I stand before you an Imperfect Woman.

I stand before you a 39 year old woman who is imperfect, but empowered. I have 3 kids whom I love with everything in me. Sometimes to my own detriment. I have been divorced and am remarried. I have a blended family. My husband and I work on our marriage everyday because that sh*t isn't easy. I grew up with a terrible mindset around my body and my worth. As a teenager, I would literally open the bathroom medicine cabinet so I wouldn't have to look at my own face in the mirror. I HATED, strike that, LOATHED myself. I was a victim on abuse as a child and associated what happened to me as who I was. This created shame that was hard to deny. I did not take care of myself mentally and physically and didn't know there was any other way to be. 

The pivot began to happen in college when I hit rock bottom and finally asked for help before it was too late. I began my journey of self healing and self worth. It hasn't been an easy journey. I have had several backslides.  Over the last 20 years, I have learned to cultivate a relationship with myself and my body that is, as I see it, much healthier. Do I love every part of my body? No ma'am, I do not. Do I wish some things were different? Sure we all do at times. But I have grown to respect the journey I have had. I understand now why I have lived the life that I have had. My mission of empowering women has only been made more clear after I have learned through trial and error how to stand on my own two feet and say that I am strong. I am resilient. I am worthy of a life and a body that I love. 

 I did not have to release weight to love myself or to cultivate a healthy relationship. I had to release the lack of self worth and shame. I had to become self aware as to why I did what I did and thought the way I thought. I had to talk to myself like someone that I loved. 

Today, start that journey. There is no better time like the present. Write a love letter to yourself. You are standing here today which means you've survived everything that life has thrown at you. You ARE here for a reason. You are worthy. You are loved. You matter. 

I am going to create a challenge for you today. Do something that brings you joy. Even it is little. A walk in nature. A coffee with an old friend. A bath with no children screaming. Even 5 minutes of alone time in the car before walking into the chaos that awaits you, if thats all the time you have.

Go out into the world with the idea that your life is deserving of love, light, joy and purpose. Stand in your power and be heard.