I am currently enrolled in a Yoga class at my college. As part of the class we are required to keep a journal in which we answer and ponder questions and comments the instructor provides. Recently, we were asked to list in our journal five things we like about ourselves. Initially, this seemed simple enough. I was sure that I would swiftly have five items etched into my paper, but rather the opposite happened. Quickly, my mind began mentally tallying all my undesirable traits in the pursuit of a positive one worthy of my list. I did not intend to think negatively, however my thinking automatically arrived there. Negative thinking, especially about ourselves, has become instinctual and often inadvertent. When did we start believing that negativity was superior to positivity? When did it become fashionable to be depressed, insecure and self-doubting? The world around us tells us that we can't possibly be happy being simply who we are, and to that I say "WHY NOT?!" I think it is safe to say that the world is wrong about a few things, and this is just another one to add to the list.
In the end, I did think of five things I like about myself. In fact, this journal entry has prompted me to keep a running list of things that I like about myself to use as a shield against the media's constant bombardment of lies about beauty. I hope this post allows you a chance to consider five things you like about yourself.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
My Yoga Assignment- Five Things I Like About Myself
Posted by Megan at 8:36 PM
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7 comments:
Great Blog: Good luck on your project.
I can easily think of 5 things I like about Megan :)
1. Funny
2. Super Friendly
3. Good Listener
4. Easy Going
5. Beautiful and my sister-in-law :)
So I was reading this article in Elle (May) and it had a whole article on the new trend "Nude Yoga" It was an interesting article. Don't think I'd ever do it but I like the message.....Don't feel self conscious about your body.
PS The pictures from the article were awesome....just kidding :)
Hey Megan,
I love your site, I think it's a great idea and it's so important to get that message out there--especially for young girls who are bombarded with what the world says is the perfect body, hair, face, clothes and personality. Just knowing how pervasive the media is today makes me scared for my own kids someday--I really like the Dove ad that tells parents to talk to their kids before the beauty industry does--they are a multi-billion dollar industry for a reason and they know exactly who to target and how to make them feel like they aren't measuring up. I hope you keep this blog up and keep sharing it--girls need to know there's another side to he story!
Hey Megan,
I believe most young girls encounter the problem with what society tells us what beauty is. It may cause problems when young girls are growing up and seeing ads all around them and telling them that they are not pretty enough or thin enough. It’s very hard to compete with someone who isn’t real and it’s impossible to even try to do so in the first place. In the end we have to remember that the beauty that is inside ourselves is more important than what is shown on the outside. Beauty comes and goes but who we are as a person will be with us forever. Young girls should know that we shouldn’t be obligated to make others happy as long as they make themselves happy with who they are as a person. Young girls should know that what they choose to do with their body should be for themselves and no one else as long as it’s in a healthy manner. As for me, the five things I cherished about myself are: fun, loving, daring, open-minded, and can be very shy at times. I believe being able to have a real conversation with someone is more important than just having looks to fall back on.
I really like the whole idea of this blog. I believe in today's society it is extremely hard for a girl to feel good about herself. There are all these movies and music videos that we watch and so many people aspire to look like those actresses and singers. I think the modeling industry needs to realize that the average American woman is like a size 6 not a 00. My friends and I are always joking around about hating our bodies and wishing we looked like so-and-so, but honestly we just laugh it off at the end of the day. A lot of a person's beauty, male or female, comes from within. I think the top 5 things I like about myself that 1. Diligent Worker, 2. Caring, 3.Easy going, 4.Optimistic, and 5. open-minded.
we all come in so many different shapes, sizes, and colors that its alarming to think that one set of people( like the modeling industry) can tell us what is gorgeous and what is not.
I hope your blog goes well!
I was at the Utah Public Health Association conference this week and the final keynote speaker was a woman who works at an anorexia rehabilitation center. Her speech was called "The pressure from the media put on women to be perfect".
It was very interesting and a big eye opener.
Some quick facts of what she said:
-At one time, Jennifer Aniston was working out 8 hours daily in order to keep up the "perfect body" she's known for. It got to the point that her personal trainer refused to work with her anymore because of her disapproval of the intensity. Then Jennifer Aniston was on the cover of "shape" magazine. When it came out, Jennifer realized that although it was her head, they had used a different body. I guess 8 hours a day isn't enough? Jennifer along with Julia Roberts and others sued, they lost.
-the average woman in America today is about 5'4'', 164 lbs and wears a size 14
-When Nicole Kidman made "mouline rouge" she was about 110 pounds and 5'10'' which is very underweight. I guess that wasn't skinny enough because she broke 3 ribs from the corset she was wearing being fastened so tight to make her appear smaller.
I love dove's campaign for real beauty, I think it really opens our eyes.
However, I don't think we can blame this issue entirely on the media. The media will produce what the people want to see and hear. We need take actions such as not shopping at Abercrombie and Fitch with their boardering pornographic images of young women and men. If we cut off the demand, then a decrease in supply will follow.
sorry for the misspelled words I just realized--oops
Hmmm. . . it was easy for me. . .(to think of five things I love about Megan that is):
1. Instantly loving
2. Not a bit 'o work to be around
3. Compass true north
4. Beautiful inside & out
5. Tolerant, forgiving & loyal
(Well, I had to find some way to get the last two in so, excuse me, there are three things for #5.)
Number 6 would be that she is a loving and supportive partner to her husband and best friend. . .
Hey, I need a Megan-hit now! Any chance you and Joe can see us in June? Love, Kim
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