Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful
by Shelly Wilson
Dove, a division of Unilever, has conducted global research studies, targeted among women, regarding self-esteem, confidence, and body image. In this study, they uncover that women of all ages have difficulty in recognizing their real beauty. Dove’s website, www.dove.com, indicates, “Dove has a vision of a world where beauty is a source of confidence, and not anxiety.”
Key findings from their recent study, The Real Truth about Beauty: Revisited, reveals:
~ Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful (up from 2% in 2004)
~ Only 11% of girls globally are comfortable describing themselves as ‘beautiful’
~ 72% of girls feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful
~ 80% of women agree that every woman has something about her that is beautiful, but do not see their own beauty
~ More than half (54%) of women globally agree that when it comes to how they look, they are their own worst beauty critic
Source: http://www.dove.us/Our-Mission/Girls-Self-Esteem/Our-Research/default.aspx
The synopsis for the video for their Choose Beautiful Campaign states, “Would you describe yourself as beautiful? In our latest film, Choose Beautiful, we travel to San Francisco, Shanghai, Delhi, London, and Sao Paulo to prove that beauty is a choice – and the power of this choice is in your hands.”
In the video, signs with the words ‘beautiful’ and ‘average’ are placed above two doors inviting people to choose the door they wished to walk through. Many women easily walked through one door or the other while others hesitated. Some even acknowledged later their regret for walking through the average door. With that said, which door would you walk through?
Although this campaign targets and focuses on women, the message transcends gender. Stepping into our own power and recognizing the beauty that lies within each one of us essential, regardless if your gender is male or female.
“It is often your unconscious mind, which is far more powerful than your conscious mind that tells and teaches people how to treat you and how to interact with you.” ~ Debbie Ford
Each one of us is a spiritual being having a human life experience existing in a physical body for this incarnation. Recognizing that you are a spark of the Divine and that you are a beautiful, unique, and miraculous creation, it is essential that you love yourself for who you are.
Doing so isn’t self-ish; it is self-love. When you open your heart to loving you, you allow the love you have inside of you to expand outwards to attract this same love back into your life. How do you view yourself? What does your self-talk sound like? Is it negative/critical or positive/life-affirming?
“The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others.” ~ Sonya Friedman
Take a moment to tune in and write down any self-perceived imperfections or negative thoughts that come into your awareness. Then, allow yourself to read what you have written. How does it feel when you read what you have written?
Now, let us shift the energy and move into the vibration of loving you. Take a moment to tune in and write down positive thoughts about yourself as well as compliments you have received from others that come into your awareness. Then, allow yourself to read what you have written. How do you feel when reading these words?
Allow yourself the opportunity to become mindful of the energy you are putting out into the Universe with your thoughts, words and actions as you are attracting this same energy back into your life. Your self-talk and the other thoughts running through your mind are similar to radio signals or energetic emissions. Word modification may be necessary as you practice being cognizant of your thoughts, words, and actions. Can you say the same thing in another, more positive, life-affirming way?
Consciously choose to be your own kind of beautiful and embrace the you that is you! Yes, this means all of you, including any perceived imperfections you may have as well. Recognize that there is no one else in the Universe exactly like you. Make the choice to love yourself for who you are – fully and completely. Accept your uniqueness and dismiss any perceived flaws or imperfections because you are perfect just the way you are.
As each one of us becomes more aware of our energetic emission as well as the importance of shining our Light bright, we offer others the comfort-ability to do so for themselves as well. As we change ourselves (and our thought processes), we change the world.
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About the Author
Intuitive Medium, Reiki Master, and Spiritual Growth Coach, Shelly Wilson, would love to assist you on your spiritual journey. She is the author of 28 Days to a New YOU, Connect to the YOU Within, and Journey into Consciousness. In addition, Shelly is a featured columnist and the Executive Editor for OMTimes Magazine.
http://www.facebook.com/intuitivemediumshelly
