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SALT LAKE CITY — If only we could see ourselves like others see us — not just our outward appearance, but our inner beauty too.
By now I’m sure you are familiar with the Dove Real Beauty Sketches commercial, proving just how out of touch we can be with our own self-image. It’s a common problem, so much so that the first MOMentity MOM Resolution is “I am valuable.”
As women and mothers our value is immeasurable. Often we forget just how important we are to others, and even how important we are to ourselves, putting everyone else’s needs before our own.
Though it's probably been a long time since you've seen it clearly, you have so much potential, power and promise cooped up inside of you.
Working with women, I’ve found five facts about ourselves we know in our minds but don’t believe in our hearts. If we can truly accept these — even only a few of them — we can transform our lives and value ourselves again.
1. You must love yourself.
You are worthy of love – that fantastic kind of first love they sing about on the radio. You deserve to know a deep, world-spinning love that transcends life. But most importantly, you owe yourself real love that smiles back at you from the mirror. Do all you can to love yourself first.
2. You are not defined by your post-baby body. (Or your pre-baby body for that matter.)
It’s too bad we can’t all look great in knitted leggings; and thank you to whomever invented the tankini. As we grow older, things sag and wrinkle. But these changes are just a testament to the battles we’ve fought, the emotions we’ve felt and the victories we have achieved. Our value has nothing to do with our dress size.
3. You are not your title or position.
I will never forget my first set of business cards. I was only 17 years old, and under my name was the title “director.” The embossed words jumped from the card, and I thought I was something special; yet I was no different than I had been the day before, nor was I any less of a person when eight months later that company ceased to exist.
It’s so easy to fixate on a title or position and think our value is somehow wrapped up into our name badge. A job or opportunity may create circumstances for us to grow and improve as a person, or serve those around us, but it doesn’t define our self-worth.
4. You are meant to be flawed.
You are not perfect; none of us are. It often seems some of us have reached perfection when we look through the foggy lenses of Facebook, Pinterest or book club. But it’s all a facade. Your flaws make you human, and they are wonderful.
5. You are pretty amazing. (flaws and all)
You have been given a very special set of talents, a gift mix that only you possess. You can use your "amazingness" to bless others, achieve goals and create beautiful things.
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Nicole Carpenter is the founder of www.MOMentity.com and the creator of Define Your Time eCourse. is a professional speaker and mentor for mompreneuers. Nicole and her husband are raising four children, 8 years and younger, including twin toddlers.*
