I me you we

bSoundtrack: Uh, I'm watching "Camp Rock 2"... Yeah.
Words: +2500 in a strange spurt of inspiration

When I was starting high school, I had to go to a workshop for teen girls (I'm pretty sure everyone in our grade had to attend--I don't even know why, it was just mandatory). It was supposed to help girls talk about and work through their "issues". Or something.

One of the main things they talked about at the workshop was body image. The instructors had us each read one line from a poem called something like, "I Am Me." It was all about accepting yourself as who you are--your good points, talents, attractive qualities, and all the bad stuff, too.

The end of the poem is the only part I really remember:

"I am me. And I am okay."

When it was done and everyone was clapping awkwardly and shooting each other weird looks, I was sitting their with a stupid smile plastered on my face, thinking "Bullshit."

Body image is a huge issue for a lot of people--girls and boys, women and men. And so many people sell themselves short.

Some of my friends go on and on, talking down about how they look, what they wear, who they are. I'm no shining example, nor do I claim to be, but I don't think that talking yourself down is any way to treat a person. You wouldn't look at a complete stranger and say, "You're ugly," so how can you possibly do that when you look in a mirror? It's disrespectful.

I know I'm generalizing. Not everyone hates how they look--a lot of people love their bodies, their minds, their personalities (though not necessarily in that order). I think a lot of writers make this generalization, as well. Everyone deals with self confidence problems, but a confident character here or there can be a nice change.

I don't mean you should walk around saying, "I'm awesome, I'm the best, I win at life." That doesn't make you awesome, that just makes you a jerk.

I think it's finding the balance that's key. You can't be self-absorbed, in a good or bad way. But next time you're looking in a mirror, try this line instead:

I am me and I am fantastic. Beautiful. Unique. Talented. Extraordinary. Brilliant. Lovely just the way I am.

Because you are.

Love,

Erika

PS: I don't meant to get all motivational-speaker on you. I just had something on my mind.