Isn't she lovely? I'd go so far as to say she's wonderful.
My gal pal Sal (<--opening rhyme = you can tell this post is going to be good) of Already Pretty is on a Crusade I'd like to join, and not just for the inevitably stylish tunics. Sal wants us all to love ourselves.
I find loving other people fairly easy. While I wouldn't classify myself as a Lover of Parties With a Lot of People, it's easy for me to appreciate someone else's generosity or creativity or what have you. The thing about the Internet, like the world and life etc., is that it is what we make of it. It can be full of support and connection, or it can be full of bitterness and spite.
Swistle, one of my very favorite bloggers, recently published an emotionally moving post about her physical appearance, and boy howdy did the comments section turn ugly. The comments section also turned ugly on a recent post over at What I Wore, in which Jessica (the blog's author) set out some guidelines for commenting which to my understanding basically outlawed trolls and meanie-poos. I had no problem with the Fascist Censorship she was literally accused of.
Swistle's post had a lot to do with perception and being plus-sized, and I realized I have several gal pals who are plus-sized (Swistle now included) who I find very beautiful. Gorgeous, even. Funny. Incredibly creative. Loving. Generous. They are everything you'd want in a friend, and none of it has to do with size or shape (although I'd like to reemphasize that I truly see all my friends as physically lovely). And that's the thing!! I honestly find all my friends physically lovely! Regardless of their size or shape! I don't see the "flaws" they see in themselves. But I'm not so easy on myself.
Sal recently said that she wished she could see herself through the eyes of the people who loved her, a profound wish that I, too, share. Because if all of you could see yourselves the way I see you, well. Perhaps there would be world peace.
So I'm going to assume that you all are A-OK with how I look. That you don't care about the softness around my middle (I was kidding about taking a lover, by the way, although I did eat a cereal containing twigs). That you find me luminous even if I'm not wearing my luminosity-enhancing makeup. That you're impressed that my feet are never stinky, and you think that's a great quality. That you don't mind my crossed front teeth. That you understand in certain unflattering lighting situations I appear to have a double chin, but that's fine.
In conclusion, here is my favorite photo of Meryl Streep, which I had already picked as my favorite before Vanity Fair revealed that in it she isn't wearing makeup (and obviously doesn't have her hair done).
Apparently her agent freaked out and lobbied for this image's use to be restricted. Which I find preposterous. This is the face of talent, a woman who can be both Julia Child...
...and Miranda Priestly.
Obviously, I think she's loveliest when she's herself.