break me, I ruin you.