When I first picked up Brave, Beautiful and Baring it All, by Rhyanna Watson, I instantly judged her; questioning her motives for using naked and semi-naked photos of herself throughout the book, for sharing her experiences with strangers, deriding it, not taking her seriously.

Not listening to what I was reading, I cast it aside.

Luckily, I picked it up again and opened it: page seventy-two, Befriend your inner critic.

I was horrified to realise that I had been hyper critical of Rhyanna Watson, and her book before I had even read it.

What would I say to her if she was standing in front of me, if she was a friend? Would I be so critical of what she had chosen to share with me? Would I scoff at her photos? No, I would not. I would tell her that she is brave and that I wish I had her courage.

I am so glad that I went back to the beginning and, closing my critical eye, read as if she were a dear friend.

The difference was astounding.

I began questioning my inner voice; asking myself the reason behind feelings, reactions and my blind responses to them. And although I know with a certainty that as a sixty-four year old grandmother with a mummy tummy, it is very unlikely that I will bare my body to the world, but I do intend to listen honestly to what people are saying to me, and think honesty about what I’m going to say before I open my mouth.

Didn’t someone say that whatever we focus on becomes stronger?

Brave, Beautiful and Baring it All, is an exciting self help book which incorporates yoga teachings and meditations, it encourages us to stop and take stock from time to time; to focus on the good in others and how wonderful life is.

Rhyanna Watson, you are a brave, beautiful and honest human being.

Brave and Beautiful is available here.