It’s No Bra Day today, and it’s trending at the top of twitter. Why is this important besides the need to continue to put a spotlight on breast cancer? For starters, women continue to feel as though how they look is the most or one of the most important aspects of who they are. Men definitely have contributed to this, as has society in general. Part of that attractiveness is a good body—with nice boobs.
So how does all this affect the many (often young) women who are diagnosed with breast cancer? They get the news, talk to their Dr. about treatment, and have to contemplate how surgery could affect their appearance and their dating/relationship life. I have worked with it and have heard the angst from women who are looking ahead to how they will handle dating with breast cancer—even a cancer that was caught very early and may not need surgery.
Angelina Jolie has helped to make women sexy even after a mastectomy. She has shown that the essence of who we are is the sum of all our parts—not just some of them standing alone. She has also shown how physically beautiful a woman can be, even after a radical surgery—and keep a man like Brad Pitt, proudly and happily by her side.
It’s a good day for all of us to contemplate our shallowness, especially when it comes to what attracts us to other people, especially potential partners. Maybe if we were better at seeing the whole person, we would make better choices and not end up with a turkey, while letting the good one go.
So take off your bras and your blinders today. Really look at the people around you with a fresh and open perspective. Who knows? Mr./Ms. Right might be standing nearby, but before now, you just couldn’t see them.
