Disclaimer: This post may not resonate with my male readers at all, although I'm curious if there's an equivalent struggle in your experience.
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Chris and I went to see OU's performance of "The Three Musketeers" yesterday evening. We found the theater a perfect place for one of our favorite activities: people watching.
As a former drama nerd, I particularly enjoyed micro-analyzing the actors and actresses, from stars to swings.
One minor actress caught my attention. She's a very distinctive character that I see on campus quite often. She's probably as short, if not shorter, than me (I'm 4'11'), which I must admit is nice to see. She is equally petite. She also has a veritable head of blond, tightly-wound curls (think Little Orphan Annie).
What struck me about her, though, was how she commanded the stage without speaking a line. At her height, she could easily become lost in the crowd, but her was step decidedly bold and her smile broad and vibrant any time she participated in a scene. She clearly loved being on stage!
During intermission, I saw some elderly couples--they composed 80% of the audience--crowding around the wall where cast members' pictures hung. Two couples gathered before the curly-haired actress's photo and said, "Look at her. She is just beautiful."
I think she knew it, too; not in vanity, but in confidence. In this day and age, what powerful knowledge to have!
As a short woman, I complain about being short. I hear curly-haired women complain about their unmanageable curls. But this girl was so comfortable in her skin that she owned all the qualities culture likes to decry. It was inspiring, simply watching her.
I pray to God I will learn to be comfortable and confident in my skin. I see increasing redemption in this area of my life each day, yet I have a long way to go. Last night was an encouraging reminder to keep pursuing that freedom!
Learning to embrace our "skin" as you so aptly put it, is a wonderful thing. And as we embrace all that God created us to be, learning to rejoice in His creation (us!) as He does, we experience true freedom and joy. Love how our Father places those reminders right in front of us. :)
ReplyDeleteLove you, daughter-in-heart!
Learning to good with how you are is invaluable. Whatever the issue or issues is/are that we feel to be our "inadequacy" would only be replaced by something else.
ReplyDeleteGod does not fret about if you are too tall or too short or too fat or too thin. He says that He made you perfectly. Why is it that it is so hard for us to believe what He has said about us?
Blessings and peace as you grow in this maturity.
Love you.
Learning to be good with how you are is invaluable.
ReplyDelete(Corrected...)
Jaimie,
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, I think everyone struggles with these issues, whether it's feeling beautiful/attractive for girls or confident/strong for guys.
I will say, it's way better to be a short girl than a short guy. My guess is that the valuation of "short" as a girl is fairly neutral. Just as many people find it cute as find it (insert negative attribute). I, personally, think it's cute.
Being short as a guy makes you weak and inadequate. (Just look at the social order among guys, being tall conveys a significant social advantage). I've struggled with feeling too short, and I'm pretty average for a guy.
I just returned from The Three Musketeers. Unfortunately, I did not notice this certain actress. (Now I kind of wish I could go watch it again) Anyways, I think it's wonderful that you can go to an entertainment event and learn such thought-provoking lessons. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I also love people-watching. Definitely a favorite pastime.
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