Skip to main content

THE BEAUTY IN YOU by Ulli Stanway

I had a total hysterectomy five weeks ago. I am 43 years old and without child...

I had developed fibroids and I had been an endometriosis sufferer for many years. From my first to my last period I had always fought a battle. I also had body image issues for many years. My relationship with myself was constantly compromised by self- doubt, guilt and the need to please the unappeasable ones. I needed to fit in to be seen. I needed to be small as to not upset anyone. When I spoke out loud I used to apologize immediately. After all I didn’t want to offend.

So here I am now: five weeks post hysterectomy. On the road towards my truth. Without a preprinted heart map. I am allowing myself to rest and to feel all. I take up space. A lot of space. I ask for help. I am exquisitely gentle with myself and I love how my bulging belly now heals day by day. There is a scar. About 16cm long. A scar that proves that in the end I did put myself first. A scar that shows that my courage shines bright and that I am still here. I chose freedom of pain above all else. Because I matter. And my story is enough. As am I. And so it is.

The Beauty in You
by Ulli Stanway

We hide within our shadows;
often for decades!
We live an approved life behind smiles,
filled with teary, sad eyes.
Our hearts carry heavy storybooks
of untold adventures.

We don’t wish to offend.
We don’t ask for help.
Our souls drown in self-doubt:
Guilt of being too much has us in tight grip.

And then,
just like that,
one day
we look into the mirror and see ourselves!
And we notice the softness of our reflection,
and how much She asks to be embraced;
How She needs to be cared for...
tenderly and without proof of her love.
There She is...

In all her beauty and fear.
And before your mind can take your heart hostage again
a warm, loving feeling expands within your center.
It fills your stomach
and you can’t help but start smiling
at that beautiful girl
starring back at you.

You notice the dark shadows under her eyes
and for the first time
you don’t mind her wrinkles and the slightly saggy skin.
Instead, you start counting the freckles on her face.
Minutes go by
as you stand in your own miracle.

All of the sudden
your beautiful reflection changes;
she morphs into something new
and you start seeing them all:
your Mother, and Grandmother
and all the Ones who came before you.
And you finally understand that you are part of something:
Something so beautiful it cannot be hidden any longer.

You have not seen this before.
And now
there She is
and all you can see is
the Beauty in you.

Pictured is the author, Ulli Stanway


Ulli Stanway: I am a rising poetess/writer/day dreamer and life lover. I live in Melbourne Australia with my beautiful husband. I love nature and I am a confessing tree hugger. I invite you to visit my website "Heart Rehab" here, which I hope will inspire other kindred souls to follow their own dreams and skip down a path they truly enjoy. I believe in becoming your authentic self, become who you are with all your quirkiness, weirdness and amazing talents. We don’t need to have countless copies of the same story being told. Be you, all that you are and that is perfectly enough. And you are so very needed. My mantra is taking your shoes off and run barefoot, in the rain whenever possible. Embrace everything you are. Here and now." To connect with me on Facebook, click here. 


~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

IMAGINE A WOMAN by Patricia Lynn Reilly

  This poem invites you to look upon yourself with loving kindness… Gazing at your own true reflection, you will discover that everything you have longed for “out there” is already within you! I invite you to love your creativity fiercely. Faithfully plant seeds, allowing under-the-ground dormant seasons, nurturing your creative garden with love and gratitude. In the fullness of time, the green growing things thrust forth from the ground. It's a faithful, trustworthy process. AND it takes time and patience.  Blessed is the fruit of your creative womb! I invite you to trust your vision of the world and express it. With wonder and delight, paint a picture, create a dance, write a book, and make up a song. To give expression to your creative impulses is as natural as your breathing. Create in your own language, imagery, and movement. Follow no script. Do not be limited by the customary way things have been expressed. Your creative intuition is original. Ga...

STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou

Six years ago, I had the privilege of listening to Maya Angelou speak live on the value of poetry at the University of Florida. I share these reflections with you again today, in honor of her birthday.  I was relieved to get one of the last seats available for this rare event, having arrived at five for Maya Angelou ’s free speech at eight. The historically long line began with people settled into beach chairs in winter coats busying themselves on tablets, or eating sandwiches for dinner. As helicopters hovered above and newscasters below, I felt the excitement of realizing that thousands of people were gathering together to hear an eighty four year old black woman recite her poetry! Maya Angelou speaking at University of Florida on Feb. 27, 2013  When the curtain rose -after an overflow of hundreds were sent away- we lucky ones on the inside greeted Maya with a standing ovation, as she smiled sweetly, beginning her talk using metaphors from nature. Maya asked...

IN THE STILLNESS OF THE NIGHT by Ginny Brannan

 Just take a moment to pause... When life becomes rote, and frustration grows from being immersed in the same routine—different day, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that peace is still there—within our grasp— if we just take a moment to pause and enjoy the stillness and beauty around us. In the Stillness of the Night  by Ginny Brannan Late winter’s eve and all is still the lawn lies bathed in silver light— gray shadows race across the yard and climb atop the windowsill to draw my gaze upon the sight. I stare out to the moonlit night, across the deck and wooded path fresh–painted by new fallen snow. The scene infuses with delight; this gift inside storm’s aftermath. Half–buried now, the old birdbath lies shadowed deep in indigo— it waits on promise of the spring when arctic chill has finally passed and snow gives way to new green grass. With gratitude, I hedge to go; tranquility allays my soul… I turn ...