Becoming Beautiful: Less Than Flawless

It's a little known fact that society holds women to impossible standards. Just kidding, everyone knows that. In fact, wherever and whenever you find yourself reading this, there is probably something readily accessible that will remind you of this harsh fact. Do you have social media accounts? If so, you've undoubtedly noticed that a girl laden in makeup gets infinitely more attention on social media than a "regular" girl. Do you have television? It seems like even commercial for Hardee's hamburgers have to tie in unrealistic portrayals of what a women should look like. A girl can't even catch a break at the super market- she gets stared down by intimidating glances from airbrushed models while she waits to check out. We even get glances from our peers and random strangers on a daily basis if the way we look doesn't please someone else.

A friend of mine (let's call her Heather) once asked me if she should wear a dress to an event. She even sent me a picture of  her in the dress along with her question. She looked beautiful. I told her of course she should. Her reason for asking? A girl that would be attending the event who has a reputation for being mean had the same dress and Heather was afraid of being talked about by that mean girl and her friends, Regina George and Karen Smith.

It's really hard to remember that we are important too when you see impossibly tan girls with pearly white teeth, perfectly styled hair, manicures, and outfits that look like they were hand-selected by a Vogue fashion consultant. There is one crucial thing that we must remember, however. We are so important that someone died for us.

Did you know that the Bible actually talks about Jesus' appearance? Isaiah 53:2 says this:

 "He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him,

 and no beauty that we should desire Him." 

Yet even though He wasn't physically attractive, Christ was the most beautiful person who ever walked this Earth. Truthfully, the only beautiful thing about us is Christ in us. 

Audrey Hepburn once said that happy girls are the prettiest. If happy girls are the prettiest, then girls who find their joy in Christ must be simply radiant. Psalm 139:14 says, "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." You see, when God made us, He made no mistakes. When we accepted God's gift of salvation, we became beautiful through Christ and only through Him. There is no standard that the world can create that will take away from the beauty Christ puts in us. We can, however, take away from our beauty with the things we add to our lives.

If you read much Dr. Seuss as a child, you probably know that Yertle the Turtle was king of the pond. He lived on a stone, but wasn't happy with his view so he made other turtles stack up on top of each other so he could stand on top of all of them and look over all he was king of. Some people are that way about appearance. They either so unhappy with how they look or they are so happy with how they look that they have to bring in others to make themselves feel better. It often starts simply enough. They merely pull in a few others to reaffirm their attractiveness. After a while, it isn't enough to simply reaffirm each other- they move on to judging others based on their appearance. This girl is too manly. That girl is chubby. This girl dresses poorly. Another girl is too pale. 

When people get to this point, other people begin to notice. It won't be long before they fall like Yertle the Turtle did once people finally had enough. When we base everything on comparisons, we all fall. 

The problem is that we get caught up in horizontal comparisons. We are looking all around us instead of setting our gaze on things above. Time spent comparing ourselves to those around us is time wasted. The only person we should be comparing ourselves to is Christ.

When we try to fit the world's beauty standards, we will never measure up. When we try to become more like Christ, we have a better chance. We will never be just like Him, but when our soul desire is to have a heart that looks like His, a beautiful light will shine through our lives. Trying to be like Him is a life long journey where He guides us and gives us strength every step of the way. Trying to fit the world's beauty standards is like running back to back timed marathons for the rest of your life with no relief. When you finally finish one, you are already behind on another. 

When the only beauty standard we are trying to live up to is the one set by Christ, we will still be less than flawless but we certainly have a better chance of becoming beautiful. We are beautiful when we stop working on our outside and let Him shape our hearts.

10 Ways to Show Your Disney Side

Coming home from a Disney Park is an unfortunate return to reality. For some reason it is still socially unacceptable to wear Mickey Mouse ears in regular life. If you find yourself wishing you could flaunt your Disney side in your day-to-day life, no worries- you totally can! Here are subtle ways to show your love for Disney every day:

1. Cook with Mickey

These Mickey Mouse measuring spoons and cups couldn't be any cuter! Nothing makes cooking more fun than using these delightful measuring tools. If you want them in your kitchen, you can get them here.

