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chin up, beautiful

9.26.2011

i've always loved that saying. always. its just a little reminder to stay positive simply because of who you are. its an expression to let you know that you should keep your head up, reguardless of how you feel. i've been thinking a lot on beauty lately, so i thought i'd share a little.
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i was watching a rerun of a goodmorning show on television a few weeks ago, on which was the topic of young girls and how they view themselves. several girls were interviewed on the show that morning, and i'm telling you - these little girls were simply gorgeous. they were each asked questions, simple questions about themselves - and i was shocked at their replies. each girl admitted she did not feel pretty. most were concerned about not being the right shape or having the perfect body. the girls talked about the different things they would change about themselves if they could. longer hair, a different height, straighter teeth, a freckless face...the list just went on and on and on. they said that when looking into the mirror, they didn't see beauty, instead they wished to be replicas of the models on magazine covers and on television.

chin up, beautiful.
oh how i wish every single little girl could hear that. because in today's world, beauty has somewhat lost its meaning. today beauty is basically defined outwardly. flawless glowing skin, ideal silky hair, long thick lashes...these appearances are constantly pressuring upon girls. it tends to capture their attention from a young age too. i've noticed that even my five year old sister is picking up on these fads and ideas of beauty, because they're portrayed everywhere. she's often asked me if she will grow up to look like the model she saw in a commercial add, or like one of the barbie dolls in her room.  IMG_9055

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when words don't come in reply, i let truth speak.
you are fearfully and wonderfully made. psalms 139:14
charm and beauty fade, but praise to her who fears God. proverbs 31:30
its not whats on the outside that matters, for precious is the heart in our Father's eyes. 1 peter 3:3

 so here's the thing. you don't have to wear makeup and be a size zero to be stunning. there is no such thing as a perfect body, or perfect anything for that matter. we all have flaws - i have countless- but that's what makes us who we are. i tend to struggle with self value and worth. i'm constantly worrying about what other people say about me. and sometimes i find myself trying to change who i am just because of their words. but this is wrong, so very wrong of me. if God only sees us from the inside out, why should any other opinion even begin to matter? i believe that beauty comes from deep inside of you, and nothing can outshine that.
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i want to hear your thoughts on this! do share.

16 comments:

  1. oh such a wonderful post! i whole-heartily agree! :) beauty is whats on the inside :)

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  2. what a beautiful way of thinking, i totally agree. if only more girls our age could think the same way...

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  3. oh madison, this is so good. so many people need to hear this. I'm so happy you wrote it. God fearfully, wonderfully and beautifully made us, and He TREASURES us. I'm with you, I so wish I could tell this to every.single.girl in the world. I wish everyone knew that they can walk in confidence because the King finds favor in them and made them beautiful.

    easily one of your best posts EVER, and that says a lot, because I've been reading dis fromage for ever. ;) have a wonderful tuesday girl!

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  4. oh! and I forgot to say that you should listen to "crags and clay" by gungor. totally fits with this. :)

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  5. what lovely photos!! i just loved this post. the Scriptures, everything. i agree with you. this was beautiful :))
    -jocee <3

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  6. I love this post and all what you have to say.I agree with you on everything and especially on how beauty is define outwardly and not inwardly. A favorite verse of mine is: "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious."
    -1 Peter 3:4

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  7. Hallelujah!!!!!! Beautifully written. Chin up is what caught my eye, because I say it oh so very often. But what a poingant piece of literature! It is very true. My beautiful lil girl - at just THREE - said, "Please cut off all my curly hair!!!! I want straight hair like Emma!!!!" It broke my heart....and I started teaching her what REAL beauty is....thanks for this! For so many reasons....

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  8. darling, I totally agree with everything you said. girls get such a warped few of beauty these days that they're likely to pick themselves to pieces. and I, like you, tend to think too much about what others think of me. all the while we just need to find our worth in Jesus.

    also, you're beautiful. don't forget it. from the very first time I ever clicked a link that led me to your blog, I was struck by how pretty you were. (: truly.

    lovely post, and lovely new design!

    <3, Jenn

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  9. Completely gorgeous. This made my day. Thank you <3
    www.katies-favorite-things.blogspot.com

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  10. Thank you so much for this reminder! This is something I think almost every girl struggles with continually. I certainly do! Why must it be so difficult to discard human opinion and focus on what God sees you as?

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  11. Lovely post!! I agree with you! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. This post is very beautiful. I agree on these values and the pictures are lovely!
    A quick question: how do you make the drop down menus on the right hand side of your blog?
    Thanks,
    ~~ Zoé

    {dreamurdreamzz.blogspot.com}

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