On what we value in ourselves and others

This post was sponsored by Lean Cuisine’s #WeighThis campaign I don’t talk much about life in Orange County. I have a love-hate relationship with it. I love being close to the beach. I love the casual surf culture, the moderate weather, and the amenities for families. But one thing I really DON’T love is the emphasis on physical appearance. I live in a community that is looks-obsessed. There are plastic surgeons on every corner, and it seems like everyone is constantly on a diet. Women don’t want their faces to age and don’t want their bodies to reveal the fact that it once held a child. I try pretty hard to shield myself from this pressure, but when you are swimming in it, it’s hard not to drink the water a little. Still, I often dream of living in a community where intellectual pursuits or creativity are valued over looks. (Does such a place exist?) I try hard to give my girls positive messages about the importance of kindness and loyalty and individuality. I don’t want them to ever believe that being thin and pretty is an excuse for character development. And unfortunately, our society sometimes perpetuates this message.   For me, I want to value who people are and what they do, vs. what they look like. I value friends that are open and honest. I value women who make me laugh. I value friends who create things that inspire . . . who say things that make me think. And those are the things I want to be valued for as well. This month I’ve partnered with Lean Cuisine’s #WeighThis campaign. They are asking what people wish others would “weigh in on” besides weight. For you, what are the things that matter most? How do you value yourself, and how do you wish others would value you? I’d like to create a space for a little virtual self-affirmation session. Leave a comment telling me some of the aspects of yourself that make you the most proud, and I will highlight some of them in a post. I will start: I’m proud that I have been able to create a business that allows me to work for myself. I’m not the entrepreneur type, and certain aspects of running a business make me want to curl up in a fetal position. But I’ve been able to push through that insecurity and turn a hobby into a job. Okay, your turn!