The current buzzword right now is COVID-19. Everything is centered around this pandemic. Articles, posts, advertisements, and almost all of the news. As a nurse, I’ve been caught up in the fight and have been worrying over the outcome of this crisis.  I haven’t written anything, worked on any projects, or taught anything outside of a hospital setting. However, I can’t allow this virus to dominate my life, and neither should you. We will get through this, and we will be stronger for it. That being said, I’m going to return to normal writing and projects while praying that our world starts recovering physically, financially, and spiritually. Thank you all for sticking with me during this time.

A few months ago I started what I wanted to be a small series of posts regarding the name I chose for this company. Reclaiming Her Grace: Beauty of Elegance was the first in the series that explains why I chose this name and what it means to me. (Click the link above to read full post.) I’d like to look at the second part and talk about the next thing we need to reclaim in our lives.

We need to Reclaim Beauty of Form

We don’t live in 1952 anymore. Women don’t wear dresses and pumps everyday, we don’t wear pearls to vacuum, and nobody dresses up to go to the market. (Do we even use the word market now?) And as much as some of us inspire to channel Audrey Hepburn, we’re just not her. We don’t need to look like a 1950’s starlet, but we should take some pride in our appearance. Language has been steadily declining through the decades. We’re to the point where men and women alike are using filthy language in front of children and not thinking twice about it. If we’re going to reclaim the beauty of form, there are three main areas to start with.

1.) We need to Reclaim Beauty in Personal Appearance

You don’t see people dressing up for grocery shopping, doctor visits, the airport, or even church anymore. As matter of fact, we’re seeing a basic hygiene go out with the bath water. It shocks and appalls me when I see someone shopping in a grocery store (where I’m buying food!) in their pajamas and dirty hair. I’m amazed at how many people go to visit with their doctor in 3 day old clothes and smell like they haven’t showered in a week. We don’t have to, or need to, look like we’re going to a gala but we should be clean and put together. We don’t even have to wear makeup; I sure don’t wear makeup when I’m going to work. Even so, there are several care tasks that should be done daily before we leave our home.

4 things you should do daily, no matter what:
-Shower and wash.
-Brush you teeth.
-Brush your hair.
-Put on clean, wrinkle free if possible, clothes.

2.) We need to Reclaim Beauty in Speech

The phrase “accept me how I am or watch me as I leave” bothers me. I understand the underlying meaning, but so often it’s used as an excuse and nothing more. It’s used as an excuse to be loud and crude. Please don’t use the “well that’s just me” excuse to cover for bad behavior or crude speech. Galatians 5:22-23 says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” When we belong to Christ, we are to take on His attributes to be a shining light to those around us. This means that the way we verbally present ourselves should reflect our Savior. 

 

4 things we should remember when speaking:

-Not every opinion needs to be expressed.
-Use volume control on your voice.
-Think before you speak. Is it true, necessary, or helpful?
-Once said, it can never be un-said. Choose your words carefully.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29-32

3.) We need to Reclaim Beauty in Graceful Presentation

Ladies, please don’t sit with your legs spread wide open or carelessly thrown up over your lap like a man. This will not be popular among the feminist groups of today (to be fair, I don’t think those are the kind of readers I have), but we were born as women. We don’t have to try to make a point to anyone that we can be just like a man. We can’t. Even if we could, why in the world would we want to? Men, please remember that being a man does not give you the excuse to behave like a barn animal.

Everyone should be mindful of crossed arms and scowls. Body language can unintentionally send negative messages to others before we ever have a chance to speak. This is a hard one because so often our body language is pure habit or instinct, but we must be mindful as to how it appears to others.

4 things to keep in mind with body language:
-A smile says a lot.
-Sit up straight. It automatically makes you look more approachable.
-Minimize distracting movements such as playing with hair, shaking leg, fidgeting, etc.
-If you use your hands to gesture while talking, do so palms up. It makes you appear more confident and trustworthy.

 

My hope is to see more people, especially ladies, reclaim the beauty and grace that we were created for. To feel proud of our femininity, and to present ourselves in a way that would be a shining testimony to the world around us for Christ.

 

With love,

Paige