With this week's theme for the Lens.Us.Together. group being "Flawed"… it set me to thinking about the many things that are flawed; especially my own. I pondered what I could photograph that would reflect a good idea of something flawed. There are broken pieces of china, chipped paint, cracked things, busted things, worn out things and just simple imperfections. I love Leslye's, at Spread Your Wings, photo of her flawed Bible along with her quote:
"A bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t."
I love this...I would call this Worn Strong. Reminds me of my own Bible.
Just about everywhere you look you can find something that is flawed. We have such a high expectation of what is perfect in our eyes that we seem to always find blemishes and defects in everything we look at. We are supposed to be the perfect size, have the perfect outside appearance, the perfect hair, the perfect teeth, and the perfect everything. But I have found that we all have our own personal flaws; some of which are well hidden and some of which are very visible. I have learned that I should accept my flaws and little imperfections and celebrate them. I will celebrate the fact that I can walk with no pain, see clearly with the aid of glasses, and accept the fact that I am who I am.
My body is scared from a crushed ankle, broken leg, a broken heart,
bad dreams, having a baby *I call those love marks*,
too much sun years ago, loving to eat and letting things slide
*I think they are all sliding south*.
In the perfect world I would have little buttons I could push to "fix" my
less than ideal self. Here are a few I would have close by ready to push:
- Skinny
- Longer neck
- Taller
- Soft Skin
- No Wrinkles
- Smarter
- No Grey
- No Scars
- No Blemishes
- Sun~kissed
- Pink Glow
- Flawless Skin
- No Make-up Needed
- Nice Thoughts
- Good Manners
- The Right Words
- Outgoing
- Fuller Lips
- Totally Perfect
These buttons are only available in the perfect world, whatever that is. I think it’s found in TV land and on the covers of magazines. We are absolutely too hard on ourselves, trying to meet those higher standards set forth by unrealistic people. So I’m going to stop beating myself up, and take my buttons, toss them in the ocean and deal with myself the best I can with what I have. I have to accept the fact that God gave me the look He wanted me to have. I’m perfect in His eyes… yet I know I disappoint Him in other areas of my life and I am daily working on those things.
I am a constant work in progress.
Lord, give me the strength to change those things I can. The patience to accept those things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.
I hope the little fishies in the sea will enjoy my buttons
when they figure out how to push them :)
I’ve experienced my flaws
17 comments:
Just LOVE this, Cora! Fabulous post and I'm so glad you threw those buttons away. Love the Serenity Prayer - one of my favorites.
I've experienced my flaws too and I'm going to ignore them...today.
Have a lovely weekend!
love the words and yes, so very true. given the time and the money, we all could be more beautiful on the outside, but you are so beautiful inside and out. one of the kindest souls ever. (hugs) i think you're rather perfectly right.
on another different note - i've quit buying 'beauty' magazines because i no longer want to buy into the 'perfectionism' that they are selling.
Cora, you are wonderful! This is just a wonderful post and I want you to know that I think you are beautiful even though I've never seen big picture of you.
cora...i love you with flaws and all! i have flaws too...and that's okay with me. i really like those shoes in your picture. have a wonderful weekend my friend!
I love the bible quote. That is quite a list of things you would change. Remember God looks at the inside of us.. it is man who judges the outward appearance and I bet God thinks you are beautiful flaws and all. I have come to accept my outward flaws... I do what I can , then rest in the knowledge that God created me and I am what I am .
Blessings!
Gwen
Whatever flaws you think you might have, Cora one of them is NOT dishonesty about yourself! What an amazing, beautiful post.
disarming honesty that is refreshing. few are satisfied with who they are myself included..i remind myself: someone is always, cuter, smarter, richer but not any BETTER!
Cora, this is thought provoking as always. I love the way you make me think! I am going to work on contentment. Have a nice weekend. Twyla
I love this, Cora... Sometimes i am tempted to think of myself as the biggest flaw of all... then I have to remind myself that God made me in His image and He don't make junk... Thank you for sharing. xo Sharon
A beautiful post.
I waffle between embracing my flaws, and wishing them gone. Most of the time trying to find the balance in changing what God wants me to change, and accepting the "stuff" that makes me who I am.
A beautiful post! I heard a few minutes of a radio program yesterday on my lunch break that talked about Hollywood and magazines that push the idea of the perfect body image for women and how hard and impossible it is for most of us. So very true.
this is such an inspiring post. i love it! just love it.
xoxo
Cora,
Wonderful thoughts! I believe everyone has a few buttons they would love to TOSS! Tried your recipe for beef stew, and it was a hit! The boys loved it, and very easy. I cooked my stew beef in the crock pot all day, and then added the cooked meat to the other stewing ingredients! Served on rice with steamed asparagus on the side and home made biscuits!
Wonderful and soooooo easy!
Janan
We are all a work in progress! Age-once you start to get the internal things together, the external things begin to fall apart! I so hear you on the things going south, that darn gravity. Hope you have a splendid weekend Cora, flaws and all!
Hey you, I have missed you! I hope when you have some time you can make it over to the blog and checkout this:
http://www.momsdailyretreat.com/notesfromtheedge/2010/3/1/touchstones.html
Oh, my list of things to fix would be so much longer than yours, my dear!
I've heard it said in this way... "When we look in the mirror and don't like what we see, then we are telling God that we don't like His work, His creation, His masterpiece". That is so true, but learning to love ourselves is one of the hardest things for us to do!
We all have flaws and at my age..I have many...you are perfect just as you are..we wouldn't be human if we didn't have flaws.
love your post.
My son-in-law retired from the USCG as chief after twenty three years.
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