Redefining Beauty In A Filtered World

We live in a very “filtered” culture. Real beauty has a different meaning for everyone.

If you have access to a smartphone or a computer, you can take photos of yourself and practically edit them to your liking. I find this fascinating and sometimes unsettling. Especially when I see a photo of someone that’s been edited and filtered to the point where they no longer look like their real self anymore.

I see a lot of women doing this to the point where it’s become a bit excessive. And different women I’ve seen using filters, who I personally think look great without using them, keep hiding behind these tools and different features. And while using filters is an individual choice, I believe it’s a great time to redefine beauty in this filtered world we’re living in.

You don’t ever have to feel or believe you are not enough as you are. You were born with beauty, inside and out, and no filter should hide that.

I’m no stranger to filters but I don’t use or rely on them often. And when I have used them, my facial features have not been drastically enhanced beyond the point of recognition. I still look like my real self in my photos. I don’t believe filters are a bad thing, but I believe it’s important, especially for women, to allow their real beauty to shine.

I’ve found that taking advantage of natural lighting (especially during this beautiful summer season) makes for wonderful photos too. 😊

You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Embrace that. Consider stepping away from some of those filters you filter all your photos with and allow who you really are to shine.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

Twenty Pieces Of Advice & Wisdom For The Twenty-Something Women Of The World

Years ago, a friend of mine asked me for advice regarding a life change she was considering. She explained her situation and shared, “I wanted to talk to you because you give really good advice.” I was flattered and surprised by her statement. Mostly because while I’ve been approached by family, friends, colleagues, different students I teach, and sometimes even strangers who have asked me for advice regarding whatever it was they happened to bring my way, some haven’t always listened and then proceeded to make regretful decisions that could have been avoided if they had listened to what I shared in the first place. And lately, a group that’s heavily been on my heart and mind are women in their twenties. I’m only 33 but I remember what it was like for my friends and me moving through our twenties. It wasn’t the easiest decade to navigate, and it certainly had its ups and downs, but armed with the experiences, advice, and wisdom I have now, there are definitely things I believe we ...

Making Waves