Last semester in my Psychology class I learned that teenagers have a tendency of believing everyone around them is watching what their doing. And the funny thing is that there is a name for this mentality. In learning more about this, I realized I related so much. When I was a freshman and sophomore in high school, I was not comfortable in my own skin and who I was. I had a hard time making friends at school, and I usually felt like an outcast. I had this distorted idea that people at school didn't care about me, didn't want to give me the time of day, and that I was some sort of burden to be around. Most days after school, I had to walk a small distance from the school to a park where I was going to be picked up. I always dreaded that walk because I felt as though so many people passing by in their cars would be looking at me and seeing me, and I was not comfortable in what I looked like. I was not comfortable and happy with my body image. So after a while I asked a friend for a ride down the street to the park just so I wouldn't have to go through feeling like that. When I look back now, I realize how wrong those thoughts were. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. - Psalms 139:13-14 Today, I am comfortable and content in my body and who I am. I love who I am. If I find it necessary to drop a few pounds, then I have the power and determination and strength to do so. But my body is unique and different than anyone else's, and I love it. I have friends and people in my life who remind me of this truth. I am not an accident or a mistake or flawed. I've learned that once I wholeheartedly invest this truth into my life, it doesn't only change the way I think but it also changes how I act. It means i'm okay not wearing make up every day because I feel the need to impress someone. I'm okay with acting really silly and quirky sometimes just because I can. I'm okay wearing or doing things also just because I can. I'm okay not caring what someone else thinks if I decide to eat a lot of something. And it means I try my best not to take into consideration the opinions of others when making a decision. It's so important to be as comfortable as you can with who you are. Are you not always comfortable and content with who you are? Just recently I finally found what I consider to be the perfect name for this blog and my little corner of the internet, Young and Lionhearted. It originated from a workshop at a women's conference I went to earlier this year. I absolutely love the message it sends in two words. That I am young and I have the heart like a lion. I am brave, strong, determined, and courageous.
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This is a blog about the ups & downs of early
adulthood, God's goodness & faithfulness, & life in other countries. “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
Habakkuk 1:5 NIV Archives
June 2017
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