You all rock this 30 Days of Self-Love. Your reflections and comments inspire me every day. I cannot wait to share them in future 30 Days posts and see just where this goes. I’m beginning to believe this is too powerful to just disappear after September. I know from my experience, I still need strength in my daily prayer to fully appreciate and have faith in myself. I also know we can learn so much from each other. I have no plans whatsoever but what I’m feeling cannot be put out just because October 1st rolls around. I sincerely hope that as we go through this process you get to the same point too, in seeing the power of simple reflections. In sum, I love you guys and you’re awesome! 😀

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How do you define beauty? When you consider someone beautiful does the sole focus lie in her outward appearance? When you look at yourself in the mirror, can you look past that barrier of our body called the skin and see beauty? The top definition for beauty in the Miriam-Webster dictionary: the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit. Interesting. I see nothing about a small waist, a butt that looks good in skinny jeans, luscious hair, or full lips in that definition. Perhaps because beauty does not reside in those things?

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No. Beauty gives “pleasure to the senses” or “exalts the mind or spirit”. For example, I find a compassionate quality in a person more pleasurable than white teeth. Although those white teeth will show as beautiful through a tender smile caused by the compassion. In essence, the compassion still reigns as the beauty. I also view strength as beautiful. Someone finishing a race may have beautiful, strong legs but the determination to achieve and care for her body makes them beautiful. Not the muscles.

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No physical manifestation of those inner qualities of beauty need to exist. We simply need to adapt this paradigm shift of defining beauty by the inside versus the outside. Intrinsic beauty fits the true definition of beauty and flatters more than a miracle bra. When we tap into our intrinsic beauty and allow it to showcase who we are, nothing will succeed at diminishing our sparkle. Intrinsic beauty shines through. See your body as a reflection of your inner qualities. There is power…and beauty…in that.

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Take a few moments to think how you showcase intrinsic beauty. What positive qualities describe you. Search deep. Through the day consider these qualities. How do they showcase in your life and make you beautiful?

My answer: I know I am truly beautiful because I love deeply. That love may show up in my arms…from carrying M around, serving others, and helping my husband with some of his beloved house/car projects…but the beauty is still the love behind those actions. My beauty is also in my faith. It helps me live my life with peace and positivity. No physical reflection of that needed.

Quote to Reflect On
Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty - they merely move it from their faces into their hearts. ~Martin Buxbaum

*To be added to the email list and receive links to the posts in the morning, please let me know of your interest in a comment below.

*For more 30 Days Inspiration visit these bloggers who shared the message and let me know if you do/did.

First off I want to say thank you for the overwhelming support of this movement! I never fathomed something I care about and believe in so strongly would actually inspire so many to action. Now, we must keep that first spark flaming and build it even stronger. Stick with me to help continue to make this something beautiful to reach our inner thirst and touch the lives around us in the process.

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Do you remember the little song “my body’s nobody’s body but mine…”? We each have a unique body gifted to us. That gift values more highly than anything else in our possession. Or that we could ever possess. Yet, we tend to see our body as rags instead of riches.

What would do you if you didn’t have your hands to craft words on paper (or screen)? What would you do if you didn’t have arms to embrace a loved one? Legs to run? Eyes to experience the beauty of this world? Picture life without any single part of your body.

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Our bodies bring us so much opportunity and life. We must cherish the bodies we have, with all their quirks, soft spots, or pains. They do not deserve the abuse which we expose them to on a regular basis, both physically and mentally.

Even if they can’t do all the things we hope or look the way we desire, our bodies still require love. If you had someone in your life who supported you in every way imaginable, wouldn’t you want to show that person your appreciation? Our bodies are that entity. Let’s show them a little bit of thanks today and throughout this month of self-love.

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Once a week, we will have a day devoted to sharing three things our bodies do for us and why we love that part of ourselves. We will do this each week so we can genuinely focus on a few things at a time we appreciate about our bodies. Take a few moments to focus deeply on three aspects of your body today and thank them. I’ll go first.

I thank my heart for working hard endless hours of the day and night to pump blood through my body. Without you, heart, I would not be here to play with my daughter, love my husband, and share my message.

I thank my smile for the kindness it shows. You may have a small gap in the front two teeth and you may not be the whitest, but that makes you (and me) unique and beautiful. I thank you, smile, for the ability you have to display my care and happiness.

I thank my “baby place” for carrying my children. I thank you for how you know just what to do. And that you give me 9 months to prepare. 😉

Now, it’s your turn. Reflect on your body’s gifts. Then declare… “I thank my ______” for each. Share at least one in the comment section to inspire others of the truly miraculous gifts of the body.

Quote to Reflect On
We don't stop at our skin.  ~Dolores Krieger

*To be added to the email list and receive links to the posts in the morning, please let me know of your interest in a comment below.

*For more 30 Days Inspiration visit these bloggers who shared the message and let me know if you do so.

• Michelle – Eating Journey
• Mellissa – A Fit and Spicy Life
• Laury – The Fitness Dish
• Heather – Heather’s Dish
• Lauren – Advocate for Selfishness
• Jess – A Fixer Upper
• Lindsey – Run Lindsey Ann, Run!
• Jenn – Live Well Fit Now
• Miranda – Miranda’s Jeans
• Jes – Self Motivation
• Michelle – Chasing Ambulances
• Hillary – Coffee is my Carrot
• Melissa – Live Love and Run
• Gina – Gina Eats Beans
• Ela – Ulterior Harmony
• Chilkoot Chubby
• Jamie – Inspired Mess