Hairdressers are dangerous places for women to be. It's not so much the washing, drying and cutting that's the problem. Nor even the colouring and styling. But the sideways glances in which most of us indulge.
I guess you know what I mean. There are the "oh her hair looks gorgeous" glances -" I wish I had her curls or her volume or her ability to carry off that cut". Then there are the "Seriously? You honestly think bright green hair suits you?" glances as we stifle a smirk. The imaginary glances, "I bet she just rolls out of bed in the morning looking stunning". Or the introverted glances, "I love my new hair, I feel amazing now". Or alternatively, "bring me a paper bag NOW".
I saw them all yesterday. I indulged in a few myself as I sat listening to my stylist who, having just gone through a bad break-up, was thrilled that her ex's new girlfriend wasn't as pretty as she is.
As women, we often compare ourselves to one another. (In fairness, men probably do too). We like to see how we measure up. We like to make ourselves feel better by reminding ourselves that we are stronger than other people in some areas of our life. We often torture ourselves by focusing on the fact that we're not as good or as pretty or as stylish or as popular as those around us. But doing so is destructive to the core. It focuses our attention on us rather than on God. It encourages us to aspire to be like other women rather than like Jesus. And it promotes jealously and envy rather than an attitude of love towards our fellow human beings.
So, what can we do? Over the next 3 days we're going to be running 3 extracts from a great new book called, Compared to Her that might just whet our appetites for a spot of change in the sideways glance department of our lives. And if contentment is something you'd love to experience, but which often seems elusive, take advantage of our this-week-only deal and grab Compared to Her at 20% off—just £5.60, or $10.30. Simply enter the code "Contentment" at the checkout.
