Welcome to our third installment of “WOW…I said that?” If you are not familiar with this, please visit my W.I.S.T page and read about my way of sharing amazing comments.
OK…now, on with the program! This week, may I introduce:
Jan is an amazing soul, writer and seeker. Her blog is dedicated to her readers and the kindred spirits who desire to live in an awakened manner—with clear, open minds and wise, compassionate hearts (Ok…can’t take credit for that…it’s from her blog!). So, if you don’t know Jan, please take some time to go and visit her blog…you will be happy you did!
Jan’s comment is short yet very powerful…a quote to take to heart (this comment comes for my Capturing your essence post).
“This is always my highest hope for anyone…that they will embrace their essence. Give voice and form to the beauty that lies within. We are all beautiful.”
I will be the first to admit that I don’t always see myself as beautiful. Sometimes I feel ugly, angry, chaotic and horrible. The media bombards me with images of beauty that I can’t achieve. When I look at my body in the mirror I often feel sad and disappointed. I judge myself so harshly and that is not good. But I am working very hard on accepting my physical body. So reading this quote filled me with hope. It woke me up (and as Jan says, “awake is good“).
What is “true beauty” then? Our essence! The language our soul speaks. Our beauty that lies within. So let’s celebrate our beauty! Our deep, soulful, magnificent beauty (that includes you boys too!).
♥
Jan, please email me at thezeninyou@gmail.com so I can send you this affirmation.
19 Comments
Jan’s words are lovely and so is your photo – it’s so deep and rich. Yes, we need to see we are beautiful. If you think about it, really think about it, how can anyone be physically ugly? Different yes but not ugly. I’m with Jan, we all have inner beauty and we are physically beautiful. The human form is remarkable.
Paisley’s last blog post..The Last Word
“There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who carries herself with pride and confidence.” That was told to me by an old friend many years ago and it has stuck with me. Most men might not admit this, but I’ve heard this is what attracts them to a woman (on a subconscious level); not the other attributes that they drool over.
Another lovely shot Carline. And, it resonates well with your writing too.
Davina’s last blog post..Mindful Melancholy
good stuff zen, and jan!…. loving ourselves or even liking seems to be a trait most have not mastered. and yet you would think that should be our simpliest of loves… (i guess i should clarify. there are a lot of people who “love” themselves…. with arrogance. but i would not put those in the catagory of having found “true” love)
Pat jenkins’s last blog post..Barack Obama’s Yearly Checkup
Both the words and the graphic are truly inspirational Caroline!
Tabitha’s last blog post..Wishcasting Wednesday & Deep Gratitude
This is such a wonderful feature. I’m sure that we all feel like you do many times, and you’re right, the media is no help. But this post and feature was uplifting and inspiring!!
~Tabitha
Tabitha Blue’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday… Bokeh Love
Jan, what a great statement. I love it! And thanks for posting it here… I really love the W.I.S.T. posts. It’s such a great idea and a wonderful way to incorporate your readers and their thoughts into your blog.
Positively Present’s last blog post..happiness (is not) for sale!
embracing self is always difficult isn’t it? we hold ourselves to impossibly high standards that we would forgive and, even shoosh away, in others if they said the same thing about themselves. if only we loved ourselves as much as we love others. it would be a beautiful world.
charlane’s last blog post..that little bird is trying to fly the coop
Paisley – How true…can anyone be ugly? Different is right…now we must embrace our differences!
Davina – What a beautiful quote. With age, I am becoming more confident…I still have “moments” but not as many. Personally, I think women judge each other much harder than men judge women. Funny huh?
Pat – Well said! There is a big difference between narcissistic love and true love. True love is deep…soulful and magnificent
Tabitha – Thank you
TB – Glad you found it uplifting. Since I stopped buying fashion mags, I do feel a bit better about myself…
Positively – Glad you like the WIST posts…I do too! And this week is a wonderful quote!
Charlane – Isn’t that the truth..our self standards are so high and unrealistic sometimes. That’s why I loved this quote…it made me stop and think.
this is a beautiful post. as for your question about the pic…i have yet to invest in an HDR post processing program, but i’ve been playing with shadows and highlights to get the same kind of effect. your comment made me smile, i most be getting close
thanks girl!
Briony’s last blog post..secret place of serenity
Hi Caroline,
I love the “W.I.S.T” feature. It’s such a great way to showcase the words of others. Then when you add your photo affirmation, that’s like the icing on the cake.
I love what Jan said,”…embrace their essence. …” That’s so powerful, and is actually the key to self confidence. Although it’s hard not to compare ourselves with others, if we can learn to turn inward what we find is amazing.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Kicking It
Caroline, this is such a wonderful posting you do each week! I love it!
Jan’s words are so very true and the affirmation button you have made for her is absolutey gorgeous!
Here’s to embracing our inner essence, who we really are, the love in the very core of each of our souls…
Have a Beautiful Day, Caroline!
xox
The Chic Geek’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
beautiful! and so glad to see Jan honored here, as she is a favorite of mine as well
Lisa (mommymystic)’s last blog post..May Review
Unconditional self-acceptance is something many people work toward. The curious thing is, one really need not do anything, go anywhere, or change to experience unconditional love. HUman beings are often conditioned to feel less than adequate if they are not acocmplishing or working to meet some external-set expectations. Working to dissolve tses kinds of illusions serves us all. Everyone is blessed, beautiful, worthy, loved and exceptional every moment of perceived existence. Yet, many people spend much of physical existence convincing themselves its not true.
Liara Covert’s last blog post..Release the guilt
Such meaningful words by Jan….a wonderful point to focus on in your post, Caroline. Beautiful affirmation too ~
Serena’s last blog post..aching back, knitting and self portrait
Oh, Caroline, my heart is full to overflowing. What a surprise to come here and find your gorgeous affirmation photo adorned with some words that I’d offered… It is simply stunning and I can’t wait to receive it from you. The colors are truly my favorite colors, those which seem to affirm our inner royalty—vibrant, deep, rich and true—as we are, and can be to ourselves. I am honored by your words and tribute and am so glad our paths have crossed. This is one of the great blessings I have found through blogging—the gift of soul connection and friendship.
I am going to print off these pages and tuck them into my Joy Journal. Such a beautiful keepsake— your thoughts and readers’ comments. I am deeply touched. Thank you, dear heart, for YOUR lovely essence. Onward and inward we’ll grow—together! xxxooo
jan’s last blog post..Recapturing A Joy from Childhood
Deep, soulful, magnificent. Wow, that was really well put. One-pointed.
Briony – Glad I made you smile! It was an amazing photo!
Barbara – Thank you…this is becoming a favorite part of my blogging. So true about our confidence…and the key is not comparing. Just as you write in your blog, don’t compare yourself to other bloggers…just be yourself and find your own voice.
Chic Geek – Just beautiful! The love in the very core of each of our souls…
Lisa – Mine too! Jan has much wisdom to share!
Liara – Quite profound…I know I set extremely high standards for my self that I will never meet. Then I beat myself up because “I failed.” I am getting better at lower the bar and treating myself more kindly (it’s not easy, but I am making progress!).
Serena -Thank you!
Jan – Well you deserve all the accolades today
You share such wonderful insight and wisdom with all of us. I am honored that you come here and visit…we all grow from your words!
Molly – Thank you! I am glad you stopped by today…hope you left a little bit happier!
I love Jan’s writing. I used to have a column in her magazine “The Healing Garden Journal.” I also enjoyed reading what Paisley and Davina had to say. No one is ugly and carry yourself with confidence and pride!
Oh I forgot to mention Liara’s mind blowing insights!