The Been Briefing

people. faces. pictures. love.

in coming to korea i was forced to face the korean mentality towards beauty and a person's inherent value. koreans constantly size me up based on my appearance here, and, i have come to realize, they rather harshly size one another up, as well. there is a relentless standard imposed on everyone. in korea, i pass simply because i have a "thin" face, big eyes, and a high nose.

there is another challenge, as well. and that is personal space. koreans do not see the need to give one another space. they cut in front of me and each other without losing step or batting an eye. they shamelessly run, walk, or shove past you and think nothing of it. i have come to realize that it is not necessarily intentional rudeness on their part. it is rather, a complete lack of awareness of those around them.

it does make one think.

today as i was walking to the doctor's i passed a man in a business suit, carrying a briefcase. he was an ordinary, older gentleman. i pass many like him all the time. but this man was different. he was smiling. his face was alive with light. and he acknowledged me. it was just a nod. and a smile. but he was admitting that i existed. that i am alive. that i am another human being. and i could sense that it was not because i was a white girl. i have received plenty of that attention. this was different, and i loved it.

i found myself nodding back at him. and smiling. and even mouthing a 'hello' without thinking of it. i felt proud to be acknowledged.

and so, because i am learning about this wonderful gift we've all been given - the gift of being a wonderful human, created in the image and likeness of God and deserving of respect and dignity - i wanted to honor it. and not just that... but that Jesus came to the earth and died... for you and for me. He seemed to fully believe that each one of us was worthy of His heart and love. that is absolutely amazing.

and so, i wanted to ask you to send me pictures of yourself. yes.... YOU. or you and your spouse. or you and your children. i want to post them on my blog. and i want to write a little something about you.... and say where you live and what you do. or not say, depending on what you prefer. i want to do this because i love you and care about you. and you deserve to be known. and acknowledged.

so please send them to me: my email is ruth.clementson@gmail.com and then give me time, so that i can put them up. hopefully, depending on the response, i can have them up within a week or so of you sending it to me.