I've been reading The Artists Way by Julia Cameron with a great online tribe
Been learning quite a bit about the world around me
But most importantly, about myself
I've come to realize that I am my worst enemy
I am fast to criticize, belittle, shame, chastise, ridicule, hate....me
I don't know why I do it, and I probably never will
The only constant in my life will always be Me
The reality is, family and friends will come and go
But Me, that package that encases and protects my spirit, will always be here
I am more than just what I see with my eyes
It's about time that I learn to like this Me
Because in order for any changes to have a lasting effect
I need to be willing to do them for myself
I need to value myself and know that I am worthy of my love and attention
(and already I'm squirming uncomfortably)
So I came in cold, wet and tired from volunteering at
The Kid's football game and took this photo
I don't like photos of myself
I don't like knowing people are looking at me
I find fault in everything
How my cheeks are too chunky and hide my one dimple
How my teeth are crooked
How my hair is always messy
And then I remembered that the Queen of Arts
is always talking about love
and she told me once that learning to love herself
involved taking photos of herself
and I looked at my photo again and this time told myself
I like that you only have one quirky dimple
I like that you have all kinds of smile lines
I like that your eyes disappear when you laugh or smile
I like that you have crooked teeth
because you're imperfectly perfect
and one day I may even love you
You are BEAUTIFUL!!!! Both inside and out!!!
ReplyDeleteAND you have that messy, sexy just rolled out of bed look!!! Embrace it!!!
Hooray! The pretty spirit's outer shell has been exposed and it is beautiful too. The one we have always loved, yet you are blind to it. When will you ever believe us? Plan on us continuing to chant it until YOU believe it too!
ReplyDeleteThe Artist's Way is a great book--a grand exploration! You are beautiful! Yes! Love yourself! You are the only you there will ever be! *hugs*hugs*hugs* :):)
ReplyDeleteTo me, you look truly gorgeous. Even if I didn't know what a lovely soul you have I would say to myself, "There is a very pretty woman". Funny, you describe yourself the same way I describe myself. Crooked teeth, eyes that disappear when I smile, always messy hair. But I know you win hands down in the pretty department. As if it even matters, right? It's what's inside that counts. But we still care, no matter how many times we repeat that to ourselves. thanks for being so brave to put your picture up here.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Elena in every way. It is of course these imperfections that make each of us unique and in this way they become perfections.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wise and beautiful woman, Elena!! And it's those laugh lines and crooked teeth that make us especially beautiful to those we love and who love us. It's amazing to me how millions of us can be so uniquely ourselves. Isn't the variety of humans mind blowing? It is to me!! Love, Silke
ReplyDeleteElena, if I looked that good after running and being wet, I'd stand in the rain all the time!!!
ReplyDeleteLove thyself.
There is much there of value.
♥
XXOO~~
Anne
Beautiful you. Exactly right - you are a beautiful person inside and out. I know. Your writing shows it too, always encouraging to everyone else, and I am one of the lucky ones to have spoken to you...your comforting voice, the twinkle in your eye...soothes. Love you Elena.
ReplyDeleteYou're a cutie patootie! And we are all our own worst enemy!
ReplyDeleteYou blow me away, Elena, with your bravery and strength. And yes,you are beautiful !!! I am honored to be a source of inspiration for you as we both go along to road to loving our Selves. You just inspired me back, more than you could ever know.
ReplyDeleteMuch love, my beautiful Friend!!!
Well Howdy Hot Stuff! Can I buy you a drink? Rowr Rowr!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhy are we sooooo hard on ourselves? I look in the mirror and am not too disgusted, but put me in a photograph and Watch OUT because my inner critic will bitch slap the crap outta me!
You have nothing to hide from. You're gorgeous iside and (quite obviously) outside. Thanks for setting a good example of fearlessness! Even if you had fear posting, you did it!
You are so pretty!!!! Hugs Karen
ReplyDeleteI love how the Queen's truth resonates throughout the universe and how we can learn so much about ourselves when she shares her loving thoughts! This is a beautiful post!
ReplyDelete