The woman in the mirror
By SHARON GOTLIB
02/28/2013 09:40
Take this opportunity to acknowledge some of your best attributes.
women Photo: courtesy
Hello ladies,
International Women’s Day always makes me wonder about
us, about women. What does this day actually symbolize?
I bumped into an
old friend on the street the other day, and it got me thinking about a number of
very basic ideas:
Me: Hi, Sarit! How are you? You look amazing! Have you lost
weight?
Sarit: You think so? I just ate an enormous amount of cheesecake over
the week- end. I have no willpower when it comes to sweets.
Me: That
blouse is really flattering on you.
Sarit: What – this old thing? (She
pulls on it contemptuously) It’s just an old rag that I’ve had for
years.
Me: So maybe it’s your hair.You’re just glowing.
Sarit: Ha!
I haven’t washed it for four days.
Me: So, (sighing) how are the kids?
Why is it so hard for us to accept compliments? We stand in front of the mirror
and tell ourselves how ugly we are. We have too many wrinkles, are overweight.
We never give ourselves a break.
Critical thoughts rush through our
heads: What have I accomplished? Look at this messy house! And the kids.... How
easily we accept criticism.
We all deserve the title Superwoman. We are
busy from the early morning until late at night, rushing to do errands, tending
to the children, the house, the hus- band, work... our career. Most of the time
we never stop and take a moment to rest. We constantly feel like we didn’t do
enough.
So, my dear friends, the time has come to take a deep
breath.
For me, International Woman’s Day is the day I celebrate women’s
strength and accept myself for who I am. I’m perfect just the way I am. With all
my defects, I am still perfect. And that is so wonderful and special. I can
smile at myself in the mirror. And accept myself, even love
myself.
Homework:
1. List 20 positive attributes about yourself (this is
not the time to be modest).
2. Next to each attribute, write “Thank
you.”
3. Stand in front of the mirror and read the list out
loud.
4. From now on, read this list every morning (even if you burst out
laughing or feel foolish).
Two wonderful things will happen very quickly:
You will feel wonderful, and you will see that as you internalize these
attributes, you will become a magnet for positive experiences. And please keep
me updated on how you are progressing.
To all of you amazing women out
there, have a wonderful Women’s Day!
With love,
Sharon
sharongotlib@gmail.com
The writer is a mother of three; director of training at Estee Lauder Israel;
coach and group facilitator; makeup color image expert; and regular
participant on morning shows