The Problem with Selfies...

      SO here it is...another totally random mid-week post.  It is an issue that I feel like most brush under the rug and don't discuss.  I believe I have to bring attention to it.  And by doing so, please don't hate me or be offended.  This blog is just my personal thoughts on the matter and it is never my intentions to hurt any feelings.  And this post is focused towards my daughter and other women.  I will be writing something pertaining just to my boys very soon! ;) 
      I am a photographer.  I take pictures of people for a living, so I feel like I have to speak up on this issue.   I also have 3 beautiful children.  And one of them is a girl.  I am concerned about this issue that tends to lean more towards girls and women.  Our country is facing a major issue that they aren't addressing, just like many other issues.  Sure, we hear about EBOLA, the economy, and well, uh...you know...political stuff.  Which I know SO much about.  Ha! Kidding!  Did you hear the sarcasm in that statement?  The problem, drumroll please... is the obsession with selfies.  AND I find it alarming.  especially the ones when you're driving down the road.  Let's face it, vanity is something that is overtaking social media. And before I go on, I am not talking about the ones with your cute kids or you glowing preggo ladies.  And, I am not judging you.  It is your Facebook and instagram, and you can post whatever you like.   I am just posting my thoughts on the matter.  I am totally not hating on the art of a selfie!  IN FACT, my four year old loves a good selfie.  Give her a camera and she can take a selfie like a pro...

      There is nothing wrong with it.   The problem is when it becomes something you do daily.  The ones that are posted over and over.  You know the ones... the duck face being the most popular.  Most selfies are situated around one's self.  Angled appropriately, and taken mostly because one has pride in how they look.   Good for you sister!  But where do we draw the line between self esteem and self obsession?  I am all for feeling good about yourself.  But sometimes, pride can destroy you.   I recently saw an interview with Kim Kardashian about her whole "breaking the internet" fiasco.  Her response?  She did it to feel confident about herself?  Seriously, Kim?  You?  The QUEEN of selfies?  You?  Need a boost of confidence? Ha!  Tell that to my tummy that looks like a road map.  You, my dear, are gorgeous.  And I believe you are well aware of that fact.  If you weren't confident, you wouldn't post a gazillion selfies on every social media platform that you have.   You should be more worried about setting an example for your daughter.  Is the lack of clothing really necessary?  How do you teach your daughter self respect if you cannot respect yourself.   You are raising a daughter, you should also be slightly alarmed by the selfie trend.  And here is why...
       The selfie trend is spreading worse than a case of lice at a 3rd grade sleepover.  I am all for women having confidence in themselves.  Every woman is beautiful in her own way.  I mean that.  But you shouldn't have to have 10 comments and 50 likes on instagram or Facebook to prove that.  I feel like one of the most honorable traits a woman can wear is humility.  One of the best lessons my momma ever taught my was to be humble.    I was a teenager and it went a little something like this, "Honey, you are absolutely beautiful...but you aren't as cute as you think you are. "  I feel like that is a lesson that only a mother can teach a daughter.  Because, let's be honest, if anyone else tried to, we'd probably take a golf club to their face.  To some, that may be a hard pill to swallow.  But it may be, just what you need to hear.   I totally want to teach my daughter the same lesson...  

      I want her to know she is kind, she is smart, she is BEAUTIFUL.  But I also want to teach her not to be vain.  Let's face it, selfies are about yourself.  They highlight you alone.   I want my daughter to not be obsessed with how she sees herself in the mirror, or in the camera of the phone.   I want her to see the reflection of what others see when they look at her.  Radiance.  Compassion. Not just beauty.  I want her to turn heads, but not just because she has long blonde hair.  I want her sweet soul to be evident and her laugh to be contagious.  I want her to always put OTHERS first and be generous always.   I don't want her to be all about herself all the time!  It is not healthy.  I don't want her to believe that she is only socially accepted by a selfie.  She doesn't need all of her FB friends to tell her how beautiful she is, that is my job, and her father's job.   I want her to know that her duck face, does not define her beauty.  I want her to know she has a kind soul, and that, is even more beautiful than her long dark lashes.  She is a child of God and the daughter of a KING.  And she can only find the unconditional acceptance and love through him alone.  As mommas, let's all make sure we set an example for them and teach them the true meaning of beauty.  
      
"The fruit of the spirit is joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and Self Control."
                                        -Galatians 5:22-23

I'm holding my breath and hoping I don't get any negative feedback.  Because I promise, I only want this post to be positive.  As always, I love hearing your thoughts.  Thanks for reading and SHARING! :)  My infertility series will pick up on Monday!  Have a blessed week!