My ‘Ah- Ha’ Moment
It happened while I was doing a fitting for a special client. She is a lovely young lady, about 17 years old. She is a sweet girl that happens to have Downs Syndrome. I am making her a Jr Bridesmaid dress. She came by with her mother for a fitting with the muslin I had made of her dress. Not much to look at at this point; just a few scraps of fabric quickly stitched together. After I finished with the pinching and pinning, I had her turn toward the mirror so she could see how she looked. As she got her first glimpse in the mirror, her eyes grew in size, a huge smile formed at her mouth, and in a loud excited voice, she exclaimed, “I’m gorgeous!” Tears came to my eyes as I looked at her and realized how truly beautiful she is.
But my moment wasn’t finished. It was a few days later, I was at the gym, and I couldn’t help but over hear a couple women discussing their dissatisfaction with their bodies. As I turned around, I almost expected to see a couple of mis-shapen gargoyles with hump backs and warts, from the way they were talking about themselves! Instead, I saw two beautiful, fit mid aged ladies. And this made me so sad. How could they not see how beautiful they are? How perfectly made, in God’s own image?
It was at this point that I realized that I have been guilty of this same self abuse for so many years. So I gave myself a challenge: To find something about my body that I not only liked, but that I loved. I also want to challenge you to do the same. I realize that we all face challeges, physically; some of us more than others. But I also believe that none of us are so physically challenged or suffering such illness, that there is no beauty to be found. My hope is that each and everyone of us, as women, will be able to look in the mirror and with sparkling eyes and a bright smile on our faces, exclaim with enthusiasm, “I’m Gorgeous!”
Are you ready? I will go first. I love my shoulders!! My shoulders have always been strong. They have carried, lifted and comforted my children, they have carried the weight of trials and tribulations of varying degrees over the years. My shoulders respond well to excercise, becoming shapely and strong. Though they may have pains now and then, if I treat them well, and don’t abuse them, they heal quickly and become strong again.
So, tell me – please share what it is about your body that you love! Maybe it’s your skin, or your soft belly; maybe it’s your crooked fingers or toes! Is it your big smile, or maybe your perfectly shaped head. Whatever it is, I want to hear about it! So share this post – pass it on and share the love!!