Be Your Best Self

The other day, I was watching Sex and the City. I never watched the show while it actively aired, but due to a dear friend's recent move to New York City, I was inspired to jump on the SATC band wagon and start from the beginning.

In the 2nd episode of Season 1, "Models & Mortals," the following scene takes place:

MIRANDA: We should just admit that we live in a culture that promotes impossible standards of beauty

CHARLOTTE: Yeah, except men think they're possible

MIRANDA: Yeah

CHARLOTTE: You know, no matter how good I feel about myself if I see Christy Turlington, I just wanna give up

MIRANDA: I just wanna force feed her lard, but that’s the difference between you and me

(All laugh)

CARRIE: What are you talking about? Look at you two, you're beautiful

CHARLOTTE: Oooo I hate my thighs

MIRANDA: O come on

CHARLOTTE: I can't even open a magazine without thinking "thighs, thighs, thighs"

MIRANDA: Well I'll take your thighs and raise you a chin

CARRIE: I’ll take you a chin and raise you a … (points at nose)

(All look at Samantha expectantly)

SAMANTHA: What?

CARRIE: Come on

SAMANTHA: I happen to love the way I look

MIRANDA: You should. You paid enough for it ( Miranda, Carrie and Charlotte all laugh)

---

After finishing the episode and generally reflecting, I began to ponder: Why do we (especially women) seek to emulate other people? We miss out entirely on the fact that regardless of our hair/eye/skin color, waist/breast size, or any other physical trait we "hate" about ourselves, we are the only 
        (insert full name here)          this world will ever know! That fact, in and of itself, should make us proud  to be who we are.

My! How the world would be different if we stopped spending so much time worrying about what everyone else thinks and simply concentrated on being our best selves! People, we need to stop comparing ourselves to everybody else! Why do we continue to disillusion ourselves into thinking we could ever look like Ryan Reynolds or a Victoria's Secret model? If that's not how God made you, don't break your back (and your wallet) trying to be something you just anatomically cannot be.


Now, don't get me wrong - I KNOW this is easier said than done (might I remind you that I once was anorexic). Nevertheless, if you don't actively work to change your mindset, of course, you will never experience freedom from the culture "that promotes impossible standards of beauty." (Key word - IMPOSSIBLE). 

Furthermore, if you are able to fully grasp the implications of how special you are simply because you are the only YOU to exist, I guarantee you will hold your head up a little higher. Instead of worrying about how you may fall short in the eye's of others, if you focus solely on being the best         (insert full name here)            you can be in any and every situation - whatever that means and however that looks - much of your current stress will diminish. I know mine did.

At present, I am speaking mostly on the physical level; however, this attitude of loving yourself naturally also applies to your personality, dreams, and ambitions. You only get one shot at life. Do what makes you happy. Aspire towards the things you love and from which you receive fulfillment. When fully flushed out, this idea can potentially change your whole outlook on life!

For years, I have appreciated the artist, Pink. Her music really speaks about and to real situations and all-too-real emotions people face on a daily basis. Her recent song, "F*ckin' Perfect," really sums up and communicates my feelings on this matter - I hope you are able to one day realize that you are perfect just the way you are - for no other reason than because it is true. Don't aspire towards greatness; just be your best self.



(Viewer discretion advised; if you would rather just read the lyrics, they are posted below).



Pink's "F*ckin' Perfect" Lyrics:

Made a wrong turn once or twice
Dug my way out, blood and fire
Bad decisions, that's alright
Welcome to my silly life

Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss 'No way, it's all good'
It didn't slow me down.
Mistaken, always second guessing
Underestimated, look I'm still around

Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you're fucking perfect to me

You're so mean when you talk
About yourself. You were wrong.
Change the voices in your head
Make them like you instead.

So complicated,
Look happy, You'll make it!
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It's enough, I've done all I could think of
Chased down all my demons
I've seen you do the same
(Ohh ohhhhhhh)

Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you're fucking perfect to me

The whole world's scared, so I swallow the fear
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in line and we try try try but we try too hard
And it's a waste of my time.
Done looking for the critics, cause they're everywhere
They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair
Exchange ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that, why do I do that (why do I do that)?

(Yeah!)
I'm Pretty, pretty, pretty

Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you're fucking perfect to me
(You're perfect, you're perfect)
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect.
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me.