Let's Talk Rubies

I had both the pleasure and the honor of participating in a very unique project. The Ruby Project. This project was all about stomping out insecurities and judgment, about encouraging women to understand that our looks don't make us who we are. We look in the mirror and we criticize ourselves, we look at other women and many times mentally judge there as well. We are our own worst critics and we need to stop tearing each other down.
It's about support - I was astounded at the number of kind comments and likes and reactions I got by sharing this project on Facebook. It's also interesting to see who didn't bother to react. People that are after you to participate in their journeys, but they don't so much as like such a spectacular mission that you took part in (see there I go judging).

In truth, what is perfection? Perfection is not a size 3 or 5'8". Perfection is what we as a society has tried to make it and we are very wrong. You see we were created in God's image, and we were ALL created with a purpose. Each and every one of us and we should never doubt or question that purpose.
Am I saying we should all just let ourselves go and flounder away? No, but we need to stop condemning ourselves for the size of pants we wear and the number on the scale. And we need to uplift each other always.
This project was started by one person who saw a Facebook post and decided she needed to take a stand as well. She took off running and in the end we were all blessed by the project. And I am hoping along the way many others are blessed by it too. To quote Jessica Psalms 31:10 tells us that "her worth is far more precious than rubies" - hence The Ruby Project.

We started by holding signs of either things people had said to us or things we believed about ourselves that are demeaning or negative in some way. My picture below.

We then were pictured holding a sign with either a corresponding positive quote or verse that lifted us up from that dark place of negativity.

 

 

Even looking at my pictures here, I find myself judging myself!! I cannot believe that despite the purpose of this project I look at this picture and think oh my gosh... I just have gotten so big. Or wow, look how fat my knees are in those pants. You see what we are doing to ourselves? This world has completely torn us apart. My self confidence has always been LOW. ALWAYS. Despite what you might think of me, I am not outgoing, I am shy, I am nervous, and I am always self conscious.

I am working on me - in many ways, but in doing so I need to work on not tearing me down. ME as I am now is just as perfect as me 80 pounds lighter. Tearing myself down will not help, in fact it's a deep hole to dig out of. The purpose of this project is to bring an end to attitudes such as mine and bring out the positivity, uplifting, and encouragement.

What can YOU do to help?

The link to the full Ruby Project here: https://m.facebook.com/jessicajoybantaphotography/albums/769388886531933/