- Romans 12:2
Dear Girlfriends,
Happy New Year! Isn’t starting the New Year great? I love that I can “put a bow” on 2010 and that 2011 promises me a new start – and this year, a new hairdo. Or a “style,” as my hairdresser calls it.
I got the bug to change my coiffure about three months ago, when I exited my previous salon with a not-so-attractive cut and color. Because my hairstyle had evolved over the past couple of years, I didn’t immediately realize the extent of the situation. However, upon further inspection it was obvious my stylist had taken some serious, not-for-the-better creative license with my crowning glory. “It will grow,” I said to comfort my concerned-looking husband. For a while I even tried to convince myself that maybe I would come to like it. But after a few weeks I finally faced the truth: this was a disaster; it wasn’t “me.”
For 112 days, as my bad cut and color grew at a glacier’s pace, I looked squarely at my reflection in the mirror, twice a day, to assess if it was getting better or worse. (It didn’t get better.) When the old me finally did begin to emerge again, I vowed not to be so easily influenced by these so-called in-the-know “Dons of Locks” in the future.
As with me and my previous stylist, we are bombarded with suggestions, advice, expectations, societal norms, and experiences that induce us into becoming someone we’re not. Our culture tricks us into thinking that we should all look like 25-year-old runway models; the demands of the workplace mutate once good-natured men and women into aggressive monsters; disappointments and the failings of others crush our faith; and our friends – yes, even as adults – supplant our value system, altering us from someone we once respected into a person we barely recognize.
If you’ve lost your “old” you (and you liked her better than the one you woke up with this morning), I hope you will join me as I explore what 2011 might look like if we were to resolve to reconnect with our belief-system of yesterday. Like my current hairdo, the process of transformation might not be pretty – but it just might give us the inspiration we all need for a fresh new start.
Looking (and feeling) a lot more like me,
Ellen
Oh, thanks for sharing…that’s perfect.
Thanks for these words. I didn’t even realize I had gotten so far away from being me!
And I totally get the hair correlation – that really spoke to me!
Have a great day!
Thanks for the devotional. As one who has spent most of her life being far from God, I struggle to even figure out who the “old me” is. Some of the old me is not anyone I want to revisit…but I think there are nuggets back there that I could incorporate into the new, saved me. I appreciate your words and your Girlfriends devotional (one of my best girlfriends gave me your book for Christmas). 2011 is looking like it is going to be an amazing year!
Just right! I, myself, have gotten caught up in trying to mold myself into what the “world” thinks I should look, say and do. That little voice kept saying” It is easier to please the world, but it’s not right”. It makes it easier to jump back on the right path when I know we’re in this together. Thank you.
Oops, correction to my previous comment–I said I was “being far from God.” I know He is always with me. Better stated–I was choosing to run from God and live an ungodly life.
being a stylist , i know there are some far out stylists, but we all need a change now and then outside as well as inside. sorry yours didn’t work out! but some women really need to know not to change there appearance when somethings going on with there insides. because if your not happy on the inside you will absolutely not be happy with your outside appearance!!! ( no matter what)
More than once I have “sneaked” a peek the night before at the next days devotional. I can’t put it down! As I chatted on FB with my girlfriends, to my delight I found out that one of my friends in the business world is also an advid follower. God’s word brought to life on page through your writing, has truly inspired me…..
As a writer myself I am encouraged by your boldness, realness and balance….
Thank You!
Got your book One Year Book of Inspiration for Girlfriends as a gift for Christmas and am so glad. Thank you for sharing your life experiences.