I admit that I did not watch the live version.  To be honest, I wasn’t really interested in it.  For some reason, I watched the re-run of Nik Wallenda’s walk across the Grand Canyon on Discovery. Perhaps I was too lazy to look for the remote…or was I divinely inspired?

It was so touching to see Nik walk courageously across the canyons while praying in the name of Jesus Christ–giving Him all of the glory.  He wasn’t afraid to speak His name…He wasn’t worried about what the press or the critics would say…He was focused on his mission…his dream.

Did Nik Wallenda wake up one day, make a few calls, and walk across the Grand Canyon?  No.  Years of training and practice prepared him to make that brave journey.

Most of us are not training to walk a high-wire across one of the world’s greatest wonders; however, we are walking the high-wire of life.  One step at a time.  Leaning left.  Leaning right.  Kneeling for a rest as we take in the sights around us.

My blog began as an outlet–a way to express myself.  I confess that I did not know how to fix my hair or makeup or pose like a model…but with the help of fashion magazines, YouTube tutorials, practice, encouragement from family, friends, and fans…my look and confidence evolved.

I learned that others loved my natural curls which up until my blog had been an albatross.  The more I blogged–the more I embraced those curls.  I cannot tell you how many of my classmates and teachers told me to straighten my hair…that I would be prettier with straight hair…I know that deep down they all meant well…but it hurt.  My hair is naturally curly.  I tried many times to straighten it…damaged it severely with a flat iron…because I wanted to be accepted…I wanted to be pretty…like all the girls with straight hair.

Long story–short.  I started to love myself–I started to love everything about myself–inside and out. No, the journey of becoming a confident teenager was not an easy one.

I had to go against what is deemed the “norm”–teenagers being teenagers…I have no other way to explain the norm.  Sadly, there are too many teenagers out there taking  pictures of themselves to get attention from anyone and everyone–not thinking about the future–not thinking about being positive examples–not thinking about WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)….They are just acting without inhibition…without care…without conscience.

This takes me back to the “Entangled by the Norm” post….

After a lot of soul-searching and Bible study, I realized that I love the person God made me.  I love what I am doing.  I have a desire…a passion…a dream…to motivate and encourage my fellow teenagers and even adults.  One does not have to follow the renowned quote of Robert Frost and take the common road or the road less traveled by–No.  Work hard to create your own path.

It will not be easy.  There will be successes.  There will be failures.  There will be joy.  There will be tears.  There will be struggles.  It will take hard work…practice after practice. Yes, you will have to practice…just like Nik Wallenda.  Will it all be worth it?  Absolutely!

Prepare for the critics because they will be there…waiting for failure.  Prepare for the naysayers because they will be there …waiting for a weak moment.  Prepare for the meanies, prepare for the bullies, prepare for the envious…because they will all be there…waiting….Me–I am going to take a little advice from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs–to whistle while I work–tuning them all out.

Phew…I see that I am getting long-winded–my parents say I have always been terrible about that…anyway, life is a high-wire…we must lean left, lean right, kneel for a rest, and give Jesus Christ all of the glory.  I am glad that I was too lazy to look for the remote…and I am so thankful for the ways that God inspires me.

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn