http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPFsa6FLvlg

Ladies, this is one video we can all relate to!

Call it silly, but if someone pointed a camera at you without asking, at a time when you least expect it (say, when you’ve just woken up or while you’re eating) the natural reflex would be to duck, hide or take cover. This is a pretty funny video, but it sends a strong message: when did we stop thinking we’re beautiful?

If you think about it, when we were kids we never felt like we weren’t camera-ready. Even if we were covered in sweat, dirt or mud, we felt confident enough to express ourselves and had no insecurities. We didn’t need to be made up to be in front of the camera, or have our hair curled or straightened. We were just ourselves, and had nothing to hide.

It’s important to remember who we were before the self-doubt and the I’m-not-good-enough feelings came about. At the same time, we must forget about whatever or whoever it was that made you feel terrible about yourself and focus on how life was when those things didn’t matter. I thought the video was just all these women hiding from the camera, and how funny they looked trying to wave away the camera or hide their faces, but when I started seeing the happy and free kids afterwards, the message hit me. I did somehow forget about that carefree kid who loved to play and imagine. She got lost in all the comparing and nit-picking, and got trapped beneath all these flaws and weaknesses that are really all just made up.

We are all beautiful and special in our own way, and its imperative that we don’t forget it. We mustn’t forget about that free and innocent child we once were, and draw strength and confidence from that little girl. And besides, who wants to carry all these negative feelings anyway?  We are all beautiful and we should be proud and happy to be who we are. 🙂