This Father Just DESTROYED Society’s Definition Of Beauty. This Is Perfect.

[seabeyond]

And now that I’m sitting here, I’m beginning to agree with him. Words have power, and the words on display in this aisle have a deep power. Words and phrases like:....

*

When you have a daughter you start to realize she’s just as strong as everyone else in the house—a force to be reckoned with, a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man. But sitting in this store aisle, you also begin to realize most people won’t see her that way. They’ll see her as a pretty face and a body to enjoy. And they’ll tell her she has to look a certain way to have any worth or influence. But words do have power and maybe, just maybe, the words of a father can begin to compete with the words of the world. Maybe a father’s words can deliver his daughter through this gauntlet of institutionalized shame and into a deep, unshakeable sense of her own worthiness and beauty.

*

A father’s words aren’t different words, but they are words with a radically different meaning:

Brilliant strength. May your strength be not in your fingernails but in your heart. May you discern in your center who you are, and then may you fearfully but tenaciously live it out in the world.

Choose your dream. But not from a department store shelf. Find the still-quiet place within you. A real dream has been planted there. Discover what you want to do in the world. And when you have chosen, may you faithfully pursue it, with integrity and with hope.

Naked. The world wants you to take your clothes off. Please keep them on. But take your gloves off. Pull no punches. Say what is in your heart. Be vulnerable. Embrace risk. Love a world that barely knows what it means to love itself. Do so nakedly. Openly. With abandon.

Infallible. May you be constantly, infallibly aware that infallibility doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion created by people interested in your wallet. If you choose to seek perfection, may it be in an infallible grace—for yourself, and for everyone around you.

Age defying. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to play and how to enjoy and how to revel in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit.

Flawless finish. Your finish has nothing to do with how your face looks today and everything to do with how your life looks on your last day. May your years be a preparation for that day. May you be aged by grace, may you grow in wisdom, and may your love become big enough to embrace all people. May your flawless finish be a peaceful embrace of the end and the unknown that follows, and may it thus be a gift to everyone who cherishes you.

http://www.viralnova.com/father-letter-to-daughter/

[cinnabonbon]

1. That was so refreshing and inspiring

You always find the best articles, Sea.

[seabeyond]

7. thank you. my niece found it specifically for me. it si such a hoot. i remember

not even a could years ago or more, she would roll her eyes. now with a 6 yr old little girl that feels she is a princess and my nieces concern, and a son that is sensitive amongst a family of manly men.... i am the womans cats meow.

it is great when our kids grow up and we get to start having the adult relationship with them.

and ya... we need the refreshing and inspiring cause we are going to get the ugly and nasty. we need the refreshing and inspiring so we can continue to battle on.

[cinnabonbon]

10. It takes time, but the more they reflect on what we're saying

the easier they'll SEE what we're saying. I'm so glad your niece has grown up into such a delightful adult, and has gotten such lovely children!

I don't have any children myself, but I remember the moment I realized that my mother wasn't speaking out to embarrass me (forgive me, I was a teenager) but she was speaking out because it was the right thing to do. Discovering just how much feminist work she had done filled me with pride once I was mature enough to understand. It's a really good feeling.

Tell me about it. This week I have seen more ugly and nasty on DU than the first month combined! I wonder if any of those threads should go in the list we have of misogyny @ DU.

[sheshe2]

2. There is a father that truly loves his daughter!

"Where are you the most beautiful?

On the inside.

From my heart to yours,"

Daddy

Beautiful, Seabeyond.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

3. wonderful essay. wonderful lessons.

[blackspade]

4. Wow.

Awesome.

[Little_Wing]

5. Fathers, please celebrate your daughters

Such beautiful truths can do such beautiful good.
Thank you seabeyond for finding & sharing this here.

[seabeyond]

6. this is what being a father is all about. I had such a kick ass father,

and what he gave me has lasted a lifetime. well worth the investment.

celebrate your daughters... thank you!

[CrispyQ]

8. That reminded me of this guy:

This photo always brings a smile to my heart!

[seabeyond]

9. "This photo always brings a smile to my heart!" YES... i love. and we are such man haters.

rollin eyes.

this picture reminds me so of my oldest brother. fighting for his daughter for a decade when we would have all given up. he is this man, this father and i could so see him doing this with the hugest of smile. a manly man, nonthreatened and taking care of his daughter. empowering her. and cheering her all the way.

i love this picture. a fav. thanks for posting in this thread.

[cinnabonbon]

11. I LOVE that.

What an awesome dad.