God Don't Make No Junk

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

On the surface I see the blemishes on my skin, the few pounds I want to shed, and a man who has had a lot of successes and disappointments. I'm also looking into the eyes of an imperfect person who wants to be all that he can be, but who sometimes doubts he can ever get there.

But, if I peer in even deeper I can see something else: a man perfectly made in God's image. Growing up my mother used to say "God don't make no junk". Even as a little kid this would make me feel good about myself. It was a reminder that I was significant and that I was loved - whether I knew it or not.

As you get older it's even easier to criticize yourself because you've got a whole lifetime of mistakes to reflect upon. We tend to beat ourselves up for all the things we did that got us in the position we're in. Or for everything we should've done. Those days are gone. We can't get them back.

But, what if we just took some time everyday to appreciate who we are and what we have? How much better would we feel? How much more could we love ourselves?

How much more aware of our gifts would be be? How much more could we give to this world that needs us?

When we don't show ourselves love we're doing ourselves a disservice. We've been blessed with so much that we must open our eyes and see our goodness. There's a difference between humility and being self-depricating. Making negative statements about our appearance or abilities indicate, more often than not, problems with our self-image and self-esteem.

Here are a few tips for loving and recognizing ourselves as masterpieces:

1. Nourish and care for your body. Eat healthy foods and exercise regularly. This will do wonders for your confidence, give your more energy, and an edge. In the long run you'll be more productive, have a clearer mind, and, potentially, live longer. A simple change can be eating a piece of fruit with your lunch instead of those greasy french fries.

2. Taking breaks and having fun. each week you should set aside time for a "play date". Author Julia Cameron recommends doing something that is either creating, unusual, or even mindless. This can include going to a play, dancing, or take a sculpting class. Let's face it, we all think way to much about our problems. This will be a welcome diversion from the mundane aspects of our lives.