What’s behind door #1? YOU.

Middle and High School icebreakers and leadership exercises are filled with games that encourage “getting to know you” by describing yourself–personality, likes, dislikes, characteristics, my favorite, etc… As adults, we don’t often have the same opportunities to describe ourselves accordingly, so for kicks and giggles, I thought we’d do a little social experiment.

Stop what you are doing right now and think of 5 words to describe yourself, sunshine. Not what others say or think about you—
words YOU would use to describe you. GO.

Ok. Times up.

So you wanna hear mine? Courageous, bold, resilient, joyful, and beautiful. Yep, that’s right. Beautiful, baby.

No, I am not conceited or vain, just honest. Let me explain.

While the last is not the like the others, as society defines this word from outward appearances in symmetry, pronounced cheek bones, and a slew of other distinctive features and traits, I celebrate the awesomeness that radiates from the inside that gives me a glow and infectious energy that make others note my “striking” beauty.

I didn’t always use the word beautiful to describe myself, though, in fact, I was one of the majority of women who didn’t. Sadly, less than 4% of women in the world use beautiful to describe their looks. Were you in the minority or majority, sunshine?

Let’s be real. There are some days that I have to really make an effort and choose to feel beautiful (note: I did not say look beautiful) because there are some things that yoga pants and a baseball hat can mask quite well. But along my faith journey, I realized that God knit me together in my mother’s womb and that I am beautifully and wonderfully made. (Ps. 139: 13-14) Also, I learned that while man looks at the outward appearance, God looks  at my heart. (1 Sam 16:7)

With this enlightenment,  I started reminding myself that I was beautiful, and the craziest thing happened. I began believing it.

That is my highest hope for you, too, sunshine. I pray that you see, feel, and experience your beauty inside and out and that it emanates and radiates to the world around you. Perhaps you use these scripture passages as reminders that you are beautiful, on-purpose, and designed perfectly the way He intended. 

Share with me your five words and pledge to celebrate your beauty.
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Finally, watch this video and ponder, which door would you enter?

Hope to see you behind door #1, sunshine.
With love,
Frannie