Inspiration: Operation Beautiful

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To every woman who has ever felt unworthy

To every woman who has ever felt lonely

To every woman who has ever wondered, “Am I beautiful?”

To every woman who has compared herself to another

To every woman who has asked herself, “Why me?”

To every woman who has ever been lied to

To every woman who is struggling

To every woman who is crying

To every woman who is empty

To every woman who is searching for an answer

Take this.

From a woman who has experienced the deepest low and soared at the highest heights

From a woman who has questioned everything

From a woman who has discovered her beauty

From this woman to you.

From inside your heart, beauty blossoms.

From inside your soul, love dwells.

From inside your mind, wisdom emerges.

From the inside, your beauty shines.

Love your body for all it can do, love your body for all it has done.

Never forget how far you have come, and always remember how far you will go.

Click here, pass on the love.

The dates are a bit off, I realize, but the poem is inspiring nonetheless.  I definitely teared up towards the end.  I have certainly struggled with self-esteem and a seemingly genetic predisposition towards low self-worth, and it's nice to know not only do others fight that battle, but that someone is actively striving to get us all involved in changing it. Beauty is not a number on the scale, or even a reflection in the mirror.  It's not a size on a clothing tag.  There's an antiquated saying that my grandmother actually  used on me as a child: "Pretty is as pretty does."  Nothing could be more true.And I need reminding everyday.