As someone in her early twenties, it’s easy for me to obsess about what I see on television, what celebrities are doing or the latest fashion. It’s exhausting to keep up with it all. I let those material things define my expectations. I start to compare my life and finances to my friends or people I idolize. That’s enough to drive any person crazy.
I used to hate my size (weight). Certain clothing didn’t look right on me. I would throw a tantrum if I didn’t have the latest shoes. I became insecure around boys. I didn’t take compliments well because I always thought that person was being sarcastic or funny. Now, I can see how my low self-esteem and insecurities led me to push away people who were close to me. Like most girls, I went through a stage where I believed having a boyfriend and friends were “cooler” than good grades, ambition and career goals. Not anymore!
I still have flaws and personal goals to accomplish, but I am totally satisfied with being imperfectly perfect. God made me this way and He doesn’t make any mistakes. Every day I wake up reminding myself there are people who are not as fortunate as me and to always count my blessings. I might not look like Beyoncé or be worth millions like Miley Cyrus, but I am blessed and highly favored in ways money can’t buy.
Society puts wealth and celebrities in the spotlight, but I don’t let that make me less worthy. Not anymore! It’s all about self-motivation, believing in myself and not letting anyone take that from me.
Lidia Brown is an intern with Women of the ELCA.