Welcome!!!

Dear Friends,

I have for a long time struggled with self-esteem issues and body image issues. For some people, it may not seem as though these issues are severe or detrimental, but when you get to a point where you don’t feel like you are “good enough” so you don’t try, it becomes completely invasive toward all other aspects of your life. Everyone should feel beautiful and strong, and sometimes, for some of us (me), it does not come naturally. I have to actively reinforce the fact that I am worthy of the things I worked hard to achieve and the things that I have accomplished (though I am not anywhere close to where I need to be) are “good enough.”

Let me get to my point: the times when I feel most enlightened, more in touch with who I am, and strong, are the days when I have had the opportunity to encounter other women who face adversity with dignity, a positive attitude, and the courage to be themselves no matter what. The days I am filled with a lot of love for myself are days when I exchange words with other women who exude love: for life, for living, for others, for themselves. When I meet women who don’t put other women down or don’t buy into patriarchal ideologies, it makes me feel stronger. I cannot put it any other way. It’s organic.

So, I want to start a weekly blog, where we can submit essays on issues or concerns or things that afflict us personally daily, and we can start a little dialogue, or something. We can give each other strength and fill each other with positivity. If you want to participate, I will email you with a bit more detail or structure. But say yes.

Thanks,

Valerie