Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Wow!!  I know you're all blown away by my profound title!  Ha!!  But I found a link to an article through Facebook yesterday that made me think.  The young daughter of the writer had told her Mom how beautiful she is.  And, like me, this woman has a not-so-positive image of herself!  However, it suddenly occurred to her that she should try to see herself through her daughter's eyes!! That led me to think a bit further.  Now that my boys are older (21 and 18) I wonder if I'd had a better self-image it would have helped them!!  I wonder if we project our self-image (positive or negative) on to our children!!  I wonder if I caused damage on my children by not seeing more worth in myself!!  I sincerely hope and pray not!!


I know that my self-deprecation extends to other parts of my life.  Outside of my knitting, I also enjoy sewing.  Anyway, I always feel like what I do in those areas is only following someone else's pattern.  That no matter how good it looks, it really doesn't have very much to do with me.  Or that it could always look so much better that what I've done!!  When I knit something for someone I feel compelled to point out all the flaws in it!!  I think that has to do with two things:  1.  I feel dishonest if I give them something less than perfect! (Even though I know that I'm not perfect - only God is!)  2.  I wouldn't ever want anyone to think I'm all that and a bag of chips just because I knit something for them!!  I know that's probably strange but that's me!!


All that being said, I know there are things I can do that will help my self-esteem.  I absolutely need to lose weight!!  And not just those last 5 pounds!!  I've let that hold me back.  But I'm the only one in control of that - no one can do it for me!!  I need to sit back and look at all the good in my life and thank God for my blessings!!  Instead of knit picking everything to death!!  I see every thing that's wrong with my house, my hair and makeup, the mistakes I made with my boys, etc, etc, etc!!  


So lets all go out and learn to love ourselves!!  God made us and He loves us and expects us to do the same!!  And lets also try to help others see the good things about themselves!!


On to my knitting.  Tomorrow night is the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.  I plan to cast on during the opening ceremonies and try my best to finish my project before the end of the closing ceremony!!  Many, if not most knitters, crocheters, and spinners know about this.  I believe that same group also probably knows about the threats made by the USOC to change the name of our competition.  I really do not like the new name but I'm not going to be ugly about it.  So I will be competing in the "Ravellenics".  I am on Team Texas Yarnivore.  I'll be knitting the Bigger on the Inside Shawl by Kate Atherley in the Knitty Spring/Summer 2012 issue!!  I am a huge Doctor Who fan and I knew I wanted to knit this the second I saw it!!  After my yearly knitting weekend one of my precious friends sent me three skeins of the Lorna's Laces Bigger on the Inside sock yarn so that I could knit this!!!  Tomorrow I have to go out and purchase size 3 circs!!  I have all sizes of needles in circular, dpns, and some straights.  However, I've never needed a size 3 circular until now!!  No matter how it ends up I will have a beautiful new shawl in the end thanks to my sweet friend!!  


I hope you all accomplish whatever you want during the Olympics and enjoy watching all the super-talented athletes!!  Let's celebrate their victories and pray for them in defeat or if they're injured!!


I'll leave you with a picture of the Rose Tyler square of my Doctor Who blanket!!

Well, until next time!!
Knit On!