If you are anything like me, at some point during the course of your life you would have struggled with some insecurities. Persons have insecurities in relation to their voice, weight, disabilities, fashion sense and so many other areas. For me it was feeling that because of my height that I was not taken seriously. Being 36 and 4ft 10'' is by no means the norm. Not to mention the fact that I do not have a 'big' personality which is normally associated with shorter individuals. So I've often felt ignored, overlooked, underestimated and undermined.
Even something as simple as purchasing clothes became a task. I have had to come to peace with the fact that for certain items of clothing that I will have to adjust them. It took a while to arrive at that point of peace because I despised being different. I wanted to fit in, to feel a part of. That sense of belonging was what I was seeking. The reality is that I look half my age. For many this would seem like a non-issue. Some would even say girl by the time you have arrived at an older age you would still look young which in their eyes would be an advantage. It took a while for me see that blessing.
So where am I now? As an older woman have I made peace with how God made me? Is the fountain of youth now a point of pride? Well let me tell you that it has been a journey, but the woman you see now is not the same woman pre 30's. I am now more secure in who I am and who God made me to be, because the reality is I am who I am. You can do all the cosmetic procedures available and you would still be intrinsically you. Same spirit, soul and personality which is the essence of who you are. Being different is not a curse but rather an opportunity to stand out among the billions of people on the planet. It is not until I started to affirm the the blessing in who God made me to be that things began to turnaround for me. I mean why would I want to be like, look like or behave like anyone else?
Coming to peace with my height has allowed me not to stress about things that I can't change but to find ways to adjust. This means knowing that yes I will have to adjust the length of that pants or dress. Yes I will have to place a cushion in my vehicle to make it more comfortable to drive. Yes I will have to adjust the mic stand when I sing. The most thing important thing is that I own my own vehicle, I can afford to buy new clothes and God has blessed me with a voice to minister whenever the opportunity arises. Everything else is minor hence non essential. I love to say that it won't change the price of rice so why stress over it?
So what is your area of insecurity? Don't let it take you getting older to appreciate the things about you that seem different. Those are the things that make you uniquely you. Use those things to stand out in your gifting. Use them to your advantage and highlight them. Oftentimes the areas you despise are what people love about you. So surround yourselves with people who affirm you. Let people see you walking confidently in who you are and not living in regret. Which like me may be embracing the fact that the fountain of youth has found me! I will look like I am in my 30's forever. Lol #praying #ageless #fountainofyouth
Lovely piece...funny enough I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm 5'9" and for a while it made me so insecure but like you said celebrate what makes you different and walk in that confidence.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's interesting to see how insecurities vary from person to person and the journey we all have to take to self acceptance. I would never have thought someone at 5'9 would have bèen uncomfortable. #OurJourneys
DeleteLove it! The journey is indeed different for each of us. Self-acceptance is key.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It really is key. We can't truly walk out our calling until we learn to love all of us
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ReplyDeleteThis is really lovely Dahlia. God made us special and unique in our own little way. Keep Bless
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