Don’t punch me in the face, but I’m about to admit something to you. Until this season, I’ve NEVER watched The Voice. I think I caught part of an episode at a friend’s house once, but beyond that, nope. Never.
Are you done judging me yet? Good.. now let’s get to the good stuff.
I had no intentions of watching it this season either, until my friend Marcie mentioned how funny Kelly Clarkson was. So I fired up Hulu and thought I’d give it a shot. Call me hooked.
I’ve lived my life caring too much about what people think about me. I’ve spent moments not worried so much, then moments so controlled by what others thought about me I couldn’t focus on anything else. I’ve known over the last several years that rejection is something I struggle with, but in the last two years the Lord has dug deep to get me healed from that stupid word.
I’ve spent countless tears, journal entries, and counseling appointments working through the issue of rejection. I believe I’m in a season of healing like never before. Am I getting it right everyday, no? But in the words of Joyce Meyer,
I’m not where I need to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be.
God’s timing is perfect, and little did I know He would use a singing talent show with an on-fire Kelly Clarkson to help me continue overcoming the battle of insecurity.
Y’all.. This woman.. Not only is she funny, but when she speaks, cries, laughs, snorts, or makes fun of Blake Shelton, she’s the real deal. There’s no Hollywood. There’s no imposter trying to fit in. She’s just Kelly. I think she’s only a year older than me, but I totally want to be like her when I grow up.
Tommy Newberry says in his book, The 4:8 Principle:
What others think about me is none of my business.
Kelly Clarkson is the poster child for that statement, and man…. it’s impressive. Here are three things Kelly Clarkson taught me about being yourself:
Don’t be afraid to be you….
Looking back on my time leading Esther’s House, I lost my identity. I felt like I had to be someone for so many people, I lost track of who I really was.
When you forget your own identity, it’s really hard to help others find theirs. I didn’t have to be what everyone wanted or needed me to be. I just needed to be me. I’m still on a journey getting Sundi Jo back. It’s kind of creepy talking about myself in third person.
[ctt template=”5″ link=”HNj7K” via=”yes” ]When you forget your own identity, it’s really hard to help others find theirs. – Sundi Jo[/ctt]
Not everyone is going to like you….
For us recovering people-pleasers, that’s hard to swallow. In the last several months, I’ve set hard boundaries with specific people. When they tried to force me to do things I wasn’t okay with, I found myself having to make the decision to give into their push or stand my ground.
Unfortunately, when I decided to stand my ground and not allow them to cross those boundaries, they retaliated and I became very unpopular in their eyes quickly. Looking back, I am a better person for setting those boundaries, even those I had to lose relationship with people I loved to stay healthy.
You’ll inspire others to keep pushing forward….
People are always watching you. Those in leadership or with a platform, such as Kelly, are watched with a microscope. What does your message say?
Kelly’s message screams authenticity. I long for mine to do the same. That’s where we should all be.
As I get back to uncovering who I really am, of course, my first step is to know without a doubt Who I am in Christ. My second step is to get back to being me, and being okay with that. I’m learning to be okay with the fact that I:
- Laugh at my own jokes, and if others don’t, it’s still okay to think I’m funny.
- Don’t have to change my opinion simply because I want to be accepted by you.
- Like to know the “why” behind things and that involves asking questions. I’m always going to ask questions.
- Will continue to speak truth with grace to you, and not allow the fear of rejection keeping me from doing so.
- Won’t apologize for wearing my heart on my sleeve and having emotions. God made me that way and I’m learning to be okay with it.
We all need to live a little more. Smile a little more. Laugh a little more. Cry a little more. Believe a little more. Relax a little more. Rest a little more.
We all need to get Kellyfied. Yes.. I just created a new word.
Are you in? Let’s do it!
Of the three keys I learned fro Kelly, which one do you struggle with the most? Leave a comment below..