</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I have a very difficult time with positive self image. On the inside I feel that I fall short so much of the time. I have been told that I am way too hard on myself but this is something that is very difficult for me to change. And what is even harder for me to deal with is when people make comments about the way I look on the outside and that I should be thankful. Looking a certain way on the outside has nothing to do with the way a person feels on the inside and society just doesn't seem to "get" this. I'm reminded of a poem by Yeats, which I can't remember the title of at the moment but in this poem, Yeats is basically saying that producing something beautiful is not easy (in my case a beautiful self-image inside). Yet, the modern world of Yeats, like ours, with its emphasis on financial success and advancement believes beauty to be easy and natural. Beauty has the curse of looking easy. That is, I suppose, part of the beauty of beauty. Beauty cannot be coerced, it can only be brought out. Society has no concept of the true nature of beauty.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Hi sweetie, I, like you, have been told many times that I'm way too hard on myself. I see this as the difference between how we view ourselves and how others view us. Hopefully, with a lot of work, we'll both get to the point where we view ourselves as others do.

Yes, you're right, if you are beautiful or appear to have a good life, others can't understand why you feel the way you do. You're also right that they just don't get it. I'm with you on that one.

I also agree with your comment that beauty can't be coerced and that it can only be brought out. But it will happen, it will happen for you and it will happen for me. It may take us some time but with a little bit of hard work and love from others, we'll both get there eventually.