Wednesday night, we gathered our Young Women together to bask in the cheesiness known as "Johnny Lingo". For those of you that have yet to experience this cinematic masterpiece, I recommend the newer version- far less painful, way more attractive Toma and more relatable.
Recap of the story- Mahana is a girl in a village that every says is ugly (made even more so by her lack of hair combing and strategically placed sticks and leaves in her fro). And to just solidify her ugliness, everyone says "Mahana, you ugly". She and Toma become friends and children and swear to take care of each other. Toma leaves the island, runs into this rich trader, Johnny Lingo. He grows, learns to barter and eventually decides he needs to follow his heart and return to Mahana, 8 years later. Cows I guess were the big ticket item on the islands & Johnny Lingo had a herd. No one had seen a cow so to present them as a dowry, well, you hit the jack pot. As Toma returns to Mahana's island, she doesn't recognize him but he offers her "8 cows, for each year I was gone"- so 8 cows for a girl that no one thought was worth anything. You get the idea- told she is ugly her whole life and in the end, her true love sees her worth above all else. Let's just say, the girls went NUTS for this movie. It was pretty great.
Anyway, this movie got me thinking. We spend every week telling these girls how pretty they are. To love themselves. To not care what people think. As an adult, I think that gets lost somewhere. It's hard to feel attractive in this carbohydrate cocoon I have created for myself by not running since December. Or when I have worn work out pants all day. And while snot stains and a race T-shirt are the mark of a Mom, it doesn't really scream "I feel like a million bucks". I remember in college attending a fireside where Elder Holland said, "put on some lip stick, you don't want to look like death warmed over". HA!
I need to stop and think about what I love about myself more often. It's hard to do. So much easier to TELL these young girls, "You are beautiful", "It doesn't matter what you look like", than to really live it. On that note, I challenged myself to think about a few things that I really, genuinely love about myself rather than focusing on those things that may be less than desirable.
Here goes:
Recap of the story- Mahana is a girl in a village that every says is ugly (made even more so by her lack of hair combing and strategically placed sticks and leaves in her fro). And to just solidify her ugliness, everyone says "Mahana, you ugly". She and Toma become friends and children and swear to take care of each other. Toma leaves the island, runs into this rich trader, Johnny Lingo. He grows, learns to barter and eventually decides he needs to follow his heart and return to Mahana, 8 years later. Cows I guess were the big ticket item on the islands & Johnny Lingo had a herd. No one had seen a cow so to present them as a dowry, well, you hit the jack pot. As Toma returns to Mahana's island, she doesn't recognize him but he offers her "8 cows, for each year I was gone"- so 8 cows for a girl that no one thought was worth anything. You get the idea- told she is ugly her whole life and in the end, her true love sees her worth above all else. Let's just say, the girls went NUTS for this movie. It was pretty great.
Anyway, this movie got me thinking. We spend every week telling these girls how pretty they are. To love themselves. To not care what people think. As an adult, I think that gets lost somewhere. It's hard to feel attractive in this carbohydrate cocoon I have created for myself by not running since December. Or when I have worn work out pants all day. And while snot stains and a race T-shirt are the mark of a Mom, it doesn't really scream "I feel like a million bucks". I remember in college attending a fireside where Elder Holland said, "put on some lip stick, you don't want to look like death warmed over". HA!
I need to stop and think about what I love about myself more often. It's hard to do. So much easier to TELL these young girls, "You are beautiful", "It doesn't matter what you look like", than to really live it. On that note, I challenged myself to think about a few things that I really, genuinely love about myself rather than focusing on those things that may be less than desirable.
Here goes:
- I have never plucked my eyebrows. They have a great arch, seem pretty standard issue but they are low maintenance and I am happy with them. I remember my Grandmas being particularly jealous of them.
- The bow in my lips. I love the way it looks with a good opalescent gloss.
- My small feet and I love the way my freshly painted toes look in sandals.
- My deep blue eyes.
- My genes produce the darlingest of children.
Practicing what you preach isn't always easy. But when you really start to think about it, and focus on those minuscule details, you can find something to love and find that those details make you stand out of a crowd...or a herd.
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7 comments:
And you have a beautiful smile! Darling handwriting! Creative ideas for any subject! An admirably endless fountain of knowledge and love for music!
Admittedly, I'm jealous about the eyebrow thing... Mine are in desperate need of a good plucking as I type this.
Thanks much for posting and reminding me to admire myself. I'm pretty sure I constantly berate myself, so I needed to read something like this. I'd say one more thing you should add to your list is a great fashion sensibility. You always look fashionable and stylish. :)
Add your hair to the list too!! Your hair is always looking fabulous. Loved the Johnny Lingo recap too; it's been years.
Um, throw in your undeniable coolness and ability to talk like all the youngsters these days, your perfect brain that never forgets a date, your NEVER being late (kinda dislike that one;), your envious leadership skills, your hilarious personality, and don't forget, you are the ultimate friend to so many people. I'd buy you for 8 cows and then some!
You are worth more than words can say...love you soo much!! xoxo
Deb and I were saying just this very weekend that we wish we could connect with people the way you do. It's amazing how instantly people feel like they have a true friend in you. You are one of the very first people I think of when I need an ear to bend or a shoulder to cry on.
I have some things to add to your list- I think it's funny that we've only hung out a few times but you feel like an old friend... you possess this great quality! Also, kinda jealous that you're so witty. You always dress so cute and your hair color is perfect. And how cool of a mom are you that you ride motorcycles and know cool music? Alright- I'm sure I could go on, but your family is lucky to have you! And I think it's important to let our kids know some of the cool/good things we do too- like saying thanks for a complement instead of downplaying it, things like that. Love this post.
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