2. Munch on these Mickey Waffles

Chef Mickey's at Walt Disney World is famous for the delicious Mickey-shaped waffles they serve up every day. Now, you can start every day with a smile even when you aren't at the Happiest Place on Earth. Buy one for yourself here or bring home a Minnie Mouse model here.

3. Sip in Style

Disney drink ware comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether you're looking for party cups or a water bottle, chances are you can find the cup in a Disney version. After all, nothing starts a day or keeps one going better than a Disney cup. Just looking at it puts you in a good mood.

4. Decorate Your Bathroom with Mickey

It is possible to add a little Disney to your decor without going all out. This Mickey Mouse bathroom rug is the perfect way to bring Mickey home. You'll love keeping your feet warm and cozy on this rug while you get ready in the morning.

5. Stay Clean in Style

The Method company makes fantastic products and their Disney hand soap is no exception. The Mickey Soap smells like fresh lemons and the Minnie soap smells like a fizzy strawberry soda. Even after the soap runs out, you can always refill these adorable dispensers to prolong the fun.

6. Keep Warm with This Scarf

Everyone needs a scarf to keep warm during the cold months. What better way to stay warm than with a Disney scarf? This scarf is light so it doesn't weigh you down but it still keeps you warm.

7. Carry Your Love with You

Wallets are must-haves. This wristlet has can hold everything you need without having to carry a purse. Extra bonus: It is a Dooney & Bourke so you know you are getting a quality wristlet. Find this and more D&B Disney items here.

8. Show Your Love for Vera AND Mickey

Disney teamed up with Vera Bradley to make a precious line of products that range from subtly Disney to obviously festive. Whether you want a wallet or a duffle bag, chances are this line has something for you in a range of colors and patterns. Find your next bag here.

9. Show Who You Belong to

If you have a shoe and a Sharpie, you can show your Disney side. Everyone loves Andy's toys and now you can feel like one of the gang. I've done this before and it is crazy fun. FYI, it rubs off really fast which can be a good thing depending on what you are going for.

10. On Second Thought, Go All Out! 

Hot Topic has a line of clothing that is every Disney lover's dream. No matter what your favorite flick is, they will definitely have something that captures your heart. Browse to collection here.

11 Walt Disney Quotes to Motivate You

Quotes from Disney movies have a way of creeping into every aspect of life. They fill up Pinterest pin boards, are painted on canvases, get scribbled in notebooks, are passed back and forth in text messages, and even get tattooed on people's skin. These simple quotes often hold so much truth to them and are words everyone seems to be able to relate to. Many people may not know that Walt Disney himself was also quite the wordsmith. In fact, many of the things he said can serve as motivation for any college student or person who needs a pick-me-up.

11. "I don't like to repeat successes. I like to go on to other things." 

Once we find one thing we're good at, it is easy to want to work that angle for the rest of our lives. Moving on to something new can be scary, but it is worth it. We grow more when we challenge ourselves and strive to succeed in new areas.

10. "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

Have you ever wanted to do something only to be told that it was impossible? Who hasn't? I can't help but imagine Disney had a sly grin on his face when he said this. If you want to do something, don't let anyone tell you it is impossible.

9. "Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future."

If there is anything that young people in 2015 know, it is that things change quickly. We are products of the recession, and as such, it is important that we don't just live for now. We have to plan for our future to make it bright. 

8. "You may not realize it when it happens, but sometimes a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."

Sometimes all we need is a setback or a reality check to give us the drive we need to get where we want to go. Getting a kick in the teeth may hurt in the moment, but sometimes it is exactly what we need to get us back in check. 

7. "A man should never neglect his family for business." 

No matter if your family is your parents, your spouse, your children, or even your friends, you should never throw the people you care about aside in pursuit of success. After all, it is lonely at the top.

6. "When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable."

There is no use in being a lukewarm person. If you believe in something, don't let your belief be shaken. If you believe in a person, stay true to them in all situations. To betray your beliefs is to betray yourself.

5. "When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do."

We should never lose our sense of curiosity- it is one of our most valuable senses. We should never put on blinders and cease broadening our horizons. If it is picking up a new hobby, going to a new place, or learning new things, we should never stop letting curiosity lead us down new paths.

