I exercise regularly. There’s a woman there whose beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder because she’s one of the most stunning women I’ve met by both the traditional and eccentric definitions of beauty. First, she’s extremely fit. Her body is strong and toned. Her skin is the color many Caucasian women wish for – olive, but not too brown which makes her look like she has a light tan all year round. She doesn’t wear makeup (but who does to the gym?) and her face has a radiant glow even before she’s worked out.

What really intrigues me though is that she has tattoos strategically placed all over her body and she totally rocks them! Now, I’m not a person who has any interest in getting a tattoo. In fact, I didn’t really care much for them until I met a bar manager, inventor and entrepreneur from California who had tattooed sleeves. The company I worked for at the time hired him as an expert and I was interviewing him for future media stories. I asked about his tats and he explained that each one meant something special to him regarding his life’s journey.

Anyway, back to my story . . . this woman was warming up for our Spin class and I walked over to her and complimented her on her body art (which is how I now think of tattoos). I told her she wore it well and that it really seemed to be part of who she is. She smiled and seemed surprised that I said anything. She then went on to say that her Mom didn’t always appreciate her tats. My friend didn’t see that as a barrier, though. She told me she’s got one more to do after her scars from childbirth heal and then she thought she might be done.

How amazing that this young woman sees her body as a canvas! Her body art is so personally meaningful that she doesn’t really care what others think – including her mother. Talk about great-filling! And, if she ever doubts herself, all she has to do is look at her own body for affirmations of a life well lived.

It’s made me think . . . How am I living and sharing my own story?