Body Image

Let's face it, if you are a woman, you've had your ups and downs with your confidence in the "body image" arena.  Goodness knows I have.  One of my goals in the past year was to come to total acceptance and appreciation of the body that I have.  Are there things I would change about it?  Yes.  Lots of things.  But, my body has also done some truly amazing things.  It has brought 5 beautiful babies into the world with NO complications.  It has been healthy and strong my whole life, giving me the freedom to do anything I have desired.  I have tried very hard to take care of it throughout my life by exercising regularly which is extremely difficult with 5 children!  Confidence in my body is still a work in progress, but at some point I just came to the conclusion that there are so many more important things to dwell on in life and I certainly DON'T want my children to become body conscious, so I have to show the way.  Some of you may have seen the You Tube video circulating the web about the LDS Mom and Dad who were severely burned over 80% of their bodies in a plane crash, but had miraculously come to terms with their new and different lives and are even thankful for the experience that had put everything into perspective.

The first picture of the Nielsen family was taken 3 weeks before the plane crash and the following two are more recent.  I have been so overcome with awe over Stephanie and what she, in particular, has been through.  The physical pain, the surgeries, the emotional pain, the recovery process, and as a woman, looking in the mirror and not seeing the attractive image that you were used to.  But nonetheless, she has somehow transcended that and found incredible peace and gratitude in her life.  She is a modern day hero.  She truly puts me to shame in the way that she has found such joy in her life in spite of her trials.  She has inspired me to continue my quest to not dwell on my outward appearance as I continue to age, but to put gratitude, faith, and love as my main priorities.  Thank you Stephanie Nielsen for being an inspiration to me.

***If you would like to read her INCREDIBLE blog, here is the link:  http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com