Today is just a random stream of consciousness... but I have to begin here:

Why, oh why, are we women told to be beautiful like... mannequins.

Look at this picture:


Now seriously, I think Katherine McPhee is gorgeous. In fact, I always felt her looks were far more impressive than her voice... I really didn't like her voice. But seriously- she doesn't look real! The make up, the hair, the manicure... it's all too perfect. It's not what any of us looks like.

I like Jillian, the tough as nails trainer from The Biggest Loser. I get her little e-mail inspiration each day, and today her message was this:

Think you'll never look like Cameron Diaz? You won't. Believe me — Cameron Diaz doesn't even look like Cameron Diaz in real life! Face it: We're bombarded with images of ideal beauty everywhere — on television, in movies, in magazines, you name it. When we compare ourselves with these unattainable, airbrushed images of perfection, we're always going to come up short. No wonder we pick ourselves apart and get depressed!

The only way out of this trap of negativity is to let go of unrealistic notions of what you should look like. While exercise and eating right are key components to healthy living, accepting and loving your body — working with it rather than against it — are important, too.

Take a good, hard look at where your negative feelings about yourself are coming from. Determine what the source is — whether it's the media, judgment from family or friends, or maybe a bad relationship; you have to identify it first before you can begin to let it go. Looking for perfect? Forget perfect — it's boring! Embrace your perceived imperfections (c'mon, they make you unique) and love who you are. It's the only way to move forward.

I have to agree with her. It's not about being perfect- it's about living life to it's fullest, for those who know Him, loving Jesus with our everything, and stewarding what He's given us. I have nothing against Kat McPhee for wearing make-up wherever she was, but seriously... that's not what we should attain to.

Speaking of, some Hollywood starlets are so disgustingly thin that it pains me to see them. See, Reese Witherspoon is thin but I do believe she's actually fit. I suppose I only "know" that because the tabloids are always of her in her running gear, checking her time on her nifty wristwatch, but still. Then there's Angelina Jolie. Maybe her metabolism is just off the charts, but that woman is TOO skinny! When I see pictures of her I want to take her out to dinner and order her a double-avocado-triple-bacon-quadruple-patty-cheeseburger dripping in mayonnaise. She always looks so serious, almost... well, bitchy, and I think it's because she doesn't eat. I have nothing against her as a person- I wish I could go do the amazing things she does around the world as an ambassador for the UNHCR. But women see her body and think that's what we should look like... no no no.

I promise that I won't just rail on Hollywood and media on my blog all the time. But this has really been on my mind lately and I am certain you think about it, too.