I could not help but allow the memories flood back into my mind of a time when I was younger, looking into a mirror creating my own self-image. Fast forward to present day and I find myself thinking of all the lessons I want my own daughter to learn as I notice how Lia watching me in the mirror reflects back pure innocence in her big bright eyes. There is so much she has yet to discover about herself, about her world.
As we raise this next generation of girls, so much has changed from when I was growing up, yet there are still some constants that remain the same. Even though women have made great strides throughout our history, we still find ourselves in a somewhat male-dominated world. I'm sure most of those in the female population would agree it's not always easy being a girl and all that comes with this gender territory. From growing up and navigating our way while attempting to find out where we belong and which type of group of friends we feel most comfortable with all the way into adulthood and motherhood, there can be many challenges along the way. It is a mother's privilege and honor to be able to carry a baby throughout pregnancy. Only a mother knows the emotional and physical aspects of what this entails. While fathers have taken on even more of an active role in child-raising especially in today's world of working moms, the day-to-day tasks of parenthood and running a household still seem to revolve around mothers as the center.
Girls can sometimes have to deal with the sting of hurtful words while growing up at the expense of trying to fit in where they feel the most comfortable. It is so hard to remember at such a tender young age that true beauty lies within, not in maintaining the "ideal" body type or wearing the "right" style of clothes or even attempting to combat blemishes that arise that are one of the temporary challenges during the transition to young adulthood. The focus needs to shift from the more material and superficial aspects that society tends to place so much emphasis on to the attributes of a person's true identity; being confident in who we are, using our strengths to overcome our challenges and allowing ourselves the gift of self-acceptance - these are the qualities that when given the chance to shine truly radiate a sense of beauty from within. By society's standards even those who may not be considered attractive for any number of reasons can still radiate a true sense of beauty by the way they carry themselves or even in the clothes they wear in a way that accentuates their features. Those people with a magnetic type of personality that have a way of drawing people towards them just by who they are radiate a sense of attractiveness.
We can sometimes be our own worst critic. The way we see ourselves and the way we perceive others see us may not always align. We need to let go of the "what if?" questions that arise from the anxious parts of our brains that pertains to others' notions and strive instead to be the best version of ourselves that we have been created to be; we cannot control the thoughts of others. Ideas of what we think others may be thinking of us may be blown out of proportion anyway.
My message to you, my daughter, is this: Being a girl in this world is not always easy. True beauty comes from the inside. A sense of self-confidence, self-acceptance, the ability to use your strengths to overcome challenges, your willingness to spread kindness and be a good friend - these are the attributes of a beautiful person. Just remember when you see your reflection in a mirror, you, my daughter, are beautiful inside and out and always will be in my eyes.
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