Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / It’s OK to be a Barb. Who cares about the Livelys in the world?

It’s OK to be a Barb. Who cares about the Livelys in the world?

February 9, 2018 by Emily Guajardo

Sometimes I think about the person who sat next to Blake Lively in high school. I wonder if anyone ever paid any attention to them behind Lively’s bubbly, loud personality and gorgeous good looks. What did Lively have that Barb in the second row didn’t?

As my time as an undergrad slowly comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past four years. I remember the jokes, laughs, tears, screams and silences endured after an event – and definitely after a bad formal date. However, one thing that I still find hard to believe is how much time I stared into the lives of other people.

And while I didn’t realize it then, I have finally realized it now – who gives a flying frick about the lives of Livelys?

Each of us were created differently by God for a specific purpose, time and place. Thus, we must learn to remain faithful to our own lane.

I’m not writing to the Livelys who identify with the Barbs in the room – although, you are more than welcome to take a seat. Rather, I am writing to the Barbs who force themselves to look down when encountering a Lively or yearn to be seen as a Lively, when their hearts, minds and wits are made for more capabilities.

I imagine Queen Esther as a Barb, since she was a Jewish girl who saw herself as weak and inferior to the Persian king, Ahasuerus. As the story goes, God helped her push through with the goodness found within her heart. He saw her for who she could be instead of what she saw in the mirror.

Esther became the best version of herself because of how much she focused on God’s plan for her life.

In Esther 4:14, it reads “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” It is evident Mordecai sees Esther for the great queen she was meant to be and challenges her to think about her future as well as the future of her people.

Today, many of us (including myself) have chosen to spend time wanting to be a Lively – full of attention, insecurities and the means to fund those insecurities. However, it is in times like these where I have seen how great it is to stay in your own lane – how great it is to be a Barb.

In Micah 6:8, we are encouraged by the prophet Micah of Moresheth to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” In the same way, we must want to walk with God in our own lane – the lane specifically created and intended for us.

To all the Barbs, I say to you this: Forget the annoying, cackling Lively trying to grab the attention of your favorite teacher or person you’ve liked for months on end. Forget about the Livelys bumping into you and not saying a single ‘excuse me’ as they continue to walk in their gaudy attire.

Remember how, like Esther, you were created for such a time as this, and it is because of God’s perfect plan that you will receive the reward, recognition and crown as desired.

Forget the Livelys of the world. Be a Barb.

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

About Emily Guajardo

Arts and Features Editor from San Antonio, TX
Hobbies: Reading heroine novels, eating chinese food and working out.

You are here: Home / Opinion / It’s OK to be a Barb. Who cares about the Livelys in the world?

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....