It’s tough being a kid these days.
Those bullies in the playground, those endless billboards showing perfect hair, perfect teeth, the perfect body…
It makes you want to hide from the world; it’s all too easy to make kids feel ugly or unwanted.
We have to give them the self-confidence to believe in themselves
And realize that they too are filled with light and beauty.
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
— Confucius
For more beauty, please visit: Camera Critters.
Lady Fi 
Wonderful quote .. no truer words. Giggled at the first shot … fun! Really enjoyed this post. Happy Critter Day!
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Wonderful photos and a great quote. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.
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You are spot on. I keep on wishing I could show my children how beautiful they are in my eyes. Not the beauty is only skin deep type, but the grace of their movements, or the gracious gestures of compassion they extend their fellowmen.
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You are a poet and a philosopher – both with your words and with your camera. (If it was me, I’d have made a terrible joke about swans mooning me – lol)
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I couldn’t agree more, and I love your choice of pics to illustrate the point!
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Excellent!
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Just wonderful, Fi. Such true words, and such lovely photos. The first picture sure made me smile.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
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amen. we had twisted so our view of beauty that it becomes an impossible toil instead of recognizing the beauty within each of us…
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Looks so pastural!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
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The blueness of the water is amazing!
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I think this is especially true for those raising daughters.
Every time I see photos of your children, I can only be in awe of their beauty and perfection. God does good work! ♥
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Love makes everyone and everything beautiful.
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our culture does so much harm to our children’s self esteem. it’s always been a phenotype-priority culture, but it sure seems to be raging out of control lately. i think that’s why there’s such an appetite for the type of ancient spiritual stuff you are saying here. beautiful blue water, cleansing.
good to see you again:) hope all is very, very well.
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if you accept them and share moments, the will get the idea that they matter!
you must be a great roll-model too.
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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It can be a daunting challenge – there are so many external forces we have to help them fight. Wonderful post (and photos, of course!)
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I think KC is right. My boys seem so confident and self-assured. I see that it’s more difficult to instill those qualities in daughters.. at least it would appear so.
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Very wise words (I couldn’t agree more with you) to go with the beautiful shots. Great post.
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What a perfect way to get the message across.
wonderful.
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I hate television and the media. Time to start a media revolution and tell them to stop feeding us lies!!!
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It is hard being a kid these days. Hubby and I were discussing school days only last week and comparing the changes. Excellent quote.
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Fabulous shots and a great quote!
Loved visiting your blog. So many wonderful shots!
Thanks for sharing;o)
Have a nice and happy weekend¤
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Yes! It seems to me (looking back from my great age ;>)) that it gets harder and harder to raise kids. It is important to have a mom with the right attitude. Your kids do!
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Perfect photos for this quote. Sometimes we really have to ‘look’ for the beauty in something…..but it is always there!!!
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Those swans look lovely against the blue water. Our society does have such a problem with real beauty.
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Beautiful and true. Thank you.
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Self confidence is a beautiful thing to cultivate. Beautiful captures.
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Beautiful shots.
Butterfly and Wasp, have a blessed weekend!
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That quote says it all. Love the photos you chose to go with it.
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I was a butt ugly kid. Didn’t keep me from having fun. It’s great to be good looking, but kids and the rest of us need to remember it’s just one of a lot of great things to be. We’re all something great, and nobody’s everything!
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Sweet!
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It is tough. I remember facing that challenge in high school in the 1980s. Our group dubbed ourselves the Swiss Cheese Heads and ducked all the judgments to make it to the other side and have fun. Not easy.
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Funny! The second photo is really lovely.
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Of course I meant the photo was funny. The thought is not– but putting it with the photo of the hiding “ugly duckling” is a really clever way to make the point.
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So true Fi! Loved that first photo…cute…
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beautiful the color from the Swan and the water
wonderful photos, have a nice and sunny week
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As ever, thoughtful post, beautifully illustrated. I’m sure your children feel loved and appreciated!
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Beautiful photos and true words.
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A beautiful quotation to accompany beautiful photos. Burying one’s head in the sand – or water – solves nothing.
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I love the swan butt shot. and your words ring true too. these are fabulous shots as usual Ladyfi! have a great week.
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Gotta say… I love that as he “hides” his face from the world, he is also sticking his butt out at them to show he just does not care what they think! 🙂
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Man får vara glad om barnen blir vuxna utan att ha blivit alltför skadade.
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Your words are so true. This is a great reminder accompanied by wonderful photos. I love them. Thank you.
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>Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. Confucius
That’s so meaningful.
If Confucius could speak English, he’d probably say:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 😉
Actually there’s a similar saying like this in Chinese.
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This was just TOO CUTE! And so true also, it really is a shame that kids are exposed to the wrong idea of beauty in a daily basis…
Loved it Fi!
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Truth with a coating of humor and good will. I’d be very challenged growing up in today’s world, but your children look strong and secure in themselves and perhaps much better prepared for modern life.
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Beautiful birds.
My entry Spot Me
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beautiful shots!!!
loved the blue color
Bhupesh
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The photos are lovely and the words are too true.
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Very Beautiful! Loved the capture as always and the quote as well… so very true 🙂
My Yatra Diary…
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Playground bullying is a big problem here too Fi. I agree with your other comments too. Loved your photos. Swans here are black – Dave
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You said it perfectly.
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It is very hard to be a child, my Grands struggle with bullies too..I think more parents need to pay attention to their kids and what they are doing:)
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Love the photos! Everything has gotten so complicated kids don’t have it easy.
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I love the location of all your shots! Beautifully captured with beautiful words which touch the kid in you :):)
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Just wanted to thank you for recommending my “Coucher de soleil sur champ de pissenlits et boutons d’or”!
Loved your swans too! And the first pic is simply too funny;o)
Thanks for sharing;o)
Have a nice and happy day****
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Caught up now , Ladyfi… You are such a treasured part of my life…
belated Mother’s Day wishes to you as well.
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