Pounds and Sense

I got on the scale this morning and my daughter happened to hop in and see me.  Of course, wanting to model a healthy body image I did not freak out when I saw the number.   I simply looked down and commented calmly and positively about what I saw between my feet.  She jumped up and down and asked if she could try.  She did and when her number popped up she shouted, “I WIN!”

Yes, yes you do, love – in so many ways.

Ch Ch Changes

In my 20′s and 30′s I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find the right “look.” The trouble with that was twofold. First, I didn’t know how to dress myself. I had no knack for it and looked like a walking rummage sale most days. Second, I fought against the natural order of my characteristics. Instead of playing up my qualities, I tried to hide (what I perceived were) my imperfections. For example:

Thin Hair: Wore it long and permed
Brown Hair: Went blonder and blonder
Pear Shape: Dark pants and skirts
Dark Circles under eyes: Tons of makeup
Narrow Shoulders: Really BIG Shoulder pads (I had an extra set that I put under already padded items) (Yes, I looked like a running back)
Not Cool: Smoked imported cigarettes
Not Thin Enough: Went on a Diet Coke and Cigarette Diet.

You get the idea. But now at 42, something is happening. I’m not fighting it any more…

My hair is going gray and I’m not coloring it. First, I can’t afford the upkeep – but second, I kinda like the sparkly silver look. Instead of trying to hide it, I got an awesome shorter cut. Which, since I have thin hair is way more appropriate and dare I say, better looking? I’ve stopped wearing clothes that I think others will like, and now wear clothes that I like. I don’t try to look any way in particular, just comfy, fitted and colorful. I picked up a cheap rose-pink fleece the other day, LOVE it. Instead of stressing about my figure, I remember it’s a journey. I put weight on and I take it off. Although full-disclosure, the weight thing bugs me(still coming to terms with it). I have babies. I get older. I quit smoking. I try to eat healthy(in between the cookies and french fries). I quit wearing makeup except for lipstick Don’t have time for it. To quote Joni Mitchell, “Happiness is the best face-lift.”

If I could tell me daughter one thing in her life that would sink in…It would be to just really like yourself….That’s where it all starts. It makes for a much more relaxed approach to everything.

“Cause, time may change me, but I can’t change time. “

Once upon a time…

I was reading some library books to my kids the other night. Some of the books were intentional picks, others were random. I like to do that, then we read them and decide which ones we like and which ones we don’t. It’s interesting to see what’s a hit and what’s not.

One of the random books I picked was called, “I Like Me.” By Nancy Carlson. It’s the story of a fabulous pig who is in touch with her awesomeness. She looks at herself in the mirror everyday and says, “Hi Good-looking!” Then she says, “I love my curly tail, and my round tummy!” As far as I’m concerned, that book was written specifically for me. I need to hear that message almost more than my kids do. It’s a reminder of how to be happy, how to honor yourself.

Kid’s books just cut to the chase that way. In plain easy language, they speak the truth. It really can be that simple… “I like me” “Let’s share” “When I make mistakes, I keep trying.” “I love me no matter what.”

I love getting those little reminders. Reading books to kids is a little like going to a wedding in that sense. It’s a reminder of what is truly important. Like a wedding is a little vow renewal for the guests – Reading books to kids is a reminder of basic emotions of kindness. We need to stir up those feelings in order to keep them present.

“I like me.” Yes I do.