Perspective

I came across this video on another blog, of which I am a huge fan. I quickly felt those warm tears of compassion for this woman as well as that knowledge that our Heavenly Father loves us and cares for us. Comparatively, I am a stranger to trials and tribulations. The worst things that ever happened to me were my own self-doubts, disappointments in dating, and sorrow for mistakes I had made--nothing even close to on par with this wonderful woman. I think we women especially feel for because we feel how important it is for us to feel beautiful and attractive...something I don't think the menfolk can really comprehend. NieNie has inspired me, in this instance, to not take my body for granted. After watching her video and reading her blog, I was doing this and that around the apartment. After washing my hands I caught my reflection in the mirror and took a moment to study it--not in search of renegade eyebrow hairs, or determine if I need to wax my upper lip (no one's perfect), or to regard a little pimple or see little wrinkles coming in--laugh lines= good, worry wrinkles =bad. This time I noticed all the things I love: my gold, silky hair; my blue, almond shape eyes; my clean, pale skin and unique heart shaped bone structure--so indicative of my German descent, that well shaped nose from my Dad, the rosebud mouth from my Oma (I think of how much I love its shape and hue in those moments just after I wake up)--I am a lovely girl and sometimes I take this for granted. I fret over pictures that might not be so flattering, my appearance after a long day and no make up on, I think my cheeks are a little pudgy, and I get so mad at my hair for being so smooth and silky that there's nothing I can do with it except brush and then 7 seconds later it's all in little knots at the nape of my neck again--about all it's good for is running my fingers through it. But now I feel blessed, exceedingly blessed--more than I deserve. So what if I never tan, so what if I have serious joules when I'm old, what does it matter that I have to bring a brush everywhere and put my hair in a quick, nonflattering bun before I face the ever blowing wind. What does any of this matter, there are so many more important, beautiful things in life-- other people to make feel beautiful and wonderful, rather than myself. And in helping them reach and feel their full potential and their divine worth, I am made more beautiful too...isn't that so much better than just me sitting in front of mirror preening?

Now I wonder...