I Want To Believe
Every morning I heard radio advertisements telling me I need thicker, shinier hair to attract men and expensive laser hair removal to remove other disgusting body hair; if I don't get the laser treatments, I will be stressed remembering to shave* and if I forget, there goes that man I attracted with my shiny, healthier hair! l see news headlines congratulating someone's stunning weight loss or plastic surgery and photoshopped advertisements all day long. I see pop-up ads telling me women (i.e. me) make many mistakes that drive men away, but there are secrets (for sale) for keeping a man in my life no matter what. Because obviously a man won't stay unless you trick him into it. (Degrading to both men and women.)
It's too bad we are bombarded with these messages all day long telling us we're not good enough. For a long time, I listened and read them without questioning what impact they had on me (even without buying their products). But what's great is I absolutely have control over how much importance I give them. I choose "None."
When I was in China, a male acquaintance told me if I lost 20 lbs I would be SO HOT. Those messages are harder to hear, because it comes from someone you know. (When I lose weight I lose my curves. So I guess he thinks a different body type is hotter.)
*I wish. How easy of a life would it be if THIS is what causes you stress??
______________________
This past weekend I was in a restaurant bathroom and the little girl in the stall next to me, around 3 years old, was super proud of the fact she pooped in the toilet. Remember the days when all you had to do was poop to feel good about yourself? I don't. But that is awesome. (Then, when she was at the sink the song "Sexy and I Know It" came on the overhead speakers and she told her mom, "Ohhhh...this is a GOOD song." Little girl cracked me up.)
