Well, here's the thing. I haaaate having my picture taken. Seriously. Hate. I've never been satisfied with the way I look, so the idea of posting a photo of myself on the internet has about as much appeal as poking a stick in my eye.
And yet here I am, posting a self-taken, untouched photo of myself on the internet. Why, you ask? Because I've decided that it's high time I get over myself, and accept that I, a la Popeye, am what I am.
I took this selfie for my profile page on the Amazing Biz and Life Academy. I've since chosen to use it on Twitter as well. And so far, the sky hasn't fallen and the earth is still moving, so I think we'll all be okay.
The only shift that has taken place has happened in my mind. I called on a feeling from my past to help me deal with my present. You see, a few years ago I tripped and did a face plant on a sidewalk. And when I say face plant, I mean that literally. My face made contact with the pavement. I ended up with two black eyes, various scrapes and bruises, and what I have dubbed a hockey player nose. (Remnants of which are evident today.)
When I first looked in the mirror after this happened, I laughed. And during the days afterward as I was healing, I felt a strange sense of calm about how I looked. The pressure had been taken off of me to look better than I do, so I could finally relax and just be me. Aside from the pain, I felt great.
And now, when I look at the photo above, I can conjure up that same feeling and see beyond my face to the person I am within. And that person, regardless of how she looks, is happy. And that is all that matters.
Sarah xoxo