Are you dressed in Shame?

         A couple days ago, my 9 year old daughter asked me "Mom, how come so many people want to change who they are?   I answered her from my own experience. "Because somebody along the way told them that they were not okay.  That who they are, wasn't enough."  Hearing that question come from such an innocent, concerned heart made me pause for a moment with the realization that most of the world feels this way.
         I bring this up because, later on that day, when I was on my way to a meeting, I experienced this overwhelming sense of acceptance and love.  I felt this inner peace with who I am as a person inside and out.  It's the first time I can recall not feeling shame over anything.  I felt beautiful for the first time before God himself, who sees me in my naked form.  And I knew I was loved just the way I am.........completely.  I used to be self abusive and demean myself and say that if people ever saw me naked, they wouldn't think I was beautiful anymore.  But this was the day, the first time ever, I felt naked and unashamed.  No, I wasn't driving around in my birthday suit, but I felt as if the God of the universe was looking straight at me, seeing all that I am, and all that I'm not, and truly accepting me in bare form.
         It reminded me of the age old story of Adam and Eve naked and unashamed in the garden.  It was shame that prompted the necessity for clothing.  In shame, we try to cover ourselves.  We try to hide.  I know so many people who dress as if they're hiding from the world.  Some people wear baggy clothing so that their form is hidden or dress in other gender clothing because they're not comfortable with who they are.     In our highly sexualized world, some women are ashamed of their femininity, so they hide in ugly, unattractive clothing.  In the same manner, some women feel ashamed of who they are so they dress in super sexy clothing to gain the approval and affirmation that they need.  Some people have been abused, so they use clothing as a shield from further abuse.  Some men feel insecure about their masculinity, so they dress to boost up what they feel they lack.  i.e.  perhaps the wearing of multiple gold chains around the neck somehow increases that persons value, or the wearing of an Armani suit makes them appear more prestigious, when in fact their value doesn't come from outward appearances.
         I guess what I'm getting at is this, "How would we dress if we were not ashamed of who we are......or what we've done?"  I'm not promoting any certain style or any amount of coverage.  Every case is different.  I do know this, that when we eliminate shame as part of our wardrobe criteria we would have more freedom in our personal fashion.  i.e.  When I was growing up I never wore shorts or even skirts above the knee because I thought my legs were too skinny until one summer in high school when it was too hot to care any more. No more long jeans in the summer time.  I threw shame out the window for my own health and well being.   Evaluate yourself. Do you dress yourself in shame? 

Like this tree, we can be naked, beautiful, and unashamed
photo by Jeff Masters
Washington DC

Thank you, my daughter, you are an inspiration to my life.
photo May 31st 2010.