Life And Living Part Three
Accepting Ourselves
Life and Living
Part Three
God has given us our mother and our father. We don't have any choice in who they are or what traits they pass on to us as their children. It is our parents' responsibility to help us accept the traits God has given us through our parents. Some parents are good at helping us accept ourselves. In contrast, we may grow up with parents who don't recognize this as their responsibility and neglect allowing us to accept ourselves as we are. When this happens, we may feel awkward around people, especially when they compare and criticize some physical attribute we inherited. The trait I will mention is a small patch of hair towards the middle back of my head. Even when combed down, it would stand back up when the water dried that was holding it in place. Hair creams didn't work much better. It is such a little thing to be concerned about, but it does make a person feel conspicuous when accepting who we are and who made us the way we are. Some can carry their physical traits with more decorum and peace than I usually did as a teenager, but now, finally, who cares? Some parents see a trait they are "uncomfortable" with, knowing they gave you the trait since it was in their family line, and their continual speaking about it does not encourage you - the child – to accept it. Another thing to grow up with and learn on your own is that having different physical traits is alright than the "norm ."Ah, such is Life and growing up living.
7/1/2020 Larry E. Whittington
Have you accepted yourself, or are you still working on it?
Good observations! One of our children thrived on affirmations and love from parents, early on in life confidently embracing his own unique and somewhat quirky attributes. But one area of interpersonal difficulty for him was from the tough guys involved in sports. He was highly awarded in piano and music and also enjoyed drama - and subsequently was bullied by boys who were athletic. But it wasn't until he participated in sports and his peers saw his passion and commitment to whatever he did that his status rose, and he was cheered in the arena as well. In retrospect, and without overly athletic parents, we were glad that we encouraged him to participate in sports, as he discovered another facet of his own character and in the process allowed him acceptance that made life a bit easier in those awkward years. In less than a month he will defend his dissertation for his PhD in Computer Science using AI to impact the field of material sciences. ... takes after his Mom.
Yes, self image is important, and teens often struggle with it. It's important to know God loves us, He made each of us unique, He has a plan for us, and He looks at the heart; not outward appearance.