4. "The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else."

It can be so easy to get caught up in comparison. We often find ourselves wishing the person we are away. Here's the beautiful thing about being who you are: there is no one else like you. If you are trying to be someone else, no one gets to be you. 

3. "The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing."

Many a life has been wasted talking about things and not doing them. If there is something you are wanting to do or need to do, just get out there and get started. If you start now, you'll thank yourself in a year. If you stay where you are you'll keep making excuses and what you want to do will never get done. 

2. "I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I'm realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter."

Life is too short to be down in the dumps all the time. You have to work in life so you might as well whistle while you do it. At the same time, everything in life isn't great. Awful things happen and only a fool smiles at all times. However, we have to believe that something good comes out of everything or else we are causing ourselves even more pain. 

1. "You can design and create, and build the most beautiful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality." 

No one had ever gotten where they are in life completely by themselves. You may be a person with great ideas, but it often takes other people to help you make that idea a reality. Even if you invent something awesome completely by yourself it will never get of the ground if nobody buys it. The moral of the story is this: we can't go through life alone. So why bother trying to?

Top 5 Underrated Disney Characters

Everyone loves a good Disney movie. There is nothing like sitting down and being transported to your childhood for any period of time. These movies are full of so many wonderful characters, but most people seem to gravitate towards the main ones. I say it is high time we give the minor characters the respect they deserve. Without further ado, here is a (completely objective and unofficial) ranking of the Top 5 Underrated Disney Characters.

5. Michael Darling- Peter Pan (1953)

Ah, Michael Darling. Any time people make a list of the cutest Disney kids Michael is sadly left off. Michael is adorable with his huge eyes, innocent face, pink jammies, and teddy bear. Not to mention the fact that his attitude embodies the college student mentality, "Go for days without sleep." Here's to you, Michael Darling. Thank you for reaffirming our life choices.

4. Oaken- Frozen (2013)

Sure, we like to say, "Woo-hoo! Big summer blowout!" but we don't take the time to think about how much of a boss Oaken is. Oaken is kind and considerate, but he doesn't let anyone take advantage of him. Not to mention the fact that he can point out that what you are doing completely crazy without making you feel bad about yourself. Now all that Oaken needs to master is the phrase "Bless your heart!"

3. Nakoma- Pocahontas (1995)

Let's all take a moment to feel bad for not even knowing Nakoma's name. Why is she so important? Well, to put it simply, Pocahontas is flipping crazy. Nakoma is the stable friend that every free-spirited girl needs to keep her semi-grounded. She is also an amazing friend. She is literally the type of friend who will be waiting at the bottom to catch you when you jump off a cliff. If she were in Mulan, she would totally be a girl worth fighting for.

2. Esmeralda- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Esmeralda is easily one of the best yet most over-looked Disney women. Why? She's the boss, that's why. She is brave, kind, resourceful, and loving towards all people. That's not even mentioning how beautiful she is. Esmeralda is proof that beauty is more than just skin deep. She has one of the most beautiful hearts that Disney has ever seen. God Help the Outcasts is a hauntingly beautiful Disney song that is ageless. I didn't see this movie until I was 19, but I cried when I heard this song because it is a heartfelt prayer that really puts life into perspective.

1. Ray- The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Could it have been anyone else? Ray is easily one of the greatest Disney characters of all time, major or minor. He loves Evangeline with all of his heart and he has faith that someday they will be together. He is a loyal friend even to death. He is a loving member of his family and he has a way of making everyone feel welcome. Ray's heart is always in the right place and he would do absolutely anything for anyone he cares about. Ray's death scene is easily one of the few times that Disney made people cry sad tears and happy tears in less than a minute. It just doesn't seem fair that Ray can be crushed so easily, but all his love for and faith in Evangeline pays off in the end. He gets to be beside his love forever.

Who is a Disney character that you thing goes unfortunately unrecognized? Comment below and your character might just make the next installment of Underrated Disney Characters! Be sure to share this post with your friends and subscribe to see Stargazing with van Gogh posts first.

