My mind is an interesting place. I was listening to a catchy tune (Jamie Grace’s God Girl) while working out this morning. I’m not really an uber-feminist or anything like that, in fact, my feminist views are quite schizophrenic to say the least…it boils down to the fact there’s no standard woman or no standard man, strive to be what you envision right and true based on faith, values, and morals. Anyway…
I got to thinking. The battle I face–the battle we all face–in whatever efforts we put forth for self improvement are truly a war. We battle society’s views of how we should look or act or react…there’s not a lot of place for us to find our own individual way without falling prey to that which is new, shiny, and popular. Let’s face it, isn’t being an individual kind of the majority stance in the first place?
There’s no right or wrong way to work on ourselves. As long as you are not harming yourself or others in the process, why not try it? Yes, there’s always the latest and greatest fad, people that will believe their way is the only way, and others still that will make themselves a walking billboard for inevitable disaster. That’s their choice. And I make mine.
I follow a lot (okay, hundreds) of wellness and fitness pages on Facebook. I do this purposely to keep my newsfeed flooded with positivity and reminders that trigger my brain to keep my head in the game. Do I like everything I see? Absolutely not. I see women self destructing before my eyes trapped in a never ending cycle of the underlying “stuff” in their lives going unchanged while trying to mask the exterior with smiles and external transformations. Does this make their journey any less valid? Absolutely not. Do I speak my mind and tell them what they are doing is “wrong”? Not often. There a few times, with the Holy Spirit’s prompting, I will send a private message trying to turn a negative into a positive and be encouraging, but expressing concern for a specific action that may be harming themselves. Do I give people unsolicited advice as to what to eat, how to exercise, or what they need to do to deal with their problems? Gosh, I sure hope not–if I do, it’s certainly unconsciously and unintentional. I only say these things because it’s how I want to be treated. I’m a harsh judge of myself, I don’t need the peanut gallery–other than trusted people who I have empowered to keep me accountable (friends, family, experienced health professionals)–to throw their opinions in too. And I’ll be honest, when the peanut gallery speaks, that’s a pretty small grain of salt.
Harsh? Maybe. But I’ve reached a point in life where it’s not about me anymore. It’s not about skinny or popular (HA! Like that’s going to happen!) or notoriety or success. It’s about becoming the woman God has created me–just me–to be.
That’s the beauty in all this crazy mess of life. God has created each and every one of us to be unique creations. We don’t have to fit into the mold of the world, all we have to do is strive for the potential in which the Creator has destined long before we drew our first breath. We get there in different ways and in different times. Your way is going to look different than my way, as it should, and it’s not my place to judge. I need to stay in my lane and worry about my business. I will always try to be an encourager for people trying to reach their goals, whatever it may be, regardless of my thoughts or disagreement of their approach…I aim to share the positive and keep the negative to myself, out of no other reason than it’s how I want to be treated as well. It is likely only negative to me, and I don’t need to be the one to rain on someone’s parade (unless truly necessary–even scripture speaks of our need to encourage, but also rebuke…appropriately, and according to the instruction that scripture provides on the matter).
So, fight like a girl. I kinda like that mantra. It reminds me of all the different personality facets that go into femininity. It takes my head to a place that my efforts aren’t simply in pursuit of a perfect body, because that simply doesn’t exist, but to improve my whole person–my physical person/health, my mind, and my faith/soul to fit the image of what God has for me. Not sure if I’ve actually made a point in my babbling this morning…but that’s okay. In the words of Jamie Grace, “I’m a God girl that’s who I’ll be. From the top of my head to the soles of my feet. No I can’t deny it, wouldn’t even try, I’m your girl in a crazy world. I’m a God girl that’s who I’ll be.” I hope I’m doing Him proud.
Heart and Sole Fitness & Wellness 