Daily Inspirational Message for November 17, 2013

It doesn’t make sense to call ourselves ugly, because we don’t really see ourselves. We don’t watch ourselves sleeping in bed, curled up and silent with chests rising and falling with our own rhythm. We don’t see ourselves reading a book, eyes fluttering and glowing. You don’t see yourself looking at someone with love and care inside your heart. There’s no mirror in your way when you’re laughing and smiling and happiness is leaking out of you. You would know exactly how bright and beautiful you are if you saw yourself in the moments where you are truly yourself.
– author unknown

On a physical level, most of us judge ourselves so much more harshly than other people do. I certainly don’t expect anyone to look like a supermodel, yet when my skin breaks out or my thighs dimple or I catch sight of one of my many scars, I often feel inadequate and wish I was somehow better than I am. I don’t do this with anyone else, mind you: I embrace people as they are, and when they are kindhearted and friendly, I find them attractive regardless of their actual physical features. When I start to feel bad about my appearance for some reason, I try to remember that we are all like this: no one else is going to care if I’ve put on a few pounds, if my skin is scarred or my shoes are scuffed; they just care that I’m good company, and if I’m feeling ugly and unlovable, odds are good that I won’t be. To be extraordinarily attractive, we have only to smile and love ourselves and everyone around us just the way we are.