Self-Acceptance
September 1, 2004
Divorcing Max Factor for the Man of My Dreams
As a child I was fascinated by make-up. I wasn't allowed to wear it and the mystery is what drew me in. I would watch my mother apply it and wonder at the miracle of it all. The shimmery powders, creamy foundations, and glossy lipsticks. I wanted it all! Read more.
Eye of the Beholder
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That same beholder sometimes determines our self-worth, when we should be doing that for ourselves. Who we are comes from within, not from what other people think of our appearance. It took me almost 30 years to learn that important lesson, so I'd like to pass it on. Read more.
I Want a New Drug
I've always been moody (some have said "volatile," my mother, being kinder, has said "mercurial"), and I've always been vulnerable to a familial tendency toward depression. I grew up having relatively good self-esteem, though, despite the usual adolescent-girl insecurites about weight and appearance, and despite feeling socially awkward a good bit of the time. Deep down, I knew that I was good enough, I was smart enough, and, doggone it, people liked me. Read more.
Lay All Your Love On Me
I realize that what I'm about to tell you all will probably land me in trouble with gays, straights, and bisexuals. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance for Anti-Defamation will send an ambassador to slap me across the face with a glove and challenge me to a duel. If I lose the duel, I will be thrown into GLAAD prison with Charlie Daniels and forced to attend sensitivity training. Read more.
Prudeville Meets Nudeville
You'd think hanging around a bunch of naked Swedish ladies would be the worst thing you could possibly do for an already shaky body imagine. The stereotypical Swede is tall and blonde, perfectly leggy with a flat tummy and big breasts. I guess this comes from the infamous Swedish Biknini Team, but did you know the Swedish Bikini Team is a complete fabrication invented by American beer companies? The first members of the team weren't even Swedish, though the current "manager" of the team tells me the ladies are all authentic. But this is not an article about sexy Swedish ladies. This is an article about perceptions. Read more.
10 Tips to Kick-Start Your Self-Esteem
by Cheryl Wright
Low self-esteem manifests itself in your thoughts and behavior. You may think you have no power over low self-esteem, but the following tips provide you with a guide to activities and behaviors to help you feel better about yourself, immediately! Read more.
The Real Deal
by Melanie Feeney
I always believed that I practiced self-acceptance. Well, for much of my adult life anyway. I thought that liking who you are, and where you are going in life was what it was all about. What I didn't realize was that much of who I was I had based on other people's expectations of who I should be. Read more.
The Brains in the Family
My husband is a wonderful and intelligent man. Sometimes his intelligence makes me want to throw a temper tantrum or cry big crocodile tears. Before I met him I was always the "smart one." Whenever I played a game with a group of friends or family I was the score keeper. I could tally the numbers faster and better than anyone else. I was always the winner in trivia matches. I could always shout out the answers faster than the smart guy on Jeopardy or Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. I was confident and content in my braininess. Read more.
Work in Progress
by Jennifer Brenner
Self-acceptance? What is it? Do I even understand the concept? The definition of self-acceptance in the dictionary is: "an acceptance of yourself as you are, warts and all." Even when I was young I couldn't do that. Before I started thinking about appearance and weight, I didn't like myself because I was too shy. I always had all of these thoughts, feelings and opinions that I was ready to express but never did because I though everyone would laugh and think I was stupid. I assumed that was all part of being a kid, caring what everyone else thinks. Little did I know that I would care the rest of my life. Read more.
De-Luscious
by Arlene Guillen
While standing in line to see Delovely, I overheard two teenage girls talking over movie choices. When they got to Delovely, they were clueless. I'd been standing there thinking, Of course everyone knows what the title refers to and of course everyone knows who Cole Porter is. Perhaps I should get out a little more often. Read more.