Self esteem. Where does our opinion of what we think we should look like come from? Today we are surrounded with images that tell us how we should look to be considered beautiful.
We are bombarded with pictures and images that tell us to reach for an false standard to be considered beautiful. This if for both men and women: Women are shown as tall, thin, perfect hair, complexions and bodies. Men are to have the chiseled face, six pack abs, a golden tan and a full head of hair. Why? Who tells us we need to look like this to be beautiful!
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
There is nothing wrong with wanting to “look good”, be fit, exercise and strive to be the best person you can be. In fact, every one of us should strive to be the best we can and reach our full potential with the gifts and talents we were given. But do it for yourself and your own health and well being not because society says you need to look a certain way to be considered beautiful. It is a lie!
By reaching for a standard that is not real you set yourself up for failure and disappointment every time. This in turn will destroy your self-esteem. You will never think your are good enough when nothing but the opposite is the truth.
“The mind is like a fertile garden. It will grow anything you wish to plant – beautiful flowers or weeds… Do not allow negative thoughts to enter your mind for they are the weeds that strangle confidence.” – Bruce Lee
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”
I know many of you are made to feel inadequate by others that think they are better than you, but if someone truly loves who they are they would not feel the need to tear others down. Those mean spirited people have their own self esteem issues. In order to feel better about themselves they attack and ridicule others. “At least I’m better than them” is what they need to think.
Don’t buy in to the lie and give others power over you and your happiness. Love your self and know that your are beautiful!
You’re Not Alone!