Why are we so judgmental?

Judgement sucks...
No I am not talking about judging others dress, social status, or decisions...although we all know how easy it is to do. And that we shouldn't.

I am not talking about "mommy wars"... I mean come on! I cannot comprehend why there is even such a thing. I am a christian, I nursed, my kids eat fast food every once in awhile, and I love them unconditionally. You are Mormon, bottle fed, and your kids eat healthy... yet you love your kids unconditionally. Why do we think it is our right to judge what another mom deems right for her family? It boggles my mind and it truly has to stop... but that is not what I am talking about either.

It isn't the judgement of our spouse, partner, or significant other. But we do it. Shame on us. Shame on you and shame on me. It is our job to uplift our spouses and encourage them... We committed to love and protect them and if we talk behind their backs about their failures and shortcomings, then we truly need to look inside and change something deep. Quit nagging and speak with love and respect... Even though this is important and should not be overlooked, it still isn't the judgement I am so disgusted with.

It is me. I am disgusted with me. I cannot believe how often I look in the mirror and hate certain things about me. The dark under eyes that were so graciously passed down from generation to generation. The belly that literally wiggles. My thighs have more stripes than a zebra and my hair is just... gross. I see every single thing that is unattractive like it has flashing neon signs screaming "Look! you are UGLY!!"
That may be a little dramatic, but you get the idea. And if you are one to be grateful for you and what you are, then I am truly so proud of you. You've got the right idea... But that isn't me and it is so very wrong.
Why are we the hardest on ourselves? Why do we see our physical, emotional, and spiritual down falls and think, "I am not good enough!" It is so absurd that we see other people in such a different light than our personal one. We seem to view ourselves in a 20x magnification when we see everyone else in a normal mirror.

We need to be patient with ourselves. We need to quit seeing everything "wrong" and focus on what is right. I have a strong and healthy body. I love the shade of my eyes, and I think my heart is in a good place to help others. I am unique, and I am made beautifully... This is what I will focus on. What about you?

The main reason I am vowing to change is because I want my children to know what confidence looks like from the inside out. I want them to see their own beauty in their heart and on their skin. People will tell them they are not good enough, the media will push perfection... but my prayer is that my kids know the truth. My prayer is that they are confident in their radiant beauty. I want my girls to see their uniqueness as beauty and their differences as ideal... I want my son to find a girl who is confident in her own skin. And I want my husband to see me loving myself. I want him to see me happy. I know he doesn't notice any of my "flaws"... I want to view me like he does.

All of those changes start with me. I am going to stop judging myself. I am going to give myself the grace I so easily offer others. I will give myself the understanding that I hand out like candy, and I will look in the mirror and say, today you are beautiful. Because I am. And so are you.