The Art of Loving ME

When you look at this picture what’s the first thing that comes to mind? What is the image that you see? What message does it leave you with? Hold onto that thought while I tell you what I see. When I look at this picture all I see is a work of art. I see a masterpiece that has taken sometime to create. 

I see beauty, strength, dignity, grace and poise. I see a stance of confidence, boldness, fearlessness and limitlessness. I see determination, discipline, diligence and control. I see value. I see worth. I see a colorfulness that’s priceless. I see something that’s delicate, dainty, feminine and yet sexy. I see love. I see light. I see peace!

I see all these things and more when I gaze upon this one of a kind piece of art. Afterall, there’s a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Those who have studied any form of art know that art is a form of expression. Therefore, when you look at a piece it has a vast story to tell and it’s more than what meets the eye.  

The perception of a picture at first glance can initially be deceiving. And, unfortunately the meaning behind the picture becomes either ignored, devalued or devised. So let me ask you…what story did you perceive when you first looked at this picture? Did it match the narrative of what I described? 

Probably not, because we only see the surface of a portrait but not the intent. It’s not until one takes time to look deeply and decipher what the artist is portraying is when you will get the true essence of the message. It’s just like the saying never judge a book by it’s cover. You have to dig in to get the whole story.

Well, I can tell you first hand about the story behind this picture because the artist and the subject are one in the same and it is ME. 

For many seasons, I have struggled with my own body image for a multitude of reasons from being underweight, being overweight, having scoliosis, not having the “perfect body” etc. Because of this I had trouble with how I saw and thought about myself.

Sometimes great, other times not so great. Either way I showed up in the world not realizing or understanding the masterpiece that God had already created in ME. Along without knowing the real intrinsic value that I already possessed. 

Over the years, I’ve had many defining moments and a lot of self work that allowed me to take on some of the characteristics that I now see. And, I’ve had other moments that stripped me away from who I truly was meant to be. 

Each time my identity was taken from me by way of either the effects of sexual child abuse, domestic violence or any other form of cohersed control used to diminish my light, stripped away at my core and attempted to erase who I was innately destined to become.  

Not to mention, this conditioning allowed me to cover myself with an image that I believed other people wanted to see. One that was perceived as perfect and put together. When in actuality I didn’t even know the image that was staring back at me.  

It wasn’t until I began to embrace every powerful aspect of my life and discover just how valuable I truly am. Understanding God’s infinite plan for me was key. Despite what other people thought or better yet what I thought they thought. The moments I started to regain my power over the things I could control and allowed God to take care of the rest is when I shifted my own perspective and reality. 

Once I was able to do that, I started to understand and reconnect to my amazing true self. To tap into the essence and core of who and whose I truly was. Not only to just embrace it but to increase it and to Magnify it. 

This boldness has granted me permission to break free, create a new narrative, sketch a pristine picture and allow my light to shine brightly everywhere I go unapologetically and authentically. Reclaiming this piece of ME is like finding the lost treasured artwork of Van Gogh.  

So let me ask you…what part of you needs to be set free? What lost treasure inside of you needs to be found? I ask you these questions because whether you know it or not. The power all lies within you to confidently move in the direction of loving all of who you are!   

I learned in order to be free one must align all three elements of self – mind, body and soul. This has permitted me to lean beyond my own understanding and into all of my feminine power of self-love as the greatest love of all to the fullest. 

I can say I love this Magnified Essence of a reflection that now stares back! I love this magnificent light within that shines bright! I love this priceless masterpiece with a divine message on display for the world to see! I have an appreciation for the Art of Loving all of who I am and destined to be! I love that God is the ultimate curator orchestrating one of his most prized possessions.  

So when I gaze upon this picture once again I see the subject being elevated to new heights guided by light. I see the strength it takes to hold on and I see the power it takes to let go to be free. I see this Magnified Essence. I see she is owing and loving her unique power. I love that this is ME!

Now after understanding the intent behind this did your perspective change? Did you still see it as you first did? What’s the difference and what did you learn about you? Not me, but you! So as you read this, did you think about a picture that you saw of yourself? If not, think about it. What does your picture look like? Did it accurately reflect the image that you and other people see, or not? Do you love the masterpiece that God has created within you?  

All great questions that only you can truly answer. When you learn how to love your power, embrace every part of you, push beyond your limits and eloquently paint a beautiful picture that displays how truly amazing you really are it is then you can know and love all of you. Remember, no matter what the picture looks like just know that it is a valuable piece of art that you should Love!   

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Reflection of ME

When you look in the mirror whose reflection, do you see? This should be an obvious question right? Well, not exactly. There are times when the image that is staring back at you is not even you. On the other hand, your mirrored image is so unrecognizable it is almost an imageless image with no reflection at all. I know I am not the only one who can relate to this. The reason why you no longer see your reflection is that at some point you have become blind to your reality. Something significant going on in your life is probably the reason for your distorted image. Well, I definitely know that I have been visually impaired a time or two before. I definitely know what it is like when you look towards someone else to help you see your own reflection. Nevertheless, we all know how that turns out. It does not; it becomes shattered because it is not your truth.

The only reflection that you should clearly see is of you. You should see the GOD in you. The one that created you with a divine purpose. That is the only reflection that should be starring back at you. I never really thought about this until I took some me time and went to a conference in Maryland called God’s Confident Women Conference. It was so good to be on the receiving end instead of the giving end for a change. The theme for the conference was Mirror-Mirror. The intentional design for this retreat like women’s conference was to have you take a real good look at yourself in the areas of Fulfillment, Family, Forgiveness, Faithfulness, and Finances. What a great five-fold way to dive into some honest, thought provoking, introspection about self.

This was the time that I needed at that moment to take a real good look at myself. Because at that time my own reflection was blurred. We all have moments even me. However, I have learned that it is ok to have my moment just not to allow my moment to have me. During those times, I will admit it takes a while to recognize the person staring back at me in the mirror. However, eventually I can clearly see the beautiful reflection of me. One that is amazing on purpose, one that is resilient, one that is courageous, one that is a conqueror, one that is a beacon, one that has love for others including herself, one who is magnified in everything that she does, and one who even has fabulous flaws. Yes, I have flaws so why not make them fabulous.

I am sharing this with you because I want you to see the beauty in YOU just as I see the beauty in ME. It is important to understand and know thyself by knowing the person that you see in the mirror. Because, the reflection of the person you see definitely is not defined by someone or something else unless you let it. You have to see the person that GOD has created you to be. Someone in His own image. One who is wonderfully and beautifully made!!! Knowing this, I hope you can learn to love and smile at the reflection of YOU. Because, I know that I can truly say that I love and appreciate the reflection of ME!!!!