The inter workings of my head are so contradictory sometimes. It swings one way, then violently shifts and swings the other direction. I don't know what I want, I don't know what I want to think, and I don't have any clue what my future holds - so sometimes silence is my cop-out. But there's something beautiful about silence. The way you can isolate your thoughts and detach from the world. The way you can hear nature breathing when you're out alone in the world. The tranquility of sitting alone and inhaling the aroma of your surroundings. The most wonderful things can happen when it's silent, too. The stillness of the air when making big decisions, the intimate silence you feel with a loved one, the way your brain works to understand concepts, and the small whisperings of the Holy Ghost. So maybe we just need to learn to bask in the silence and understand that maybe the only thing we need is the peace and muteness of the moment. And then maybe our brain can figure itself out. Right?
I'm obsessed with body image. Utterly obsessed. Not in the bad way like you would suspect, but in the I-wish-everyone-was-comfortable-in-their-own-skin-because-everyone-is-so-stinkin-perfect kind of way.
As women, we tear ourselves down. It's a concept we claim as natural, but really it's just unfortunately learned. Insecurities, comparisons, low self-esteem, and a depleted self-worth plague society. We see images in magazines or on billboards and instantly compare ourselves to them. Heck, I'm even guilty of it. You better believe I've seen pictures and wished I had legs or abs like them. But why do we do this? Where in our life did we ever start thinking we weren't good enough?
Re-touched images have infiltrated society. I'm so in love with the recent marketing campaigns that have stated they would no longer retouch their models and are promoting a positive body image. It thrills me because these comparisons we are making are doing us absolutely no good. We see these images and want to be like them. But why? At some point in your life, you are going to have to accept yourself for who you are.
I'm never going to be a size two. No matter how much I work at it, or how much I think I should or shouldn't eat, it's just not in the cards for me. I wasn't born that way, and I'm certainly not built that way. And you know what? I'm pumped about it. I love my size 8 body. I love my strong build, I love the way my hips curve and how my butt fills out my jeans. But more importantly? I love when I am being my absolute and true self. I feel beautiful when I'm laughing and making others laugh. You know...the genuine and exuberant I'm-going-to-pee-my-pants kind of laugh. I feel even more beautiful when I'm passionate about something and using my talents to help others succeed and see their self-worth.
Don't you see? Beauty is certainly more than skin deep.
Stop the comparisons, ladies (and even men for that matter). Don't let society dictate how you should or shouldn't look. When I say you're beyond perfect the way you are, I mean it. You have a hearty personality and your very own beautiful and enormous aurora that engulfs you. You have character, and that is what defines you. It doesn't matter if you are tall, short, slender, skinny, full, or curvy - you were made that way for a reason. Embrace that.
xoxo
Oh and while you're at it watch this vid. I promise it doesn't disappoint.
As another year draws to a close and a new year begins, you can't help but reminisce. You think about what you have accomplished, the fun times you had, and which goals should probably carry over again to the new year.
My year in retrospect was freaking insane. But boy oh boy, was it good too. I learned, I lost, I loved, and I gained. But most importantly, I grew. I have developed more as a person this year than any other year previous and I am determined to keep on that path.
So this year I'm doing away with the typical "keep my room clean" garbage (because honestly no matter how hard we try it's totally unreachable) and I'm moving on to things I believe wholeheartedly I can accomplish...with a little work. So here's to you, goals of 2014.
1. Live in, appreciate, and cherish every moment
2. Find my passion
3. Get a real freaking job
4. Become unplugged
5. Stop obsessing over diet soda
6. Quit putting quarters in the swear jar
7. Make meaningful relationships and mend the harmful ones
8. Travel to a different country
9. Join Crossfit
10. Become vulnerable
11. Read the Book of Mormon
They say goals aren't real until you write them down...so this is the real deal folks. I am now accountable for these bad boys. Here's to another adventurous year!
