http://www.upworthy.com/oscar-winner-lupita-nyongos-speech-on-beauty-that-left-an-entire-audience-speechless?c=upw1
on Upworthy.
The part that captured me is when she talks about how she had begun to fall for the 'seduction of inadequacy.' Even as life had begun to tell her that her appearance was good enough.
And I wondered to myself 'Is this where I am?"
Trapped by the seduction of inadequacy?
Most days when I wake up and look at myself in the mirror I do not see someone who is inadequate.
I look at my reflection and I appreciate my colouring.
I like my freckles.
I like the way my dark hair contrasts with my skin.
I like that I have strong features
full lips
And a straight nose.
I like that my eyes look brown but to those who are willing to notice they will see that they're more than partially green.
And more than that I like myself for who I am.
For the things I have gone through
The people I have loved and the people who have loved me.
The compassion I have learned
The kindness
The patience.
But as I look in the mirror I begin to point out my flaws - the fat I need to lose.
The frizz
The bad posture. . .
But mostly the fat.
One flaw.
One flaw on a body I love.
And I let it ruin my opinion of myself
I let it ruin my hopes and to dictate the type of life and love I should receive.
Perhaps I've become so accustomed to living a life of inadequacy
That even though I am not inadequate
I no longer know how to think of myself as such.
Maybe I find comfort in the familiarity of my inadequacy.
Maybe I've been seduced?
Maybe they're my excuse?
Maybe it's time for me to learn how to live without them?
Who would I be if I finally accepted myself as good enough?
- Roxanne
