Life in the dictionary is defined as "the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating eternally."
After reading that definition I instantly felt so thankful that I have been selected to live a life, and that I as an individual am capable of doing so much. Life alone is so intreguing. This opened my eyes to a larger scale picture. Life is grand, and shouldn't be taken for granted.
This leads me to my next point which was also stated in the definition of life itself; we have the power to adapt. Adaptation is key and often times happens without trial, as it is a natural part of life. For myself; I had quite the eye opening experience in adaptation this past week as I ventured to FL with my family.
When we think of Florida we think of sunny skies, palm trees, sand in between our toes, fruity drinks, and the beach. For me, the beach in all its glory still housed some fear as I am not the "cookie cutter" bikini model we've all seen on the cover of sports illustrated and I have skin as white as snow (obv, I love Disney movies). I really believed in order to enjoy the beach I had to be an entire list of things, I am not. Now, the real question why on earth would I believe that!? Tabloids? Magazine covers? Rude Facebook posts that people have written that contain a photo of a stranger they took just to bash them? Yes, the answer is in fact all of the above. I feared someone would get a photo of me with half an eyebrow and my thighs in their naked glory. I feared a lot. So much in fact that I piled on the leg makeup, face makeup (which is a given haha) I even wore a big cover up on top of my bathing suit. I laid on the beach anticipating the moment I ripped off my cover up and came out as me in the rawest form, no filter and the least amount of clothes I've worn in years. Could I do it? Could I face these strangers and let go of the walls I've put up for so long? As I looked around the beach trying to mustur up the courage I couldn't help but look at all of the people. People of all different shapes, sizes, and colors. People who all had something in common; confidence. These people were confident enough to take on what most of us find, scary especially now that the world has become so judgemental if you are less than "filtered" in real life. These people came to the beach to have fun, read a book, watch for dolphins, and play with their kids in the ocean. These people were the most beautiful people I have ever seen. They were thriving in their own skin underneath the gorgeous rays from the sun. All smiles and full of joy but what they didn't realize is that they were inspiring me. Soon after I got done drooling over how much beauty was on that beach in that given moment I did what I only drempt of doing. I adapted. I let my walls of insecurity crumble and I took on the beach in my pin up style one piece I'd been dying to wear. I didn't let the fact that I was still bloated from Christmas dinner effect my confidence, I embraced the fact that I was beautiful and am fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to go on a delightful vacation with the family of my dreams after enjoying many meals with my family for the holidays. I am alive. I have a story. My body has a story. I have stretch marks yes, but those tell my story of motherhood. I am short and curvy but that tells the story of my genes and family before me. I bloat easily, but that tells the story of my food allergies and pcos. I have lost 50 pounds, and that tells a story of accomplishment. I wore makeup to the beach, and that tells the story of my career. I am actually really proud of where I have come from, where I have been and where I am going. I am me, and I am unique. I am beautiful. Now, you say it. "I am me, I am unique, I am beautiful." So, before you get tangled up in the new year, new me resolutions remember that you are you, you are unique and, you are beautiful. You have a story that inspires. You already have a body that's perfectly equipped of going to the beach making it the perfect "beach body." Stop comparing yourself, after all its unattainable because there's only ONE YOU. So, please. Go make you self a promise to love and cherish oneself in all of your forms for all of your life. You deserve it; you are beautifully and wonderfully made just as you are ♡.
After reading that definition I instantly felt so thankful that I have been selected to live a life, and that I as an individual am capable of doing so much. Life alone is so intreguing. This opened my eyes to a larger scale picture. Life is grand, and shouldn't be taken for granted.
This leads me to my next point which was also stated in the definition of life itself; we have the power to adapt. Adaptation is key and often times happens without trial, as it is a natural part of life. For myself; I had quite the eye opening experience in adaptation this past week as I ventured to FL with my family.
When we think of Florida we think of sunny skies, palm trees, sand in between our toes, fruity drinks, and the beach. For me, the beach in all its glory still housed some fear as I am not the "cookie cutter" bikini model we've all seen on the cover of sports illustrated and I have skin as white as snow (obv, I love Disney movies). I really believed in order to enjoy the beach I had to be an entire list of things, I am not. Now, the real question why on earth would I believe that!? Tabloids? Magazine covers? Rude Facebook posts that people have written that contain a photo of a stranger they took just to bash them? Yes, the answer is in fact all of the above. I feared someone would get a photo of me with half an eyebrow and my thighs in their naked glory. I feared a lot. So much in fact that I piled on the leg makeup, face makeup (which is a given haha) I even wore a big cover up on top of my bathing suit. I laid on the beach anticipating the moment I ripped off my cover up and came out as me in the rawest form, no filter and the least amount of clothes I've worn in years. Could I do it? Could I face these strangers and let go of the walls I've put up for so long? As I looked around the beach trying to mustur up the courage I couldn't help but look at all of the people. People of all different shapes, sizes, and colors. People who all had something in common; confidence. These people were confident enough to take on what most of us find, scary especially now that the world has become so judgemental if you are less than "filtered" in real life. These people came to the beach to have fun, read a book, watch for dolphins, and play with their kids in the ocean. These people were the most beautiful people I have ever seen. They were thriving in their own skin underneath the gorgeous rays from the sun. All smiles and full of joy but what they didn't realize is that they were inspiring me. Soon after I got done drooling over how much beauty was on that beach in that given moment I did what I only drempt of doing. I adapted. I let my walls of insecurity crumble and I took on the beach in my pin up style one piece I'd been dying to wear. I didn't let the fact that I was still bloated from Christmas dinner effect my confidence, I embraced the fact that I was beautiful and am fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to go on a delightful vacation with the family of my dreams after enjoying many meals with my family for the holidays. I am alive. I have a story. My body has a story. I have stretch marks yes, but those tell my story of motherhood. I am short and curvy but that tells the story of my genes and family before me. I bloat easily, but that tells the story of my food allergies and pcos. I have lost 50 pounds, and that tells a story of accomplishment. I wore makeup to the beach, and that tells the story of my career. I am actually really proud of where I have come from, where I have been and where I am going. I am me, and I am unique. I am beautiful. Now, you say it. "I am me, I am unique, I am beautiful." So, before you get tangled up in the new year, new me resolutions remember that you are you, you are unique and, you are beautiful. You have a story that inspires. You already have a body that's perfectly equipped of going to the beach making it the perfect "beach body." Stop comparing yourself, after all its unattainable because there's only ONE YOU. So, please. Go make you self a promise to love and cherish oneself in all of your forms for all of your life. You deserve it; you are beautifully and wonderfully made just as you are ♡.