Body image is something that is talked about by women constantly. As a woman, I know it is always there in the periphery of your mind. There is always that little voice talking to you about your appearance. Always that little nag every time you eat something that you 'shouldn't', every time you can't muster up the energy to exercise, every time you opt for a day of sweats and messy hair rather than full makeup and 'attractive' attire.
I am neither large nor small. I sit very firmly right in the middle. And sometimes this bothers me. There are very few images of regular women in the media. When the average woman on TV is a size 0, how is a real-life average woman who is a size 10 supposed to feel? If you remember a few years ago, Jennifer Love Hewitt was slammed for having cellulite (gasp - the horror!) and 'piling on the pounds' (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-496995/A-holiday-swim-reveals-Jennifer-Love-Hewitt-piled-pounds.html). Really? How can we as women take anything the media says seriously when a woman such as this is ridiculed for slowing the slightest imperfection?
Ironically, I dress up like the most perfect of women - a Disney Princess. With the glittering costume, Princess-perfect hair and makeup, and sing-song voice, how can I not find the Disney Princess image another unattainable standard for girls to live up to? Disney Princesses are revered by young girls not for their spunk or kindheartedness, but for their costumes and beauty.
Yet the Princess is not just the costume. She is not just her beauty. What we all fail to remember is that these Princesses have spunk. They are kind-hearted. They put other people first, have consideration, look after those less fortunate than themselves.
Cinderella cared for the mice, the dog, the horse and even the mean cat Lucifer. She still sought out the good in her horrible stepsisters. She still wanted to believe that her stepmother could be a good person. I'm sure you are thinking doormat, but I think that she is exhibiting the faith that people can change. And if you are a fan, then you know that her faith was rewarded by one of her stepsisters. Cinderella also showed a resilience and spirit that could not be broken. Snow White cared for seven people who she barely knew, even on the day she was sent away from her own home. She offered not her beauty, but her kindness and caring.
Belle stood up to the oaf Gaston who wanted only her beauty. She lived her own way despite the criticism of her community. She took her father's place in prison to save him. She showed kindness to a Beast and risked her own life to save the person she loved.
While these Princesses are all beautiful, it is important that we as mothers and women remember that it is their inner beauty which shines the brightest. As a Princess, I try to emphasize that when meeting young girls - to convey the heartfelt kindness of each of my Princesses. Hopefully each little girl I meet remembers that I was more than just the pretty costume, that Cinderella was kind, that Snow White was genuine, that Belle was caring. And in particular, I am proud to be a perfectly average-shaped Princess.
