Perfect!!!

I looked at myself in the mirror today. My body has changed dramatically from having a baby. I am definitely heavier, I can no longer pass the pencil test for breast pertness (a true test) and as for my belly, lets not even go there. But you know what?  I was perfect before and I am perfect now and I would love to hear my sisters (and brothers) round the world say the same.

The image that the media paints of beauty is impossible for most women and men in the world to attain. The idea that perfection is smooth skin, DD breasts, a waspish waist and huge hips with a pert bottom for women and a six pack, muscular arms and rock solid legs for men is ludicrous and we all know it so why do we keep falling into the net of the people who set the impossible targets?  I myself have been a victim of this deception, recalling the countless hours spent standing in front of the mirror, agonizing over my spotty facial skin, my lack of any form of cleavage or waist for that matter (being of athletic build) and an impossibly flat bottom (a sin for an African woman). I wince when i remember all the money gone down the drain buying clinique, clarins products etc with absolutely no change to my skin condition. As for the bottom, well, I was advised to consider a Brazillian butt lift by a dear friend which thankfully, I couldn't afford.

I am sure that most haven't failed to notice the ubiquity of treatments offered to alter ones physical appearance by way of Botox, lip fillers, breast enhancements, penis enlargement etc. while its not my business what anyone chooses to do with their body, I think it is important that people realize that even with the perfect body, there will always be something else that someone else will pick on as being imperfect. In the end, changing who we are might bring a buzz in the short term but physical alteration of appearance can never bring about happiness or satisfaction. This message is essential to pass on to young people who are very impressionable.

So what can bring about satisfaction if attaining the perfect image wont? In my opinion, discovering and embracing what is good about ourselves and focusing on using our natural talents is a sure way to being happy. So rather than dwelling on how our faces aren't symmetrical like Beyonce's, or how our backsides aren't rounded like J Lo's, we could invest that time and dwell on the beauty that is us. We need to take some time and identify and accept the features and characteristics that make us unique and beautiful and dwell on those. We need to develop our inner beauty and look after our outward beauty, to harness all that we are and all that we can become to create true beauty in our world. That, is one sure key to happiness. I really believe that and practice it now.

My sister visited late last year (sorry sis, you know i love ya) and said, 'Anuli, we need to do lunges to get our bottoms looking pert'. I said to her, ' but Dahhling, I absolutely lurve my bottom just the way it is, it is just perfect'. I don't think she will be raising it again :)