I am exhausted. Mentally, physically, and emotionally, I am extremely fatigued, yet spiritually, I feel renewed. Days like today make me so grateful that I have a job that encourages me to bring transformation to the university campus, and the world. As a part of my work with InterVarsity, I began a project for women at the University of Florida called Rahab. Rahab focuses on the unique struggles of women, while using the art of dance to bring freedom, confidence, and joy in identity. The vision behind Rahab is to use the universal struggles of womanhood and the universal appreciation of dance to draw women near to the true Redeemer and Reconciler. Today, in a discussion on body image, 13 women took a stand against conformity and instead, chose to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This is a glimpse of what it looked like:
“I will affirm the beauty of mankind.“
“I will eat right to feel and be healthy, not to look right.”
“I will not call myself ugly. I will exercise to protect my temple”.
Other commitments included : “I will stop judging others.”
“I will not look for my beauty in males.”
“EAT!”
As I talked with my students about this very painful issue in our society and culture, I shared with them some of the stances that I have had to take in my own life:
- I will not buy padded bras.
- I will not buy magazines that exploit my fears and insecurities
- I will not buy music or support artists that degrade women
- I will not hide my femininity
- I will speak kindly to myself
- I will not critique the bodies of other women, including celebrities
- I will stop dieting
- I will go natural
- I will not compare myself to other women
- I will affirm other women in their beauty
- I will eat in freedom
- I will aim to be happy, not sexy
- I will laugh more than I exercise
- I will not be ashamed.
Women, as you go through your journey of embracing your bodies, stretch marks and all, what stances have you taken, if any?
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”-Romans 12:2
hello sister, i jus wantd to comment about women who beat themselves up and compare themselves to how the celebs look in the magazines.. hey.. news flash!!!!!!! im pretty sure the women in those magazines don’t look lik that n real life.. can you say photo shop and retouch?? i mean, im just saying, even if they do m a y b e look like that im sure they have personal trainers to keep them whipped in shape.. on average, exuse the language but we aint got alla that… i say this, if its a health issue then address it, if its not, LEAVE IT ALONE!!!! women are beautiful the way they are learn to love themselves by their own standards and not someone elses… peace!!!
Wow,
this was amazing to read. I’m sad I’m not there for Rahab. Proud of you and those phenomenal women.
<3
yoooooooooooooooooo….did you see da shirt I had on today???? Da white one wid da arrows on it?? like:
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You saw wat it said?
“Conform to Unconformity Rom 12:2″
When I get my $$ up, imma make one for you!
dats word.
dude. i love your blog. you don’t understand. you’re one of the best additions to my life!
…dats word too. LOL
LOVE!
. ahahahaha. JK!! haha. ok seriously though….i would really benefit from doing everything on that list (except the aforementioned not buying padded bras) …i almost have the “eating in freedom” one down pact. and i DEFINITELY laugh more than i exercise. hehe 
. and im natural! yayy…i think that’s the thing im most proud of. maybe proud isn’t the right word…but that’s been my one big move towards self-love and acceptance…even that is a struggle though, hence the braids. sigh.
ahhh, man i wish i could be there for Rahab. *cry* maybe you can skype karima and me in on the next session? hehe. im kind of serious. anywhooo, i wish i could add to your list…but after reading the list i realized that this is still such a big area of struggle for me….some of the stuff i already don’t do just by default. no padded bras…b/c c’mon, do i need them really? i mean, just look at me
Anywhoo, I read this at exactly the right time. Im going to print that list and put it on my wall.
Thanks sissy!