November 5, 2025 • 7 mins
What if beauty wasn’t something you had to chase — but something God already placed within you? 🌸 Welcome to Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, a podcast for women over 40 who want to nurture their natural beauty, grow in faith, and rediscover confidence that lasts. In this week’s episode, “Aging Gracefully Starts Here: Seeing Yourself the Way God Does,” we’re beginning The Confidence in Your Skin series — a gentle journey that helps you release comparison, deepen your peace, and reconnect with the beauty God designed in you. You’ll learn how to: 💛 Shift your mindset from self-criticism to God-centered confidence 💧 Create a calming skincare + soul care ritual you can do daily 📖 Use Scripture to reframe your beliefs about beauty and worth 🌿 Build self-compassion and gratitude for your reflection Scripture focus: Psalm 139:14 – “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Each episode blends natural skincare, self-care, and faith — helping you slow down, simplify, and see your radiance the way God does.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast, Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm your host, Carrie Sharf, and I'm
so glad you could join me today. In this episode,
we'll be diving into a truly special topic, the mirror
blessing and how it can help us embrace a new
perspective on beauty. So get comfortable and let's explore this
fascinating subject together. Have you ever caught a glimpse of
(00:27):
yourself in the mirror and felt a twinge of disappointment.
It's something I think most of us have experienced. One morning,
not too long ago, I was feeling particularly worn out.
As I looked in the mirror. All I could see
were the lines of tiredness edged on my face, and
every little flaw seemed magnified. It was one of those
days where you just can't see past your imperfections. But
(00:50):
in that very moment, something miraculous happened. It felt like
a gentle whisper from God, nudging me to see beyond
the surface. Suddenly my reflection wasn't just a collection of
flaws and weariness. Instead, I saw myself as a creation,
beautifully and wonderfully made think about that for a second.
We often get so caught up in criticizing ourselves that
(01:11):
we forget we are God's handiwork each line, each mark,
they narrate a unique story that is distinctly ours. It
was like a veil had lifted, and I was able
to appreciate myself in a totally different light. This shift
in perspective didn't just change how I saw myself in
the mirror. It altered how I felt about myself throughout
the day. I felt more at peace, more appreciative of
(01:33):
the person I am. Remember, the next time you look
in the mirror and those pesky thoughts start creeping in,
try to see yourself through God's eyes. Let that divine
whisper remind you of your inherent beauty and worth. Now,
let's talk about reframing beauty through the lens of a
verse from the Bible that you might be familiar with.
Psalm one hundred and thirty nine fourteen says, I praise
(01:55):
you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works
are wonderful. I know that full well. This powerful verse
serves as a beautiful reminder of how uniquely and intricately
we are designed When you hear the phrase fearfully and
wonderfully made, it emphasizes that every aspect of you, every
quirk and feature, is intentionally crafted with awe and respect.
(02:16):
It's so easy to forget this, especially in a world
that often dictates narrow standards of beauty. But if you
take a moment to reflect on this verse, you'll find
it encourages us to embrace every part of ourselves, including
those signs of aging, those scars, and those so called imperfections.
They are testimonies of the lives we've lived, the experiences
(02:36):
we've gathered, and the growth we've undergone. Every wrinkle, every
gray hair tells a story of resilience, joy, hardship, and wisdom.
By appreciating them, we honor the journey we've been on
and the person we've become. Embracing your complete self, including
your aging self, can be a radical act of self love.
(02:56):
It allows you to stand in front of the mirror
and truly see the remark person you are, with all
your beautiful stories and experiences written into every feature. So
the next time you gaze into that mirror, let Psalm
one thirty nine fourteen remind you of the incredible divine
craftsmanship behind your existence. Embrace it wholeheartedly because you are
(03:18):
wonderfully made. Let's move on to a beautiful practice that
I personally find incredibly transformative, the mirror blessing. This exercise
helps to shift our perspective from judgment to self compassion
and connection. Here's how you can do it. Start by
standing in front of a mirror where you can see
yourself clearly. Look into your own eyes and take a
(03:39):
few deep breaths to center yourself. Now, say out loud
a series of blessings or affirmations. Start with something simple
like I am deserving of love or I am beautifully
and wonderfully made. Speak these words slowly and with intent,
letting each one sink in. You might feel a bit
awkward at first, and that's okay. The key is consistency.
(04:00):
Whether you choose to do this exercise first thing in
the morning or right before bed, make it a daily ritual.
