Accidentally Beautiful & Role Models
Edited to add “In the News”
Hey guys! Happy Thursday to you 
The other day when I was at the spa with my girlfriends, I caught my reflection smiling and laughing. I was surprised to find how beautiful smiles and laughter are. It showed me that when I caught myself on accident, I didn’t have my “judgment” goggles on — I was free to see that my beauty comes from my spirit. Being happy and enjoying the moment is when I’m most beautiful. That’s what I should strive for. Take off your self-judging goggles today, smile and accidentally catch how beautiful you are!
Role Models
Having people to look up to and admire has been an integral part of life, in all aspects of it. I have role models for what I would like to achieve in academia, in the work place, in outlook, in health, etc. I can hardly list out how many people have provided a positive influence on me. I make every effort to find the positive in people, to find the things about them that are worthy of emulation. Of course, it’s harder to find these things in some than others 
Role models are so important because it’s easy to get bogged down by our own insecurities or feelings of resignation. Sometimes it takes us observing someone else persevering through what we would have considered an insurmountable task, or hearing someone speak of an obstacle nonchalantly with such conviction that it won’t hinder them, to see that we really can push ourselves more than we thought. Of course, we’ve got to be wise about whom we choose to model aspects of our lives after as well. It’s easy to compare ourselves to our peers, to feel implicated in the media’s portrayal of beauty — but I’m coming to terms with the fact that just as I wouldn’t compare Kandinski’s masterpieces to Picasso’s, I shouldn’t compare myself to others. We are all works in progress becoming our own, unique masterpieces. While we may pick and choose admirable qualities from others, they should only be qualities that add to the thematic beauty of our lives.
When it comes to how I would like to be as a future mother — of course, it’s my amazing mom I would like to emulate. She is just unceasingly hard-working and loving. She has a positive and happy aura that is contagious. If you’ve ever met her, you know that she just has a warmness about her — it’s like being greeted by the comforting smell of fresh baked cookies (*drools*).
How adorable is she? I think she was my age here!
When it comes to my health journey – so many people have been role models to me. My twin, my friends Barb, Tamara and Courtney, my fellow bloggers (Jen & Miz) and so many of you readers (thank you, guys!). So many of you have shown that while every day may be full of struggles, we can learn to relish the struggle, to thrive in our weakest moments.
In terms of character attributes I aim to emulate, I am so fortunate to have my boyfriend to model the way of self-acceptance and my friend Perla to model perseverance. My band-mate Charley models the selflessness of fatherhood. Hmm I didn’t mean this entry to be a laundry list of all the people in my life who have made positive contributions! I guess my point is that there are so many wonderful and positive attributes in so many people in my life and for that I am so thankful! I guess it’s also a reminder, that there really is no room in our lives for toxic people. But instead of getting on that topic, let’s look at the squirrel!
Did you know that gray squirrels learn how to steal food from their peers? It’s not necessarily some innate trait. Am I the only one that finds that interesting? LOL Talk about role models I don’t need…I’m quite adept at feeding myself, thanks! Read more about the squirrels here.
In the News
- Calorie Lab’s, “Chimp Researcher Says Cooking Food Makes Us Human” (8/6/09) here — An interesting counter to the raw food movement.
Give-Away Round Up
- Win either of two Crunchless Abs DVDs here
- Win a copy of the book Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant here
Just a side note — I will never forsake reality or honesty on my blog, but if anyone is unnecessarily negative in the comments section, peace out — I will press “delete” until my little heart sings with glee. We’ve all got shit going on in our lives, c’mon.
Who are your role models? Who are your “health” role models? Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by accidentally catching your reflection?
<3, The Cranky One
Tags: beauty, raw food movement, role models, toxic people
13 People have left comments on this post
You ROCK it, girl! In my about me section, a reader wrote something not so nice, I did “approve it” just to force myself to interact with my uncomfortable “oh, God, someone doesn’t like me” phobia. But you know what? I am super cool…tomorrow am hosting a Poem and P party, where you bring a poem and a dish with a P ingredient in it to swap…This post reminds me to ALLOW myself to LIKE myself…
Thanks for entering my giveaways! There’s 3 of them!
Aw so nice! I like that phrase about choosing wisely, too… that’s definitely important when we’re looking to role models.
There’s something about a beautiful elderly lady (pick anyone you’d like) with her loving smile and a warmth she exudes towards everyone she comes into contact with. That’s how I want to be when I get older. She’s my role model.
As for fitness, I realized that I no matter how hard of try I may not come out with the bodacious bod of the sexiest women everywhere because I don’t have their body type. I’m big butt and thick-thighed all day long – even as a size zero teen. But I can certainly work as hard as some of my blogger friends at health and fitness. They’re more of a role model to me than the popular fitness gurus!!
Annabel, as for your mom, she really is a beauty. And I’m loving the pose!
I think role models are really important. For me, my role models are the women I know who live what they believe in. It’s a cliche, but true – Do they walk the walk – or just talk the talk.
This really got me thinking – thanks!
Great post Annabel & that pic of your mom is awesome. She is beautiful!!! There is a lot of you from your mom!
Role models are very important. I think it makes a big difference in our lives. My mom, bless her soul, was great but did not have a lot of self worth & as kids, you feel that. BUT, we can find role models in many places & My mo was for certain things. As for my love of weights, the first lady of muscle, Cory Everson… she was awesome & looked great!
I find that fact about the squirrel VERY INTERESTING! I think peers have a HUGE effect on us!
OOPS!!!! Fit at 51, not 52…. don’t want to do that yet… not till November!!!!
Great post. I agree, smiles are the most beautiful things
In high school, while I was writing college application essays, I wrote Bridget Jones was my role model…….lol OMG what was I thinking?
I have really found some great role models since I’ve been blogging. My favorite role model is my best friend Lizana – she the most “together”, yet fun person I know and I am extremely blessed to have her in my life.
Truthfully…I have been surprised by my reflection on the mirror TONS of times…they just weren’t pleasant. Lol.
But I loved this post about role models…unconsciously or not, we all Do have role models in our life, and it is critical that we choose the right ones. My dad is my spiritual role model. Health-wise, I look up to my dad, too. He eats healthfully, but intuitively. He just LIKES food that are good for him. If he’s tired, he suddenly craves coffee, or some citrusy fruits for the extra vitamin C. And he likes to indulge, too. He stops eating when full, and eats when hungry without thinking obsessively abt it.
I love the role models poster. Where did you find it? Would love to have something like that in my office!
There are a few lovely blogging ladies that I could only hope to aspire to measure up to.
But, I also have a few role models within the project that I am involved in. They are in their 40′s and 50′s and they are all professional women who passionate and upwardly mobile. They lead vivacious lives and stay grounded and honest.
(oooh did you see my post on tuesday? this is a hard one..not the ?? I asked but a great extension. Im gonna link this)
Can you email me?
I would say that my “health role models” are mainly the bloggers whose blogs I read. That sounds kind of silly, since I’ve never met any of them (yourself included), and their obviously not perfect, but it’s cool to read how it can be done, regardless of how I’m feeling at the moment, and definately gives me some inspiration.
Changing subjects, I have been pleasantly suprised by my reflection. Mainly at the gym. I catch myself in the mirror and think “Hey, Hope, you’re not half bad!” It kind of makes my day.