Stories: The Unknown Woman

One lovely summer afternoon my boyfriend, Randy (who is my husband today but we were not yet married) and my two boys, Gian and Jordan, went to a fundraiser at our local church.  It was a community affair, but there were a whole lot of folks I didn't know, which is really different for me as I was raised in this small community.

We had already gone through the "buffet" line (they were serving hot dogs and potato salad) when we plunked ourselves down at a picnic table to relish in the old fashioned fare.  As we began to eat, a family (dad first then two boys then mom) walked by our table.  We smiled and said "hello" and they did the same.   

The "mom" was, by all accounts, hefty, and she was beautiful!  But, what I noticed was her attention to detail.  She wore an attractive and updated version of the "moo moo" in magenta colors.  Her hair was long, black and gorgeous; very Polynesian.  Her skin was luminous, a rich nut color and moisturized with care.  She wore a shimmering shade of magenta on her lips.  When she smiled at us and pulled her sunglasses down (flirty), and said "hello" in her husky voice, it was transformational.   To have seen this woman in all her glory, changed my idea of 'beautiful' forever.

I couldn't stop thinking about her drop dead gorgeousness as the day went by.  Later, when the boys were asleep, I asked Randy who he thought was the most beautiful woman at the gig.  (Thank God he knows to say, "you, dear" first.)  

"This may come as a surprise, but remember that woman who flipped her sunglasses down when she said 'hello'...?"  How could I forget? 

The "Unknown Woman" taught me the best lesson of my life.  Smile, laugh, have joy, be present with others, love yourself, love others, show off your best attributes and be real.  This is to live BODECI!

What is beautiful?  To be skinny?  To be more curvy?  No!  To be real!


Move away from the mirror that makes you feel ugly!  Take back your individuality and show the world  a new and loving person!  You can change an attitude in an instant with a look and a smile.  She did!  

Now, YOU do it!  Be beautiful!!!  Let me know...

Imagine you are beautiful!

Imagine what it would feel like to wake up one morning free of judgement towards your body.  How would it feel to appreciate your body and all it can do?  Imagine that you are not in shame or resentment of your body.   What would it be like for you to love and accept the fittest body you could possibly have given whatever your particular issues and personal lifestyle choices?  This is the core of BODECI… 

Your body is a manifestation of what your lifestyle creates. Of course, there are limitations that you may have no control over. Perhaps you have had an injury that prevents you from doing things you used to take for granted. Or maybe you had an upbringing that hindered you from realizing your full physical potential. We have to consider everything that can create or destroy your ideal vision.

It is your ability to believe in your possibility that is the most important component of making body changes. You should believe that you are or can be fit: strong, balanced, coordinated, and with energy!   You are human and unique.  So, as you take the steps towards your personal fitness lifestyle, be mindful that you are a REAL person, not a phony airbrushed photo of a starved, fourteen year old model.  

Real beauty, with flesh and curves (or lack of them), is when we love and accept what is inherently unique about ourselves.  Our judgements about our bodies have very little to do with reality, and usually are as a result of what we've been told to believe.   Our society and the media driven machine that promotes it's standard of beautiful, have created monsters out of mere humans!  We subscribe to an impossible perfection and waste too much time and money trying to capture it.

What would happen if we all decided that REAL is beautiful.  We wouldn't need plastic surgery or hair extensions or Spanks or expensive clothing.  Wouldn't it be amazing to not have to compete with a magazine cover?!  I haven't bought a fashion magazine in years and trust me, it is the best expense I have ever given up.

I challenge you today to not look at one fashion magazine (or other tabloids that typically create body image issues in you) for a whole month.  Additionally, I would like to challenge you to find your unique beauty and to highlight the hell out of it!  Here's something for you girls to chew on:  If given a choice, would you rather be seen on the arm of Fabio or Mick?  So, now, what is truly beautiful?


Are you up to the challenge?  Let me know your thoughts!!