Summer is my absolute FAVORITE time of year!  I am a Texan through and through.  I love 100 degree weather with 100 percent humidity.  Sometimes I swear I have gills.  For me, summer is a time of respite.  A much needed break from schedules, carpools, activities and the craziness that is the school year with three kids.

It’s also…bathing suit season.  Which so many women dread.  And that simply makes my heart sad.  Why are we so hard on ourselves?  Why do we focus on our flaws?  Why can’t we see ourselves as others see us?  And why, why, WHY do we compare ourselves to others?

Women are incredible beings.  We give life to tiny little humans.  So yes, that means our bodies change.  Some are able to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies.  Some are not.  And that’s okay.

Why does the media insist on praising perfect “stick” bodies?  An image that is simply unattainable and unrealistic for most.  I come from a long line of curvy women.  Beautiful, STRONG, curvy women.  I will never be a stick.  Period.  And that’s okay.

I recently lost over 50 pounds.  I made a complete lifestyle change and I am nutritionally the healthiest I have ever been.  I eat clean and I walk or lift weights every day.  And guess what…I still have a pooch.  And guess what else…that is OKAY!!!  It’s a reminder of the three beautiful babies I was blessed enough to carry.  And to tell you the truth, I don’t mind my pooch.  It’s a badge of honor, a result of motherhood.  Rather, I find myself worrying about what OTHERS might think about my pooch.  I hesitate when I reach for my bikini.  Isn’t that sad?  Why has the media turned us into body shamers?  My husband’s opinion of my body is the only one that matters to me and he thinks I am beautiful just the way I am.

And THAT, makes my heart full.

And my children are proud of all the hard work I have put into changing my lifestyle.

And THAT, makes my heart full.

So let’s be a society of women who build each other up.

Who compliment and praise all shapes and sizes.

And let’s stop competing.

And for crying out loud, LET’S STOP COMPARING!!!

We are all unique.  Each fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.  Let’s smile when we look in the mirror and be content with our beautiful, amazing, strong bodies.  Whatever shape and size that might be.  Let’s be confident at the beach, or the lake, or the neighborhood pool and focus on enjoying life and stop worrying about what we “think” others might be saying about us.  Because I promise you, I am not judging your body and I bet you are not judging my body either.

Simply strive to be the very best version of YOU.

And accept whatever that may look like.

Because CONFIDENCE is beautiful.