When I was in High School I had a schedule that allowed some extra time in the day especially in my Ag class and I had a best friend with the same schedule and Ag teacher. Oftentimes we found ourselves with the need to leave campus, which for some reason required a signed parent note for my friend, but not me. Not sure how those rules worked out, she was a grade behind me, but we were also in a relatively small town. So, the 'signature of record' for her Mom was my best interpretation of her Mom's signature. Before you think I'm a regular at forging signatures, her Mom knew about it and most days when we left we went to her house because it was close to school and her Mom was home and knew exactly where we were and what we were doing. I'm sure we thought we were cool when we flashed our get out of parking lot pass to "Hard Hat" in his guard shack.
The memories we have from those run-away days of High School are still some of our greatest laughs when we see each other. I'm not sure if the school ever checked the signature her Senior year when I was gone and the real signature might have shown up. Our days of "forging" a signature were innocent fun. Someone always knew where we were and what we were up to, so we weren't using the signature for our own gain.
How many times a day do you sign your name? Is it always your full first and last name, do you abbreviate or even just initial at times. Do you remember signing the signature card at the bank the first time you opened an account? Did you think "every time I sign my name it needs to look like this" when you were still in the figure-out-your-best-handwriting stage?
Just like your handwritten signature is unique to you, so is the individuality of who you were created to be! No two of us are alike and we are each created for unique and different purposes. Some relate more to an extravagant calligraphy while others feel comfortable with a simple print. Each of us finds our rhythm in varying ways to live this life.
I love fashion, I love organizing, I have a heart for women to live their lives confidently and most importantly I love Jesus. These things combined make up the signature that is uniquely me. Some days of my life are written in fine calligraphy and some days in print with a pencil that just came out of the sharpener clearly writing specific words like "wait". This is my place to share and encourage your signature. Who you were created to be and how to live confidently within your self.
None of us look like the cover of a magazine, or the model on the page of an online store, they have been airbrushed. Though we oftentimes find ourselves aspiring to be "that girl" with her hair, makeup, clothes, frame, shoes, accessories and of course no wrinkles to be had. We clammer to know "where did you get that" and frantically order up one for ourselves in hopes that we mimic that "perfect" look.
I have finally learned. What looks good on them, doesn't always look good on me. I'm tall - 5'9". Relatively "thin" though I really hate to put that out there. I eat reasonably well and try to exercise regularly. No matter how many pairs I try, skinny jeans don't fit my legs. 4+" platform wedges are not my shoes. Cat eye is too severe of make-up for me. Blunt cut haircut doesn't work for me. But, I have figured out what does. My favorite pair of jeans are most likely not going to be yours. However, when you find the perfect boyfriend jean to wear with the nude shoe that you love and toss on a scarf that is your favorite color, you re-create a look reflecting your signature. You're not in clothes (or house, or organized closet, or church, or job, or organization) that are meant to fit someone else.
Stick around, bookmark this page and come back often. I'm sharing my life here, what I've learned, how I've created my signature and prayerfully encouragement for you! I love comments, feedback and your questions too! I recently found this verse in Proverbs and it speaks truth over us:
Proverbs 14:30 - A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Let's commit to build each other up and learn to love ourselves for who we were created to be. Let's strive for a signature that starts with a heart of peace and not envy those we live life alongside. Truth be told, everyone is fighting a battle and sometimes we have to dress up, smile and fake it until we make it just to get through the day. Be real, be honest and be YOU!
Blessings,
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