Find YOUR Awesome!

I once wrote a post about Michelle Obama's arms. Sure, her arms looked fabulous. Everybody wanted those arms. But not everyone can have those arms. Not everyone can have J-Lo's butt. Not everyone can have Elizabeth Taylor's eyes.

Why not?

Let's take a look at how Michelle Obama got those arms. First of all, she inherited genes from her parents that predisposed her to deposit fat somewhere else--not on the upper arm area. Second, she had plenty of money and enough free time to work out daily with an excellent personal trainer who gave her individualized advice on how to make the most of those genetics, devising specific training regimens tailored to her particular needs. Third, she ate a pristine diet of organic veggies and clean, locally grown foods to optimize her health and beauty. Fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh--there may be MANY more factors affecting the state of Michelle Obama's arms. There is no way for us to know how much pain and suffering went into those arms. 

What we do know is that a lack of money didn't hold Michelle Obama back. Not all of us are willing or able to spend lavish amounts of money attaining the perfect arms, butt, abs, or other desired body parts. Not all of us can spend hours working out each day. Not all of us choose to eat organic kale at every meal. And even if we did EVERYTHING exactly the same as Michelle Obama, we might not end up with the same results.

Because life isn't fair.

Maybe you were born with red hair and freckles. Maybe you burn easily in the sun. You might never become a sun-drenched, bronzed goddess. But you can still be absolutely beautiful. Just a bit paler.

Maybe your arms will never attain the sculpted perfection of Michelle Obama's, but you can still get stronger. You can learn to do a perfect push up or sit up or pull up. You can lose weight, improve your health, find more joy in your life, discover new goals and reach them.

Instead of yearning for something that somebody else has, take a moment and assess your own attributes. Maybe you have a great smile, an infectious laugh, a wonderful sense of humor, or a way of listening that allows people to feel safe. Maybe you are tenacious, honest, funny, or kind. Maybe you have a green thumb or a generous heart. You are so much bigger than your physical body.

Sure, we all want to look like Michelle Obama. But don't let that desire get in the way of you finding your own personal awesomeness.