Just. Stop.

Hello all.  

Okay, so, here is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.  It has also been in the press a lot lately.  This is the issue of shaming other people.  Most recently, it has been in the media because of the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch.  He doesn't want people that are "uncool" to shop in his stores.  He also doesn't offer plus size clothing options, because, obviously we fat chicks are uncool.  I could say that it doesn't matter to me because his face looks like his neck threw up.  However, that would be in direct opposition to my point.  

I think that our biggest goal in life should not be to look like a model, or a celebrity.  It should be to look like "that" girl.  That girl that I want to know.  That girl behind the glasses has a story.  She is going to be the president, or a doctor, or a famous musician and you will never have known her because she's "uncool."  That guy that sits alone at lunch, he's going to be our next great novelist, or and extraordinary artist or an amazing CEO.  Just because he's quiet and a loner, you will never know how amazing he is.  I wasn't raised that way.  I was raised in a home that was extraordinarily loving.  I was never put down or told that I was too fat, or too plain.  I was told everyday that I was smart.  That I was beautiful.  That I was funny.  I am trying to teach my child these values.  We live in a society that tells us that fat is ugly.  Books are uncool.  It isn't hip to dance to the beat of your own drum.  When I was in high school, where the Mean Girls/Boys live most often, I had at least one friend from every single clique-y group you could think of.  Most of my favorite friends are still my friends, and, guess what?  They aren't any different.  They are still the quirky bunch of cooks that I chose for my friends all those years ago.  And you know what else, they are all beautiful for their own various reasons.  They have all become more wonderful versions of themselves.  

I think that is what true beauty is.  It is all well and good to have a pretty face to look at, or, a great figure to make others swoon, but, it's all for nothing if you're an ugly person inside.  If you make yourself feel better by tearing someone else down, then it doesn't matter how pretty your face is.  Alienating others won't make you better.  For me, as a woman, I think it is very important for all of us to stick together more than we do.  There just doesn't seem to a sense of solidarity among women.  We view each other as competition instead of equals.  I think that we should all stop shaming each other, but, my biggest problem is between us women.  We are all beautiful in our own way.  Fat, thin, short, tall, brown, black, white, or blue.  Even women that weren't born women.  Stop fighting with each other.  Stop tearing each other down.  Be proud of what you are and don't look to others for what you aren't.  I am smart.  I am funny.  I am a good mother.  I am a hard working student.  I am honest.  I am not a size 2.  I will never be.  I am happy with the gray in my hair and the wrinkles by eyes.  I am happy in the knowledge that I love and am loved.  I do not concern my daily outlook on life on whether I can wear an overpriced pair of shorts, or, shop at the "trendy" stores.  I am me, not perfect, but, glad to have what I have.  Frankly, if I have $20 in my pocket, you can find me at the thrift shop, and, not the high priced trend store.  

That's all for now.  

Be kind to each other.  That person you said that nastiness about is a person just like you.