Bridgette Bardot
I have a friend who looks like the young Bridgette Bardot. No joke. In fact there’ll be people reading this blog who know me in my real life (in which I am fairly boring and don’t actually say that much, but that’s another story) who’ll look at this photo and say “Wow, is that…” although I won’t say her name here, because that would just be awkward. And it’s not. It’s Bridgette Bardot (with plenty of clothes on). But, you who are reading this and know who I’m talking about, you’re getting it too, right? It’s weird being friends with someone who looks so much like a supermodel. I’ve learned to deal with it better over the years as I’ve grown more comfortably into my own skin, and got to know her better as well. I know her well on the inside, and I see right through the outside these days, but early on, when I first met her, I found her beauty confronting.
Have you ever experienced that? Is it just me? I’m pretty sure it’s probably a girl thing, so I do apologise to all the blokes out there reading this who are thinking “what?” but never mind. Ask your wife, or your girlfriend. Or your sister. See what they say. Or go hang out with Pierce Brosnan for a few days and see how it makes you feel. Beauty can be challenging.
Sometimes I feel the same way about being in someone’s beautiful house.
Sure, I just nicked this from Google, but…wow. Sometimes I’ve stood in people’s houses that are this beautiful, and instead of simply appreciating the beauty, I feel out-of-place. Not good enough. Unwelcomed by it’s sheer beauty. (Okay, this is definitely a girl thing, isn’t it? If you’re a guy and you’ve ever felt this way, please let me know!)
Here’s the truth though: I have as much right to a beautiful house as the next person.
Here’s another truth: my Bridgette Bardot supermodel friend doesn’t see herself as beautiful at all.
And another truth: another of my precious friends tells me she sometimes picks up jeans from the rack that are much too large for her, because that’s sometimes the size she sees herself as. And, conversely, I,who used to be skinnier, sometimes pick up jeans that would have fitted me ten years ago.
I look at myself in the mirror every single day. So does my Bridgette Bardot friend. Every single day, yet we still don’t get it.
The ugly truth is this: we lose the ability somehow, somewhere, to see ourselves as God sees us: as fearfully and wonderfully made; as precious and honoured; as beautiful simply because we are made in His image. Yet This. Is. What. We. Are. We are robbed from the truth by beauty magazines, by television, the internet, by the lies we listen to in our own minds. It’s time, for me at least, to acknowledge and grow beyond it.
It’s a new week. Do me a favor, take a minute today to acknowledge yourself as beautiful. Yes you. I’ll do it too. Now come back and tell me how you go.Â
Megan Sayer 
Great megsŠI went great. Thankyou. It was tricky though!! xx Kindest,
Bernie
Bernadette Black Liberal Candidate for Franklin Councillor; Kingborough Council
Barnados Australian Mother of the Year, and Finalist Australian of the Year
Address: PO Box 130 Blackmans Bay, 7052 Phone: 0404060507 http://www.facebook.com/black4franklin
From: Megan Sayer Reply-To: Megan Sayer Date: Monday, April 8, 2013 7:28 AM To: Bernadette Black Subject: [New post] The ugly truth
WordPress.com Megan Sayer posted: ” I have a friend who looks like the young Bridgette Bardot. No joke. In fact there’ll be people reading this blog who know me in my real life (in which I am fairly boring and don’t actually say that much, but that’s another story) who’ll look at this p”
Yay! Love you Bern. You ARE beautiful. Have a great day my friend xxxx
I’m going to be shallow here for a minute, and say I would devour that kitchen. No feeling intimidated here.
I do remember a friend who was intimidated by a mutual friend of ours. Tall, willowy and gorgeous. But she was the most downtown earth person that you didn’t feel worried for too long. And she had her issues as well.
We are all beautiful in our own way, and we all have issues, that sometimes only we can see. Lovely post Megan 🙂
Thanks Jennifer!
I used it anyway.
Yeah okay. If somebody GAVE me that kitchen I’d get over my intimidation fairly quickly. I hope. But I was the child who wouldn’t use a “Hello Kitty” toothbrush as a child because “it was too special”. I kept it in the cupboard. I was about 22 before I realised I’d missed the boat on that one
I think I like the way you think better.
