the right light
September 22, 2016 § 9 Comments
For a moment, I felt beautiful. Every limb flexed in repose and still. I might have napped if the dog hadn’t insisted we play.
The picture was an impulsive frivolity. I was bookmarking a place I wanted to find my way back to; trying to remember the landmarks to such gentle contentment.
It was only later, when I viewed the image, that I marveled over the shape of my neck, the happy lines around my eyes, the casual sweep of dirty hair that fell lazily into place.
I wanted to whisper to this other self that I see her. Not the tired, broken woman I look for, but the tender soul just beneath the bravado.
I wonder why it is so easy to search an image for disappointment and criticism, instead of appreciation and kindness.
To see ourselves in the right light.
scribblechic 
This journey is about us loving ourselves Marie. We begin this life kicking and screaming, taunted by life’s pain, so that we accommodate much fear…and within it is an image we hold of not being good enough or a negative self image.
But within those folds of experience we learn that this is not true…slowly realising that we are worth so much more…and because of what we have endured, we build an appreciation of what it has taken to find that love within ourselves…find that truth that can only come by traveling that path, so that we do realise a self love that is now built from an unconditional place, rather than the conditional that we once held.
And in understanding the fears that we held, they lose their power over us, and we then release those negative images of ourselves and become a more loving person, of ourselves and others because of it.
It is a hard journey, but in hindsight, one of much beauty, because it cannot be seen unless this path is taken, it is built to heal…us.
Look in that mirror…she may be tired or wrinkled or a million other things…but truly…inside is something being built to last a lifetime…a love like no other. Believe in her, as she does in you. trust her, as she does in you…but most of all. love her, for she will lead you home 🙂 ❤
I’m so glad you could read past the vanity of a “selfie.” I look at others – men, women, children and see the beauty easily, but it is a rare moment to offer that sight to myself.
And as you understand yourself Marie, it will become a permanent sight, a belief in what you truly are within and without.
We refuse to let ourselves ‘see’ because of that doubt, but we slowly go through many things to realise our walls are just our fears…and as each one tumbles, more understanding is seen.
It is the hardest journey, but a true guide to that belief and love of self 🙂
Additionally, it’s hard to teach self-love with empty words. Maya Angelou said,“I don’t trust people who don’t love themselves and tell me, ‘I love you.’ … There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.”
Exactly…and incredibly, you have actually just shown me something in my own life…thank you blessed lady, your heart precedes you 😀
I had been in a circumstance where I needed to ask myself how I felt about someone…and I realise now that I haven’t spoken up till this point because I don’t want to speak platitudes because I feel that I had to, I wish it to be my truth, speak that truth, so I am truly understanding how I DO feel so that I can come from a place that does have meaning.
I want to make sure I do have my shirt on…for me…then I can speak from the heart 🙂
Thank you wise lady, you have spoken from the heart…and I hear you 🙂
Our bodies match the rhythms of the earth and the seasons, I think. There is beauty in that.
What a lovely sentiment, Andy. That would explain the ebb and flow of energy; the tide of joy and the sweep of calm.
It would. Sometimes, when I’m feeling out of sorts, I feel the need to reconnect. Of course, this may purely be psychological on my part, but it works.
Poets tend to be intuitive, but I think there’s plenty of truth to both ideas.