It is strange that of all weeks, O Magazine’s Val Monroe has centered me the most.  In the beginning I thought this week would be all about pampering myself…I was wrong.  Instead it was a week of introspection that allowed me to see the beauty that already lies within.  A week of learning to put myself first and value my time and energy.  Don’t get me wrong….there was plenty of facials and personal pampering, but there was more about learning to love myself – imperfections and all.

I have preached my whole (thick and thin) life that our bodies are merely the shells for our souls.  Yet I still felt the need to curl my hair and paint my nails.  It is normal to want to feel pretty.  It isn’t about the clothes, the shoes, the makeup or even the weight….it is about our OWN silent strength and smile that lies within each of us.

If you can get up each day and leave the house with a genuine smile then you are beautiful.  It isn’t about what others think about you, it is about what you think of yourself.  So….if you feel sexy in the torn concert shirt and a pair of flip-flops, then go for it!

For me, this week became about doing things that grew me a smile and remind me of my OWN strength within.  A honey and oat facial, freezing my tweezers so there is less pain when tweezing, finding ways to bring some life back into my dry hair….all things that made ME feel good.  My only hope is that I remember to carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life and make this Val Monroe Boot Camp reminder something that changes my life…today and always.