I just wish more people didn't feel like being different is a bad thing. Because it isn't. At all.
The movie Grease was on television the other night, and the Rangers weren't playing so I decided to watch it. Now, I'm certainly not trying to ruin what I guess is considered a "classic musical" for anyone, but I couldn't help but wonder why so many people love this movie as much as they do. Sure, the songs are rather catchy, but I don't understand how this movie is considered a love story.
I know it's just a movie, but the whole concept made me a little upset as I let it all soak in. Throughout the entire story, Danny constantly seems ashamed of being with a "good girl," because he has the reputation of being one of the "bad boys." Toward the end of the movie, Sandy sits alone on that concrete slant area (I'm sure there is some technical term for whatever it is) and watches Danny win the car race, and then she sings to herself:
Look at me; there has to be
Something more than what they see
Wholesome and pure, oh so scared and unsure
A poor man's Sandra Dee
Sandy, you must start anew
Don't you know what you must do?
Hold your head high; take a deep breath, and sigh
Goodbye to Sandra Dee
I hate that song.
There's nothing wrong with being wholesome and pure, and it makes me sad that Sandy thinks she has to change who she is so that someone will love her. We know what happens next: Sandy shows up to the graduation carnival dressed in a bunch of tight leather and smoking a cigarette. Then, all of a sudden, Danny is perfectly comfortable chasing her around and not afraid of what his friends think of him anymore.
Funny how that worked out.
Sadly, even though this is "just a movie," it reflects what many people feel they have to do to make others love them. They aren't willing to be themselves and, instead, change the ways they talk or act or dress or think all to impress people. But, if you have to become someone you're not in order for someone to love you, then it isn't real love.
As someone who works with high school kiddos on a daily basis, I've seen countless instances of young girls leaving behind innocence completely so that they can "fit in" better and catch the attention of whatever guys they're eyeing at the time. And most of those relationships—if they even amount to that—don't end up lasting.
If I can offer any amount of encouragement to anyone out there, it's be comfortable being you. You were wonderfully made as you are for a reason. And there is Someone who will always love you just as you are—you don't have to try to be someone you aren't.
If you love singing out loud in the car, don't stop that; if you love eating ketchup on your macaroni and cheese, don't hesitate to pour it on there (no matter where you are); if you like to wear your hair curly, don't constantly straighten it just because some cute guy once complimented how great it looked; if high heels make your feet hurt, then don't wear them; if you like heels but are afraid people will think you're too tall, walk in them with pride; if you have a hobby you really enjoy (like origami or wood carving), don't feel like you have to hide it or give it up for someone; if you like following rules, don't start breaking them so that you seem so cool.
If someone loves you—actually loves you—then he needs to love all of you just as you are. Love should not be conditional, and you should not have to wear tight leather and smash a cigarette on the ground in your sassy shoes in order to capture a fella's heart.
So don't say goodbye to Sandra Dee.
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