Mirrors and images

When was the last time a mirror told you what you wanted to hear? Bear with me for a moment as I refer to a mirror as being capable of doing so. I realize it is an inanamit object, incapable of thoughts or emotions, I'm simply being metaphorical. When was the last time a mirror was honest with you? If you are anything like me, it doesn't happen very often. More often than not, I chance a brief peek in the mirror, and instantly feel disappointed. There are few times I look in the mirror and don't regret it. Lately, I've been pondering why. You really don't have to look far to see that society today is teeming with ideas and specific opinions on what beauty is. People everywhere, all around the world, are influenced in one way or another, by images or gossip. The self made 'bar' of beauty has been raised absurdly high, while the bar of acceptance a been lowered to unrealistic levels. Every time I stop and truly ponder it, the more ridiculous it seems to me. For instance; Who decided that acne makes someone ugly? Who decided that anyone being anything other than skin and muscle, is fat? Who decided that clothes can either make or break a social status? Who made us care? Society will always have a cruelly critical eye fixed on everyone. There are days I feel I cannot escape its burning gaze. It follows me everywhere. Then, I pause for moment and wonder, "Why? Why do I care?" I look at people of all ages, ethnicity, shapes and sizes, and try and figure out why everyone is so impacted. There are, of course, obvious influences, tv most likely being the guiltiest culprit. Those folks on tv just look so darn good. Flawless skin, perfect figures, straight teeth, impeccable fashion, and irrepresible charm. Everything I'm not. In all appearences, they have everything. Then, there are those blasted magazines. Have you ever been standing in line at a grocery store, checking out the newest brands of gum, and suddenly caught sight of a magazine out of the corner of your eye? Amongst the various gardening options, construction advice, guns and gossip, there's that one ripped guy or flawless women smiling generously at you, as if to say, "My life is good." I must admit there is a brief moment where I can't tear my eyes away. And, almost instantly, I start thinking about my own figure. I start comparing. As I shuffle forward to purchase my items, there's already a knawing in the back of my mind. Slowly chewing it's way into my sub-concious, where it sets up shop and begins to chip away at my confidence. Then, there's that group of friends on facebook or myspace, that seems perfect in every way. A ridiculous amount of friends, a fast track life, and (again) perfect forms. The list of distractions and pressures goes on.
All this made me think. Why? What does physical appearance do for us? One theory presented itself. It may be outlandish, but it is the only conclusion I can possibly reach for. We all want to be accepted. Even those who claim to not care, deep down, want to be accepted. We want to be wanted. Desperately. We desire to be noticed, maybe even admired. We want others to want us. And somehow, society has taught us that physical appearance is a deal breaker.
Yet, on the flip-side of that, there is something else that chips away at our self-confidence. Perhaps the worse critic of all. Us. "You are your worst critic." So true. Often times I will obess over something for a long while, feeling like it sticks out for all to see, only to find out later that nobody even noticed.
As cliche as it may sound, I think everyone is beautiful. We are beautiful. Don't listen to that mirror. God made us in His image, and He doesn't make mistakes. Ever. We are beautiful.