We live in a world that tells us we aren’t good enough.
We live in a world that conditions us to think that the proper response to a compliment is to devalue ourselves and disagree.
We live in a world that tells you that you’re conceited if you say anything good about yourself.
We live in a world that then turns around and complains about the negativity, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.
We live in a world that puts us down and then asks why we feel defeated.
Well, what would happen if we allowed ourselves to recognize our goodness?
What if I told you that you are good enough and you’re allowed to accept a compliment and you’re allowed to love who you are?
The thing is, people don’t look beautiful. Sure, they might fit the beauty standards that our society has deemed as desirable. People may have a “perfect” body, hair, etc. But humans weren’t created to be just looked at.
People are beautiful.
If you believe that God created you, then you in turn have to believe that you are also beautiful. God doesn’t make bad things. He doesn’t fail or make mistakes.
You are not a mistake.
It’s time to spark a movement. It’s time to tell the world that you ARE beautiful. No matter if you fit the imaginary cookie cutter mold or not. You are intricately complex, intelligent, blessed, valued, and unique.
It’s time to start handing out compliments like our lives depend on it.
I want us all to walk past our reflection without cringing and not have to convince ourselves that we are beautiful.
Think of the top five most beautiful people you know. For me, the people that come to mind may not be a size 0, have perfect teeth, an acne-free face, and they don’t cake on makeup every day to hide their true identity. Their beauty (as cheesy as it sounds) truly radiates from inside them. The most beautiful people I’ve ever met are beautiful because they are kind, full of passion, loving to all, and are not afraid to get their hands dirty.
The most beautiful people I know are the people who see the elaborate beauty of each person and thing they see. They strengthen others up and speak loving truth into others’ lives. They strive to better themselves and never settle for less than their best. They give everything they have without reservations–money, time, love, wisdom, etc. They leave things better than they found them and they work diligently with all of their heart. They don’t care if they are late for a meeting if it means they are able to hug someone who has never been told they are worthy of love. They know that there is more to life than making money and dying. They appreciate each person because they have just as much value as themselves.
These are the kind of people that should be plastered on the cover of magazines. You don’t need a big butt and a small waste to worthy of being loved.
So I’m here today to tell you that you are beautiful.
I’m here to tell you that you are enough.
I’m here to say that you do have value.
You don’t need to fit the mold that society forces on us.
I’m writing to you today to spark a movement of recognizing our unique, individual value. I want compliments to flow freely from our mouths that don’t just remind them of the cute scarf they’re wearing today, but to let people know that you really appreciate their sense of humor or that you love the way they laugh or that the comments they make in class have really helped you out and you think they are really intelligent.
Let’s value ourselves more by starting to value others more.
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
His Joy Awaits Me 