Naked and Happy

Recently I watched a popular show on Lifetime. It features a man teaching women how to feel confident about themselves no matter what their size. I liked the concept, so I decided to tune in.

The episode I watched was a mother/daughter duo. The daughter was developing low self-esteem as a result of watching her mother berate herself each time she had a chance to do so.

The host took them through a couple of exercises and gave some good pep talks. It ended with the mother doing an almost totally nude photo shoot and the daughter in a bikini for a magazine. They did seem to learn to love themselves, but I couldn’t help but think that it won’t last.

A couple of things:

The host is an openly gay man. Is it really possible for women to define their beauty by the standards of one who is attracted to other men?

The women who had been told how beautiful they already looked were given extensive makeovers.

What about addressing the psychological reasons why women are so hard on themselves? Television and Media to name two.

After giving birth to 2 children in 3 years, my body parts will never again return to where they used to be. If any of you have breastfed, I am sure you have thrown all of your bikinis away. If not, the stretch marks on your thighs and stomachs have given you another reason to discard skimpy swimsuits and form fitting shirts.

The reality that my body will never look the same was enough to make me cry at first. But there was a person in my life constantly telling me how beautiful I was. I could not believe him. I know some of you have been there. Maybe you are there now.

Deep in my heart, I believe that our beauty, our true beauty is found inside. And we learn to appreciate it by remembering our Creator. He created us “fearfully and wonderfully ” .
(Ps. 139:14)

For those of us with daughters, they are watching. So next time you get out of the shower, stop sucking in long enough to take a good long look at yourself in the mirror. Take in all of the flaws. Try to notice some things that you love about you. And if you just can’t do it. Remember the One who made you. Ask him to love what you have. Stretch marks, extra pounds, saggy boobs and all.