Stop Trying to Be Something that Doesn’t Exist
Every day we look in the mirror and compare ourselves to everyone else. We list all the things on our body and in our life that we would like to change. If we were able to make these alterations, then we believe life would be easier and we would be happier. We strive for the unobtainable.
Typically, we define unobtainable as perfect. But, perhaps unobtainable is just being average. In reality average doesn’t exist. Years ago, two extensive studies were done to find the average size person. The studies measured ten different parts of each individual participating in the study (for example: wrist to shoulder, hip to ankle, neck circumference, thigh circumference, etc.) The studies combined all the measurements to determine the average male and female body. But, when the actual model of the average body was sought after, it couldn’t be found.
Most of the individuals studied didn’t even match half of the measurements. So, a woman who was the average height and had the average arm length didn’t share the measurement for the average waist circumference, leg length and neck circumference, etc. The studies concluded that there is no average person. There may be an average height, or an average weight, but the combination of these measurements does not produce an average person.
Pursuing Perfection
There are many problems with pursuing the average body:
- Unrealistic beauty standards leave us pursuing a perfect body.
- We actually follow unhealthy fitness goals rather than healthy ones in pursuit of a more physically appealing body.
- When we don’t reach the standards of being average, our emotional and mental wellbeing deteriorates.
- We believe we’re measured by certain spiritual standards, causing us to analyze our works and abilities rather than our relationship with the Lord.
- We don’t accept who we really are. We’re set on changing our identity to fit what we believe is “normal.”
Though this average doesn’t exist, the majority of us spend most of our day trying to fit in with the rest of the crowd. We’re striving for something that’s impossible. The media tries to define what is average, retailers try to determine who is average, even our school, friends and parents tend to outline the average person. Surrounding us is this idea that we sit somewhere along a spectrum of who’s average. This spectrum actually shouldn’t even take up space in our mind.
We do not need to change to fit into something that is nonexistent; instead the environment around us needs to be altered so we feel free to be who we are. One of the studies actually noted that any system designed around the average person will fail. We need to accept individuality and make room for distinct characteristics and beauty rather than expecting one another to conform to nothing.
Be Ordinary
Set being normal or average aside. There is no such thing. Stop attempting to be something that doesn’t exist. Instead, understand your own uniqueness, bask in your genuine beauty and let your whole self radiate! You are wonderful, you are mighty, you are better than average – in all aspects of life. Stop aiming for average and thrive as your honest self.
Be the young woman God created you to be. Don’t deny who you are. Pursue the character and personality traits that make you distinct. Flourish in your individuality. Discover what makes you noteworthy and thank the Lord for those extraordinary qualities. You are exceptional. God crafted you that way for a purpose. Don’t deny God’s work. Enjoy it and love every aspect that makes you everything but ordinary.