I’ve had my fair share of these insecurities. But after reading some of those ‘life changing’ and ‘affirmation type’ emails and FB things you never know what might happen. Use the special things today, coz they are special, enjoy them while you have them. Plus, I tend to not over think things.
(I have read Suzie’s book, now to find time to do my review)
It’s funny too, when you start to believe what God says about you, it becomes very hard to see ugly in anyone. Everyone else is beautiful too. 🙂
This is an awesome comment.
I agree! Spot on Amanda. Well said.
Confronting beauty… yes, time and again I have seen women treated appalling due to the perception of others as to their beauty. The pack mentality that somehow that woman needs to bought down a peg. Quite astounding on so many levels. Even if we recognise beauty in others, why do so many feel a need to tear it down.
I know you’re not fishing, but can I just say, I’m glad you are starting to see the beauty in you Megan. I wish you could have seen yourself through my eyes way back when we first met, and now. 🙂 I’ve always been a great admirer. Of course the beauty within you enhances the external exponentially, not that it needs to in any way. Especially as you also allow the divine to shine through.
Love to you Betty!
PS… your kitchen is far more beautiful than the one in the picture.. it is painted and decorated with the love and personalities of all those who spend time in it.
Mind you, if it came with self cleaning and self organising capacities, I’d snap one of those up thankyou!
Ach, love you Al.
I have a childhood memory of this little girl in my church. She wasn’t a friend, she was a fair bit younger than me, and she was a pretty little thing. Reminds me a lo t of a certain niece of yours. Anyway, one day I heard a woman I trusted at the time commenting on how “plain” this little girl was. I found it unusual, because it wasn’t a word that this woman would normally use, and it wasn’t at all a nice thing to say. It really affected me. I figured, if this pretty little thing was considered “plain”, what on earth would she describe me as? It took me years to realise she was jealous, or just plain old wanted to put the girl down. So, so, SO unneccessary!
So, so sad, and so, so common.
Megan, the Hello Kitty toothbrush thing is so me, and it breaks my heart.
I relate to this beauty thing so well that I’m not going to promise I’ll do what you said to do. I do promise I won’t look in the mirror and say mean things to myself, though. My husband’s about cured me of that. With all the times life or other people are cruel to us, why do we have to do it to ourselves yet?
And that kitchen…the only reason I don’t want that kitchen is because then it wouldn’t be as fun to have my nieces and nephews over. I’d be worrying about black tennie marks on that white bar and a potty mishap on the bar stool.
Good thoughts…
Oh I hear you on not wanting to wreck the kitchen!!
And I feel for you. Yes. Thank you for promising not to be cruel to yourself when you look in the mirror. It’s a hard thing that. Sometimes I think if we hear it enough when we’re young we automatically take on the role ourselves when we are older.
I’m looking forward to Heaven, when all of us will see ourselves finally as God sees us, and as beautiful.
As I get older and gravity and the love of yummy food take a greater effect on my body, the time I spend in front of the mirror gets less. I’m astounded when I do take a long hard look….OOOOPS … but then part of me goes – “who really cares?” Can I still ride my bike? yep, climb mountains with a pack on my back? yep… snuggle up to my husband?, yep, Feel the love from family and friends? yep – hang out in the garden digging and planting? yep…. Oh my goodness what gorgeous grace there is when you look at this stuff and are thankful for what and how we were made. I’m thankful for my strong healthy body that has taken me on many an adventure and coped so well with a bit of abuse…. and will continue to do so. I do try to eat good food and exercise still but Beautiful?? well maybe not in the classical magazine sense but capable, strong and full of energy for adventures – yep. might be a bit slower and look shabbier in the process but God, it is so good to be alive and free. Thanks for your thoughts Megan.
Di You ARE beautiful, and I’ve never known you any other way. Thanks for commenting 🙂
I’m intimidated by beauty too. It’s so silly, they did no more to achieve their looks than someone with a large warty nose, but this is how things are, and I just am. Your post is beautiful too, and not intimidating.
I’m glad it’s not intimidating 🙂
Thanks Meg. It’s a funny thing, isn’t it? You’re right. It’s how we are.