#MotivationMonday (+ Book Recommendation)
Happy Monday morning!! I know you're probably already rolling your eyes, wishing it was Friday so the weekend could commence. While I can't turn Monday into the best day of the week, I can try to make you smile and make the day a little more bearable. So, that's what I'm attempting on this fine Monday morning: helping you get through the day with some words of inspiration.
"Why should a fruit be held inferior to a flower?...That is her style of beauty."
- George Orwell, 1984
It's a complete amazement that I waited six weeks before I mentioned George Orwell's magnificent book, 1984. If you've read my ''About the Author' page, you'd know that this is my favorite book of all time, despite only reading it for the first time this past year, and I'm not exaggerating when I say reading this novel will change your life. It will tug at your emotions and at your mind, challenging your way of thinking with every turn of the page. If you've never read it before, PLEASE, please, pleeeease pick it up right now. Not exaggerating, minimize this tab and go to the library, the nearest bookstore, your neighbor that has every book ever written, or wherever you can to get 1984 in your hand! You won't regret it.
As if the book isn't great enough with the plot line alone, it has some incredible quotes, like the one above. Why should a fruit be held inferior to a flower? Is it because they don't look the same? Because one has pedals whereas the other has only leaves? Because one is more slender than the other? Who decided that one is worthwhile to look at while the other merely gets a glance? Why do we choose to compare two very different objects against the same criteria?
The same goes for people. Why do we act as if there is only one specific look that is acceptable, that those who don't measure up need to change, improve, strive to meet the standard? I don't know why we do it, but I do know we need to stop. Everyone is not supposed to look or act the same. It's our differences that make us who we are, that help shape the person that we are. Our differences are our style of beauty.
This week, if you realize that you're comparing yourself to others, to the ideals you believe you have to live up to, stop. You don't need to look like that girl on the magazine. You don't need to look like your best friend. You don't need to look like a Victoria's Secret angel. You don't need to look like anyone but yourself. However you are is perfect, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Your appearance and personality aren't part of a competition. You have your own style of beauty, one that shouldn't be changed for anything. It's incredible.
best of luck with the week - i hope you see your style of beauty shine.
xoxo madison