What is our deal about size?

We Americans are obsessed with size. Plates at restaurants, how many french fries in a box, how many crayons can we color with, but mostly, how big is considered too big for a female body?

Recently I posted on my Facebook page a picture of a "plus" size model hugging a runway model. The runway model looked like she had just escaped from a concentration camp. Her bones were protruding. She was wan and pale. And truly looked completely unhealthy....at least in my opinion.

The "plus" size model was a size 12. Really, a size 12 is considered plus sized? But anyway, I digress. This model looked lovely. Healthy with womanly curves. Her hair was thick and her skin had a glow to it.

You wouldn't believe the uproar it caused. I had over 80 comments on that thread. And it was this swing from one side of the issue to the other. Some said that being in shape and being skinny was great and hard work and etc. Which of course I agree with. But they also were of the belief that the "plus" sized model was fat. Really? She wasn't...trust me on this.

Then the other side of the camp was that the "plus" sized model looked fantastic. And why couldn't we as a culture embrace the fact that women are supposed to have curves and have something to hug.

Now, mind you all this arguing was going on between women. But what did the men have to say...the ones we supposedly are trying to entice with our figures?

The men said they'd prefer a woman with confidence. Nothing about weight, curves, or lack of them. Men said confidence is the sexiest attribute for women.

Huh...confidence. So perhaps we should all spend more time working out our ability to truly love the person we are instead of spending a lot of time worrying about the person we aren't.

What are your thoughts, ladies?

Do you feel you're confident?

Thanks for reading,

Lorena

What is inspiration?

I remember watching the movie Xanadu when I was younger, you remember the roller skating muses that inspired the Venice Beach artist? Olivia Newton John was the muse he fell in love with. But all I only really saw were the cool outfits and the roller skating. The muses...it was easy to believe in them. Why?

Probably because I was young. But at the age I am now, after living a lot of life, I do believe in muses, angels, or inspiration. I believe because I have experienced it firsthand.

I believe because I have let inspiration move me to find the love of my life. Let inspiration pull me to write and publish three books. And that muse inspiried me to create a stable of new novels ready to be written.

But mostly, I have been inspired to understand that, as a woman, it is imperative that I know that I am beautiful. I am graceful and amazing. I am confident and capable. I am beautiful, just the way I am.

This blog is to bring together a long held belief that woman are the first to abdicate themselves, their needs, and their passions in lieu of others needs, passions, or desires. Following your dreams is just as important as what you eat. Passion, dreams, and inspiration feed you, make you grow, and drive you to become more.

This blog will be two-fold. First heartfelt and experienced situations that I will write about. Second, a posting of photographs of real women, in all walks of life, in their most beautiful face - being themselves.

I hope you join me on the journey. I hope you find some inspiration along the way that will lead to your own transformation.

Lorena