If you know me in person, you might find this hard to believe. I am not shy - and have no problem speaking in front of groups of any size. But seeing my picture or watching myself on TV makes me cringe. My inner critic takes over and all I can see are my faults.
The good news -
By the time this marathon team experience is over I will no longer be bothered by these things. The universe is giving me the opportunity to annihilate the inner critic - and I am am embracing it.
On Monday, our team made our first group TV appearance, appeared in the local paper AND have since had photos and bios added to Covenant Health website. (Please click the links if you want to see the proof). The ick factor of all these images has been really trying but I have learned something pretty important:
What I am finding is that this process is as much about accepting myself AS I AM, as it is about changing.
In my role as Girl Scout of Southern Appalachians COO, I know too well the damage that unrealistic media images can do to the hearts and minds of young women. If real women, of all ages don't put themselves out there in all their un-airbrushed "realness" how can we expect young women not to feel less than comfortable in their own skin? Less than happy with who they are? Less than worthy of taking care of themselves and their health?
So - I am putting myself out there. Despite the fact that this feels foreign and uncomfortable. But, I deserve better. And so do they.
Thanks for reading. For those who are looking for more info on the training part of this I promise to write more soon. Our first group run is on Saturday and I am sure I'll want to tell you all about it.
- Kim
Kim I love this post. Great message in a such a short amount of space! Thanks for putting yourself out there to help show people that not only physical change is possible but belief in ourselves is just as important.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to beat ourselves up when we compare our inner weaknesses to others "so-called" outer strengths. We all are on a similar journey and most of us are secretly afraid that others will find out that we are not perfect. But those are the biggest lies we tell daily are: 1) I have to be perfect, and 2) that I was not created perfect. Now that may sound like a contradiction but what I know is God made no mistakes in our creations... the only mistake we make is not believing enough in ourselves to see our true awesomeness. I always like to remind myself life is not about perfection but progress. Keep progressing forward Kim; I am looking forward to seeing your amazing strength blossom thru! Make it an amazing day!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete