Why inner beauty bugs me

I am really freaking tired of the term beautiful.

If you're a girl like me, who has an ample figure (oh, excuse me, a person who is "big-boned") then you know exactly what I mean.

Pardon my bluntness, but having "inner beauty" sometimes doesn't cut it.

Before I get kicked out of the Christian homeschooled realm, let me explain that inner beauty is a wonderful thing. It really is.

But is it just me, or does it seem that the phrase, "inner beauty" is nowadays being used to reinforce a girl's assumption that she isn't physically beautiful? As a girl who grew up teething on the back of a church pew, let me tell you, this idea of, "it's okay if you are not beautiful on the outside, it's the inside that matters" has bugged me for months. Don't we already have enough self-confidence issues in the female realm? Do we really need another reason to not appreciate the body we have and feel ugly, all while telling ourselves that the inside is all that matters? Really?

Ladies, (and gents!) that idea behind this phrase that is so loosely tossed around really bothers me.

For girls who have friends who are beautiful by this planet's standards, (skinny, full lips, perfect hair, expensive clothes, willow-shaped body, long, athletic legs, you name it) we look at them and feel horrible about ourselves because we think we're not beautiful on the outside. We have this notion that inner beauty is the only thing that matters, and when we see people who are "beautiful" on the outside, it destroys us because we don't know what to think.

Girls, you are beautiful on both the inside and the outside. I have never met, seen, or heard of an ugly girl. I don't give a crap about the world's definition of outer beauty. Whether you are size 2 or 20, brown or blonde, you are stunning. And I don't mean just on the inside. Stop comparing yourself. You are gorgeous, why the heck would you turn yourself into someone else? I'm not trying to stroke your ego, I'm saying that you are way too hard on yourself.

You are beautiful, no matter what they say.

Now start treating yourself like it.


xx

my take on the presidential debate (and politics in general)

First off, I realize that what I am about to say is going to make some people angry.

Sorry, but I believe too strongly in this to stay silent on it.

It's about politics. *gasp*

I didn't watch the Presidential debate tonight, but I heard bits and pieces on the radio. I am very into politics, so hearing a debate between politicians is like candy for me.

You know, I think that both Governor Romney and President Obama did a fine job. They both made no bones about what they believe in. They were (for the most part) fairly civil towards each other. I think both men did their party well.

Here's what saddened me about this whole thing:

The twitter comments I saw (about both candidates) were unkind and downright mean. I realize that these men have made an unwritten agreement to be in the public eye and therefore subject to scrutiny and criticism.

I get it. I really do.

However, this brutal tearing-down of candidates simply because you don't agree with them has got to stop. I saw wonderful, kind men and women turned into monsters over this debate. I saw mudflinging and unkindness and unjust things said about both candidates. I heard the jeers and the sneers and the insults.

And it broke my heart.

I respect Governor Romney. And I respect President Obama. I respect anyone who has the courage to put themselves out there and take a stand for what they believe in.

Respect has no party. Love has no political agenda.

I have so much respect and admiration for both these men. Simply because they weren't afraid of what others would say. Because they had courage when jeered at and insulted and dragged through the mud.

And you know what? I wish them both well. I have a definite political leaning, but my party is not important in the least right now.

You know what's important?

Um, people.

aka Human beings.

Living, breathing, rational creatures who have a soul and a life and a voice that needs to be respected.

A life that needs to be cherished because of its innate worth, not what it believes.

That's what really matters. You can go on and on all the live long day about why what you believe is right, but if you don't have love and respect for other people, then you're missing out big time. Some of my best friends don't even come close to my political views, but guess what? They're human too. They still have beautiful hearts and minds and thoughts, and I love them to death.


Love has no political agenda. Respect has no party.

Love to you all.

Abi

the refresh button

I've never been one for tradition and the same ol' same ol' stuck in the rut mentality.

(If that wasn't a run-on sentence, then I don't know what is. Behold the beauty of run-ons, my friends)

Anyway...as I was trying to say before I interrupted myself...

I've always had an affinity for the refresh button. You know, the button that allows us to get new information, find new things.

You may know me from my other blog, Abigail Anne. And believe me, that blog is going to stay my main blog, and I will continue to care for and curate it.

But this blog will be my little refresh button.

I'll come here when I'm tired, or when I'm in a particularly thinking mood, or when my life needs a little release, or all three.

There won't be any pictures really. Maybe one or two per post. It will be sporadically updated. And there will be a lot of writing. A lot of the opinions of a teenager just trying to live beautiful and messy and lovely.

Welcome to Poppy and Rye.