Perfection in Imperfection
From the time they are children, women compare themselves to others and find imperfections; something that their eyes perceive as flaws. Whether it is the birthmark on their face, wispy fine hair or freckles from head to toe, something they see or hear tells them that they are not perfect.
From toddler age to the early school years girls see themselves in a better light, and aren't as quick to be self-critical. Unfortunately, when they reach the age of 8-10, classmates will begin to point out things that are not perfect setting the stage for the never ending inner struggle that will follow them for many years.
Being a teenager is extremely difficult for young women who don't fit the "mold" of what is perceived as perfect. If they're too thin, too heavy, too tall or whatever falls outside of the norm, then their peers will be more than happy to point it out or give them an unflattering nickname. The ridicule is devastating, and the trauma of it all can stay with a young woman well into adulthood.
It's unfortunate that as teenagers and young adult women we do not have the self-esteem to look beyond our insecurities. If we could do that, then we would know that all of the things we see as flaws are truly the beautiful things that make us unique. Our family and friends can easily describe all the beautiful things about us; isn't it a shame that we struggle at times to think of one?
When we get closer to the end of our life than the beginning we become kinder to ourselves. As the sun shines across our face exposing all that was hidden in the shadows, we will see the aging skin marked from years of living, no longer as silky smooth as in our youth. It may trigger a bit of sadness, but we are more accepting and realize how much beauty there is in the story that it tells. We come to find the perfection in the imperfection.
If only we had realized this in our youth. Perhaps we would not have spent so much time looking for the perfection that does not exist.
From toddler age to the early school years girls see themselves in a better light, and aren't as quick to be self-critical. Unfortunately, when they reach the age of 8-10, classmates will begin to point out things that are not perfect setting the stage for the never ending inner struggle that will follow them for many years.
Being a teenager is extremely difficult for young women who don't fit the "mold" of what is perceived as perfect. If they're too thin, too heavy, too tall or whatever falls outside of the norm, then their peers will be more than happy to point it out or give them an unflattering nickname. The ridicule is devastating, and the trauma of it all can stay with a young woman well into adulthood.
It's unfortunate that as teenagers and young adult women we do not have the self-esteem to look beyond our insecurities. If we could do that, then we would know that all of the things we see as flaws are truly the beautiful things that make us unique. Our family and friends can easily describe all the beautiful things about us; isn't it a shame that we struggle at times to think of one?
When we get closer to the end of our life than the beginning we become kinder to ourselves. As the sun shines across our face exposing all that was hidden in the shadows, we will see the aging skin marked from years of living, no longer as silky smooth as in our youth. It may trigger a bit of sadness, but we are more accepting and realize how much beauty there is in the story that it tells. We come to find the perfection in the imperfection.
If only we had realized this in our youth. Perhaps we would not have spent so much time looking for the perfection that does not exist.
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