Home Grown Socialist pointed me towards a fantastic short film by Dove, in a great show of corporate social awareness. Dove continues it’s campaign on “real beauty”, as evidenced in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZYBaVRi7Rg

You know, I went through this stage of self depreciation about my body and looks. From about 13-15, after entering high school, I started to buy all the popular labels, and scold my pudgy nose, high eyebrows, and acne filled face. All I could ever think when I approached the mirror was how ugly my face was.

Nor was I all that nice to my body. I was, and still am, slim and toned. Hey, it’s a nice start. But, back then, it wasn’t enough. Slim = bad. I needed to be buff, and have muscles. There’s more, but let’s leave it at that. I wasn’t happy or appreciative of what I looked like.

I am not sure if everyone ever comes out of that stage or not. There’s of course something to say for those who don’t even try to look nice. Because there is absolutely nothing wrong with a nice haircut or some good fitting clothes. But there’s a line there, where one goes beyond accepting themselves for who they are and doing little improvements, and wrecking their body in an effort to be something else.

I am glad I got over it. I learnt that I am who I am. Nowadays, sure, some people are larger, some have more muscle, and some have better combed hair, but I rarely think “Man, that person is ugly”. I think I’ve come to view each person as their own, and to respect whoever they are, no matter what they look like. Nobody is ugly, nobody is beautiful. We are who we are. We are attracted to who we are attracted to. That’s all there is to it.

And boy am I glad that all those women who took plastic surgery and botox are beginning to see it wasn’t such a great idea after all!

Good on Dove for doing this campaign. We need more of it, especially in middle and high schools.

Sphere: Related Content