Frankly Friday…v3

What is Frankly Friday? 

Let’s define Frankly shall we…

. . .
Last week i laid out the fact that i’m in the process of getting my joy back. Thank you {again} for all of your encouraging words; every single time i am blown away by the amount of love and sincere thoughtfulness of each person who comments. <3
. . .
Yesterday i was perusing Yahoo when i came across this…

My initial reaction was “WHAT THE CRAP?! WHO SAYS THAT ABOUT SOMEONE???”.
Honestly this is still my reaction to their “catch title”, i think it’s wrong and degrading…regardless if that is what people call this beautiful woman.
Her name is Lizzie Velasquez and she has a very rare medical condition (that only two other people in the world have) and throughout it all…she has JOY.
I went and scoured through her tumblr yesterday:

 

 

She is so incredibly beautiful and positive, she is my inspiration. 
She has her down days (she talks about them on her tumblr) and gets frustrated at the stares people give her…but she doesn’t let that fully steal the joy that she has.
. . .
While reading the article on Lizzie, and her tumblr, i kept thinking to myself “If i hadn’t read this and i saw her on the street, how would i respond?”. I would hope that i would be graceful, loving, and treat her as the beautiful woman that she is…but a part of me fears i would be stand’off’ish for a moment…just a moment.
The truth is, we as a society value “vanity beauty” above the true beauty of someones heart. 
Why?
When did we start valuing a waist size over the amount of love someone gives?
Or how fantastic someone’s hair looks over the selflessness of another person?
When did we start judging if we would approach someone based on what they are wearing?!
When did we come so unbelievably self-absorbed as a culture??? 
. . .
It shatters my heart.
I, as a woman, struggle with my weight and in turn that effects my self-confidence.
I feel like people stare at me if i’m wearing something that is a little too tight. I feel i get dirty looks from  people “judging me” because i “obviously can’t control my eating habits”. I hate summer because i don’t feel comfortable in a swimsuit (even though i used to be a competitive swimmer).
Why?
Because i have gotten the message that how i look defines who i am. 
That message is false.


here.
It isn’t about what is on the outside…it’s all about what is within my heart. 
Lizzie is beautiful not just outwardly but she is absolutely stunning because her heart and spirit are beautiful.
Our beauty should be measured by:
*How many times we encourage another person.
*How we respond to adversity.
*Who we are when no one is watching.
*How we fight against selfishness.
*Our nurturing ways.
*Our fierce devotion.
*The kindness we offer to a stranger.
& so much more.
. . .
How have you been measuring yourself up to the scale of beauty?
Do you struggle with finding your worth in your outward appearance versus what is on the inside?
I do, i struggle with that…daily.
Let’s take a lesson from the beautiful Lizzie Velasquez, beauty and loving yourself starts on the inside.
You will not be fulfilled by the many shopping trips to the store. 
Your wardrobe (no matter how stylish, expensive, or vast) will never fill the “am i pretty” hole that is within you.
Your beauty will not be affirmed by filling your time finding acceptance from men.
Your beauty will not be found in attempting to find your worth in countless bar nights.
No, beauty is found in the creator…in what really matters…your heart. 
True beauty comes from accepting the fact that you were wonderfully, beautifully, and uniquely made by a God who desires an authentic relationship filled with joy with YOU.
Rest in that knowledge today.
. . .
Feel free to check out Frankly Friday Volume 1 & Volume 2.
I can’t wait to hear your Frankly Friday posts….so link up! 🙂