If you don't know who Jeri Ryan and Tricia Helfer are, here are some photos:

Jeri Ryan 1.bp.blogspot.com/-WXvRi
CZIoak/Ty2hALjthXI/AAAAAAA
BE94/VPtei_eTtE8/s1600/sta
r_trek_jeri_ryan%2B%25282%2529.jpg

Tricia Helfer www.thescifiworld.net/im
g/interviews/tricia_helfer
_05.jpg

I am a fan of Star Trek: Voyager and Battlestar Galactica, and whenever these women first come on the screen in any episode, I think, "Man, I want to look like that."

Yet, I never will. I shouldn't find that upsetting, but I do. In still photographs, I have the consolation of knowing they are probably photoshopped. On TV, they're not. These women really look like that. Talk about hitting the genetic jackpot.

I don't think I'm a superficial person who only cares about looks. I don't wear any makeup or style my hair, and I spend next to nothing on clothes. So why does it bother me so much that I can never look like these women, no matter how hard I try?

I read a blog entry today about self-compassion - loving ourselves as we are. I'm pretty good at this when it comes to what's on the inside. I think I am a decent person.

But what do I do about loving the "outside of the package"? Do I focus on the things I like about my packaging (my body) or do I say to myself, "I like how strong I am - it doesn't matter how I compare to anyone else" and leave it at that? I am not sure.

I don't want my daughter to feel this way as she grows up, so I better figure it out.

Edit: Related blog: Self-Compassion by SP Coach Nancy
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=5140239