don't let anything change you
Last week, I went to this conference put on by a couple VCE students from my school. (You'd call them seniors over there in America.) It was for girls, and the slogan thingomabobby was, "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken."
It was pretty amazing. We had speakers, electives, a chocolate fountain... fairy floss, marshmallows, Subway for lunch, friends, photos and, well, fun.
We had this one speaker, her name was Georgie. And she had us ask eachother what the rules for "our group" were. As in, what kind of people do we accept?
Well, thinking totally honestly, we realized that you sort of have to be what we classify as "normal". If you're just different and no-one else accepts you, well...
And that's not cool, I know. *Coughs* Actually, that probably is cool. But sense when is being mean and exclusive cool?
Anyway, going on with it. See this diagram? Well, Georgie showed us something that looked like this -- and explained that on the Social Ladder (Yeah, that's what I'm calling it. I forget the name she gave it.) we all rate ourselves something, even if we don't say it out loud. So like in the picture -- say you rate yourself a 7. Well, you're going to find yourself hanging out with either other '7's' or above. Not below.
With a few exceptions.
You see, the Social Ladder isn't real. Nope.
I'm about to give you some awesome news.
You're a 10. That's right -- I'm a 10, too.
It doesn't matter what anyone says. Doesn't matter what you look like, what people think of you.
You're a 10.
Every single person on this earth is a 10.
We don't all know it, is all.
But the sooner we figure it out, the sooner we realize.
There doesn't need to be such thing as a loner. You can go sit with that person and say hi. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks -- be it your friends, the guy you like or even your teacher or family. I mean, think back to a time you struggled. Was there a person that was there for you, even though they might've been laughed at or made fun of -- just for helping you? For being a good person, for loving you like Jesus loves you?
I want to be that girl. I want to be the one who doesn't care what people say. The girl who knows she's a 10. That Jesus loves her, and then she loves Him and that's all that matters.
Being accepted doesn't matter. Being a part of every little inside joke. Having people like you, saying something funny just so that people will think you're hilarious.
Being cool. There's no such thing.
Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.
"the only expectation of me is to be myself."
So, my dear, stand strong. Do not let anything change you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted. -- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Listen to your heart.
Emii
It was pretty amazing. We had speakers, electives, a chocolate fountain... fairy floss, marshmallows, Subway for lunch, friends, photos and, well, fun.
We had this one speaker, her name was Georgie. And she had us ask eachother what the rules for "our group" were. As in, what kind of people do we accept?
Well, thinking totally honestly, we realized that you sort of have to be what we classify as "normal". If you're just different and no-one else accepts you, well...
And that's not cool, I know. *Coughs* Actually, that probably is cool. But sense when is being mean and exclusive cool?
Anyway, going on with it. See this diagram? Well, Georgie showed us something that looked like this -- and explained that on the Social Ladder (Yeah, that's what I'm calling it. I forget the name she gave it.) we all rate ourselves something, even if we don't say it out loud. So like in the picture -- say you rate yourself a 7. Well, you're going to find yourself hanging out with either other '7's' or above. Not below.
With a few exceptions.
You see, the Social Ladder isn't real. Nope.
I'm about to give you some awesome news.
You're a 10. That's right -- I'm a 10, too.
It doesn't matter what anyone says. Doesn't matter what you look like, what people think of you.
You're a 10.
Every single person on this earth is a 10.
We don't all know it, is all.
But the sooner we figure it out, the sooner we realize.
There doesn't need to be such thing as a loner. You can go sit with that person and say hi. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks -- be it your friends, the guy you like or even your teacher or family. I mean, think back to a time you struggled. Was there a person that was there for you, even though they might've been laughed at or made fun of -- just for helping you? For being a good person, for loving you like Jesus loves you?
I want to be that girl. I want to be the one who doesn't care what people say. The girl who knows she's a 10. That Jesus loves her, and then she loves Him and that's all that matters.
Being accepted doesn't matter. Being a part of every little inside joke. Having people like you, saying something funny just so that people will think you're hilarious.
Being cool. There's no such thing.
Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.
So, my dear, stand strong. Do not let anything change you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted. -- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Listen to your heart.
Emii
very encouraging, Emii thanks
ReplyDeleteYeah, me too. I want to be a 10 and show it. We must be ourselves that is SO right!!
ReplyDeleteI love that theme. I think to be yourself is something so many people struggle with these days. Because there's a part in everybody that wants to belong, fit in, and be cool. Beautiful post Emii! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing. I'm pathetic and struggle with thinking I'm a 2 and some people are tens. I will definitely bookmark this and read it often!
ReplyDeleteAmazingly, awesomely, inspiringly touching post. Yup, nuff said.
ReplyDeleteWait, did I mention I love this post? Okay.
Keep up the awesome blog for the Lord!
In Christ,
Kimberly
Wonderful post Emii! That is so true, that we should love the way Jesus loves. He invited the people that society shunned.
ReplyDeleteMy church at college started a hospitality ministry, in hopes that no one walks out the doors feeling forgotten. I hope people that feel alone get to read your post or someone finds them. :)