Have you ever felt like you’ve lost yourself? Like the old you has disappeared and been replaced by someone new that you don’t particularly like?
That’s how my friend Carolyn felt when she wrote a poem entitled “Beauty Within” ….
Where have I gone? I used to be so confident, so bold, and so beautiful;
dancing, singing, weight lifting, open with my faith and happy just being me.
Now I am constantly putting myself down, always making too high of expectations,
comparing myself to others making me discontent with my art, my home and my appearance.
I feel like I’m in bondage, in a box‚ in a cage, but the more I find myself in the Lord
the more I see that this beauty I used to be is just being refined.
I am not in a cage but a cocoon only waiting for the presence of God to give me wings to fly.
I am finding this confidence when clients I scrapbook for cry at the work I have done, or when ladies come up to me at a crop asking to see the wonderful layout everyone is talking about.
I find this boldness when others recognize me as a professional scrapbook artist, yes I am laughing on the inside but it is beautiful to see my creations have a hand in what God is molding me to be.
As I create I am being created, as I am recognized I start to recognize myself.
This is how I have found my beauty again.
Beauty in my uniqueness, in my strengths and weaknesses, in my memories and in
God’s promise to not leave me trapped in this cage but break me out and give me wings!
I praise God for showing me beauty through art, giving me motivation,
encouragement and helping me to see the beauty within. Dec.’06
Have you felt like you were trapped…in a cage or in a cocoon?
If so, it’s time to spread your wings again. Time to reach out to the world around you. Time to reach in and embrace the wonderful woman that you have become.
We’re all still growing, on an adventurous journey through this life. Don’t let fear of failure or rejection stop you from being the woman you’ve been created to be. You can make a difference in your world starting today. No one is keeping you captive except yourself.
Walk away from the cage, pull off the wrappings from the cocoon and open your wings. It’s time.
