This morning my facebook post said, “Thankful that I’m comfortable in my skin, with who I am, how I look, what I believe in and how I live – All the thanks goes to God ♥”.  I wrote it, walked away and began to get ready to go pick up some Christmas things.

For some reason, I was thinking…I wonder if people will in any way think that was vain, especially the part about being happy with how I look.  I’m hopeful people won’t take that the wrong way.

To elaborate, maybe I can take you back to high school.  Was anyone ever insecure, trying to “fit in” or mold yourself to a ever changing standard?  Did you think you were too fat, too thin, too quiet, too loud?  Were you jealous?  Did you secretly wish certain people liked you more, paid you more attention?  Were you a part of the ‘in” crowd, but too scared of the ramifications of reaching out to those who weren’t?  Did you morph yourself into every boyfriend you ever had taking on their likes, dislikes as your own, turning yourself into someone you didn’t recognize?  Everyone had their own set of issues, fears, concerns.

I don’t remember when things really began to change for me, maybe in my thirties, about the time I renewed my faith.  Coincidence?  Not for me.  I also know that the many things we go through in life also mature us and change us. 

I just know that one day I realized that I was no longer bound to what the world and the magazines and whoever was the most popular told me was socially acceptable or a worthy goal.  I am very capable of deciding how to dress, how to please my husband and raise healthy, happy children.  My guidebook is the bible, not Cosmo, and strangely enough, I’ve done well.

If I could give a gift, all wrapped up in a BIG RED BOW, to all of the younger women I know, I would tell them this.  Love the you that God made you to be.  We were not all created to be cookie cutter images of each other or of some pop culture icon.  Be healthy, exercise self-control, give much, love more, and cherish moments, not things (can never say this enough), be happy with your body; take care of it as you will need it for a long time, but don’t make it your God or an obsession.  After all, beauty is fleeting.  It’s what’s on the inside that’s going to last and make the biggest impression, good or bad.

Find that peace that comes with knowing who you were created to be.  Recognize your unique gifts and talents and use them to promote love, kindness and peace.  Keep the faith!

Be Blessed!