Self-Image

I've been thinking a lot lately about self-image, particularly because my body morphs everyday during this pregnancy. Surely we all have external imperfections we wish could have been bigger, smaller, prettier or just different than how God made us. But after watching a documentary that candidly depicted the sad tales of women whose decision to pursue plastic surgery went awry, I can't help but feel bad for them.

For the record, I don't feel bad that they're in the state of depression or "suffering" in their post-surgical days. I feel bad that they never found the inner strength or inner beauty within themselves to squash superficial desires to enhance their body parts. Let me also state that these women chronicled in the documentary were already drop-dead gorgeous. One woman is an athletic trainer and model by trade. The other woman is a model in Las Vegas. Both are naturally blessed in beauty and physique. But with as much as they had, they wanted something else.

The terrible truth is that these two young women are not happy with the first round of plastic surgery they had done. The athletic trainer was suffering from debilitating ailments caused by her breast implants. The Vegas model hated her "Pinocchio" nose job.

Cameras followed these women around to show how their post-surgical dissatisfaction affected their everyday living. Towards the end of the segment, they both opted to have a second surgical procedure even with uncertainties that the problems they're dealing with will ever get fixed...for the better or for the worse. They both took a gamble and another huge health risk.

After both surgeries were performed, they both immediately felt relief and excitement with their results. Then as weeks went by, each woman became even more unhappy with what they were left with. The athletic trainer had her health and life back but was flat-chested. The Vegas model corrected her Pinocchio nose, but let the influence of others' opinions overcome how happy she initially was after the second surgery.

Moral of the story, these girls were never happy with their beautiful bodies to begin with. They further altered and risked disfiguring their natural features to find happiness and contentment. I believe they never found it because they never had the appreciation for their self-image from the get go.

There's a breed of people who go through life wishing to change what they've been blessed with. They then surgically make a change and are still left unsatisfied. What will it take to make them happy? Why not seek alternative measures to find true joy and happiness with self-image? If you have nice legs, show 'em off all year round and feel great about the stares and compliments you get. If you have a beautifully clear complexion, let it shine through your smile and look people squarely in the eyes so they can see your flawless radiant glow. They call you Mr. Personality because you're so "ugly." Then infect people with your charm and wit so that everyone would feel so lucky to be your friend. Trust me, there are ways to dig down deep and count the many beautiful blessings you have on your beautiful body. Count your blessings and let those overcome any superficial insecurities.

Self-image is quite the beast to conquer. I struggle like any other woman. But I would never change what God intended to give me. I'm proud to say I am happy and securely accept what I've got...and keepin' it real is the greatest compliment I can give to my Creator.