There is so much beauty that occurs when you look in the mirror, and you are happy with what you see. Not just happy with the way you look, but happy with the way you are. Don’t you know that there isn’t anyone like you? Don’t you know that God was specific in how he designed you; your personality, characteristics, features, and so much more! Unfortunately, we live in a world that tries to dictate who we are. But the result of that is we keep on getting too many of the same type of individuals. Being the same has become so popular, but being different is portrayed as weird or has some negative connotations.
When I was younger, I use to look at myself and feel unsettled. I was unhappy with how I looked. I picked at myself a lot. Criticizing my complexion, my physical features, and just how I looked in general. I didn’t feel pretty, on the inside or the outside. I wanted to blend in and be like women I saw on tv, the internet, celebrities. I wanted to dress like them, wear my hair like them. I basically wanted to be anything but myself!
I’ve also learned that no one tells you the journey it takes to love yourself. No one tells you how long and at what age you start loving yourself. No tells you that sometimes you look for external and internal validation from family, relationships, and friendships. No one says that you try things until you realize that isn’t for you. But it wasn’t until I cried out to God that he began to teach me about my worth and the value of who I am. It wasn’t until God showed me how he designed me specifically by allowing the characteristics that I didn’t like about myself to stand out. These characteristics made me different, special, and set apart from other people. God taught me that I didn’t need to be anyone else but myself.
Now I sit back and enjoy how different I am. I have learned to enjoy the way the Creator has designed me. I look in the mirror, and I smile and tell myself that I love me. I love being different. My difference looks like a homebody who likes to cook or go out to eat, shop at home goods, read, write and spend time with family. No, I don’t really wear makeup, and lately, my hair has been in a puff or two braids. My wardrobe consists of sweat pants, loose dresses, and platform boots or sneakers. And guess what, I love every bit of it because I’m comfortable, happy, and loving myself the way God intended me to do! There isn’t anyone like me. I love that! My name is different, the way I carry myself is different, and how I look is different. It’s all beauty and uniqueness to me!
In a world that wants us to be the same, stand out. Embrace everything about yourself, even things that you don’t necessarily like. You’ll love that you accepted yourself for who you are and who God created you to be. This type of acceptance promotes healing and teaches you how to be comfortable in your own skin.
