Wordly Nuggets of Wisdom

Yesterday was a bummer of a day.  I wrote about my insecurities in the morning and then suffered from them all day long.  Awesome.

So I am thinking a little refresher course on how, exactly, we overcome people pleasing tendencies and insecurities about what others think would be an excellent thing to do.  Know that this morning I am writing more to myself than anyone else. . .

I think we'll do things a little backwards this time, though.  Instead of just marching onward with some passionate conversation about why we shouldn't be insecure, I think I'll take a little time to share what I think the world's advice is.  These nuggets of 'wisdom' are the lies our culture is feeding us.  I believe that these lies are at the very heart of most of our insecurities as girls. . . I also believe that its a lot easier to live out the truth once we've recognized and rejected the lies. 

So here we go, in no particular order (and with a little exaggeration and maybe a hint of sarcasm for effect):


Overcoming Insecurity the World's Way
 

1.  Do whatever it takes to get a guy to like you.  You are worthless without a boyfriend.

You won't see that written quite so bluntly on the cover of any magazine, but let me assure you of this:  the message is loud and clear.  That whole in your heart would fade into oblivion if you could just obtain the affections of the 15 yr old stallion in your chemistry class.  Everything is better with a boyfriend.

2.  You should probably have some kind of plastic surgery. . . there's got to be something wrong with your face. . .

At some point in your life you might have thought that you were a pretty decent catch.  My 4 yr old daughter thinks she is stunning.  But don't worry, that will change eventually.  The world will work its way into her perception and she'll suddenly realize that her once flawless face falls waaayy short of anything great.  It is important to recognize that there are just some things that won't get better until you get them surgically altered. 

3.  You should be 20 lbs thinner.  Then you'll be happy.

I don't care how much you weigh.  I don't care what your healthy body weight is.  Losing weight is the answer to all of your problems.

4.  You would be wise to just do whatever everyone else is doing.  They'll think your a loser if you don't.

If you are feeling insecure, you should figure out which group of kids at school will make you feel cool and just do whatever they're doing.  It might feel yucky at first, but eventually you'll get over it.  It will feel so good to be with the 'in' crowd that you'll totally forget you ever disagreed with the lifestyle you'll be living anyway!

5.  It would help to emulate celebrities who are famous for nothing except living explosive, dramatic, unhealthy, completely self-obsessed lives. 

This is great stuff.  Really, you should just spend as much time watching reality tv as you can.  Nothing but good can come from hours of watching people fight, go shopping, make out, and gossip.  Just pray as you watch that one day you can be as cool as them.


6.  Don't worry about it!  You're not as lame as _______.

If you are feeling down about yourself, one of the best ways to feel better is to think of someone who is even lamer than you.  And if you can't think of anyone lamer than you, you should find someone vulnerable and make them feel lamer than you.  Then you'll feel better.


7.  Three words that will cure any problem in your life:  just love yourself.

 If all of these brilliant tactics fail at boosting your self confidence, then don't worry about it.  You can just mentally decide that you are fabulous!  Love yourself - your whole self.  It doesn't matter what issues you have, you have the power to change your perspective.  Repeat after me:  "I am beautiful.  I am special.  I am cool.  I am perfect."  Just keep sayin' it till you believe it. 


So. . . what do you think?  Am I totally off base or do you agree that some form of all of these messages is hitting us in the face each and every day? 

I want you to pay careful attention to the signals and cues you are getting today.  They might be subtle, but I think you'll find that most of the people around you are believing these lies to one extent or another.  I also want you to ask yourself this question:  how is working out for them?  

You might also want to take a careful look at your own life and and see if on some level you've been duped into believing these lies too. . . in which case you should ask youself this:  how is it working out for you?

There is a better way.  There is truth to combat these lies.  And there is a life that flows out of those truths that will surpass anything you've ever imagined.