3 things.

A PR member posted an interesting prompt last week as a positive challenge...What 3 things can you praise about yourself? And then, after an honest assessment, what 3 things would you change?

This exercise started out nobly enough, with lovely women contemplating the things they loved about themselves (how refreshing!) but after a couple of pages, it was depressing. Because the 3 things "I would change" were almost always physical, and even more depressing they were physical changes they just knew they could change if they tried hard enough. The 3 things they loved were rushed through, simplified even, but the 3 things to change were lengthy!

I participated. Not because I enjoy beating myself up in public. But because I wanted to make a point...Your physical appearance is ultimately not the thing people will remember you for. Your character, your love, the way you light up a room with your energy and presence. That has nothing to do with your weight or your thighs or your stomach or your laugh lines.

You, every single one of you reading this, are important! You're beautiful, you're strong, you're independent. You're funny and capable. You're mothers, sisters, aunts.

You're my friends.

And every single one of you is worth so much more than the 3 things you would change. Those 3 things mean NOTHING to me, and I suspect they mean nothing to the people who surround you, who love you just because you're you.


In case you're wondering, here was my response to the post challenge:

I won't be changing anything physical about myself. I like me. Flaws and all. Keepers: 1. My eyes & smile, my "beauty mark", my pointy chin...actually I rather like my whole face. We've been together a long time. 2. My curvy, girly shape 3. My longish legs (especially for 5'4-1/2!!) Changes: 1. Hairstyle...it's time for a new one! 2. My "lounging" wardrobe...I love to be comfy at home, but I'd like to be cute too! 3. Manicure & Pedicure...I need to give myself one more often! I love having pretty, sparkling toes.

I can happily say, it was difficult for me to come up with 3 things to change. And what a really wonderful feeling that was.

We can lament the media portrayal of women, and the unrealistic body expectations we're bombarded with, and the celebrities who sell out and cash in...but really, are we any better if we're just trashing ourselves all the time? Wasting precious creativity and resources trying to change?

What if...and this is a crazy thought...what if we all just LET IT GO. What if we all loved ourselves, exactly as we are, for exactly WHAT we are right now. This moment. And every moment, from here forward.

The world would change. That's what.

Casting Crowns...Does Anybody Hear Her?