“At least they won’t be overweight” and other hurtful, well meaning comments.
“Your words have great power. Use them to support & inspire. “ Karen Salmansohn
Growing up, I was made to feel like I was less than worthy. It was the words that were said involving my weight or my height or my abilities or lack there of. I was left believing that because I wasn’t the same height or size as other people, there must be something completely wrong with me. It hurt. I vowed as a mother to not use the same phrases or words that were spewed onto me.
Fast forward to having children, specifically, a daughter. She’s tall, she’s beautiful as she is. Not because of her looks but because of WHO she is. She’s kind, she’s a great friend, she’s encouraging and she’s so funny! None of those things have anything to do with her looks or her talents that she might have. I seriously, I want to be her when I grow up!
I’m in a business that, whether you want to admit it or not, has a focus on looks and ability. I hear things all the time that make me cringe and hurts me to the core.
The objective for me is to be inclusive and offer the ability for EVERY BODY to be able to experience the excitement in getting new Dancewear. When I fit people in Dancewear they are all different. Some have a short torso, some have a long one. The list goes on!
I just wanted to let you know that I will meet you with acceptance, celebrate who you are and invite you to do the same to EVERY BODY. Toss the comments that hurt and raise girls that realize that there is no wrong way to live in the body you have. That you are exactly who you are supposed to be and that you are lovely just the way you are.
How to do better:
Be thoughtful with your words, be kind with them. Don’t make words that describe others be some kind of weakness.
Speak up. If someone says something that isn’t right, speak up. Be gentle but let them know it wasn’t ok.
If you say something hurtful, unintentionally or otherwise, be quick to apologize. Own your mistake and don’t minimize their hurt. It’s valid.
Words hurt. Even the well meaning ones. ❤️
