Shhhh.
Can’t you just be quiet?
Are you sure you want to wear that outfit?
Don’t you want to be pretty?
Don’t you want to be liked?
Do you really think that joining that group is a good idea?
Uh oh.
I can hear my inner child ramping up the volume in response.
But I’m not a quiet little birdie like that person who sits in the front row.
I’m not a girl who can magically pull a lovely ensemble out of her closet.
What kind of questions are those about being pretty and liked?
Is there anyone who desires to be ugly and unwanted?
But that group is filled with sweet friends who share my enthusiasm.
Yes, my voice tends toward the outdoors-y volume too often, and my choice of clothes is, well, mine.
But it’s me.
It’s who I am.
It’s who He made me to be, all live out loud, not yet fully polished, fun and colorful, offbeat, wonderful me.
Won’t you throw off those wet blankets of discouragement, of trying to be what everyone else wants you to be, and join me in letting your true self dance loudly and brightly to the beat of your unique drum?
Let’s go!
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Follow the link above to read and be encouraged by what others have to share. We’d love to hear from you as well, so feel free to leave a comment today. Thanks for coming by!
Sharing at No Ordinary Blog Hop
Image credit-Yu Cheng Hsaio
How cute! I came over from Lisa Jo’s place. I love the photo of the kitty and I’m glad you can be yourself. We should celebrate the way God created us. Have a great day!
Beth
Thanks for coming over, Beth! We do need to celebrate ourselves, but so often we are so worried about what other people will think, or about fitting in.
Yay! Live it out loud girl! The world needs each unique voice and God is so gracious to decorate his world with one of a kind us-es! That picture is hysterical!
I love the image of all of us making up this joyful, talking quilt, so colorful, so bright and joyful, and so very LOUD! Just imagine all of us in the same room-yikes! That’s in a good way, of course.
“Won’t you throw off those wet blankets of discouragement, of trying to be what everyone else wants you to be, and join me in letting your true self dance loudly and brightly to the beat of your unique drum?” Well said!
Thanks Eileen. I hope I have encouraged you today to do a little this-is-wonderfully-made-me jig of life!
That cat is sooo cute! Yes we truly are fearfully and wonderfully made and have every right to be all that God wants us to be and cling to His mercy and love. Thank you for stopping by at classic-hymns.com.
I loved the image of that cat, too, Nicole. He just said I am so LOUD to me! Thanks for coming by.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for the article on tinnitus. I will check it out. My ringing never stops. Not ever. It changes volume, but never ceases. And honestly, as long as it stays low enough, which is generally does, I usually forget about it unless I am doing something like writing about it. A bigger consider is how much hearing loss has accompanied it…that seems to be getting worse each year and I am 36. But it isn’t something I think about much….until someone asks me write about the word LOUD!
How inspiring to know someone who is so comfortable with who God made her. I wonder, have you always been that way?
I am so sorry for your tinnitus and hearing loss.
I had to laugh at your comment that I am so comfortable with myself. True, I do have a certain level of “I’m ok with myself”, but it has been a very long road, with long, long stretches of feeling unworthy, of being envious of others’ gifts, of thinking that holding a mediocre job was as good as it was going to get because I just didn’t have any real skills.
I still suffer and struggle in different ways , especially in regards to never feeling very well put together. I told a friend the other day that I have dropped in complete surrender so many times over so many behaviors and beliefs that I should have completely broken and dislocated both of my kneecaps.
Fortunately, God is so good and full of grace and forgiveness.
For a taste of my journey, you can check out this post: http://www.toodarnhappy.com/2011/09/08/doing-different-stamina-challenge-day-4-and-time-to-tell-my-story/
Thanks so much for coming by and sharing with us.
Amen! As I get older, I am much more comfortable in my own skin than I was in my 20’s. It doesn’t bother me to run out to the store without makeup and wearing older lounge around clothes.It’s really quite liberating and satisfying to dress like I want to dress and not worry about it.
I agree with you there, Deb. I think there is something about being older that helps us be more comfortable with who we are. It is liberating to be freed of the “but what will they think” type of worries!
Totally agree! Be yourself – Everyone else is taken!
Oh, my gosh, thanks for the laugh this morning! I have never heard that-I love it!