The young women in my generation focus way too much on this issue. period. The young women in my generation derive too much self worth from this issue. period. The young women in my generation equate their bodies with being women. period. Well I'm here to say our bodies are only a part of what makes us women.
As I grow into the woman I want to become, I've come to one conclusion:
I want to be comfortable in my body.....being.
What does my soul say about me? What are the traits that I possess that my husband does not because he is of a different gender? What are the things about my soul and my being that make me a woman? What am I lacking in my character or person that I want to change? I don't want to be comfortable in my body, I want to be comfortable in my being.
Real women have curves, real women have thigh gaps, real women this, real women that. Social media and the ad agencies are at fault for making me feel bad about myself, I blame society, men have unrealistic expectations about women's bodies, Victoria's Secret should be ashamed for running an ad with women who look like that...
I am so SICK of this! How about we spend less time worrying about what people who don't even know us think of us or what we project on ourselves purely based on what we 'think' they think about us and more time about the people around us who we affect on a daily basis? What do the people closest to you think about you? Are you being a woman to those people?
These are the things I want people to think about me when they think of the woman I am.
Was Katelyn forgiving today when she didn't have to be? I want people in my life to see me as forgiving. I want to possess mercy in my being, especially, when it's hardest to do so.
Does Katelyn go out of her way to do nice things for others? I want to always make bright spots in people's day, no matter how small they seem.
Katie is so funny! Maybe it's a little conceded, but I want to make others laugh! I want to put smiles on people's faces!
Does Katelyn tell the truth? I always want to be honest and I want to follow God in this pursuit. Telling the truth all the time isn't an easy thing, but God is always with me and following his word will never be wrong.
Does Katie inspire others? Do the words I speak, the messages I deliver, and the conversations I have with people inspire them to be better? I will always try to be a beacon on this Earth. I know it may sound cheesy, but I feel it is part of my calling. I will always try to be that for God because of the many gifts he has given me.
These are just a few things out of a handful that I think about when I think about who I am. Not one of those had anything to do with my body and yours shouldn't either. I am not saying that you shouldn't feel confident about how you look, or exercise to be healthy and happy. What I am saying, is that we never talk about these things. I never see people on social media talking about these things. Why not? We as women need to open up this dialogue and start talking about all of the things that make us women spiritually, emotionally, and mentally...not physically. I much rather see a post about your opinion on the the latest book you read or movie you watched or something in your day that challenged you.
Men have started to get a bad rep in our society. They are often painted in an unflattering light. I'm here to say that that their are decent men. The perfect man will love, honor, and respect your body. He will love you and you'll feel great about yourself inside and out because of it. If you aren't feeling this way or getting this type of attention from a young man, then you are keeping company with the wrong men. That's on you. Part of being a woman is respecting yourself enough to make men respect you too.
It is no secret that my sister is in the modeling industry. I always see girls bashing on this industry. Oh, they are so photo shopped. Oh, everyone compares their bodies to model's bodies..that's so unrealistic. Well, I would say 80% of the time when my sister goes on a 'call' she hears things like this:
"sorry, you're too short"
"sorry, you're too tan"
"sorry, you're too skinny"
"sorry, you need to tone up"
People look at these young women like they aren't young women. It's easy to envy them and be jealous of them based off of your own insecurities, but they face the same trials as we all do. Some women even face them as a career. Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking you to feel sorry for girls in the modeling industry, they chose that path, but the point I'm trying to make is that someone somewhere will always find something wrong with the physical appearance of another. So, it is silly then, to base your self worth, and your self confidence, and your comfort level on something that will never be perfect.
The perfection we all should be striving for is perfecting the person we are and the change we can have on others around us. When people talk about me I want to hear the words, grace, dignity, self respect, humor, kindness. You want to feel comfortable about the outside? It starts by being comfortable on the inside.
When I lay my head down to sleep at night, I want my heart to be at peace knowing I'm comfortable in my being. It is only then, that I will feel comfortable and confident in my body.
No comments:
Post a Comment