SOAPBOX TIME AGAIN!
This summer, on a trip Up North...
(For all of those of you not from Michigan, it means any place in our lovely state north of Big Rapids. It's a vague term...)
The weather was warm and we decided to throw on our swimsuits and spend some quality time on the pontoon boat, working on a tan, as best you can in the Mitten State. (It takes more work than you might think!)
And as a few of us sat there in our swimsuits, one friend says "I wish I had abs like you. Ever since I had the baby, I don't wear a bikini unless I'm going to be at home alone."
Umm, excuse me?!?!
This summer, on a trip Up North...
(For all of those of you not from Michigan, it means any place in our lovely state north of Big Rapids. It's a vague term...)
The weather was warm and we decided to throw on our swimsuits and spend some quality time on the pontoon boat, working on a tan, as best you can in the Mitten State. (It takes more work than you might think!)
And as a few of us sat there in our swimsuits, one friend says "I wish I had abs like you. Ever since I had the baby, I don't wear a bikini unless I'm going to be at home alone."
Umm, excuse me?!?!
Now here's what causes me to pause. This friend is GORGEOUS! She's prolly about 5'8" tall, blonde hair, gorgeous skin, and legs for DAYS! Plus, (And I envy her this!) due to her motherhood, she's got a pretty decent set of lady bits. (Y'all know what I mean; don't make me get vulgar.)
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL.
But she won't wear a bikini in public because she doesn't rock a six-pack stomach.
And so I sit there thinking, "Damn. Maybe I shouldn't wear a bikini either. I barely fill out this extra small top and I'm not fooling anyone into thinking I have long, slender legs like her."
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL.
But she won't wear a bikini in public because she doesn't rock a six-pack stomach.
And so I sit there thinking, "Damn. Maybe I shouldn't wear a bikini either. I barely fill out this extra small top and I'm not fooling anyone into thinking I have long, slender legs like her."
And then I about slapped myself.
Because I know that no person believes that they are pretty enough. Ok, maybe a lucky few do, but for the most part, us ladies are an unsatisfied lot.
Sure, we can find a few things about ourselves that we enjoy and like to flaunt. But there are always those other spots we seek to cover, to hide from the world because they're not quite as perfect as we feel they should be.
And I just wanted to ask my friend who ever gave her the idea that she wasn't "in shape enough" to wear a swimsuit. Because I wanted to find that asshat and punch them in the babymaker. (Great insult; works for either gender!)
How many opportunities would we miss out on if we waited until we had achieved perfection before participating? Should I never run a race because I'm not the fastest? Should I never paint a picture because I'm not Van Gogh? No more karaoke, because I'll never sing it as well as Adele?
I refuse to live that life. Life is not about perfection, or even that struggle to achieve perfection. But it's about the experiences we have along the way. I will not let someone else's ideal of what I should look like or act like stop me from enjoying my life.
Because I know that no person believes that they are pretty enough. Ok, maybe a lucky few do, but for the most part, us ladies are an unsatisfied lot.
Sure, we can find a few things about ourselves that we enjoy and like to flaunt. But there are always those other spots we seek to cover, to hide from the world because they're not quite as perfect as we feel they should be.
And I just wanted to ask my friend who ever gave her the idea that she wasn't "in shape enough" to wear a swimsuit. Because I wanted to find that asshat and punch them in the babymaker. (Great insult; works for either gender!)
How many opportunities would we miss out on if we waited until we had achieved perfection before participating? Should I never run a race because I'm not the fastest? Should I never paint a picture because I'm not Van Gogh? No more karaoke, because I'll never sing it as well as Adele?
I refuse to live that life. Life is not about perfection, or even that struggle to achieve perfection. But it's about the experiences we have along the way. I will not let someone else's ideal of what I should look like or act like stop me from enjoying my life.
And so, as I write this post, I implore all of you out there to not let your body confidence images prevent you from doing what it is you enjoy doing.
I enjoy wearing a bikini, so I'm gonna rock it.
I like "singing" Call Me Maybe at the top of my lungs in a crowded karaoke bar.
I'm gonna dance like everyone and no one is watching at the same time. It doesn't matter, because I LIKE Dancing!
And the same with my running. Bringing this back to topic, if you will.
I'm not the fastest. I don't have the best form. I'm never going to represent my country in the Olympics or run a 5K race in under 15 minutes.
But I can do my very best. And I can continue to improve. And that's enough for me to be happy.
Seriously, everyone. It's just all about the #RunLove.
I enjoy wearing a bikini, so I'm gonna rock it.
I like "singing" Call Me Maybe at the top of my lungs in a crowded karaoke bar.
I'm gonna dance like everyone and no one is watching at the same time. It doesn't matter, because I LIKE Dancing!
And the same with my running. Bringing this back to topic, if you will.
I'm not the fastest. I don't have the best form. I'm never going to represent my country in the Olympics or run a 5K race in under 15 minutes.
But I can do my very best. And I can continue to improve. And that's enough for me to be happy.
Seriously, everyone. It's just all about the #RunLove.