Insecurely.

Over the last few days, I've noticed a video being posted by a bunch of my friends. I didn't really take the time to watch it until today. Now, I regret that I waited so long. What I found was amazing. Turns out the video is part of a whole movement. Here's the link to the video:

Insecurely: A Spoken Word

Watch it, then come back. - What did you think? Pretty good, right? I won't lie, I teared up near the end. Couldn't even help it. I watched it two times in a row. But then I got curious. My friend Sarah had retweeted something about the video. So I found the website for the whole movement. OH EM GEE. It's phenomenal. The entire movement is about girls becoming comfortable with themselves. It's about recognizing your insecurities, but realizing that you aren't defined by your insecurities. The video points out that God made you to be exactly who you are. EMBRACE IT!

Here's the link to their website: Website!

I encourage you to go through the website. I read every single page they had. I think the movement is absolutely amazing. I challenge you to really, truly think about what they are doing and saying. Girls, you are beautiful. Your beauty shines from within you. 

I know that insecurities are hard to face. I have insecurities too. But I can also tell you that once you embrace yourself for who you are, your life will change immensely. When I was in high school, particularly my freshman and sophomore year, I pretty much completely put my self worth into the hands of immature boys. I was right in the middle of that awkward stage everyone kind of goes through when you're 13-15. I felt like every time I liked a boy, he told me I was ugly. Or stupid. Or whatever. And I actually started to believe them. It got to the point that I almost hated being called pretty. I thought I was fat, I was ugly, and that nobody would ever like me. That slump was really hard to get out of. 

During the summer between my sophomore year and my junior year, my parents split up. It was extremely hard. By the time I was done with my junior year, my mom had moved out and got a boyfriend, my dad had lost his job, and we were moving across town into a much smaller place to live. My entire world had fallen apart in less than a year. At the time, it was so hard. I didn't know what to do. But looking back, I'm so thankful. It helped me realize that there are more important things than "beauty". It got my attention off the way I looked and helped me focus on what really mattered to me - my family. 

During that whole experience, my best friend Sicily stood by my side. She comforted me when I cried and she always cheered me up. Now, this girl is confident. I'm sure she has insecurities, but she doesn't let it show. She's very comfortable with who she is. After spending 3 months with her, seeing her literally every day, her confidence rubbed off on me a little. She really inspired me to be comfortable with who I am.

Now, fast forward to last August/September. This was around the time that I became a Christian. Since then, my entire life has changed... for the better. Now I'm okay with my securities. I'm who I'm meant to be. God created me, and I know that I couldn't have made myself any better. Yes, I still have insecurities. There are days when I think "Man, I could lose some weight" or whatever the thought is. But I know that those insecurities don't define me. And they never will. 

Watch that video again. Reeeally listen to what he is saying. Soak it in. Read the stories posted on the movement's website. Embrace you who are. Be proud of who you are! You are unique, you are special, and no one else can be YOU! What an exciting thing. There's only one you, so be excited about who you are.

 "You are loved. You are valued. You are beautiful."