Unique, Different, and Beautiful

Apparently I'm in the blogging "phase" again, but there's just so much running through my mind!


For those of you who don't know, I went to an ankle/foot specialist who told me that my ankle is really badly sprained and jacked up.  So there's the bad news. And instead of a flimsy brace, the doctor put me in a boot so that it doesn't get worse or break. The good news is that it's not broken, which hopefully means that it will heal faster! Which I'm entirely planning on because I refuse to wear a big, ugly boot as a bridesmaid at Makenna Blaser's wedding in May (which I'm kinda freaking out about - MAKENNA'S MARRYING CODY)!


Anyways, as we all know, Thursday was not a good day.  I kinda had a break down.  When it comes to losing physical mobility, even just for a short amount of time, I kind of freak out.  As quirky as it is, exercise is my hobby. I love the way it makes me feel.  I love shaking my booty at zumba, the peace of yoga, running out my frustrations as my hair flops behind me, and the burn of my muscles as I resist opposition.  Even my job is physical as I teach gymnastics (that's not going to be as easy to do now).  And the occasional mini dance parties that I have with the neighbors or by  myself in my room are probably the highlights of my days (no lie).
Also, if you know me, then you also know that I hate having to say "no" to fun things.  And now, here I am, rejecting the opportunities to play sports, go tumbling, and dancing (unless I'm willing to dance with only my arms - which has already occurred anyways).  I even had to cancel on a date last night because we were going to go swimming.  Gratefully, for a date I have today, as soon as I told the guy that I'm in a boot, he and the group changed the date from playing sports to something else (How gentlemanly is that?).


So, yes, it sucks.  It's a big bummer for me.  And it hurts - a lot. However, as I was limping around campus yesterday, I looked to my left and there was a guy in a wheelchair. And there I was, feeling sorry for myself because of my hurt ankle.  Who do I think I am?  I have no right to complain.  Wearing a boot for a while is nothing.  So, this is me getting over it.  My ankle will heal relatively quickly, while the gentleman in the wheelchair may not be so lucky.


And this brings me to my next thought.  Why can't we all just be grateful to have the ability to run, dance, walk, and yes, even fall - because we can get back up. This is where I'm the biggest hypocrite.  Just like most girls, I am always complaining about the many imperfections of my own body. The fact that it's what we've been trained to do is a whole other story (if I get into it, I'll just feel the rage towards society and media).  The point is that we spend so much time hating parts of ourselves when we should be so grateful for them.  We may not be "perfect" in the world's eye, but the abilities we have are amazing.


I don't have the most beautiful voice, but I can sing.  I may be clumsy, but I can dance.  My legs may not be "sticks," but they sure have the muscles to climb up a big mountain. And my hair is not long and glorious like Blake Lively's, but I can rock a high pony tail (and do most days - ha).


The world tells us to be unique, different, and beautiful.  The only problem is that the world also tells us exactly how to be each of those things.  And if we don't do it exactly how they say, then we are suddenly "less than."  What's up with that? We already are UNIQUE, DIFFERENT, AND BEAUTIFUL in the best kinds of ways!  I just think that it's time we stop feeling insecure over the things that really don't matter and accept that we all have our quirks, awkward moments, and bad days.  Lately, I have not entirely loved the phrase, "Focus on the good things, not the bad."  Because isn't it all good?  We can love our quirks even when others don't, we can laugh at our awkward moments, and we can get stronger and learn from those bad days (or even bad weeks, months, and years - as hard as they can be). 


We are all beautiful, and we should feel that way.  And I don't only mean the physical kind of beautiful.  The ways in which we are naturally unique and different emotionally, physically, and spiritually is what makes EACH OF US beautiful.  We are beautiful in our own ways.  And I prefer it that way.  I don't want to be seen as the same "beautiful" as someone else. I know I've written in it past posts, but I just want to be me.  Besides, isn't that the way God meant it to be?


So, as cheesy as it is.... 

And you better BELIEVE IT.