You are Beautiful.

Body image.  What does this mean to you? Is it how you view yourself? Is it how you view your life? Is it how other view you? What does this mean? To me, body image is a combination of all of these, but it really all comes down to mostly one thing and that is how you feel about yourself.
Now, I know how hard it is to live in a society that portrays perfectly shaped, beautifully sculpted people and not feel like you fail because you aren't as pretty as them. There have been very long periods of time in my life where I have felt that failure. Where I haven't believed in myself as a beautiful person, but over time, that changed. I can now look in the mirror and call myself beautiful despite the fact that I do not wear size 0 pants. I can smile at myself and know that I am a good looking girl despite my less than pearly white teeth. What is portrayed to be beautiful in society is not what really is beauty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so allow yourself to see your beauty. There are some things I have learned in life that have helped me to be confident in who I am and be able to see myself as beautiful. The first is to stop calling yourself names. How many times have you woken up looked in the mirror and said "ew." Stop that right now. Don't focus on what you don't like about yourself, focus on what you do like. Give yourself compliments. When your hair looks good, tell yourself that. It is okay to admit to yourself that you have great features!
The second thing to do is accept compliments from others. Now, I have a terrible time accepting recognition, but I have learned that accepting compliments when others give them to you is a good thing. You then begin to remember them and are happier. This also helps you build stronger relationships with people.
Next, you need to stop talking and start doing. This may be the hardest step, but you can do it. If you don't like how much you weigh, then exercise and eat right more. Don't sit around complaining and hoping the pounds will magically melt away, get off your couch and do something about it. Take the initiative to change what you feel needs to change to make yourself feel better.
Then, you must never never never compare. You cannot be the same person as your roommate, or Jennifer Lopez, or anyone. You are you. Learn to accept that fact and then go with it. When you stop wishing you looked like someone else and start recognizing the amazing things about the way that you look, life will improve.
Lastly, remember that you are special. I know this gets made fun of a lot, but seriously you are special. You are special because you are you. There is only one Tasha Mae Killian in the entire world, the entire universe. There is only one of me, so I am going to try to make that Tasha the best she can be. There is only one of you in the world, so accept yourself for who you are, what you look like and move forward because the role you play in this world is you, not someone else.

And for my favorite tip, no matter what you look like, a smile can make your look a thousand times better because no one likes a frowny face! :)