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Across the Fence:  Embracing who I am..  |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 12 2008 : 7:29:03 PM
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For real. For years, I have had deep seeded body issues due mainly to the fact that I was very aware and often told I did not live up to my sister's perfect tall, thin body, alabaster skin and blonde hair. I was always told I was adopted because I didn't look at all like my family and my darker skin was made fun of. I will spar you the bigotry ladened words often used to describe me and yes, by my own family. This lead me on many paths of destruction to somehow make myself "look" right. I spent years bleaching my hair, working myself into an impossible thin frame, using colored contacts to lighten my eyes and yes, even "bleaching" my skin to appear lighter in skin tone and I even considered surgery to make my very full lips thinner and to make my cute button nose thinner. And you know what? I was looking at pics of myself and I don't know who that girl is. What was I thinking?
This past year, my hair is back to its normal medium brown, my skin in tanned, my eyes are now golden brown again and I embrace my curves. I finally am embracing the "exotic" side to my look. I have a great friend who is of Latino heritage and she really has helped me love and appreciate the way I look. I've stopped being ashamed of what I look like and actually, I stand out even more, but in a good way now.
The things we do to unlove ourselves. I hope you all love yourselves everyday. I try to teach young girls around me by example and not to judge based on looks alone. I encourage education, self appreciation and love of all. I really do not another woman or girl to feel this way.
Have you loved yourself today??? 
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2008 : 7:38:49 PM
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Heather, Thanks for sharing that story it is very touching. Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/ |
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elphie0503
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Samantha
Gilmer
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2008 : 7:46:03 PM
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I watched a movie with Adam Sandler titled "Spanglish" about 6 months ago...it's an old release, but looked pretty interesting. At a key point in the movie, the narrator muses on how unlike the Hispanic culture, the American culture tries to hide/demolish everything about their bodies that is God given...that we overwork ourselves to conform to the American idea of what is beauty. Until then, I overworked myself; but, then I realized that we're supposed to have curves--we have beautiful babies that give them to us! After googling a bit, I also found that the majority of the Earth's cultures revere a woman with curves. I used to run until my blisters have blisters--now I just run for fun...and I feel sooo much better! I'm Greek/Armenian/Italian, and those cultures are allllllllll curvy & exotic cultures, so I figure, God gave me these talents, I better use them before he gets mad!!!!
Samantha
www.elphie0503.blogspot.com
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort~~Albright
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2008 : 7:48:19 PM
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I'm learning to be me, even at my age! Truly learning to love yourself, after having a family that is full of nuts, is hard but it can be done.
Thanks for the post!
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
http://goneriding.wordpress.com/
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2899 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2899 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2008 : 7:48:34 PM
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Heather, I have never seen you don't need to. You are a beauty. You have served our country, have a darling son. a hubby who is also answering the call, and a strong will and sense of self. PLus you are a Longhorns fan \___/!! Hook em!! What more could you ask for??
((HUGS!!)) |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2008 : 7:51:16 PM
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I spent a lot of time in the Middle East, South America and the Meditteranean and for the first time, I saw women who looked like me, who I could relate too and it finally set me free. I am Italian/German/American Indian and I finally embraced that.Sophia Loren is my ALL time heroine and I watch movies of her and I can so relate to how she feels when in a movie she is not the "cookie cutter" female that is expected but always wins the man. I am spending time right now reading about my own background and cultures and I too, have found it quite freeing. Right now, I am fascinated with the Brazillian women who are all goddesses to me. They embrace themselves with a fire I have never seen in any other culture. Curvy and exotic...that is me!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2008 : 7:52:16 PM
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Thanks Lisa and everyone..you make my heart smile!!! HOOK 'EM!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2008 : 9:28:42 PM
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Awww, Heather, you are so beautiful, on the inside, as well as the outside.
About five years ago, I too went through this. I was heavier then, but still knew I "had it". I am curvy too, always have been. I was never rail thin. I decided I am beautiful no matter what, and "they" were the one with the problem, not me.
One blind date once told me that he admired how confident I am. Which of course made my heart do a cartwheel-the good kind.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2008 : 06:51:51 AM
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I believe the term we are looking for is "AMPLE"!
From the dictionary definition....sufficient or more than adequate for the purpose or needs; plentiful; enough
Synonyms: generous, free, abounding, lavish, plenteous, overflowing
--I am grateful. I have enough.-- |
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2008 : 08:11:48 AM
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Heather-Good for you!
My simple philosophy is basically that this is the way God made me, and God doesn't make junk :) Nobody is going to remember me for how I looked, but rather what I contributed and who I impacted and/or blessed while I was on this earth.
Diana
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city! |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2008 : 11:27:44 AM
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Boy Heather.. Did I ever need this today - thanks for the reminder...
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
"Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. ~Michael P. Garafalo
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mommom
True Blue Farmgirl
854 Posts
Susan
Lancaster
Pennsylvania
USA
854 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2008 : 6:40:32 PM
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| Thanks Heather! I was talking to someone the other day and she asked me if I would like to look now like I did at 25 years of age. No way. I've been there, done that, and now here I am. Right where I'm supposed to be! Blessings to you! Susan |
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Across the Fence: Embracing who I am.. |
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Embracing who I am..
