Inner Beauty Is Most Important
Do you feel pressured by the press and Hollywood to be beautiful?
Low self esteem can lead to bulimia and anorexia :(
Here's a little story about Me.
I was brought up in a very large family, I am the youngest of 10. Yes, ten! Ten children....wow. Yeah I can't believe it either. Wow.
When I was a kid, I always heard people say, "Wow! You're one of ten?!" And it seemed so awesome. They would say, "You're such a good looking family." "Oh, we can tell you're an (last name.) I have to say I felt pretty special being the baby, and I still do, though things are quite different now and I feel special for a lot of different reasons. Back then I felt special cause I was cute, I was little, I was the baby and treasured. But life in our family wasn't easy with a father who yelled all the time; I found it quite scary at times, and with a mother who wasn't always well mentally who told me "the devil is in the closet" that we slept in, our room.
Well, when I was young, neighbors always complimented my looks as did my family. It seemed really important or a big deal that I was beautiful, that I had natural blonde hair, but it was too important. As I look back today, I see how vain I was, and I think, "If only I was as smart then as I was beautiful, " because being street smart or wise is worth 10 beautiful girls, or something like that. Fact is, being taught the truths of life and given the opportunity to grow in a very educated and open minded way is far more important than being pretty. At least I think so!
So, now here I am at what some may call middle age, but 35 is really still young! I've finally found my way in life, at least I know what I want now. I'm still the baby and I'm really proud of myself for so many things, because from where I came from, I just know I've come a long way. You see being from a dysfunctional family with lots of issues of codependency....and more things...well I'm just glad I am what I am.
When I say I'm proud of myself and I feel special as the youngest, it's not anymore because I think I'm the prettiest because I'm not, and I'm glad because life is so much more... But I feel special because I love people, and like to help them. I feel special because I know I'm trying my hardest. I know I'm quite the opposite of my parents in many ways, and that makes me proud. I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but I'm not a packrat like my parents (I hope I never will be!) and I've conquered my issues head on- I've become assertive, I've overcome codependency, and many other things. I speak from the heart and I am the same person here, at home, in public, I don't put on a fake facade.
It's good to like yourself and deep down I do, I really do. But we all get insecure at times, like whether we are wearing the best clothes or makeup, do we look good, do we act appropriate, do people like us, etc. It's negative thoughts and it inteferes with your own self worth.
Vanity
In today's world vanity is more common than ever and it shouldn't be. Musicians have to be beautiful as opposed to being talented. Girls feel pressured to be size 0 and who really wants that, I mean what man really wants to f*** a stick?!
Seriously. Take me as I am, I'm honest and direct to your face. What better way to be? Holding in things makes you Passive agressive......
Being told that looks are most important is a lie. And I've proved myself for I fell in love with someone who I first thought was very unattractive- I was able to put personality and intelligence above looks and I'm proud now that I see the difference.
Vanity .....The bible says something like (I'm not good at quoting exactly) vanity of vanities, all things but to love God is vanity.
I just looked at a picture taken 6 years ago of a relaxing vacation I took in Florida with my Mom. Just the two of us, having a good time, I was younger, better fit, prob better looking lol, maybe, and happy.........and.....the atmosphere was GREAT!
Seeing myself relaxing in a hot tub reminds me of what God has in store for us, that he has prepared a place for us, Wow!
Anyway, vanity is foolish. Take it from me, Instead of always trying to look pretty for the camera like I did, or thinking everyone's watching me in the crowd or room, take time to develop your intellect, your manners, your etiquette, your mind, your beliefs. For God did not create us to be above one another and we know that as Christians we are no better than each other.