I Am Beautiful. Just Thought You Should Know

True Beauty Conversations have been quiet for two weeks now. 110% my fault.

We'd talked about getting some guest writers. Melissa got one, and then I dropped the ball. In my own lame defense, I did send out a couple emails, but people are busy. So--I've got nothin'.

Still, the issue of beauty, and what "beauty" means, and how to do a good job of raising two little girls in a world that focuses on what we look like, rather than what is on the inside, presents itself to me over and over again (how's that for a run-on sentence?). In short, I find myself reeling with the task of raising two little girls.

Lisa Bloom wrote this amazing article about how to talk to little girls (I can't wait to read her book, Think: Strait Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World) . Mandy wrote a beautiful post about what makes her feel beautiful.

It's all around me, and I feel it necessary to be constantly vigilant to the cultural influences that my daughters will inevitably be exposed to at some point. I want them to know that they don't need to be a princess to be beautiful.

Ms. Bloom is so right, telling little girls they are beautiful doesn't boost their self-esteem. I can tell you first hand, praising Hadley for completing a puzzle goes much further. Mandy is right too, reading a story to Brynne certainly makes me feel beautiful, and I know she loves to read and make connections.

So, reading all this good writing and all my thoughts swirling--it inspires me to write.

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This morning's boot camp was yoga.

For once, the St. Louis humidity took it's swampyness to Louisiana, or some other state where they actually have swamps.

It was the perfect morning.  As we yogaed, the rising sun warmed my face and the cool breeze caressed my skin. Body strong, arms stretched to the sky, breathing in God.

In that moment, I felt beautiful. I was beautiful.

That's pretty bold, you might say. It is. My toes are twitching with uncomfortableness to tell you, I'm beautiful.

I am beautiful, because I am strong. I can hold both my daughters in my arms...at the same time.

I am beautiful, because I breathe in God every day.

I am beautiful, because I love and am loved.

To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides. ~David Viscott

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