Paula and I had no idea how much her story and her photos would touch people in the blog we shared back in July. Today it has 4K "likes" and 43,535 page views and dozens and dozens of positive and thankful comments. I just noticed the other day that Paula's Facebook profile photo now are the words "I Am Beauty" and she is throwing a party today to celebrate the fact that her blog was received with such tremendous support.
She wrote me about a month or so after the blog posted to confess that she was really uncomfortable with the title I choose for the piece. I told her I would change it immediately if she wished. She thought about it and concluded that even though she perceived the title as very negative and did not want to promote that kind of energy, she said perhaps it helps people resonate with her story somehow. In the blog, Paula forgives her mother for feeling embarrassed and ashamed that Paula was posing for my project. I personally just think Paula is a (s)hero and someone for a lot of us to learn from: To love one's self and find one's self as beautiful and to love unconditionally and practice compassion to those around us who might say hurtful words. In the end, hurtful words are spoken perhaps by those in pain who need love the most.
Just yesterday I was interviewed for HNLtv.com regarding A Beautiful Body Project specifically because the writer was so moved by Paula's photos and compassion.
From Paula:
"Ashamed and Embarrassed That Her Daughter Posed For This Project"
I cringe every time I see that title emblazoned across the screen. It hits me at a place so deep in my core I can't even begin to describe it. And then I get angry/defensive/belligerent. "How dare she!" Then I read the comments - of the people on Facebook and those who have been moved enough to leave a note on the blog site. Those hideous words have had an effect on them as well. Reading the comments, I find myself moved to a place of stillness and acceptance. 'Ashamed' and 'Embarrassed,' they are making a change. We are making a change.
Those words - those two words that we have all felt are helping us as women relate. They are letting us put aside the judgement and condemnation we have been conditioned to automatically offer anyone who does not fit the ideal model and placing us instead into heart-space. There in the quiet of our true selves we can ask the question, "Does it have to be this way?" Fat, skinny, short, tall, it doesn't matter. We have all felt the power of those words and have felt the meaning of them etched onto our soul. It seems, for many, seeing those words stretched over the title of my pictures - an image that shows a heavy woman not ashamed and embarrassed, but baring all; confident; content; courageous, and standing very obviously in a place of love - brings hope.
"She rose above 'ashamed' and 'embarrassed,' maybe I can too." seems to be the message people are receiving.
Seeing that, how could I ask you to change the title? To remove those horrible words to something more politically correct? Hopefully through the images that you and other photographers around the globe have now started taking, we can create a world where those words no longer exist. We can focus on that unique aspect of individuality that we all possess and that is what makes each of us beautiful in our own way. Maybe we need to do away with words like 'beautiful' and 'ugly' as well. After all, what do they serve? When we see an image we call beautiful, would it not be more meaningful to say, "See the love shining our of her eyes as she looks at her children."?
I still don't like the words, but I appreciate the affect they are having. If leaving them up means even one more person is awakened to that moment of hope, then it's worth it. I know that I am not ashamed of those beautiful pictures you took. I am not embarrassed to know myself worthy of love, friendship and success. I give thanks everyday for my body and the amazing things it's done and continues to do. I appreciate life in the fullest and celebrate my existence. What words would I chose to describe me?
Warrior. Lover. Mother. Wife.
Artist. Performer. Poet.
Teacher. Shaman. Student. Witch.
Gardener. Visionary. Strong.
Explorer. Joyous. Happy. Brave.
Friend. Fighter. Guide.
Free Spirit. Dreamer. Radical. Love
Housewife. Healer. Cook.
Woman.
_1390672519.jpg)
