As you know, I spent last week on a cruise and had a great time. If you haven't been on one before you need to have a 'Picture Set'. Pool decks are long and have many comfortable places for sitting along the pool. Some in the sun, some in the shade. You can get to the pool on either side of the ship and it typically sits on the top deck. Well, you can get some great people watching in on any day.
So, I watched one day..... And the biggest question I had was why did it seem that a lot of the people, mainly women were so insecure with their bodies that they seemed, well, like they wanted to hide it all. Here's what I mean. Have you ever watched a woman at a pool pull and tug on her suit? Pulls it down here, up there etc. You begin to wonder why she bought the thing if she felt so icky in it. Then the person, who quietly looks around to see that no one is looking before they take the cover up off? Or the woman who kind of seems to shrink when she gets up to walk to the water? Like, "Please don't notice me!" I found myself feeling a bit sad... and seeing how unkind we really are to ourselves body image wise; I can only imagine the self talk going on.
As a whole, we are not kind to ourselves and women especially are very hard on themselves. We are critical and very mean to the' me', and we say horrible things to the mirror, and I really wish we could find a way to stop. I watched women of all sizes and shapes and ages walk around the pools, and more than once I wanted to tell them how great they looked!
But, what I really, really loved was the fuller figured women out there and proud. They had on some stunning suits and showed off the goods and, frankly, it was awesome. They had men with them, that loved and doted on them, and for the moments I saw them, they were loved and appreciated. That was such a great moment, because they put it out there - here I am, beautiful and happy, and I am not a size '0'! What great empowerment that brought. I know the courage that takes, and I loved it.
So, I randomly toasted my beer to them all! I loved to see them happy, having fun, soaking up the sun and getting the gentle, occasional touch from their partner. I also sent a silent toast to those that don't feel so great in their self. Hoping that someday, they wake up and start doing it for themselves and not for others.
See, I found 40 very liberating and decided that I was going to embrace it all. The looks to come, the looks I had now, and hope for the best. I like feeling sexy, classy and great when I dress! I find if I dress for myself, I feel great. So for you, if that means a one piece, or a bikini, then you go for it! Don't hide it! Because, take a look around, those 'sizes' you may be admiring, they too have a lot of insecurities that they are hiding. Size does not equal happiness.... its the "me" in you that creates the happiness.
So, friends, raise the glass of your beverage choice and toast yourself and begin the journey of accepting the you, that you are. You can tweak, improve, strengthen etc. but until you believe it in your head, and heart, how you look on the outside won't matter. You need to believe in your "me"! Go for it! I'd love to meet you by the pool someday! Come, sit, have a beer with me, I'd love to hear all about it.
So, I watched one day..... And the biggest question I had was why did it seem that a lot of the people, mainly women were so insecure with their bodies that they seemed, well, like they wanted to hide it all. Here's what I mean. Have you ever watched a woman at a pool pull and tug on her suit? Pulls it down here, up there etc. You begin to wonder why she bought the thing if she felt so icky in it. Then the person, who quietly looks around to see that no one is looking before they take the cover up off? Or the woman who kind of seems to shrink when she gets up to walk to the water? Like, "Please don't notice me!" I found myself feeling a bit sad... and seeing how unkind we really are to ourselves body image wise; I can only imagine the self talk going on.
As a whole, we are not kind to ourselves and women especially are very hard on themselves. We are critical and very mean to the' me', and we say horrible things to the mirror, and I really wish we could find a way to stop. I watched women of all sizes and shapes and ages walk around the pools, and more than once I wanted to tell them how great they looked!
But, what I really, really loved was the fuller figured women out there and proud. They had on some stunning suits and showed off the goods and, frankly, it was awesome. They had men with them, that loved and doted on them, and for the moments I saw them, they were loved and appreciated. That was such a great moment, because they put it out there - here I am, beautiful and happy, and I am not a size '0'! What great empowerment that brought. I know the courage that takes, and I loved it.
So, I randomly toasted my beer to them all! I loved to see them happy, having fun, soaking up the sun and getting the gentle, occasional touch from their partner. I also sent a silent toast to those that don't feel so great in their self. Hoping that someday, they wake up and start doing it for themselves and not for others.
See, I found 40 very liberating and decided that I was going to embrace it all. The looks to come, the looks I had now, and hope for the best. I like feeling sexy, classy and great when I dress! I find if I dress for myself, I feel great. So for you, if that means a one piece, or a bikini, then you go for it! Don't hide it! Because, take a look around, those 'sizes' you may be admiring, they too have a lot of insecurities that they are hiding. Size does not equal happiness.... its the "me" in you that creates the happiness.
So, friends, raise the glass of your beverage choice and toast yourself and begin the journey of accepting the you, that you are. You can tweak, improve, strengthen etc. but until you believe it in your head, and heart, how you look on the outside won't matter. You need to believe in your "me"! Go for it! I'd love to meet you by the pool someday! Come, sit, have a beer with me, I'd love to hear all about it.
I just love you! You are always so positive & always have the right things to say. Love the post, but must admit, I'm that girl. The one who tugs on the clothes (not the suit..don't like water) because I have always felt uncomfortable in my own skin (even when I was thinner). Guess that comes from years of shit talkin' from others. But none-the-less, I love how you can always turn a negative into a positive!! we all miss you!
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