Embrace Yourself

Inspired by the #effyourbeautystandards movement, I decided to give a group of confident and beautiful women from all walks of life a forum to tell the world something about themselves.  To tell the world how they feel, why they matter, and that they are just fine the way they are.  Everyone was genuinely happy and excited to be a part of this project.  No "Photoshopping" of their skin or their bodies was done.  They are presented just as the beautiful beings they are.  Not only did we work together to get these gorgeous photos, but they each provided me with an identifier and statement of who they are, what they feel, or what’s important to them.  I’m happy to say that this will be the first in a series I’m calling “Embrace Yourself”, where I will be giving a forum to people to speak out about themselves, people who may or may not meet with societies standards of beauty, and are happy with themselves just the way they are!  

Without further adieu, here is the first of my Embrace Yourself series.  

EMBRACE YOURSELF:  A PHOTO ESSAY OF BEAUTIFUL WOMEN BEING THEMSELVES!

I am wife to a man that loves me. I have been blessed with four beautiful children and an amazing family. And guess what? I'm not perfect! I am beautifully flawed! I have lost myself, but am beginning to find myself again. I'm loud, thoughtful, thankful, emotional and unemotional, compassionate, bitchy, bold, sarcastic, funny, artistic, over weight, beautiful, sometimes insecure, but still confident." - Tierney

"Often approached in disturbing ways because of my 'look'; The only love I crave is one based on chivalry!" - Jesica

“I am a daughter, a sister, a friend.  I am a pagan.  I am an artist.  I’m a writer, a thinker, a scholar.  I am intelligent.  I am creative.  I am strong.  I am independent.  I am compassionate.  I am unique.  And I am more.  However, out of everything I am, the only thing that is and ever remains important to me is that I AM TRYING.  It’s okay to be weak.  It is also as important to forgive yourself as it is to forgive others.  I may never be who or where I want to be but…I am trying” - Kiersten

"I am unapologetically enthusiastic. All my life, I've had interests some may call 'unconventional'. I've always loved my video games. That evolved into a love of many fandoms. I've never been ashamed of the things I enjoy and I try to share the love with as many others as possible!" - Amanda

"Each day is spent making it better than the one before it. There are so many events and changes in life that I have to constantly evolve to better myself.  Opportunities that arise will only happen for me if I stay proactive.  I will never let self-doubts or fear keep me from achieving my dreams.  With this evolution comes maturity and the realization that I am worthy.  My all is good enough." - Jennifer

"I love all different kinds of music: country, big band, pop, rap, gospel, Christian, patriotic.  Right now, I am really into music from Disney shows, especially Frozen.  If you see me, chances are I will have my headphones on, whether I'm walking my dog or sitting on the porch - I'm jamming!  I love to go to live concerts.  Usually my Grandma or Dad take me, boy is that fun!  My all-time favorite song is The Star Spangled Banner, and I sing it at least once every day.  Now that is a great song!" - Rebekah

"Beauty is not about looks.  Beauty radiates from inside.  It’s about having confidence and love for yourself and others.  A woman with a good heart is far more beautiful than a woman with looks and a great body.  God created each of us perfectly who we are supposed to be.  My faith in that allows this 50 year old woman to wear Daisy Dukes, go in public with messy hair and no makeup.  My beauty is not based on looks; it’s based on a heart that loves and that fact that God made me beautiful by simply being me." - Ann

"I am Stardust. You are Stardust. We are Stardust. From the lights of the universe, to the lights that are held and protected by these human bodies. Together we create the beauty of our skies. Together we create life. Shine your light bright any way you know how to. That is when the world will know love." - Heather

"Everyone is a whole... one mind, one body, one person..... but part of that whole are pieces. Pieces of your past, bits of memories, missing pieces..... Pieces that may be torn or broken.... Pieces that heal, pieces that make you whole again. Someone may try to tear those pieces to bits, to stomp them down, to make them fade and drift away into nothing. My pieces have faded, been broken, unsure that they may ever be repaired.... but through patience, vision, and love, they are once again whole. A quilt is like life... Pieces that when properly placed make a whole.... they encompass you in warmth, love, protection.... I create with pieces to make a whole... to make memories, to warm, to comfort, to protect. My pieces may be frayed but they are mine." - Mary

“True beauty comes from the inside, not the outside.” - Marge

"I am still learning to love my body during and after the changes of pregnancy. In the past, I haven’t understood why women are proud of their stretch marks. All I see is that my torso doesn’t look the way it used to and my body’s chemical make-up is different. After two pregnancies, I have realized that people cannot see my postpartum depression scars or the pain and recovery time that comes with a cesarean operation. I have learned that my stretch marks are the most visible sign I went through the trials that come with pregnancy. With each pregnancy, I am learning to love my body all over again. I am  still learning how to keep my new body mentally and physically healthy. I am still learning to be proud of what my stretch marks signify." - Nikki

"Life isn’t easy – some are worse than others.  I know that mine hasn’t been horrible, but it hasn’t been without its bumps along the way.  I know many people in my life wouldn’t believe it, but I’m shy – really!  We moved often as I was growing up and have learned, as an adult, to put myself out there and just do it!  Even after running away to get married, we moved fairly often – more life experiences.  Once we settled down I had trouble staying pregnant.  I have since learned that there is an entire sisterhood of women with these experiences.  Once the wish for two children turned into thriving preteens, I went back to school at night.  Looking back, I have no idea how I did it!  Most recently, our home was hit by the 03/15/16 tornado . . . . seriously – we were home.  It puts everything into perspective.  One sees it on Facebook often, but it is true:  you don’t know what someone has been through, keep your judgements and hurtful comments to yourself – always!" - Leslie

"Being a young adult is painful - wanting to be adult but still living at home and having help from my parents (from help with car maintenance to having a safe, stable roof over my head) is confusing and frustrating! Mostly, Mom and I have a great relationship and I have learned that I'm really lucky that my parents have my back." - Sara

“I am a mother of three grown children, one of which has special needs and lives at home.  I am also a hunter!  I love that I can go off to the woods in my camo with no make up, or dress up a bit with make up.  I LOVE that I can be completely comfortable doing  both those things and my kids don’t bat an eye!  Two things that make me feel both beautiful and fulfilled, being a mom and hunting!” - Melanie

"Beauty starts on the inside and we all need to let our beauty shine through." - Rhonda

"I am an authentic person. I'm a quirky, curious mother, student, dancer, friend, karate mom, goofball, adventurer and believer that beauty has to start within a person before it projects outward." - Meghan

"I am a young 61 year old, and I love traveling, blowing bubbles, flying kites, the minions, walking barefoot, and wearing flip flops." - Cara

"What I love about cosplay is there is no wrong way to do it. No matter what body type or skin color you have, or even what gender you are, nothing can stop you from cosplaying who you want to be. Cosplay, at its best, promotes body positivity and self-confidence, which is something that needs promoted more often. A lot of people believe that cosplaying is nerdy and 'sad', but the people that make me sad are the ones that don't believe in others having this kind of confidence." - Rachel

“I am a person of positive vibes, and my life and my jobs reflect that.” - Robin

"And also a work in progress, I never stop learning,  creating, and reinventing my world." - Sherri

"I will not submit." - Monika