Over time, you'll notice a shift in how you see yourself,
a movement from self criticism to self acceptance. Engaging in
this practice helps you build a positive relationship with your reflection.
Instead of seeing flaws, you'll start seeing the beauty and
uniqueness of who you are. Give it a try and
(04:23):
witness the positive shift in how you connect with yourself.
Let's talk about journaling as a tool for deeper reflection,
specifically through the use of journaling prompts. If you've never
tried journaling before, or if you're looking to bring more
depth to your practice, these prompts can be incredibly powerful.
Here are three prompts to help guide your reflection. One
(04:45):
what moment from today am I most grateful for? And why?
This prompt encourages you to focus on gratitude, helping you
to appreciate the small but meaningful moments in your day.
Two how did I overcome a challenge today? Reflecting on
your resilience and problem solving abilities can boost your confidence
and remind you of your inner strength. Three or what
(05:08):
is one thing I learned about myself today? This can
lead to powerful insights and greater self awareness. Now, when
you're journaling, it's essential to prioritize honesty over trying to
be profound. Sometimes the simplest, most straightforward responses can be
the most revealing. It's not about crafting perfect sentences, It's
about being real with yourself. So take these prompts and
(05:31):
let your thoughts flow freely, write from your experiences and
feelings without judgment or pressure. Your journal is a safe
space for your thoughts, and the more authentic you are,
the more you'll gain from the practice. So grab a
pen and paper or your favorite journaling app and give
these prompts a try. You'll be amazed at what you uncover.
(05:52):
As we come to the end of today's episode, let's
remember that confidence and beauty truly come from knowing and
remembering who made us. I encourage you to take a
moment now and affirm I am wonderfully made. This simple
affirmation can be a powerful reminder of your intrinsic worth
and beauty. If you enjoyed today's episode, I'd love for
you to join our newsletter for more reflections and insights,
(06:13):
and if you're looking to go even deeper, consider joining
our membership for exclusive content and a more intimate community experience.
Thank you so much for listening today. Blessings to you,
and always remember that you are radiant, cherished, and wonderfully made.
Be sure to check the show notes for links to
our newsletter and membership. Until next time, This is Carrie
Sharf signing off from the plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy podcast.
(06:37):
For more information on the topics we've covered today, be
sure to check out the show notes. You'll find links
to additional reflections, skincare rituals, and journaling prompts that are
available via our newsletter and membership. These resources can help
you dive even deeper into self love and appreciation, providing
you with tools and practices to enhance your daily routine. Remember,
embracing who you are is a continuous journey, and we're
(06:59):
here to support you every step of the way. Send
me a message if you have any questions or thoughts
to share. I'd love to hear from you.
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast, Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm your host, Carrie Sharf, and I'm
so glad you could join me today. In this episode,
we'll be diving into a truly special topic, the mirror
blessing and how it can help us embrace a new
perspective on beauty. So get comfortable and let's explore this
fascinating subject together. Have you ever caught a glimpse of
(00:27):
yourself in the mirror and felt a twinge of disappointment.
It's something I think most of us have experienced. One morning,
not too long ago, I was feeling particularly worn out.
As I looked in the mirror. All I could see
were the lines of tiredness edged on my face, and
every little flaw seemed magnified. It was one of those
days where you just can't see past your imperfections. But
(00:50):
in that very moment, something miraculous happened. It felt like
a gentle whisper from God, nudging me to see beyond
the surface. Suddenly my reflection wasn't just a collection of
flaws and weariness. Instead, I saw myself as a creation,
beautifully and wonderfully made think about that for a second.
We often get so caught up in criticizing ourselves that
(01:11):
we forget we are God's handiwork each line, each mark,
they narrate a unique story that is distinctly ours. It
was like a veil had lifted, and I was able
to appreciate myself in a totally different light. This shift
in perspective didn't just change how I saw myself in
the mirror. It altered how I felt about myself throughout
the day. I felt more at peace, more appreciative of
(01:33):
the person I am. Remember, the next time you look
in the mirror and those pesky thoughts start creeping in,
try to see yourself through God's eyes. Let that divine
whisper remind you of your inherent beauty and worth. Now,
let's talk about reframing beauty through the lens of a
verse from the Bible that you might be familiar with.
Psalm one hundred and thirty nine fourteen says, I praise
(01:55):
you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works
are wonderful. I know that full well. This powerful verse
serves as a beautiful reminder of how uniquely and intricately
we are designed When you hear the phrase fearfully and
wonderfully made, it emphasizes that every aspect of you, every
quirk and feature, is intentionally crafted with awe and respect.
