Lately, I've been thinking about how I'm going to raise Anniston in this very superficial world, where it is normal for looks to be held above all else, especially for women. This really troubles me, especially being a mother to a little girl. I don't want Anniston growing up believing that outer beauty is the ultimate goal in life. I want her to know that inner beauty is. Being intelligent and knowing the importance of an education is. I want her to know that looks are not what makes us beautiful, they only help us distinguish one person from another. I want her to be kind and humble, not believing attractiveness or wealth can put one person above another person. I want her to be able to lighten the load of someone in need, despite their looks or circumstances. I want her to know that she is important to the world, not because she is outwardly beautiful, but because she is a kind, intelligent woman.
Thinking about this made me think of myself and how I need to lead by example. I have been fortunate enough to have a pretty balanced self-esteem, but one thing that has been a struggle for me is being comfortable about my body. It mostly started after having Anniston. Despite my husband telling me I'm beautiful and crazy not to know that, I would try to avoid places where I had to be in a bathing suit and if I happened to be in a bathing suit, I would avoid the camera like the plague. I have since then decided I need to be more confident in myself. I mean, I should be proud of my body anyway. I'm healthy, I work out daily, and I eat a well-balanced diet. I am currently working on being confident and comfortable in my own skin and that is all I can hope for Anniston as well.
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