#mind positive

[happyhungryrebelbelly]

Instead appreciate what you CAN do with them and what they can do to help you reach your potential physically. I'm thankful I have them💕

Source found on: https://pin.it/lxwniuwj5kooqd

[bookshooksandlooks-blog]

My Problem With The Body Positive Movement

Ok, I know what your thinking. This is going to be some tangent about how its not healthy, the women are “fat” etc. 

BUT IT’S NOT.

My problem is that we are being sold the same line about being pretty, or fashionable but now it’s ok if we are bigger. The women in the images? Still pretty, still tall, still leggy, perfect hair, perfect makeup, Beyonce shirt, Starbucks and heels. That message says to me “now one more form of womanhood is acceptable! It comes in LARGE!”

Are you kidding me ladies? This is the best we can do? Where are the women who may be a little goth but are still gorgeous and maybe are amazing writers or have started an anti-bullying campaign? Where are the women who maybe aren’t so pretty, but my god, can they belt out a metal scream in front of a mostly male audience? What about the women who are in the armed services and saving lives or piloting fighter jets? Where are the women working on cars and still looking amazing? Why is it we are still objectifying women based on what they look like but now its ok because more sizes are available? Everyone is saying these women are pioneers, well,that is fine but, what else are they doing in the world, besides being pretty at a bigger size? (I’m sure some of them have foundations, just like every other celebrity on the planet. I do want to add, some of these ladies are actually doing some great things, this is not meant to say all of them are not using their powers for good.)

Yes, of course confidence at any size is a fantastic goal, but it shouldn't be the only one. Do you know how many girls I hear or see say they want to be singers, movie stars, makeup artists, hair stylists, fashion models? Almost every single one I run across and these are not just girls but adult women at 18, 19 or older. Where are the Rhodes Scholars, the mechanics, the pilots, the drivers, the fishing guides, the programmers, the astronauts, the doctors (and I don't mean gynecology), the entrepreneurs who aren’t selling some typical MLM ‘weight loss, handbag, jewelry, skincare, makeup’ crap? I am not saying that these careers in the beauty industry aren’t important or even respectable, but why do so many little girls think these are their only options or are the only ones they know about? 

It’s almost like we can see women in these non-traditional roles but they still aren’t fashionable to admire or aren’t thought to be. One of the most amazing women I know is not only in the Navy but she is in the medical field, sings professionally and is gorgeous. I know a woman in her 60′s, that owns a multi million dollar company in a completely male dominated field (finance) and she is still very fashionable and yet there are no articles about her. Somehow, we still only get fashion models and entertainers held up as icons or women who long ago gave up any thought of trying to be pretty and focused only on their career. You can in fact, do both. Maybe that is why girls assume you can only do one. Smart or pretty. Work on cars or look like a girl. The bad part is, you know who hold these women up as icons? OTHER WOMEN. 

I’m not saying being pretty should be an afterthought, but it shouldn’t be the very first thing someone is known for! I don’t understand some of these typical role models either, the ones everyone seems to say when asked. You do know women existed before the last 60 years right? Many of them were much more intelligent, kinder and better people than a lot of these “icons of women’s rights”. Also, there is nothing wrong with a woman admiring someone like Alexander The Great or Galileo or Da Vinci, just because they were men. Why can’t she be Alexandria The Great? Or the next great Polymath? 

Why is it that we can teach a girl how to contour her face, coordinate a perfect outfit, walk in heels, do her hair, get a college degree and yet, most of them don't know how to check their oil or change a tire? They don’t know how to fish or hunt or cook or fire a gun or handle a knife. They don’t know about taxes, or how to balance a checkbook or save for retirement or when they shouldn’t sign a lease. They don’t know they have options when it comes to childbirth (not just a damn needle in the back and drugs to get through), they don’t know that they can negotiate for car prices,or their salary at a job. They don’t know that they are capable of doing these things because all they were taught is “be confident because we are all pretty”. They are so body confident but the second they get out on their own, they can’t do anything that actually pertains to real life. This is the exact opposite of what women have been fighting for over the last few thousands of years. Being capable trumps being confident. You become confident when you are capable!

What I really want to know is when we are going to start pushing Mind Positivity instead of focusing on what everyone looks like. Your genetics decide what you look like and if you are confident in that, good for you. However, YOU decide what you do with your mind and that is much more admirable.

(Disclaimer: Yes, I do plus modeling. However, I also can do all of those things listed above in the 2nd to last paragraph and am happy to teach any girl I know all of them, including my daughter. Be the change you wish to see in the world.)

[anilkumartravel]

[gloriayang]

"Kind Words Are Like Honey"

Want to know the funniest thing I realized today?

Since my hospitalization in 2011, my body has never been the same and, as a result, I've become well acquainted with insecurity. However, since I walked out of that hospital, my husband has been up to something, but I think in the most pure and intentional way possible. Because today, I realized that J has made it really hard for me to remember what my thoughts about my reflection are. He won't let me believe a lie.

When I see myself in the mirror, I see myself as he sees me. It's kind of embarrassing to confess, but I really, actually, truly feel like a supermodel in my husband's presence!! It doesn't matter that my jeans fit a little snug or that I still gravitate toward choosing to wear bigger clothing sizes — my husband's words, love, respect and adoration for me have truly tricked me into believing that I already look like the best possible version of myself that I know I can be. And you know what? The positivity that I feel about myself now has been so healthy for me physically, mentally and emotionally! The kind, persistent and true affirmations that J speaks into my life everyday have firmly translated to my stubborn noggin how beautiful I am to my husband and to my Creator, whether I see it or not. Words are truly powerful. Sweet and unrelenting love, too.

[ferguson988]

Despite the fact that this is the best shape I've been in in seven years, due to other mental illness, my confidence and self worth are actually at an all time low. As of late, my self image is often distorted by how wretched I feel on the inside. So, I'm posting these as a way of acceptance of who I am, inside and out. Though I feel broken, there is beauty to be found amongst the pieces. I need to keep reminding myself of that.

[thegaiyaa]

I used to be so ridiculously insecure with my appearance but lately these days I've been breathing in so much positivity, I'm fucking glowing like alien Mr Burns from the Simpsons.

[thegaiyaa]

BE STILL MY HEART