God is the Ultimate Gentleman

I wasn't going to write anything heavy this week. I had my fun post and I thought that was where I would leave my writing. God, however, had a different plan as He so often does. Has anything ever kept popping up around you to the point that there was no denying it was God speaking to you? Here's what He's been saying...

God is the perfect gentleman.

Sure, we may know this and it may make perfect sense, but do we ever really think about it? God doesn't make people do things they don't want to do. (He may have them be swallowed by a huge fish to get a reality check, but He doesn't force people to do anything.) We choose salvation. It's like the ice cream truck drove up to your house and the ice cream guy said, "Hey! Do you want all the ice cream in this truck for free? Also, there is literally a never ending supply of ice cream in here and it will never give you a brain freeze." The obvious choice would be a roaring, "YES!" right? Well, some people say, "No thanks, I'm good."

The offer is extended but some people say no. Why? Well C.S. Lewis summed it up pretty well when he said this:

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

We aspire for so little when so much is offered. We think that anything you can make with our own hands is better than what came from the hands of the Maker. 

There is a play by Christopher Marlowe called Doctor Faustus. The titular character is the classic example of someone who has everything the world has to offer but wants more. He wants fame and he wants glory so he sells his soul to the devil. He wants to repent. He wants to turn back from his ways and cry out to God for help, but he doesn't. He feels like he has ran so far from God that he can't ask for help. 

So often lost people feel like Faustus. They feel like they have ran so far from God that they aren't even worthy of calling out His name. They would love to and they may have gotten close to crying out to the Lord, but every time they do, Satan whispers in their ear reminding them of all they've done. They don't feel worthy of coming to their Father because of what they've done. Sound familiar?

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus spelled out exactly how vast and forgiving God's love is. Like the father of the prodigal son, God rejoices when His children come home to Him. God isn't shooting you angry messages asking where you are and He isn't going to be standing there at the door to gripe at you and tell you how bad you've been. He's waiting to wrap you up in His arms, give you all the goodness He has to offer and say, "This child of mine was dead and is alive again. They were lost and are found!" 

There are so many misconceptions about God's nature that I encounter when I talk to my friends who aren't Christians, but a very common one is that He is controlling. This couldn't be any further from the truth. You see, God never forced anyone into salvation and He never forced anyone into Hell. He lets us make the choice for ourselves because His love for us is so deep. God would never make us do anything we don't want to do. 

Can you even imagine what that must be like for Him? He loves us so infinitely much that He gives us the choice to accept Him or to reject Him. I've boggled this thought around in my head for a long time and it makes me cry every time. He's God. I'm a worm on the pavement after the rain. I'm the smallest, most insignificant thing in terms of eternity, but He gives me the ultimate choice. 

God is the ultimate gentleman. He is kind. He is loving. He would never force us into doing anything we don't want to do. If we don't want to accept the gift Jesus gave us when He died on the cross we don't have to. He will be knocking on the door, but if we tell Him to go away or that we can do our lives with out Him, He will respect our wishes. He will still love us and it will hurt Him, but He will respect our wishes. 

Why Nerdy Guys Make the Best Boyfriends as Told by Ben Wyatt

As the Valentine's Day season quickly approaches, many people's thoughts are turning to love and relationships. If you aren't in one, hold out for a nerdy guy. They make the best boyfriends. Why, you ask? Here are some reasons why nerds rule brought to you by TV's ultimate nerdy boyfriend: Benjamin Wyatt.

1. They Adore You

Nerdy boyfriends absolutely adore their girlfriends. They like that you're smart and that you make witty jokes. They get all worked up about the same quirky little things you do. They'll always make sure you feel appreciated and they will do it in the sweetest of ways (like calling you a Jedi Ninja).

2. They Behave

Your nerdy boyfriend is too busy watching Battlestar Galactica reruns to be out doing anything heinous. Also, much like ya boy Ben Wyatt, they're too afraid of cops to ever do anything bad. Ever. This is especially helpful because no girl likes to be the babysitter of her man-child boyfriend. 

3. They Try so Hard

Nerdy guys aspire for perfection in all of their pursuits. From music to robotics, nerds pour their heart and soul into whatever they do. That's a great characteristic to look for in relationships. If this guy cares so much about a hobby he loves, he'll care even more about the lady he loves.

