This powerful new commercial for Dove may be about the way in which women perceive themselves, but this idea isn't exclusive to women. In fact, I'd say many men, especially gay men, share in the inaccurate ways we see ourselves. Body dysmorphia, when a person has a negative distortion of his/her body image, is extremely prevalent in our society. With so much emphasis on beauty, and in our community, having the "perfect body," it's no wonder our perceptions are so out of whack. We're constantly comparing ourselves to what we see in the media (porn included) that we sometimes can't see ourselves and how beautiful we really are. This brilliant ad is eye opening and I hope that it's message of beauty in all forms extends not just to women but to all of us.
Today, take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror and appreciate all that you are. You may not see it now, but the rest of the world certainly does.
