Monday, April 6, 2009

Joyful Girl instructs herself on getting ready for swimsuit season

[please see here.]

Speak to people instead of mirrors;
Trust that the scars will fade some more;
Remember that you have remembered how to smile;
Persuade yourself that these legs which have taken you on so many adventures are better than
perfectly thinny thighs that can barely carry their owner down a runway;
Steal flowers for yourself as an antidote to jealousy;
Conclude that the phrase "bikini body" is a giant crock;
Choose to receive the ocean and sun as proof that you are loved.

15 comments:

  1. I don't buy it. Shame on me, but I don't. I need me some knee-length board shorts.

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  2. Yeah. I don't mean to preach; this is more me talking to myself.

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  3. Trust that the scars will fade some more...
    ::raises fist in solidarity!::

    --xo.

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  4. I love (and appreciate) this post ver much.

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  5. R. - Yes! Hugs to you.

    Erin - :) I am glad.

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  6. This is so great. :D (I also love the song you alluded to.)

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  7. Mirrors don't lie. People do.

    I hate swimsuits.

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  8. Sara - Very welcome. :)

    Cassandra and Enep - Thank you!

    Anonymous - Thanks for commenting. :) First of all, I think a person's own eyes can also lie (or at least mine can). But, the reason I try to talk to people instead of mirrors is that mirrors can only tell me about my appearance, whereas people can also tell me about things that I think should be more important to me than my appearance: their ideas and beliefs, experiences they have had, places they have visited, etc etc. People can affirm my value aside from my appearance. Which is what I would like to be certain of, even more than thinking that I look good and have worth because of that. Thanks again for commenting, and I send hugs your way.

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  9. I admire you for that. I don't have a very clear picture in my head of what you look like, but I do know that you are an amazing person, and that matters more than your appearance. It's just hard to believe that sometimes. Thanks for taking the time to explain it to me.

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  10. Anonymous - Thank you. Today was beautiful from the start because of your gracious words.

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  11. this is one of my favourite things you've written, i think.
    love.

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