BYU Women's Services is putting on a Ten Day "Recapturing Beauty" challenge. I was intrigued. I decided to participate in the tasks they set forth each day, and see what happens. One activity we are asked to do is write for at least ten minutes every day, specifically about our bodies/beauty/experiences/other such things. I know there are a lot of people in my circle of influence, limited as it may be, that have struggled or are struggling with a misunderstanding of beauty. This isn't just how women see themselves,but how we all see each other. Misconceptions about beauty and worth and esteem permeate our culture.
I love this article. It definitely captures the way I felt as a teenager, and sometimes even now that I'm in my early 20s.
http://new.lds.org/new-era/2001/09/beauty-tips?lang=eng
The Quote of the Day for the challenge is this:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure... We ask ourselves: ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your
playing small does not serve the world.”
-as quoted by Nelson Mandela
The Lord has given us these bodies. They are something Satan will never have, and thus, he tries SO HARD to make us hate them-- too fat, too skinny, bad hair, deformed, too short, too tall, and a plethora of other lies that he feeds us. He tries to pull us to extremes-- depriving our bodies of needed nutrients and pleasures, or stuffing our faces with junk and poison, never using our bodies to their fullest abilities. He tries to completely separate us from our bodies, or tries to make us believe we are slaves to them, needing to heed only the basest and carnal desires.
Our bodies our temples for our spirits. Our body, mind, and spirit must work together in wellness for us to fully access the abilities God has given us.
More to come.
