My sun sign is Cancer and sometimes I have to bribe myself out of my house with promises of smoothies and iced Americanos. I know so many beautiful people and yet I have few close friends. This woman is one of my closest friends. I introduce to you, lovers of life who visit this blog, my beloved sister-friend Theresa. Mother of one, loved by thousands. Theresa is an amazing massage therapist and heals with her hands as much as she loves with her heart. With tears in her eyes and shaky hands, she volunteered to be photographed for this project to share her divine c-section scar, her delicious skin, her radiant irreplaceable beauty.

Words From Theresa:

Why was it so difficult to do this shoot...

Beside the fact that 100's (1000's) of unknown eyes would potentially be viewing my body, I was stepping into an unknown altogether within myself of willingness to be exposed. The deep kind of willingness that says yes to whatever it is looks like (whatever I end up looking like) and how ever it turns out. I let go and show up to participate because there is something greater here than my own fear, embarrassment, shame or sadness.

I was being given the opportunity to allow memories to resurface and emotions to be felt and seen, as I stood bare with each story being read across my body lines. This participation in something greater is joining with a community of like minded beings all over the world to say, we are beautiful, just as we are, and here, see me? I'm willing to put myself in that category no matter all the analyzing and judgments and opinions.. my gosh the list of how do I get rid of this, and how do I look like that, and I wish I could wear that, and oh I'll just never be quite right, never good enough, let alone beautiful.

Standing there in my naked body before a camera, THANK GOD with Jade's eyes behind the lens, I was able to set aside the shame of all my not-good-enoughness and embrace my body with gratitude for all it has been through. I felt so brave! I felt inspired too, that so many other women have had the courage to show up and share their body stories in this same way. To be a part of a revolution of redefining a woman's beauty all over the world….thats worth it all. I hope that someday, when my son is older, he might have more understanding that we can live in a world where beauty is acknowledged in every shape, size and color of body.

Where the possibility exists to live in a world where true acceptance of our physical appearances is as unquestioning as when we adore a rose or any other amazing creation. I've never heard anyone judge the night sky as having too many stars, or the ocean for being too blue, or the old Eucalyptus tree in my yard for being too tall and having a too large trunk. I'm excited to celebrate this new freedom, feeling beautiful in my body, just as it is. Thank you to one of the most truly generous pioneers of healing, Jade….Thank you.

To see more of this beautiful woman's story and see more of her photographs, consider pre-ordering A Beautiful Body Book due out Feb 2014!