Mirror, Mirror

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Before we begin, go look into a mirror. Great! Now read on. Disney Princesses are the best, are they not? But, as with anything, they do have a few problems. To me, the most glaring is the Mirror in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The entire conflict of the plot pretty much occurs because, well... the Evil Queen thinks Snow White is more beautiful than her. Snow White is made to be an excellent protagonist because she can bake pies, is kind to birds, and can sweep a cottage like nobody's business. As if that weren't bad enough, the overarching reason that dear Snow makes a good princess is because she is gorgeous. Perfect figure? Check. Rosy cheeks? Check. Realistic proportions? Of course not! Now reader, to me, that's pretty depressing. Yes, it's a fairy tale. But Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (among other films, because I don't mean to target this one alone) is also what we show our children in their youth.

The little girls see the princess, or maybe the love interest, the sidekick, the protagonist, the enemy, whatever... and think that is reality. The size 20 waist. The plump lips and sparkling eyes. The thick, luscious hair. As for the boys? They gaze in awe at the princes, the jocks, the superheroes... and think that is reality. Muscles. Dimpled cheeks. The attention of all the ladies. Mind you, these can be in the reverse as well. The point is that media has disfigured our interpretations of the perfect bodies, appearances, personalities, and lives.

So here is what I'd like you to do today. Walk up to that mirror one more time. Look into it again. What did you think about when I had you face it last time? If you are like me, you saw your flaws. I saw a crooked smile, wispy hair, and a body I am working so hard to accept and be proud of. Perhaps you focused on a patch of acne, a birthmark, or freckles. Maybe there are stretch marks on your legs or a few folds in your stomach. Now I want you to forget all that. I know it's hard. Trust me. But just let it go for a moment as you look into the mirror.

Instead of concentrating on parts of your physical self, even parts that you may like, try to think about who you are as a person. Call to mind all of the wonderful things about yourself; the things that define you far more than a number on a scale or a glance into a reflective piece of glass ever will. Are you the captain of the soccer team, or the star of the swim team relay? Have you painted a beautiful picture, made an amazing dish, or learned a new song on the viola? Is there a chance that you have made someone smile, aced a math test, or reached a new level on Plants versus Zombies? No matter who you are, where you are, or how you are feeling, I am confident that there is something truly sensational about you. Everyone has a story, and everyone is amazing in their own way. That is a belief that the media doesn't always depict. It is a belief that we need to instill in ourselves and in the generations to come. The elements on the outside are all an illusion; it's what's on the inside that truly matters. So look into that mirror, reader, and smile. Smile at a person who has done so much, who has become stronger and wiser through all of life's highs and lows. Smile at a personality that is unique and special. You are unique and special. You, my friend, are far, far more than the mirror.

You are worthy of love. Remember that.
-Maya

Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash, Photo by KE ATLAS on Unsplash,
Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash, Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash

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