Was driving today and was creating a mental list of the lies I've believed for much of my life that I know recognize as such. So thought I'd share, watch out I'm putting some deep stuff on here in the next few days to a week. I'll warn you I'm going to be real and open, totally transparent no holding back, and if you know me well you might hear some of it and be surprised but know in the end I know how my story ends and it's all good :) I'll expand on these in the coming days and explain how I came to realize they were lies so hang with me... just started a 3rd job??
So the lies:
1) Curly hair equals not pretty/beautiful
2) No one is trustworthy or reliable
3) Being a priority to anyone is unrealistic - or at least being in any one's top 2 even is unrealistic
4) Marriages are to be endured not enjoyed by both parties
5) Being alone is scary and uncertain
Seems like there were more when I was driving but that will keep me busy for a while. I'll start tonight with a short story behind #1 and blog more later about how I uncovered the truth.
The Lie: Curly hair equals no pretty/beautiful
Ugh... I should post my 8th grade graduation picture because a picture is worth a thousand words. I'll try to scan it and post it tomorrow?? I said I'm getting real. Growing up in the 80s hair products were still "stone age" and straighteners all had lye in them. Lye can burn your skin (ask Carie my sister). So I had super curly hair that wasn't easily going to be any different. Never felt like I looked like anyone else (whether in real life or on TV or in magazines) because of "all those gorgeous curls" thanks to every 80 year old lady who had the same hair as me!! So then comes 8th grade and this super stylist who can do something different with my hair. Seriously he gave me the same cut as the 80 year old women... cut it super short with some little wisps on the back!? Wonder where he is now... I'd like to thank him? Anyway the neighborhood kids were relentless and so in 8th grade I not so happily got the nickname "Fro" and so began my journey of "unbeautiful." Could anyone with a "fro" ever be beautiful? Not in my 13 year old eyes... I was the ugly duckling. And then came 8th grade graduation pictures where my eyes aren't open, my posture is funny and the "fro" is in full bloom!! So for 22+ years I have held that mental image of that snapshot of that 8th grade graduation picture in my head and been "the fro headed "unbeautiful" kid."
The Truth: to be continued but for a preview check out 1 Peter 3:3-4
There are so many lies we are told and tricked into believing - sometimes for many years. I appreciate your honesty about believing you were "unbeautiful" - Although I didn't have a "fro," I too struggled with this lie since I never had the "right" clothes, hair, make-up, whatever to fit in. I also had the ugly duckling syndrome growing up. I think there are so many young girls (even adults) that fall into that trap, never knowing the truth of 1 Peter 3:3-4. It took me a long time to learn that beauty is from within, but praise God I finally did!
ReplyDeleteSo...from one "unbeautiful" person to another....thank you - thank you for your openness and willingness to share your thoughts and feelings about things we all have, or are struggling with. I can hardly wait to read your next post.
God bless you,
Trace
Is it crazy I'm catching up on your blog and commenting on every post? :)
ReplyDeleteThis one made me cry. I was always the freckle faced red head. That and poor. It took a long time to break through that.
Thank you for sharing.