Ta-Da!!!!

I spent last night and this morning at a women's conference at our church. The speaker was Liz Curtis Higgs, successful author and formerly a well known radio personality. She was really engaging and hilarious.

One of her themes was that we women should stop being ashamed of our bodies. We tell our daughters they are beautiful but always criticize ourselves, sending them a stronger message in our actions than in the words we speak. Our society's pressures have us always looking in the mirror for flaws. And guess what? When you look in the mirror to check if there are problems, you are going to find problems.

So, Liz suggests that we master our mirrors. This involves a daily ritual with our mirror that consists of the following: approach the mirror, throw up your arms enthusiastically, and announce, "Ta-Da!!!" with a big smile. [Note: It is good to warn your husband prior to performing this the first time, both to alert him that nothing is wrong and to make sure he doesn't miss it if that's his wish! Also note that the upraised arms are critical as everything is given a lift and boost upward! (-: ]

In the United Kingdom, each of these words has a meaning. "Ta" is shorthand for "thanks," while "Da" often refers to "father." So, each morning, this cheerful little exercise shouts praise to God the Father for making me so special.

Psalms 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (After a few more Ta-Da's I hope it'll sink in!)