After reviewing my summer exploits, I noticed a juxtaposition in my photos of the season. They generally had two themes: get pretty or get sweaty. For all practical purposes, I’m both beauty and the beast (or Bruce Banner and the Hulk if you’re more Avengers and less straight-up Disney).
I’ve finished two big blog series recently: sacrificial love and repairing relationships (with an intermission of my recent pet peeves). These topics (sacrificial love and repairing relationships) are difficult to ingest as people tend to feel they are perfect and that the other person is the problem (they’re not…we all are the problem). This week I am taking a lighter turn.
Beauty
For my birthday last June, I ordered a tiara from Amazon (delivered by Prime because why not?) and wore it for two days while celebrating in Philadelphia.
Two days, people. Even for breakfast. I’m a tiara type of girl.
It’s important to take the time to celebrate yourself! Many times, no one else will, not because they’re awful but because they’re busy and have their own lives. We all have stuff. Be sure to celebrate the little wins, too.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:14 NIV).
Beast
This summer I also hiked Pikes Peak in Colorado at over 14,000 feet. The entire expedition took 9 hours and 41 minutes. I had portable oxygen (purchased from Walmart no less) and literally had a God moment while staring eye-to-eye with the peaks of other mountaintops. (Best day of my life so far! Check out the video here.)
Two days following, I hiked the Manitou Incline with its 2,744 steps. I did stop to take a few breaks here and there (it was straight up!), but I got my sweat on and made it to the top (I’m big into finish lines).
The Whole
Why is this important?
Well, too often we focus on the hole in our lives instead of the whole of our lives.
Regardless of the things missing from my life or the mistakes I’ve made, I lead a pretty great existence. I like my career, have the most amazing friends, write as a personal ministry, and have accomplished some pretty big things athletically (including a 100-miler). I usually travel every year and have covered four continents and pick up new hobbies all of the time (currently paddle boarding and ballroom dancing).
Beauty and the Beast
This isn’t about self-boasting; I’m painting a picture for you because guess what?
I know you’ve had struggles, I KNOW that life is hard. But, there are some pretty AMAZING parts of your life, too. You have family members who cherish you, people who have loved you your whole life. Friends check in on you to see if you’re okay and to see what new dreams might be brewing. There are things you love to do, whether indoors or outdoors and special skills that you can grow and develop. You have gifts from God that are specialized to you and unlike anyone else in the world.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).
You are special. You are your own version of beauty and the beast, which is crucial to remember in order to practice a perspective of gratitude.
In my writing, I focus quite a bit on how we can better ourselves, not because I’m perfect, but because I struggle A LOT (I’m my only test subject). And, personal awareness and personal growth are important though unpalatable to some.
However, in your quest for the best life (and mine, too), let’s not forget about the good stuff, the battles won, the milestones accomplished. Let’s be sure to applaud our own uniqueness, our own versions of beauty and the beast.
I truly do love you and believe in you. I can’t wait to hear what you’ll do next. CourageUP!
Love, K.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I love this post Ms. Kelly. Too often, we get so wrapped up in our self-absorbed lives that we fail to see the good in our lives, or that found in others. I must admit that when I think of you with the word “Beast” in mind, I think more of your dogged determination to finish whatever you start. Of the many things I have come to appreciate about you young lady, from your writing, is how it’s much less about winning and much MORE about completing. When I was in the military, we held fast to a creed. In fact, it was mandatory to memorize it and to recall any part of it on demand. One phrase that has always stood out for me is “… one hundred percent and then some.” I have come to believe this is the way you live your life ma’am. Be that your spiritual journey in faith, your next ultra-marathon, or your next book. I look forward to following your career ma’am; and to seeing how well you finish on that day God calls His children home. Until then, know that you have earned the nickname “The Finisher” in my book ma’am. God’s blessings.
Thank you so much! I do try to focus on completing things rather than comparing myself to others. I’m always astounded at how much people can accomplish once they overcome their own mental limitations. I learn lessons of perseverance from those around me.
Such great insight here, Kelly. Yes, it’s so important to take time and celebrate our growth steps—even if there are only a few.
I love your insights, and your tiara! I’m a glitter girl myself. ?
Me, too!!!
GREAT post, Kelly! This is my favorite, as I’m sure you’re not surprised, because it’s such a great thought: ” too often we focus on the hole in our lives instead of the whole of our lives.” And, I’ve always loved celebrating the little things, the silly holidays, the small accomplishments …. any excuse for a celebration!
It’s so easy to look for what’s missing instead of the blessings.
Wow! You have so much substance in a few words. I tweeted one but thought if I tweeted as many as I wanted, “the twitter people” might think it was spam.