because I am a Queen

My little sis (Hey, Lou!) dedicated a song to me a couple of days ago. It's been in my head ever since. In fact, it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I think all my life I've had a pretty good self-image. My mama taught me that what's INSIDE is what counts. And I believed her. Over my thirty years, I grown very comfortable in my own skin. I think I am beautiful in my own right.

With that said, it's always hard to feel like myself after having a baby. Pregnancy throws me for such a loop! It seems like ages since I've been ME. I am not one to lose the baby weight quickly... it usually comes off only AFTER I stop nursing. curse. So, here I am with an extra 25 pounds-- not fitting in ANY of my clothes, not wanting to buy new ones, having to "dress up" for Christmas parties, trying not to compare myself with others.... and my sister dedicates this song to me. It made me cry. It made me remember a few things. I am not the average girl, I am not a supermodel, but I AM beautiful. I am a Queen.

here's the song by india arie. be prepared to love it. The lyrics are below.. read along while you listen. My favorite line (besides "every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be" how perfect is that?) is

"SO GET IN WHERE YOU FIT IN AND GO ON AND SHINE!"

Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a Queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a Queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows
But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion,
confusion's the name of the game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change
Don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
'Cuz everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a Queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicone I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a Queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be india arie

If only we could ALL love ourselves unconditionally.. There would be no more comparisons, no more intimidation, no more self-doubt. We are all Queens and we need to remember it wherever we go. Let's all look in the mirror and say, "I'm lovin what I see." Eventually, we will.

Thanks to my sis (who is both gorgeous inside AND out) for helping me remember. Love you!

ps. to you YW leaders, don't you think this would be such a great song for a slide show of all the pictures of your girls? I think this is the biggest challenge in a YW's life= learning to love themselves as they are.