I’m Beautiful Because: Black and White

Black and white has transformative power for me—it says things color can’t even touch. And really, I just can’t stop thinking about how I love these women.
              
Want real pictures of yourself to remind yourself of your beauty? Let’s talk.

Recapturing the Beauty of Compliments.

You've been here: "Oh my gosh, your bag/shirt/umbrella is so cute, where did you get it?"
But how often have you been here: "You just have such a way with people. You are so compassionate and genuine! I really appreciate that about you."
Yeah, that's what I thought.

Compliments regarding bags/shirts/umbrellas are not evil. We appreciate them. But do we compliment the superficial at the expense of the internal?
Because I'll tell you what: the high from a hair compliment keeps me going for about two minutes, and I really enjoy those two minutes. But after that? The sensation is gone, and I'm left to scour the world for another hairdo worth another compliment for another two minutes of glory.
When someone gives me a genuine compliment about a quality I have, a trait I've tried to develop, or how I handled a situation, I'm beaming for weeks. Not only do I feel warm fuzzies toward this person for complimenting me, I feel deeply connected. Deep connections with others are not only linked to happiness, but are basically what we live our lives for, yes?

I'd like to pursue that avenue. I'd like to focus on the inner beauty of the people in my life, not in a sappy-lame-oh-so-sweet-spirit way, but in a way that hones in on the unique characteristics that make people truly beautiful, beyond Photoshop and one-size-fits-all.

Photographing the "I Am Beautiful Because..." project, I have seen beauty in a way I have never seen it before in my life. And I've seen a lot of beauty, I'll tell you. To say it's been eye opening would be a gross understatement, and I struggle to describe my experience with words. I have met women I probably never would have met otherwise. I have seen them be vulnerable in front of a camera, some more self-conscious than others. I have heard them tell me their plans for the future, their hopes and their dreams that were created from nights lying awake in bed, prayers on knees and tears and cheeks. Even though we only had twenty minutes together, I felt deeply connected to each woman, because the nature of what we were doing together cracked her open enough for me to see her, really see her.
And then I had this crazy epiphany.
That all this stuff I talk about really isn't a load of manure.

That it really is true.

That every single person really is beautiful.

These women brought me their crooked teeth, their gray hairs, their imperfect eyes that needed glasses for seeing, their bodies not shaped like ones in magazines--some pregnant, some having born children, some crinkled with age. The beauty of imperfection was right there: in the connection we shared. I saw those wrinkles and I thought about proof of living. I saw those bodies, soft from babies and I thought about sacrifice.

I complimented and I meant it.
I feel blessed to have been a witness to all of you women opening yourselves up enough to share something precious with me. It has been a rare joy.
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What's the best compliment you've ever received?

Natalie’s “I Am Beautiful Because…”

Natalie and her adorable family were visiting Provo from Alaska and took some time out of their vacation to pose for the I Am Beautiful Because series. They are such a happy family and little Charlotte was making all of us swoon and drool with her adorable antics. I am amazed at all the incredibly well-behaved babies I am meeting lately—it doesn’t do much for my baby hunger, I’ll tell you that.

Meet Natalie. She is amazing.
               
Thank you so much, Natalie, for making the effort to come down!

Charlotte, I just might trek to Alaska to kidnap you.

Karen’s “I Am Beautiful Because…”

Karen was so wonderful to talk to—she has quiet strength that I so admire! Her hair is amazing and I am definitely going to pay her a visit at the BYU Barbershop and Salon when I am 66 and need awesome hair like hers.
Plus, she is incredibly cool for like, 9 other reasons. But I’ll just let you read her response and you will know.
      

Marie’s “I Am Beautiful Because…”

I adopted Marie as my second mother for the day—she is one little fireball and we had so much fun together talking about her coming back to school, her work helping people get organized, advertising, Photoshop, and aging.

“I always wanted to be a fashion model,” she giggled, “And now here’s my chance!” She was a joy to be with simply because she was so excited about the whole gig. I love making people happy.

         

Thanks so much for coming, Marie—you made my day!

Sharla’s “I Am Beautiful Because…”

Sharla has worked in the Dean’s office down the hall from me for a while and I love, love, love her. She is one of the most genuine people I have ever met and she has this quiet loveliness about her that I still want to figure out—so I can bottle it up and sell it, of course. When she compliments you, you just feel like a million dollars. She’s expecting and her sweet baby is coming in August!! I can’t wait to see him.

LaNae came back all giggly from Sharla’s office: “Her statement is soo good,” she gushed. We’ve gotten up some pretty high standards for these statements, so I was expecting awesomeness, and Sharla didn’t disappoint.

Here’s her response to our prompt…
          
Thanks for being wonderful, Sharla. I’m so happy for you!!