For You.

For you whom I spoke to who then took something from my purse. For you who complimented me and then deceived me. For you who carefully left everything in tack except for my bank cards and my varying ID's. For you who knew what you were doing. For you who went to Home Depot, 711, QFC, and bought things with my identity. For you who had a moment to make a different choice, but did not. For you who smiled at me and then stole from me. For you who must feel there is no better option then to take from someone else.

 For you. I forgive you.

I am not sure what your name is, or if you are married, or if you have children, or where you live. I am not sure why you felt you needed to take those things from me on that day. I was in shock, we were at a public pool, it was a beautiful sunny day. My cards will be replaced, my money will be replaced, but my identity can never be replaced - because it is mine from the inside out. My life moves on, but perhaps this sits inside of you. I am not mad. Only sad. I wish more for you. You deserve more, when you take from another, you are taking from yourself because we are all one. I am not certain as to all the circumstances in your life, but I wish it gets better for you. There is more for you out there in this life. I wish you peace, I wish you the best.

Be.You.Tiful.

Beauty. It is an ever evolving concept and topic. Trends change, molds we need to fit in are re-shaped. It can be a battle to stay in and to keep up. Somewhere along the lines I stopped caring. I became less interesting in modeling and more interested in making a mold. As a teenager I think I was interested in fitting into the model mold, I had a body type that was current, and it appealed to me - and my ego. Then I wizened as I grew because I saw that I or that trend can change and the confidence from that validation is impermanent. I looked around and saw all the very different people of shapes and sizes that were deemed beautiful across the ages. I saw different countries and cultures that had totally differing opinions on the standard bar. Even in my own life I saw the waffling. When I was a ballet dancer I was told I could never be skinny enough, if I had no curves it was best. When I was modeling I was told it was good that I was thin but I should highlight my curves, my butt and boobs needed to be show cased. And, when I would volunteer in the prisons the kids would tell me daily I was too skinny and I needed to put some meat on my bones. Then I saw beauty mold makers and shapers who I thought were stunning like Audrey Hepburn who came out as a wisp like beauty in a fifties bombshell era. Or, Jennifer Lopez, who came out as a proud big booty owner in a sea of fake boobies world. Then everyone wanted to be like Audrey Hepburn or like Jennifer Lopez.

What am I trying to say? Don't buy the hype. If you fit into the current mold or not- who cares. Love yourself, love your body regardless. As the Tao Te Ching says "Whether you go up the ladder or down it you position is shaky, only when you have your two feet on the ground will you always have your balance." True beauty is self empowerment, healthiness, and confidence. Owning exactly what you are, as you are now.