IM SO UGLY.

So, I was watching a TV show today that really struck a chord with me. It was about a woman named Connie Culp who, five years ago, managed to survive being shot in the face with a shotgun by her husband. Being that her face was completely destroyed, she recently became the first US citizen to recieve a face transplant (the fourth in the world). Before her transplant however, Connie spent years without a nose, nearly blind, and without the ability to taste or eat solid foods. She also needed a tube in order to breathe. On the show, an interview with Connie before her transplant surgery was aired where she tells how, before the incident, she always "used to be worried about her weight and everything" and how she now realizes how foolish that really was.

It all got me thinking about how so many people always seem to be so worried about their appearance. I've heard so many people, including myself, complain about themselves- about how bad their hair looks, how they think they're fat, how they think they're so ugly, how they think their legs are too stubby, how they think their butt looks too big in the jeans they like, etc. And then there are people out there like Connie Culp, who have suffered some of the most disfiguring injuries imaginable and somehow still get up every morning and face a new day with an optimistic outlook. Personally, I think we can all take example from an incredible person such as Connie. I mean, if you ever feel slightly self-consicous about your hair being messy, then maybe take a second and think about how self-concious people like Connie must have felt about walking around with practically no face. I think we all need to take a minute and appreciate everything we do have, everything that is good about us, instead of walking around and focusing on the negative aspects of our physical appearances, because, as Connie quotes, "One day it might all be taken away" and you could be left with far worse things to worry about than how weird your nose looks, or something like that. So instead of complaining and constantly obsessing over the little things that we all might find bothersome about ourselves, I say we should take a good hard look at all the positive in us and stop taking simple things, like the ability to smell and taste, for granted, because Connie is correct in saying that someday it could be all taken away. Let's start to appreciate what we do have now.

"It's 2009. Everything's gonna be great from here on out."- Connie Culp, the true face of courage.

(If you'd like to know more about Connie's story, go here: http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9TWpkSy1oYXRGZEEmYW1wO2ZlYXR1cmU9Y2hhbm5lbF9wYWdl
I HIGHLY suggest you watch it.)