Tag Archives: self esteem

Instagram Identity CHRISTless

I think we can all agree that there’s no shortage of beautiful people on Instagram. Whether their interest is in fashion, fitness, beauty, art or maybe a funky eclectic look at life in general, you can’t deny them. They are there, the beauties of the world. A challenge comes however, when you fail to recognize yourself as one of those beautiful people. When you are fooled into believing that the body, head of hair or face that you are envying is perfect. When you discount yourself, your beauty, your physical attributes or even your hustle! When you let the fact that you are a complete bad ass grinding every day fall by the waste side because you’ve determined that based on some random photo uploaded to an application called Instagram, you aren’t good enough. This, my friends is a direct byproduct of not knowing who you are in Christ.

As an extremely visual person I happen to really enjoy Instagram. I seriously believe the application was made for people like me. From a health, beauty, hair and makeup perspective its focus on imagery and photography inspires me every day. Whether the photos have been extraordinarily altered or not this app never fails to give me ideas that get my creative juices flowing. Much like most other Medias however, there’s another side of Instagram that seems to be challenging the self-esteem and self-worth of many individuals around the world. The answer to this identity struggle, this lack of confidence, is to build a relationship with Christ.

Once you get to know Him, how absolutely beautiful He formed you and how beautiful you still are despite what you’ve been through, then you can begin to appreciate His other creations without feeling inferior. When you grow to understand that you were fearfully and wonderfully made and discover who God has called you to be, no one can make you feel anything less than what you are, royalty.

Pushing the Corporate Envelope

I LOVE pushing the envelope when it comes to wearing my natural hair at work.  I’m in a corporate environment Monday – Friday 7:30 to 4:30 so every day I do my hair in the morning I’m thinking of yet another way that I can do something a little more outstanding than the day before.  Being one of 3 african american individuals on the floor I work on, blending in isn’t really an option.  And I am truly thankful for that!  Outside of the fact that the Book calls me the salt of the earth, intended to offer a bit of spiritual flavor to an otherwise bland atmosphere, I love the idea of contradicting a corporately correct fit with a curly fro or super high mega bun.  I love being different.  My natural hair affords me the opportunity to be different every single day.  Holy Spirit lives in me and my every day goal is to change the atmosphere he puts me in.  Some love me and others love to hate me.  At the end of the day the only thing that matters is that I love me.

Don’t be afraid of wearing your natural hair styles at work. Don’t fear that they could potentially hold you back from advancement. God is your source, your job, is just a resource. Love yourself. Be yourself. And the next time you think about wearing that style you’re just not sure is ok for work…go for it. And don’t just wear it, OWN IT!

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You’re beautiful

Holy Spirit told me to tell you that, you look beautiful. Change your focus from trying to look perfect to being you. You don’t have to do nearly as much as you think to enhance your natural beauty. It’s one thing to do it for a creative outlet or fun but quite another to do it to feel fulfilled and beautiful. BE YOU! Your beauty is inevitable.

Mirror Mirror in the Handicap Stall

Sometimes, going to the bathroom has absolutely nothing to do with going to the bathroom.  That’s probably more true for me than most other people.  I go to the bathroom several times a day just to look at myself.   No, I’m not narcissistic and yes, I have a healthy level of self-esteem.  My reasoning is completely rationale, at least for me.

Part of my Be You Beauty is my love for makeup.  Doing an incredible face beat always makes me feel good.  They say that when you look good you feel good and it really is true!  Despite what may be going wrong in my work day all I have to do is take a trip to the ladies room, lock myself in the handicap stall and look at myself.  I know that probably sounds crazy but in addition to some chat time with JC, it really helps me get through!  I figure hey, it’s ok to have a rough day, but don’t look like it.  And you know what I’ve noticed, the way that I look has a positive affect on the people around me too.  I can’t tell you how many conversations I have a day with different people about my makeup, hair, clothes or nail color.  I think that the effort I put into my appearance inspires others and encourages them to separate themselves from their every day grind.  This is not at all my primary intention but it makes me feel good to have a positive affect on others nonetheless.  Anything I can do, consciously or subconsciously that encourages women to embrace their Be You Beauty is part of me walking in my purpose.

So tomorrow if things get rough, maybe you should take an extra trip to the bathroom.

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