I used to avoid mirrors. For various reasons I was insecure with myself and my body and did not feel comfortable looking at my own reflection for any amount of time. I never really paid attention to the fact that I avoided really looking at myself. I did not become fully cognizant of it until I noticed the amount of time I have been spending in the mirror as of late.
What started as me taking random snapshots of my reflection like some mirror project wannabe has evolved into me really studying me. I notice things that I never paid attention to before, like the moles on top of and just below my left breast, the small beauty marks on my right arm and the smooth, caramel color of my skin.
I used to hide in crowds, always seeking solace in other people, places and things. The more distractions I had around me, the more comfortable I felt. I wanted a sense of peace and I searched to find it, never realizing that the one place I could truly have peace and feel comfortable was in my own skin.
I want to start a cycle of change.
I will start with the girl in the mirror.
I love this entry.
Sometimes it's easier to the see the good in others...more than we see the good in ourselves. It's an ongoing journey loving everything we're blessed with. Celebrate yourself, Mama.
Rarely do we find the detachment, the remove to give ourselves the eye. Here's (you) looking at you, kid.
I'm here with you. For me it was being scared of what I may find. It was actually looking, looking hard at my weight and actively acknowledging that I had gained weight. Looking in the mirror for me was self admittance to failure. It's a slow change that I'm working on. Last night I stood completely naked in front of my wide bathroom mirror. (A little too much info huh?) Well, I noticed myself and remembered how I use to look and what I want to look like. Thanks for posting this piece. I thought I was the only one.
just put some michael jackson all up in my head.
...I'm asking him to change his ways...if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that...change!
damn.
YOU are the TREASURE that you have been seeking!
Glad to see that you are back. I am really feeling your post. I am also at a similar place in life. True inner peace comes when you are comfortable and proud of the skin that you are in. I look forward to meeting the girl in the mirror at a future DIC function.
Glad to see that you are back. I am really feeling your post. I am also at a similar place in life. True inner peace comes when you are comfortable and proud of the skin that you are in. I look forward to meeting the girl in the mirror at a future DIC function.
That mirror job is freaky at first, isn't it? I'm getting more comfortable, myself. Peeps like you, Bink, and Jason are helping to erode my "Internet pic" fear.
Go sista! Go sista!
Isn't it just amazing that what others mistake for confidence and assurance -- perhaps even haughtiness is in truth just a cover for what's beneath the skin? I identify with the girl in the mirror -- I too am she. Love from Auntie
Each and everytime I read this post I get such a sense of PRIDE. What a BEAUTIFUL woman you are! Self-discovery is such a wonderful experience. That it is happening at this point in your evolution is such a GOOD thing. There is no better feeling in this universe, than knowing who you are.
Am I the only one who thinks you look like Patti Austin in this pic?
*when i was younger i used to sing patti austin songs. does that count?
word...I just got "man in the mirror" in my head too. gotta go download that from kazaa.
yo, you're beautiful monique...its those little things we rarely notice in ourselves that make us beautiful. when I was a teenager I'd avoid the mirror at all costs because I thought I was hideous. now that I'm a bit older and a bit wiser, I catch my reflection and I stop to smile at it. I'm alright. I just had to see for myself.
*huny, you always come through and blow my mind with your comments. thank you, girl.*
"Isn't she lovely? Isn't she beautiful?"
-- stevie
lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely you.
peace for your journey.
*thank you!
Forget that "Man In The Mirror" stuff. I hear a melody of songs flowing as I read this post. From the acoustic guitar opening of Mary's Beautiful One to India Arie's Brown Skin. From Stevie's Lovely song to his daughter to the smoothness of The Roots' Break You Off.
Pam Grier structure look at your body
It's special when self-actualization is being achieved and we get to know and love ourselves deeper. It's just a prelude to the love we can share with someone else. Beautiful post for a beautiful lady. Thanks for sharing...
*oooh, you make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. *
No, j.brother, you're not the only one who thinks she looks like Patti Austin in this picture. :)
Monique, I just want to say that your entries since you came back have been so insightful and wonderful to read.
*awww, thank you girl, that is a sweet thing to hear!*
hey monique,
this entry is very good girl, very inspiring to others that may feel the way you do, however i think you are a very cute lady, so keep staring in that mirror girl! have a blessed weekend!
dang when i read it when i saw it i was like dang is she another syle of me. what you've done was very touching and thought provoking. thanks.....