Those are terrifying words for most of us I would think, men and women alike. But I will only speak for myself in starting this conversation with you – definitely terrifying for me. I do not mean only in the unclothing part of it, but also in the tearing back of layers of what makes me who I am. But getting to my core, however, is what is needed for forward motion. It is what is needed, I believe, from all of us for forward motion. With that said, we are not going to get to the core today, or in one discussion, and maybe not even in a year of discussions. But, we can begin somewhere on the surface.
So, life lesson #1 – learn to redefine beauty. Admittedly, I was a pretty homely child and have had that pointed out to me by more people than I’d like to admit. Age changes everything though, including appearance. And it also helps to listen to people in the know. Not saying that I even remotely think that I am physically beautiful. But, I certainly do not think I am that homely child either. And when someone who is pictured on magazine pages says to you “why do you wear all that makeup? you are so beautiful without it.”; you begin to think, what do they see that I do not?
There have to be others that feel about themselves as I do and I ask myself, how do I let them know they are beautiful? How about I try to step in her shoes and yours and approach a mirror to name one thing I find attractive about my physical self and why, and you do the same. Maybe when we start to notice attractive things about ourselves, those words “Let’s Get Naked” won’t be so terrifying anymore.
So my physical feature I find attractive, my hazel-green eyes. Even more so when they appear to be solid green. I have always loved eyes. Maybe because they say they are the windows to peoples’ souls a place I like to try to reach. The fact that mine contain green, the color of life, renewal, nature, growth, harmony, and energy, well what’s not to love about that.
Now it’s your turn… What’s your physical feature you find attractive?
Maybe I just should’ve started one hand or foot at a time? I found it metaphorical – whether to post or not, whether to be serious or funny. Hopefully, both. Anyway, I think the song is about taking risks. Doing the Hokey Pokey is the celebration of such.
Apparently your attractive physical feature is humor. Absolutely love it. Wish I would have been more able to recognize humor in my youth. But, since I’ve been able to see it in my adulthood, I might consider it one of my own.. Although if you are truly meaning you are putting your whole self in, — yay you!!!! I might agree, but again it could be possible that there is some bias..
In consideration of an attractive physical feature, I put my whole self in. On second thought, I’d like to withdraw and take my whole self out. OK, actually, I will put my whole self in – and shake it all about. Then, I will do the Hokey Pokey and turn myself around. And isn’t that REALLY what it’s all about?
My reason for starting on the surface was because I figured most would not want to go deeper. But for those of you who actually went deeper, I can see like me, you are ready to take major leaps – So here we go — Buckle Up..
Oh boy! Awesome posts everybody! And Laura, what a cool way to bring everybody together.
This is a hard question. I think as humans, it is in our nature to seek validation from others, physical appearance included. We know that deep down, it really doesn’t matter, but we can’t help but to admire and acknowledge beauty in others. Beauty within is harder to find, and that’s why it’s so precious. An invisible gift! Haha.
Errrrmmm, that being said, I’m beating around the bush. I wish I could readily say, “Oh, pffft, definitely my eyes” or my smile, or my body, or my face, but I can’t. I am constantly finding flaws in myself and that is the goshdarn truth. Like others, my most beautiful trait would have to be intangible.
But is that so bad? Isn’t the intangible what really keeps us together? Can love be seen through conventional physical beauty?
Hence my want for open, honest, kind discussion, because I grow by incorporating everyone’s comments in my introspective view of myself.. I begin to appreciate some things more about who I am, but even more importantly begin to see more clearly things I may want to change.
I loved to do my hair red😍
Always, we shall still be giving each other emotional support until we are old and greyer 😍
Wow! Love these posts and comments! After mulling over what I had read and going within I, like Alan, chose a body part that you couldn’t view by looking in a mirror. It shows us how diverse and wonderful our answers can be.
Alan,
What else can I say but WOW.. I have heard people say “smile when you answer the phone – the caller can see that”, but far more important to realize what you say in your post. How rapidly we forget that how we feel about ourselves as a whole propels to our exteriors and how we view them. I often say loving myself is a constant daily uphill battle and I try to win it everyday.
And please Jean, do not forget about the teaching part.. My sole purpose in my blog is to do exactly what you say here. To teach what may need teaching, but to learn and grow from the things I can get from others.. If everyone here becomes the perpetual teacher and the perpetual student – openly and honestly – just imagine where we can take planet Earth, never mind, the USA.
Jeanne and Ellen,
Thank you for such great responses and reasons. I probably, like most, don’t think often enough of parts of my body that I use all the time and take for granted.. Your responses make me think – wow – what would I do or how would I feel if I didn’t have use of them.
Jules if there is one thing I certainly hope we can all cure by being out here and sharing and getting to know each other – it is ignorance. Truth be told it took me years to get over a group of guys 8 to 10 years my senior stopping their car – acting like they were making a movie – telling me to smile for the camera cause they were making a movie and oh could I bark for them because I had the doggy part… Remember this a ton of women pay to have ginger hair these days… and personally I can’t imagine anyone not wanting or loving red hair.. That’s just me..
I love that you see a strong woman and have taught me to be stronger as well.. And as we move on our Journey in my blog I hope we both can help others to look in the mirror and see things like strength and courage.
It took me many years to appreciate my red locks. Not an easy feat, with the insistent memories of grammar school teasing and high school bullies, and my challenges in dealing with both. I empathized with Anne of Green Gables breaking her slate over Gilbert’s head as he tugged her braids and called her “Carrots”. But then, Anne got a happily ever after, so why not me? I force myself to let the “gingers have no souls” jokes roll off my back, because I know the reality is that my unique hair color is a blessing. The life experiences it has brought me have helped shape me into the independent, resilient, and kind person I am today. I find that attractiveness in others is based on these kinds of qualities more than actual physical features.
But, yeah, these days I think the color is pretty too. 🙂
I wear my emotions on my face. I show them freely. I try not too hide them. Is my face attractive? It can be when I offer compassion and understanding. It can also become repulsive when I am feeling anger and resentment. I prefer it when I soften my gaze and remain receptive.
I have mulled this question over for a bit and am now prepared to answer it. The physical feature I admire most of myself really cannot be seen by looking in a mirror. It is my brain. I have always been inquisite by nature. Learning new things brings me joy and an incredible sense of accomplishment whether I choose to utilize the information or not. Personal self worth comes in me being able to pass on information that may directly or indirectly assist others on the journeys of self discovery. This may include anything from changing a tire, to choosing a proper fishing lure, to health and wellness, to energy practice information of which I am a practitioner. I often tease others when they ask how I know so much in retorting that I am the perpetual student. In my adult years I have come to realize that we are all teachers and all students. That in itself is a wonderful thing. That is one of the things I love about this blog. Further opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve in physical, mental, and emotional ways.
I don’t have an easy answer for this. My body and perceptions of my body change depending on my state of self esteem. When it is good I feel a warmth and I wager it shows. When I feel low I give off a don’t touch me repulsive vibe. It makes me feel ugly as a whole.
These variations show even in my eyes, which is probably my best feature. All in all, I guess I like my heart, even when it feels the pain.
I love my eyes as well but I am going to go with my hands. They are very child-like to me, on the smaller side but so flexible and movable. They remind me of an innocent time. My small, delicate child-like yet strong hands.
Hard to say but maybe my hands. Because they can comfort, they can work, they can type words into the laptop to answer this post. They can hold someone, they can pet the dogs, they can do many things.
I feel it is my eyes as well, although they are blue and my mother’s were green. After I lost her and with age I look in the mirror and see her looking back.
So the beauty I see is what she created in me, not just looks but a strong woman.