What Standing Nude in a Room Full of Strangers Taught me

When you feel fat, ugly, unworthy, or find your own skin too hard to live in,

Model nude for an artist.

You will be amazed at a stranger's ability to interpret,

Your stretch marks as battle scars.

Your thick thighs become flawlessly curvy,

And your back rolls become mountains and valleys,

That expert explorers want to map,

And poets want to understand.

When you stand up,

Limbs numb,

Look at your body made into art.

Every time you look into the mirror,

And your brain can only see the mistakes in God's handy work, 

Remember that drawing.

Remember how free you felt while completely exposed.

Remember all that your body is capable of,

And cover your mirrors.

Cover all reflective surfaces.

Start to put on your makeup blind,

Until you stop feeling the urge to amplify your bone structure.

When a tall dark gorgeous woman compliments your grace while posing,

When she says the class misses drawing you,

Do not doubt her.

Smile and sit tall before responding.

When strangers judge you,

End the conversation.

When family judges you,

Hug them.

They may never know how beautiful the human form is.

An empowered woman should never feel that she must,

Cover her body,

Or

Expose her body.

An empowered woman makes the choice on her own terms.

Never deny your body food for fear of looking fat.

Your stomach pains are far more unattractive.

No one can see you blush in charcoal.

When you have cut your hair short,

When you have removed you clothes,

And no props are offered,

When you have nothing left to hide behind.

That is when you truly learn to stand for the first time.

Your external view is not what makes you beautiful,

Desirable,

Wanted.

It is your soul that shines though,

Every page of every art students', 

Smudge filled portfolio.

Recognize beauty when you see it.

Don't deny yourself anything.

You are worthy of everything.