Friday, May 21, 2010

Reflecting on beauty...

I don't know Chookooloonks but I have been checking out her blog, and she just announced she has a book coming out that intrigues me.

She is obviously a talented writer and photographer, and since I have begun embracing Twitter, I have been following her there.

This book focuses on how each person is different, and how that difference can actually make us beautiful. To quote from the website: "This book is designed to connect, inspire and encourage you to reconsider those attributes that make you unique, and reframe them as characteristics of distinction -- maybe even your superpowers."

Superpowers! Now we are talking. Because as I look age 46 in the eye (July 7th!) and am more and more aware of the impact of aging on my physical body (hello shoulder, you haven't bothered me lately, what's up?) what with the extra pounds and puffy eyes, I feel less and less beautiful physically. But through the eyes of others, like a three year old boy, I am crazy talented.

Let's review just a short list of my amazing, mad skillz: I can read, I can cut paper with sharp scissors and use glue. I am allowed to touch the remote and drive a car. My powers are ENDLESS.

Even with adults I can appear rather superfabulous. I produce tasty, even delicious meals using only leftovers and a can of diced tomatoes. I can find that missing thing that no one else can find, and is usually being demanded by the aforementioned three year old. That voice, that demand, makes his father almost blind to the point he can't find the door out of the house much less that third fire fighter that goes with that particular fire engine that Cooper has decided he MUST PLAY WITH NOW.

At work I am The Problem Solver. From helping a student figure out how to pay the bill to finding the jam in the copier, I am that go to person. Got a baby bird that fell out of a nest? Call me. Need some feminine hygiene products or a band aid? Come to my office. It isn't like I advertise these talents, but people seem to assume that I am a well supplied, prepared, and come armed with bird related wisdom. FYI...all I did about the bird was get an empty box, scoop the bird into it without touching it and plopped it under a bush nearby. After that it was on its own. The world has enough Sparrows.

My point is I don't think we give ourselves enough credit when it comes to the things we do everyday, but that we are really good at. That make us that person others seek out in times of happiness or sadness, or to help a bird in distress. We don't see those skills, those talents as beautiful, but we should.

I am looking forward to reading The Beauty of Different, and I am making it my personal mantra for the foreseeable future to consider my considerable talents, and to find the beauty in them. In me. Thank you in advance Chookooloonks for redirecting my mindset.

6 comments:

Karen/Chookooloonks said...

Thank you SO much for your lovely words. You ARE beautiful. And the best part?

I'll wager that list you just made doesn't even begin to cover all the ways you are.

Thanks SO much for your kind words. :)

K.

Chip said...

You have ninja like skillz, sister o'mine. It is odd that many of the things others find astonishing in us, we find commonplace ourselves (the ability to see a solution to a situation; bird moving, jam finding). Would that we could see ourselves as others do ( but only in the good ways!!). Wanna watch Brainstorm any one?

Audubon Ron said...

You forgot to mention jazz singer.

Have you seen my keys?

Oz said...

Oh, this was lovely. Such a nice way of reframing the self-image, that does not include how one's pants do (or do not) fit.

Missing thing finder/problem solver - clearly superpowers. Now all you need is a theme song!

Annah said...

I can read too! :) lol. This post was very nice.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I started look at 46 in March--it's really not bad.

I value my myriad mad skillz as well--some of them sound remarkably similar to yours.