There is a young adult fiction trilogy called "Uglies" that was popular when I was in middle school. The books bring readers into a world where the expectations of society dictate the way people act, look, and work. Members of this society are considered “Uglies” until they turn sixteen, when they have to undergo an operation to become “Pretties.” Uglies spend their entire childhood in anticipation of the day they become Pretties, eager to be accepted by society and have a fulfilling life. To be Pretty is the highest goal; individuality is erased and personal will is destroyed. Uglies spend their whole lives aspiring to find their cookie-cutter fit in society, only to be left empty, lost, and exactly like everyone else. From the outside looking in, Pretties have all they could ever want or need. In reality, they lose every part of who they were.
As I walk around campus on the first day of my senior year, I am surrounded by thousands of students representing different majors, organizations, and backgrounds. Freshmen brush me by in a rush to make it to class on time. I spot a tint of fear and excitement in their eyes. I stop for a minute and watch, my world standing still while everyone else’s carries on–hectic but routine. As someone who has lived for a great deal of time just letting the lives of those around me dictate my happiness, I have a novel thought. Every single student walking this campus has been through a lot. We all wrestle with something; no one stands untouched by the world’s often unfair hand. Though subconsciously, we seem to know this reality; it’s too easy to live life seeing people for all that we are not.
I think our society is a lot more like "Uglies" than we would like to admit. Recently, I’ve realized the danger of misconceptions and twisted perspectives. The role of social media, the pressure from pop culture, and high expectations of success all contribute to our generation striving for something that doesn’t actually exist: perfection. We think we’re on the outside looking in; that once we make it in, everything will be better. We have unrealistic expectations of ourselves based on our false perceptions of other people’s lives.
Think about the Pharisees in the New Testament. They had the “stamp of perfection” on their robes, and were accepted by society because they looked right. Meanwhile, Jesus walked through a crowd and saw the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the sick, and the homeless. He was immediately drawn to those who were open about their brokenness and their need for a Savior. He saw past the fancy robes and fake satisfaction, and looked straight into the eyes of those who were willing to admit the truth about their circumstances.
This continues to ring true for us today. I believe the time is now to throw off unhealthy perspectives and unrealistic expectations of everyone on this campus. The bottom line, and my advice to everyone, from those who are just beginning to call Baylor home to those of us who are taking our final strides to graduation, is that it’s okay to not have it together, because no one does. We are all just as broken, all just as worthy and loved by the Creator of the Universe. Don’t let a mirage of perfection dictate your need to change who you are. Just be you, fully free from comparison and expectation. It truly is the best way to live.
