Photo by Dennis Magati on Pexels.com

Once in a while before I get dressed, I take a look at myself in the mirror. It isn’t often, and sometimes, just when the mood hits me, I close the blinds, shut the doors and take a good look. Often I can see all of my frame, my “birthday suit”. I see the darkened spots, the scars of childhood, and scrapes from the playground, and whatever has tattered this body. I see more lumps than I remember, I know I carry more, in places I can’t hide. The see the roundness of my hips, and the sway in my back. I see the shape of woman, and I like her a little more. I used to see all my imperfections, covered it up in black, and hoped that the world wouldn’t bother me as I use to hide in the background. I have tried many diets, and have yo-yoed for many years. I gained and lost. Isn’t it funny how we are our own worst critics? Don’t you beat yourself up, with such comments, I wish I was a certain size, that I had longer legs, bigger lips, the list can go on forever.  Saying to yourself, I wish I could change this and that. What is it that you see when you stare into the mirror? The mirror, is showing me what has been there all along, ME! Being on this journey, I have met more ladies like myself, trying to accept their natural curves.  This doesn’t mean perfection, it means acceptance. Acceptance of a truth, that my flaws are mine, which makes them beautiful. Beautiful to me, and beautiful to be.
We should embrace what we have, and learn to love it. If we learn to really love our bodies and acceptance all of who we are, that gives us power. The power to embrace and the power to change. I know that there is power in what we speak. If we change what we speak, the power of change is in our words. Can we change our words to match the journey of acceptance? The journey has lead me to you, and to discover, a different me. I have decided to change my words and accept me, my God-given curvy self. In the words of the beloved Maya Angelou, “I am a woman, Phenomenally, Phenomenal woman, that’s me.” That is me; compassionate, curvy, giving, loyal, hourglass shaped, silly, big eyes, big smile, loving, and accepting… all of me. I hope you know that you are phenomenal as well.