I Choose To Believe The Good Stuff
I’m a member of one of the coolest Bible Studies ever. We’re the most non-traditional, traditional group on this planet. Each of us varies in age, profession, background, interests and so on. We call ourselves the “Wild Woolies” because we are often just that- wild and woolie!
Last night, one of the reflection questions asked us to challenge “what other people say we are” as opposed to “who God says we are.” To drive home the message, we shared our thoughts regarding each group member. I know what you must be thinking right now, this sounds very warm and fuzzy, and, truth be told, it was. But, it was also necessary and transformative. I saw how easily words of encouragement rolled off the tongues of group members, and I also saw how we all squirmed in our seats as compliments on our strengths as a human bean were bestowed upon us. It was a strangely uncomfortable moment for us all. Sometimes hearing the “good stuff” about ourselves is more difficult to hear because hearing the bad stuff is tragically more of the norm. Is that backwards or what?
As Sandra Schneider, world traveler, accounting extraordinare, my friend and faithful Wild Woolie often reminds us, “Julia Roberts says it best in Pretty Woman. The bad stuff is easier to believe.” And, we all nod our heads in agreeance with Sandra because Vivian from Pretty Woman did have a strong point. The bad stuff is easier to believe.
When I was a teenager, I went through a period where my circle of friends would single someone out and make fun of them. It was terrible when it was your turn to, basically, be bullied. And, at that time, I just took the hurtful things they said as truth. When, in reality, it was a reflection of their own stuff- insecurity, inferiority, pain, neglect, abuse, etc. Today, I can have a kind of compassion and understanding for the situation that I did not have back then. Experience and age really do count for something. And, the older I get the more I realize how so many girls share in that same experienced.
We’ve got to shift the paradigm. When we hear the “bad stuff,” we must assess the comment before accepting it as truth. Who is saying this, what is their motive, is who they’re saying I am really who I am? If there’s truth to what is being said about you, then take those words as constructive criticism and grow. If there’s no truth to what is being said about you, then recognize it for what it is and LET IT GO.
The reality is that the good stuff is our truth. Today, I say we vow that it’s easiest to believe because there’s an abundance of it. We receive it with gladness, a grateful heart and just take it in. And, we pay it forward by being of encouragement to everyone and everything in our path. And, friends, if you don’t have your own Wild Woolies, please find some. Community, real community is key to our growth as human beans and survival. When we cannot carry the load along, whatever that may be, someone that we share life with can. Choose, choose right now, to believe the good stuff. You are God’s workmanship, and, knowing that alone, makes you enough and FABULOUS!
Stay Divine,
JL PARISH
