If Money Was No Object, Would You Have Plastic Surgery?

If money was no object, would you have plastic surgery? I asked myself this question recently after having my first baby. Pregnancy changes your body forever. I gave birth to a healthy beautiful 10 lb. baby. Yes you heard me right – 10 lb.! So we’re talking serious stretch marks here. Not only that, but my otherwise svelte stomach (one of my best features I might add) was transformed into a wibbly, wobbly mess. So the other day I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and thought what if…

As I stood there sucking in my stomach , I thought of my old school friend Ashley. She was gorgeous; long dark shiny chocolate-brown hair, sparkling blue eyes, naturally tan skin and a fit physique from years of athletics. But she was blessed with one imperfection, her nose. For years I had listened to her wax on and on about her nose. I never understood how she felt. Her own insecurity and lack of self-esteem would eat away at her over the years. Her nose was too big, too crooked, too ugly. No one would marry her because of her nose. She would never find love because of her nose. You get the idea. Ridiculous I thought – how shallow!

We went our separate ways but kept in touch. One day a letter arrived from my old friend Ashley (yes this was before email…I’m that old!!!). She shared that she had been in a serious horse riding accident – obviously I was horrified, until I read that she was happy about it. She was actually happy that she had been in an accident because it gave her the excuse she needed to have a nose job! She would never have done it otherwise. I wash harsh with my judgment and didn’t flinch from sharing my opinion with her. Now looking back I realize that I had no right to judge her or anyone else.

As I write this I can hear my daughter crying. She’s probably hungry again. I take her in my arms and look into those deep brown eyes and feel so grateful to have such a gift. I hope that I can instill in her the strong sense of self-worth and confidence that my mother gave me. My little angel has helped me realize that there are things in life significantly more important than my own personal vanity. Bringing life into this world has given my own life perspective.

Even if money was no object I still wouldn’t have plastic surgery. Would you?

Photo courtesy of photobucket.com.

Children Learn What They Live ~ by Dorothy Law Nolte

I was at my doctor’s office this morning for a rather unpleasant but routine procedure. As I sat in the waiting room trying to calm my nerves, I looked up to see a small, unassuming poster on her wall. By the time I finished reading it, I was so moved that I wanted to share it with you. Although I’ve been in my doctor’s office hundreds of times over the years, I have never paid attention to that particular piece of paper.

The poem ‘Children Learn What They Live’ was written by Dorothy Law Nolte in 1954. Later she also wrote a book by the same name with author Rachel Harris (Workman Publishing Co., New York). Over the years the poem has been translated into more than 35 languages and inspired generations of parents. Today it inspired me. You don’t have to be a parent to appreciate it, just look to your own life.

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, PhD

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright  1972 Dorothy Law Nolte