Fat Days & True Beauty

Alright, I'm just gonna come out and say it:
*Today, I'm having a "Fat Day".*

Ladies, I know you know what I'm talking about. These days just sneak up on you out of nowhere and try to drag you down into the bottomless pit of Self-Loathing.

Yes, that's right, even Superwoman has them.

And, as I was browsing the internet tonight, I stumbled upon this picture:







At first glance, it looks kinda cute, right? But, it's inaccurate. Real women come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. All walks of life. A real woman isn't defined by the size of her waist, the clothes she wears, the money in her bank account, how popular she is, who she marries, or the color of her skin. A real woman is defined by the way she carries herself, her confidence, dignity, grace, the love she has for others, her ability to forgive. She even has a sense of humor. She has to, to handle life's messes! A real woman recognized TRUE beauty in herself and others. A real woman realizes that she is a miracle in herself. She's a blessing to this world. No other woman (or human being) on this planet possesses the unique gifts that you have. No one can do all of the things that you do. 

From a Christian standpoint, a real woman:

• …is glad she’s a woman and rejoices in her femininity, expressing it through her attitude, appearance and bearing. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
•  …values the cultivation of her mind and diligently seeks after wisdom and knowledge. (Proverbs 22:17-21, 2:2-6)
•  …does not wallow in self-pity or make a habit of voicing complaints, but radiates cheerfulness and joy. (Proverbs 15:15, Proverbs 17:22)
•  …is trustworthy and gains the respect of those around her. (Proverbs 31:11)
•  …encourages and builds up those around her instead of criticizing and tearing them down. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:29)
•  …restrains herself from listening to, or participating in gossip, but instead speaks with wisdom and discretion. (Proverbs 11:12-13, 22, 20:19, 3:11)
•  …does not have a nagging, contentious or manipulative manner in which she deals with others. (Judges 16:16, Proverbs 21:9, 19, 26:21)
  

It doesn't matter how "fat" or how "skinny" you are. It doesn't matter how short or how tall you are. It's not your looks that make you "real". TRUE beauty isn't an outward appearance.

But, since we're talking about looks now... If you want to be beautiful on the outside, you have to start with your inside. You want some GREAT beauty advise? Here are a few tips from one of my loves, Miss Audrey Hepburn:

• For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
• For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
• For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
• For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
• For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
• People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
• Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.
• As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
• The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.
• The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
• The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.
   

And then, there are my ideas on being real and having true beauty:

• Embrace yourself and all that you are.
• Forgive yourself for your mistakes- Hey, you aren't perfect (Neither am I, and I'm a superhero ;P)
• Forgive others for things they do to you (Like I said last night: Forgiveness is more for you than for them, anyway. You can't harbor hatred... It'll rot you from the inside out.)
• Live out loud!- We're only given one life... Make it count!
• Don't try to be perfect!- A real woman isn't perfect, and a perfect woman isn't real.
• Embrace change- You never know where certain roads will take you.Follow your heart. But, take your brain with you

I have so many more things that I could say there. But, I feel like we'd be here all night. And I'm already seriously delayed in getting this blog posted. But, that's what late night trips to the Super Walmart will do for you (Hehe... *snort* Get it? SUPER Walmart?? Ok ok, I'll shut up now)

Anyway, the point is this: I had a fat day. So what? We all have them. We have ugly days, too. Do we succumb and buy into those feelings? Or do we turn down the volume of the villains in our brains and listen to what our hearts tell us, instead? Choose to ignore the media. Ignore society. What do they know, anyway? YOU are beautiful. I mean it. I wouldn't lie :) It's about time we all started being a little kinder to ourselves. Think healthy, live healthy, love healthy. Healthiness and happiness are the keys to living a wonderful life. And that's what we all want, deep down. To be happy. To leave a legacy. So, live a life so beautiful and so amazing that it will be worth remembering.

And don't take this stuff as me saying you have to always be on your best behavior. After all, as the late great Marilyn Monroe once said: "Well behaved women rarely make history" ;)

STAY BEAUTIFUL!!