When I was 18 and working at Cinemark, I remember some of my guy co-workers talking about one of the female assistant managers.
"Nah, dude. She's not hot; she only looks hot. HFFA."
{Additional comments, snickering, testosterone-enriched rhetoric.}
Me (girl): "What's HFFA?"
Group: "... Hot From Far Away."
{Additional comments, snickering, rhetoric.}
This^ idea... and their joking around that day, has never left my mind. Sometimes I still think HFFA as I'm adjusting a skirt or piling concealer on acne scars.
It's crap like this {and honestly, it's a "stronger word" like this; I won't write it - but know I'm thinking it} that gets in girls' heads and creates the very insecurity we're discouraged from, and even rebuked for having.
{And this isn't just on guys; girls could write libraries on how we slam ourselves and each other.}
We're in need of a new acronym, new rhetoric.
HFIO. Hot From the Inside Out, where Jesus alone shapes our hearts, minds, thoughts, passions, and then consequently - our desires.
As you're dressing for Christmas parties and get-togethers this season - think on the things that are HFIO. :) <3