Be YOU

I am equally as comfortable in sweat pants or a ball gown.  When the opportunity arrives for me to dress up and be "fancy," I embrace it.  I love glamour, make-up, sparkles and heels.  On Saturday morning I enjoy lounging in my jammies and/or running errands in sweats and no make up.   I don't dye my hair, wear fake eyelashes(unless required), wear hair extensions(anymore), or use botox.  I do, however, wear Spanx,  lots of make up, and love wearing high heels.  I don't care if you do any of the things I do not do or if you don't do any of the things I do.  I live a happy life being me.

Do I think it is impossible to be yourself with botox, hair extensions and hair dye?  Absolutely NOT.  I think the answer lies in what makes YOU happy!  Each of us has our own list of likes and wants.  Some people use their bath towel more than once and others are afraid to wipe their face on the butt side of their towel.  Each of us is so different and therefore we each have our own needs, wants, and likes.  

I have a friend and when I read her Facebook posts I often cringe.  Her language, tone, or perspective DO NOT usually match mine.  De-friending her is NOT an option only because I value her authenticity.  She reminds me to be the person God made me to be even if it doesn't please everyone.  She reminds me how hard it is to be a mom.  She expresses such deep emotions and anxieties that I can relate to, but with a RAW genuineness that I find refreshing.  

Today, in carpool line, I was asked by one of the moms if her wrinkles were more pronounced than her friend's wrinkles.  The answer was, "Yes."  I went on to say that we all use different parts of our face to express ourselves.  While I don't often raise my eyebrows, I furrow my brow.  Each of us has different wrinkles, possessing their own unique expression.  If you want to Juviderm, Botox, or peel your wrinkles, DO IT!  Do whatever makes YOU happy!  You have one life.  Live it.  Don't look back.  Move Forward one step at a time and like yourself.  Actually, LOVE yourself.  Ok, I'm still working on this one, but it is so important for us to accept who we are.  Recently I was asked, "If you could be anyone else, who would it be?"  I simply answered I wanted to be no one else but the best me I could be.  Truthfully, I think I would do some permanent damage to ANYONE else's life.  

Don't be afraid to be yourself.  You are the perfect you.  Own it.  Figure out what you want to be different about yourself and have a truthful talk.  Is it physical?  Is it emotional?  Is it spiritual?  Address it and move on.  I think one of the most beautiful things I've learned about age is wisdom makes you beautiful.  So many of my friends are older, don't have their high school bodies, and even have some gray hair.  I find them to be a THOUSAND times more beautiful than they were in high school or college.  They start to discover their purpose, their true loves and they strive to reach their potential.  All of the searching culminates in the most wonderful thing of all....FINDING YOU.

In Psalms 139:14, David writes(to see the complete scripture CLICK HERE): 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

Don't run from who you are created to be.  Be you.

I am thankful for who God created me to be, even though I am a lot bit crazy. (Day 128)  Goodnight Friends!
Mercy Me Beautiful is a song that will inspire you.  It makes me cry and reminds me I was not an accident or a mistake.   I am his creation and so are you.


UPDATE:  Please continue to pray for my friend Brent Wells.  He is improving with each passing day and every prayer, but brain injuries are very slow.  Please continue to pray for healing and for his family during this very difficult time as he recovers in the hospital.  His healing daily astounds the doctors and modern medicine, but our God is THAT GOOD!