Enough with the If Onlys

I don't know why as a whole people don't see the good in themselves. You look at another and think if only..... enough with the If Onlys... I am realizing that it is more important to love oneself than another. It's also one of the most complicated things to do. I grew up feeling like I was never good enough. I thought I was fat. I was incapable of accomplishing anything. I never looked in the mirror and saw the beauty I was looking back at me. Here I am almost 43 still struggling to see the beauty others see. I see myself through better eyes than my beautiful teenage self but still struggle to see what others see. 

All three of my girls are confident, strong, beautiful girls but my 11 year old radiates confidence. "I love you.." "I know!" "You're cute!" "I know." It's not even a question with her that she 100% believes these things about her.  From the mouth of babes. Now let's go out and teach ourselves that we too are beautiful, loved, smart, and many other qualities that we have but don't see. Look deep in the mirror for the person that others see when looking at you. Don't just look at the reflection look deep into your character. Become the person that when someone tells you you are beautiful you say, "I know!"

This is the start of a beautiful future. My tan is peeling, my makeup is smeared, the sadness is behind my eyes, however, that does not define me. If looking deep I see a strong woman who has just finished working out, a mom that loves her children, a friend that cares deeply, a wife that loves madly, and a beautiful work in progress!