Operation Beautiful V.9 {Finally, an entry of my own}

I have a confession to make.
There are only a handful of days in my life that I have felt truly beautiful.

As much as I love making others feel great about themselves (see Operation Beautiful),

I struggle to talk about myself and my own accomplishments.

This is clearly evident when I go into interviews and get flustered to answer questions about me. The weirdest part is, I find questions that point out flaws in myself easiest....What are your biggest weaknesses?Tell me about a time you failed? What don't you like about yourself? What do you regret from the past? While those such as What are your greatest strengths? really trip me up.

So, this is the point where I realized, I've had each of you find the courage to embrace the beauty within yourselves. Realizing, 9 posts later, I've been afraid to submit an entry of my own. Honestly, I hate compliments. I would almost rather be criticized. I realize this makes zero sense. So I am here today to break myself of that mentality.

<center> <a href="http://shaneprather.blogspot.com/search/label/operation%20beautiful"><img border="0" src="http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz180/x3shanerx3/blog/op.jpg" /></a></center> As expected, I received overwhelming interest in my Operation Beautiful project. Thus, the showcase will roll out 10 lovely ladies each Monday until I stop receiving entries...hopefully never :) I've been slacking keeping up with this and hope to have it back in full force!

This project is to make you think, ponder, appreciate the simple things about yourself, that add up and make you truly beautiful. The smaller qualities that you adore about yourself, like your lips or eyes, that make you feel pretty on the worst of days.

This project is about your talents, your secret hidden abilities, your amazing personalities. Those quirks which make you, uniquely you. And, I sincerely hope that after you read through the finished product to discover how these other ladies feel about themselves, you can spend the rest of the day, sincerely feeling great about yourself.

If you feel vulnerable, insecure, or hesitant to send in an entry, don't be! We're in this together. It will hopefully make you realize a few things about yourself. This will by far be one of my favorite posts I'll ever do on this blog, and I won't even write it, you guys will. Take it away ladies!

Shane

I feel most beautiful when… I'm fresh out of the shower.

My favorite physical feature is my... smile. I used to be so self conscious about my "big" teeth but I've been told it's beautiful.

Something non-physical that I love about myself is... my drive and passion for whatever life throws my way.

I'm happiest when... I'm with my mama, my best friend. Looking at each other and laughing without having to say a word, because we both know exactly what one another is thinking.

Lourdes

I feel most beautiful when… I have had time to relax and spend time with myself. May sound crazy, but once I have had "me time", I am recharged and feel as if nothing can phase me. This is when I feel the most beautiful.

My favorite physical feature is my... Eyebrows. They are thick and I never have to fill them in. It's funny that I choose my eyebrows, because they used to be the number one thing that I was self conscious about. My mother would not let me groom them when I was younger and they tended to be unruly. I used to feel like a lion. Now that I am able to thread them, they are my favorite feature!

Something non-physical that I love about myself is... the fact that I am a loner. It may bother other people, but I truly do enjoy my alone time. I go to the movies alone, go out to eat alone and I have no problem with it. 

I'm happiest when... I have: a good book (or a book on my kindle), a glass of wine, a comfy blanket, soft music in the background, and my boyfriend playing video games in the other room.

Kelly

I feel most beautiful when… Someone tells me so..

My favorite physical feature is my... eyes.

Something non-physical that I love about myself is... my ability to handle LOADS of tasks and challenges

I'm happiest when... my son laughs, its music to my soul

Alana

I feel most beautiful when…My face is clear of acne, I'm all smooth and freshly shaven, and my hair isn't frizzy :)

My favorite physical feature is my... My eyes. They change from blue with green and yellow mixed in , and green with yellow mixed in. I love it :)

Something non-physical that I love about myself is... I would have to say.. how easily I laugh. and the fact that I have several different very genuine laughs.

I'm happiest when... I'm helping lead worship at my church. I love to sing and I love singing for my Jesus even more <3 . Also, when I'm surrounded by my family around the table playing either cards or dominoes.

Chloe

I feel most beautiful when…  I am helping others. Doing something nice for someone else makes me feel the best kind of positive energy and it makes me feel beautiful on the inside.

My favorite physical feature is my... hands. I love my hands because they are so useful. Hands can make crafts, play music, paint, cook, braid hair, high-five people, type... haha.. So thankful for those appendages!! :) 

Something non-physical that I love about myself is... my ability to create things wether it's art, music, or an idea. I love that way of expression through creativity... it's so fun and inspiring and eye opening... just need to work on finishing those things I start.. hah..

I'm happiest when... I am in love with God, everyone I meet, and with life itself. I'm a strong believer that love in action and truth is the golden rule to a happy life well lived.

Ali

I feel most beautiful when…I'm at a concert with my husband. Getting lost in a crowd with him, dancing like crazy, kissing and being crammed together is so much fun! It reminds me of when we were just kids and all of our musical adventures.

My favorite physical feature is my... my big doe eyes. When I was young I felt like a Disney princess! But now I find they come in handy when I need to speak to anyone telepathically, these saucer eyes can say so much.

Something non-physical that I love about myself is... my ability to say I'm sorry. I worked on this for years, but now if I've hurt someone's feelings or said the wrong thing or made a mistake I have no problem admitting to it. Swallowing my pride and asking for forgiveness is hard at first, but people really appreciate it and it makes all my relationships easier.

I'm happiest when... being creative. I love putting my energy into making something, I feel so satisfied when it's completed and I'm left with something tangible. Then curling up on the couch with my little family of misfits. 

If you are interested in being featured, please send in an entry :)