Poem about self love because we are all so loveable

Hello Everyone, I decided to do some cleaning today and got out in my storage closet and found a poem I saved after my first WLS. I would like to share it with you it is by Maya Angelou. It is about self love. I think no matter where we are in our WLS process self love is so important. I saved this poem because I wanted to remind myself that it is ok to be just who God made...........Me I hope you like it. Phenomenal Woman Pretty women wonder where my secret lies I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them They think I'm telling lies I say It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips The stride of my step The curl of my lips I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me I walk into a room Just as cool as you please And to a man The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees Then they swarm around me A hive of honey bees I say It's the fire in my eyes And the flash of my teeth The swing in my waist And the joy in my feet I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me Men themselves have wondered What they see in me They try to so much But they can't touch My inner mystery When I try to show them They say they still can't see I say It's in the arch of my back The sun of my smile The ride of my breasts The grace of my style I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud When you see me passing It ought to make you proud I say It's in the click of my heels The bend of my hair The palm of my hand The need for my care Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me

Wow!!! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it!!!! Loving myself has been a major battle for me. I equated it with "being conceited," so, in my mind, it was sin. I know better now. The first feature I learned to love was my nose. It's big, but it's like my dads, and generations of McBrayers. Now, I am proud of my nose. MY nieces are built much like I was, and I love their confidence. They walk like "phenomenal women." Hopefully, their self-confidence will make for easier life's journeys. You know, my parents did everything possible to build my confidence, but they couldn't "give" it to me. Why is loving others so much easier than loving ourselves? We need to give ourselves the benefit of a doubt too. The Lord made us, and He "don't" make no junk. Thanks for the beautiful poem! Hugs, Becky

Hey Becky, Don't you just love that? I also love to hear Maya Angelou read it. You are right we will do so much for others always leaving ourselves for last. There is a reason air planes say "If the breathing masks drop from above to put it over "your" face before you put it over the face of your child'. We forget that before we can take care of someone else, we have to take care of ourselves. I was raised the same way to feel that loving your self is selfish then later on I learned that if I don't love and value me, nobody else will either. Since my first WLS I learned that we tell people how to treat us, and if our actions are always saying to people "You are worth more than me" they will listen and treat us just like that. I also get a message about having a positive body image. I am glad you liked it. I hope more people get to read it but I know it is a holiday today. Anyway have a good week.

Love it! Love it! Love it! I love Maya Angelou. I have all her books. My dream come true would be to meet her face to face. Thanks for posting! Hugs, Tonya

Thanks Muan Mazy for sharig this with us! I have always loved this poem. Like Becky I too have somewhat thought loving yourself was being conceited. I am now getting to the point where I see having self-confidence and love for yourself is really beautiful and have a lot to do with how you interact with people and how they treat you! Thanks, Caren