BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED

?? THE PILL:

“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” – Amy Bloom

?? THE PRESCRIPTION:

Ever since I can remember, I have been insecure about my appearance, or at least some part of it. Can you believe that? Me. Insecure about the way I look. My cute self! It’s hard to believe, right? But believe it. My insecurities stemmed from two physical flaws in particular: my forehead and my knees. When God was giving out foreheads, he was extremely generous when it was my turn. And when he was building knees, he decided to knock mine. I remember, when I was in college at Stillman, this guy once said: “Girl, you so fine! I love seein’ you walk my way – with those knock knees!” Awkwaaard, lol. I can laugh about it now, but at the time, I was both flattered and embarrassed.

I spent most of my teenage and young adult years wearing hairstyles that covered my forehead. Wearing my hair pulled back in a ponytail was not an option. And when Alicia Keys made wearing cornrows trendy in the early 2000’s, I didn’t even think about wearing them. And have my forehead on full display? Umm, no. To minimize the appearance of my knock knees, I’d always walk very slowly, and awkwardly, towards people (especially after that guy’s comment). And although I rarely took full-body pictures, when I did, I’d always pose in a way that hid the flaw in my knees.

It took me several years to truly appreciate that guy’s comment. In essence, he was saying: “You’re flawed, but you’re beautiful.” And he was right. Yes, I’m flawed. My body isn’t perfect. But my physical flaws don’t define who I am or determine my worth. I am beautiful despite them. Now, this doesn’t mean you’ll catch me with my hair in braids or a ponytail or with my knock knees on display in a picture – because you won’t. Let’s not get carried away here. What it means is, I have accepted my forehead and knees, or my physical flaws, for what they are – a small part of me. And life’s too short to sweat the small stuff, especially the stuff you can’t control. It’s just not worth the energy.

We all wrestle with our physical insecurities. It’s human nature. If you have the ability to fix your flaws, by all means, go for it. Especially if you feel it will improve your self-esteem or quality of life. Do what’s best for you. I repeat, what’s best for YOU. Don’t do it for anyone else. The opinions of others don’t – or at least, shouldn’t – matter, nor should they help determine your self-worth. However, if your flaws are beyond your control, accept them for what they are – a small part of what makes you, you. Your imperfections only define you if you allow them to. Avoid giving them that much power over you and your life. Accept that you are beautiful – flaws and all. Simply put, you are beautifully flawed.? #DrEbSays

Thank you for reading! ??

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Original post date: July 3, 2018 on DrEbSays.com