(02:16):
It's so easy to forget this, especially in a world
that often dictates narrow standards of beauty. But if you
take a moment to reflect on this verse, you'll find
it encourages us to embrace every part of ourselves, including
those signs of aging, those scars, and those so called imperfections.
They are testimonies of the lives we've lived, the experiences
(02:36):
we've gathered, and the growth we've undergone. Every wrinkle, every
gray hair tells a story of resilience, joy, hardship, and wisdom.
By appreciating them, we honor the journey we've been on
and the person we've become. Embracing your complete self, including
your aging self, can be a radical act of self love.
(02:56):
It allows you to stand in front of the mirror
and truly see the remark person you are, with all
your beautiful stories and experiences written into every feature. So
the next time you gaze into that mirror, let Psalm
one thirty nine fourteen remind you of the incredible divine
craftsmanship behind your existence. Embrace it wholeheartedly because you are
(03:18):
wonderfully made. Let's move on to a beautiful practice that
I personally find incredibly transformative, the mirror blessing. This exercise
helps to shift our perspective from judgment to self compassion
and connection. Here's how you can do it. Start by
standing in front of a mirror where you can see
yourself clearly. Look into your own eyes and take a
(03:39):
few deep breaths to center yourself. Now, say out loud
a series of blessings or affirmations. Start with something simple
like I am deserving of love or I am beautifully
and wonderfully made. Speak these words slowly and with intent,
letting each one sink in. You might feel a bit
awkward at first, and that's okay. The key is consistency.
(04:00):
Whether you choose to do this exercise first thing in
the morning or right before bed, make it a daily ritual.
Over time, you'll notice a shift in how you see yourself,
a movement from self criticism to self acceptance. Engaging in
this practice helps you build a positive relationship with your reflection.
Instead of seeing flaws, you'll start seeing the beauty and
uniqueness of who you are. Give it a try and
(04:23):
witness the positive shift in how you connect with yourself.
Let's talk about journaling as a tool for deeper reflection,
specifically through the use of journaling prompts. If you've never
tried journaling before, or if you're looking to bring more
depth to your practice, these prompts can be incredibly powerful.
Here are three prompts to help guide your reflection. One
(04:45):
what moment from today am I most grateful for? And why?
This prompt encourages you to focus on gratitude, helping you
to appreciate the small but meaningful moments in your day.
Two how did I overcome a challenge today? Reflecting on
your resilience and problem solving abilities can boost your confidence
and remind you of your inner strength. Three or what
(05:08):
is one thing I learned about myself today? This can
lead to powerful insights and greater self awareness. Now, when
you're journaling, it's essential to prioritize honesty over trying to
be profound. Sometimes the simplest, most straightforward responses can be
the most revealing. It's not about crafting perfect sentences, It's
about being real with yourself. So take these prompts and
(05:31):
let your thoughts flow freely, write from your experiences and
feelings without judgment or pressure. Your journal is a safe
space for your thoughts, and the more authentic you are,
the more you'll gain from the practice. So grab a
pen and paper or your favorite journaling app and give
these prompts a try. You'll be amazed at what you uncover.
(05:52):
As we come to the end of today's episode, let's
remember that confidence and beauty truly come from knowing and
remembering who made us. I encourage you to take a
moment now and affirm I am wonderfully made. This simple
affirmation can be a powerful reminder of your intrinsic worth
and beauty. If you enjoyed today's episode, I'd love for
you to join our newsletter for more reflections and insights,
(06:13):
and if you're looking to go even deeper, consider joining
our membership for exclusive content and a more intimate community experience.
Thank you so much for listening today. Blessings to you,
and always remember that you are radiant, cherished, and wonderfully made.
Be sure to check the show notes for links to
our newsletter and membership. Until next time, This is Carrie
Sharf signing off from the plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy podcast.
(06:37):
For more information on the topics we've covered today, be
sure to check out the show notes. You'll find links
to additional reflections, skincare rituals, and journaling prompts that are
available via our newsletter and membership. These resources can help
you dive even deeper into self love and appreciation, providing
you with tools and practices to enhance your daily routine. Remember,
embracing who you are is a continuous journey, and we're
(06:59):
here to support you every step of the way. Send
me a message if you have any questions or thoughts
to share. I'd love to hear from you.
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