4.They Have a Strong Sense of Duty

All of those years spent reading/watching/playing as/ idolizing Spiderman, Batman, and Superman were certainly not a waste. Nerdy guys have a strong sense of duty. They'll take good care of themselves, you and everyone around them.

5. They're Rock Stars in Their Own World

Nerdy guys may not be at the top of the high school food chain, but they're the king of their own castle. (Not to mention the fact that, ahem, nerdy guys become the Jobs, Lucases, and Disneys of the world.) They don't worry about where they fall in the world of popularity because they're secure in their fandoms.

6. They are Infinitely Supportive

 You've spent countless expanses of time watching YouTube videos about 3D printing and video game plot theories. He is appreciative of that. He will show his appreciation by watching videos of cats and babies with you. It's the little things that make life big.

7. They're Total Sweethearts

Nerdy guys have Spidey-like senses. They've watched enough movies to know when a woman is about to lose it so they will be sweet to you when they know you're about to go full on She-Hulk and smash everything.

 8. No One Puts Baby in the Corner

You are his Lois Lane, his Mary Jane Watson, his Susan Storm, his Maggie Greene, and yes, you are even his Leslie Knope. Do you think your nerdy guy is going to let anyone get away with talking smack about you? If you do, think again. He will bring Thor's hammer down on anyone who dares speak ill of you or treat you like anything other than the Princess Leia that you are. 

So Bring on the Nerds

These are just a few reasons why nerdy guys make the best boyfriends but there are countless other ones. If you have a nerdy boyfriend, be sure to tell him how much you appreciate him this Valentine's Day season and pass this on so your single friends know what to look for next time they're looking for a guy. 

And if you've been thinking there was something else I've been getting at this whole time, you're 100% right. Alex, this one's for you:

Cloud by Day and Fire by Night

Here's that crayon art. Please, no need for applause.

I'm not okay right now. Is it okay if I say that? You see, my grandfather has Leukemia and he doesn't have long. I always knew a day like this would come, but I hid it away in the back of my mind. Now, what was once nothing more to me than a preview for a scary movie I'd see on television and never watch is my reality.

I know a lot of people who have been through unimaginable tragedies lately. They've lost children, parents, siblings, and more. Sometimes everything seems dark. I haven't even lost my grandfather yet and I already know that.

When you're on a cruise,  there's something called a muster drill. This is the time when you are told what to do in case the ship starts sinking. They give you a life jacket with a whistle and a water-activated light. Sometimes life feels like you've been tossed into a roaring sea on a moonless night with no life jacket, let alone a whistle or a water-activated light: life has no muster drill.

I feel like I'm walking through the valley of the shadow of death- just not mine. It's almost worse than the fear of my own death, if I'm honest. If I were the one that was sick, I'd have the peace of knowing that I was headed to the arms of Jesus when all was said and done. The illness would last for a while, but something greater than I could ever imagine would be waiting on the other side. It isn't like that when someone you love is dying. I know that my grandfather is going to be with the Lord when he dies. I know he will be okay.

I'm not okay- not right now- at least. The thought of losing him is unbearable. People have told me he is a great man and I know he is. I know that my life would likely be drastically different if it weren't for him. I can't stand the thought that someday I'll walk into my grandparent's house and no one will be sitting in his recliner. One second I'll be perfectly fine and the very next one I'm in tears just trying to hold it together and trying to be strong. Most everyone has been through either what I'm going through or something worse. I wish that the here and now was a memory and not reality.

All isn't lost. The other night I was working on a crayon melting craft with lots of blues and white. Inexplicably, I decided to flip my canvas upside down and start melting reds and oranges in the other direction. God put Exodus 13:21 on my heart:

 "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night."

 I really needed that. I feel like God wants to lead me out of the darkness I'm living in. He wants to lead me out of sadness, hurt, and growing bitterness. I just have to let Him. You see, we can't guide ourselves through the times in life when the cities of our lives are being dissolved to rubble by an earthquake we never could have anticipated. If I try to guide myself right now I'll just walk around in circles in the dark. 

-Caitlin