The young women I have the privilege to work with in my Mirror Mirror Process respond so well to the unpeeling of the image-making process they have been subjected to in their short lives. They are so happy when they realise that underneath all the surface pressures to look like this or that, there is a unique wonderful person already made.
They would like me to share some of their discoveries with you today:
- It's whats inside of you that counts.
- All girls are beautiful both inside and out.
- Everyone's important and everyone's special.
- Be proud of who you are.
- Girl power is believing in yourself.
- Smile and be happy and don't worry about what other people tell you.
- Be yourself and be cool.
- Be what you wannabe and live life to the max.
`...Mirror Mirror's positive messages have been shouted from Australia all the way to New York where they were echoed by hundreds of other women and girls. They are the same messages that we all long to hear from lovers, husbands, families, friends. But it's only when a woman finally hears them from within her own self, that her full potential will be released. Then she will be truly seen and heard . No longer will she be a silent victim of multi-million dollar industries which feed on her poor sense of worth...'
Denise Greenaway from her keynote speech for the YWCA at No Diet Day, Sydney, Australia, 1999.
Seven Positive Reflections on Body Image - by Denise Greenaway
1. Find your gratitude. Thank your body for serving you. Start with your feet, look at them and recognise how much walking they have done for you, then your legs which have carried you for so long. Experiment with other parts of the body. Later you might enquire about programs that help you to develop a peaceful relationship with your body and yourself, ie meditation, tai chi, qi gong and gentle styles of yoga.
2. Find your humour. There is nothing like a good laugh to relax the mind and nourish the nervous system. Hire a comedy video with a friend or go to a funny show. Take a risk, do something silly like dancing naked until you fall down laughing.
3. Start the day in a positive way. On waking, think about two pleasant things that might await you. End each night by giving thanks for three things (people, personal attributes, people you value in your life).
4. Approach the mirror like a man. Pat your belly and give yourself a wink. If your mind begins to berate you about your looks, your weight etc, tell yourself that you are not going to engage in self-criticism this once and move on.
5. Practice non judgment. Just for today, don't judge yourself or anyone else. Whenever a critical thought about yourself or someone else comes into your mind tell yourself "let it go, I'm not making any judgments today".
6. Actively relax. Float, swim, take a bath. Put on some music and dance, belly dance, do some gardening, arrange flowers, draw and paint. Or receive relaxation through massage, acupuncture, sensual pleasure, aromatherapy. You know what gets you to unwind, you just forget to do it. So do it now before you talk yourself out of it.
7. Nurture yourself. Choose wholesome, nourishing food. Cuddle up with a book under a soft, comfortable blanket. Wear soft, comfortable clothes that make you at home, no matter where you are. Put lavender on your pillow, roses in your bath, candles in your bedroom. Have a specially long facial. Take care of yourself. You are worth it.