The following is an excerpt from chapter 7 of my book “See Jane Run” Encouraging Mother Daughter Communication. 

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Although beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, the feeling of being beautiful exists solely in the mind of the beheld.  ~Martha Beck

SEE JANE RUN – I AM BEAUTIFUL

At one time or another every young lady feels as if she is not beautiful.   I met with these unkind thoughts early on in my childhood. Unsure of why I was so insecure at the time, I often played over and over in my mind (the thoughts of comparison) how my nose was too big, my lips were too full and my body type too skinny. I remember specifically thinking that one of my best friends was clearly prettier than I was because she was a lighter skin African American. I felt as if the boys liked her better and that I was not as desirable because I was of a darker skin tone. I wish that I could say that I eventually got over this negative perception of self while I was yet a little girl, but it wasn’t until I was a young adult that my thought process began to change. I had taken a job in my career field and was leaving my office one day. I remember an older gentlemen walking toward me in the parking lot and, as he approached me, he stopped to say, “You are such a beautiful young lady.” Those seven words from a stranger that day lifted my spirits a world over. They brought a smile to my face and, most importantly, helped to change the weight of the perception I had held over the years.

Now, I have no problem saying to myself and believing it, “I am Beautiful,” because in the mind of the beheld (my mind) my perception, my self-worth and self-esteem are much higher.  I have learned to accept my differences, whether they’re in skin tone, facial features or body shape, and appreciate them as unique, and uniquely me. 

Mothers – encourage your daughters to embrace their “uniqueness” and leverage its power in life.  

Daughters – Be Uniquely YOU!

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