I have those days when I feel beautiful, and then other days when I might see my flaws, but for the most part I am thankful that Mother Nature has been rather kind to me. Granted, we often wish for that which we don’t have: blonde hair if we’re brown, curly hair if we’ve got straight or vice versa, to be a few inches taller, 10 pounds lighter, have fairer skin, or the ability to tan nicely. And of course, beyond these superficialities, we might wish we were more skilled in math or geography, languages or physics; earn more money, be healthier…I’m sure you have your own list.

But with all the challenges that we might face on a daily basis – whether superficial or serious – as we move through our lives and fight our little battles, we are often supported by others. Only very rarely are we the laughingstock of other people.

On that note, I am deeply hurt by the experience of 1989-born Lizzie Velasquez, a young American woman named by others as “the ugliest woman in the world”. Imagine what that title could make you feel like…

Here is a picture of Lizze from the US state of Texas:

She is missing something, and true, that which is missing causes Lizzie to look very different…can you tell what it is?

I’ll let you think… Lizzie is missing something we are always so badly looking to get rid of…

Fat!

Indeed, this young woman is suffering from a very rare disease (only 2 other people like her in the world have been identified with it), where her body does not store fat. She is not anorexic, she likes to eat – but her body cannot keep the fat!

Indeed, despite a 5000-calorie-per-day diet, she has 0% fat. Yes, you read me right.

Well, had you or I been featured on a YouTube video dedicated to the ugliest woman in the world (I will not link to it here out of respect for Lizzie whom I look forward to meeting in person), I can only imagine that most of us (myself included) would be pretty crushed. What cruelty to spend time producing a video that’s not only completely empty, but also destructive…truly painful to see – but not for Lizzie: Lizzie is a warrior, a fighter; she wrote books, gave true meaning to her life, and now gives lectures that focus on accepting differences.

I take my hat off to Lizzie for being able to use her challenges as a source of strength from which to build herself.

Lizzie’s story is one to keep in mind when we cross paths with others that don’t match the superficial idea of “perfection” propagated by the retouched models on magazine covers.

Compassion, help, kindness, love, connection, and support are the words that make up my message for today.

To learn more about Lizzie’s life: http://www.aboutlizzie.com .

Tags:  beauty coach coaching Lizzie Velasquez natural beauty TEDx