4.23.2012

Confident and Beautiful

 Perfection:
"The condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects." 
 

Flaw:
"An imperfection, often concealed."
Imperfection:
"A fault, blemish, or undesirable feature."



 I have struggled with those words, for years.  I have a 15 inch scar on my back from 2 surgeries and 30 radiation treatments (the picture is just a portion of it).  Because of this scar, the word flaw has been part of my every day thoughts.
That's such a huge, ugly flaw- that was a thought that constantly went through my head..
and over time, that thought turned into- I am flawed.
What made me think I was flawed?
The word scar isn't in the definition of perfection.
And if what I have learned- for twenty-two years- is correct, perfection equals beauty, right?
Did my definition of perfection (beauty) come from what I saw on TV and on the cover of magazines?
Of course.  Why wouldn't that be my definition?
They didn't have to say "HEY THIS IS WHAT PERFECTION IS," it was just understood.
Perfect hair, perfect size, perfect boobs, perfect legs, perfect arms, perfect skin, not one blemish on your face...etc, etc.
So, if a characteristic doesn't fit into those categories, then it's a flaw, right?
Wrong.
Here's the thing,
NO ONE IS PERFECT.
Oh wait, what about those people on TV and on the cover of those magazines?
They aren't perfect either.
They are Photoshopped.  We know that.  They've told us.
  Everyone has flaws.
So why do we I still strive to be something unrealistic?
Who said that flaws weren't beautiful?
Well I'm saying they ARE beautiful.

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical."
~ Sophia Loren
"In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful."
~ Alice Walker
"Confidence is the secret to all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without confidence."
~Author Unknown
I've been terrified to wear a bikini for 7 years.  
As of today, I'm choosing to be confident.  I'm choosing to be flawed beautiful.
I ordered a bikini.


Let's be confident and flawed beautiful!
Who's with me?







26 comments:

Whitney Leigh said...

I'm so with you.
and hey, I think scars are awesome. They're like tattoos, but with better stories. :)
you're beautiful!

tiff@thecoffeehouse said...

YES! love this and love whitney's comment. i agree that flaws/scars can be so beautiful. inside and out.

Shauna said...

Very good message! Our scars/flaws tell tell our story. We wouldnt be who we are today without them! Stay strong!

Happy Monday,
Shauna
www.ShaunaWyrick.com

Jessica said...

This is so touching & a very moving message!!! You are beautiful. You are perfect.

& remember people would kill to see you fail!!

Happy Monday

xoxo
jessica

Shaylynn... a girl, a story, a blog said...

Your scar is your honor, your story, your war, your fight that few will ever understand. It makes you stunning.

I just have gallbladder surgery scars.. big whopping deal. However my two tattoos are the scars I chose, I respect them.

The Hopewell House said...

Beautifully put! Scars show we have not only faced something but that we have faced it and survived.

Anonymous said...

You deserve a bikini!! Your scar just shows how strong you are! I was talking to C the other day about you saying how I don't know what I would do if I ever had to go through what you went through. I'm just not that tough. You deserve to flaunt it! You're beautiful! Plus you're tall and skinny and have long sexy legs (as I remember Tyler telling me one of the first times I met him)! Haha! Loved this. =)

The Pink Growl said...

I have a horrible scar on my left hip from an accident in 2010. It bothers me so much in a bathing suit because that's the only time it's really on display. But of course I'm sure it feels worse to me than it actually is. You're beautiful, and scars always make for good stories. It means we are tough ladies! :)

Ben & Cassie said...

I have a scar on my face under my right eye, It took me a long time to stop looking at it when i look in the mirror, but i finally embraced it as a beauty mark! Greta Post, you are beautiful!

JJ said...

Wow this post is amazing. Thank you for posting this. I agree with the first comment post.

Anonymous said...

Autumn, you ROCK! These are amazing words, and so very true! I had an appendectomy that left an ugly scar on my belly. I still wear a bikini, but the scar bugs me...vit E oil has become my scar's bff. BUT, it's a part of me...and I'm OK with everything else (most days), so why shouldn't I be OK with this little part?

GREAT WORK buying the bikini...you're totally going to rock it this summer!!

eachdayinthislife.blogspot.com

Andrea D said...

I've struggled with these words so much, too. Just remember, no one will ever be as critical of you as you are of yourself! And if you can beat cancer, you can rock a bikini no problem, beautiful lady! :)

Lauren said...

Scars have the potential to tell an incredible story and yours definitely does! My sister has what looks like a Mercedes emblem on her stomach from a liver transplant and we've always told her that hes scar tells a story that nothing else can. Be proud of how far you've come! You rock that bikini with all that you are!!

afraley226 said...

I agree! Way better stories:) Thanks girl!

afraley226 said...

Amen! :)

afraley226 said...

Thanks so much girl! They definitely help mold us into who we are!

afraley226 said...

Thanks so much, Jessica! You are too sweet!

afraley226 said...

Thank you Shaylynn!
I'm planning on choosing a scar one day, as well.

afraley226 said...

Thank you!! You are SO right!

afraley226 said...

hahahaha long sexy legs! Did he really say that?? I figured he was a leg man...because he definitely isn't (at least I hope he isn't) a boobie man!
You're too sweet, girl.

afraley226 said...

We are definitely our worst critic!
Yes, we are tough ladies:)

afraley226 said...

Thank you, girl!
I love that. Beauty mark.

afraley226 said...

Thanks so much lady!!

afraley226 said...

Thanks so much, Angie!
You are exactly right!

afraley226 said...

You are so sweet and so right, Andrea!

afraley226 said...

Thanks so much, Lauren!
You are right. And her Mercedes scar sounds amazing:)