Lessons on the Inside: Manners & Etiquette Part Three

Today what it means to "be a lady" is lost among the sea of messages of what one wears, what one talks about, who she hangs out with or where they dine, vacation, and hang out.  That is hardly accurate at all!

Here are some common misconceptions about being a lady:

1. A lady has to know all the rules of etiquette.

2. A lady is boring, she doesn't say what she really thinks.  She's no fun. 

3. A lady can't be fashionable.  She has to wear clothes that look like they are from the 1800's.

4. Being a lady means you're old-fashioned and boring.

5. A lady is so feminine that she doesn't like sports.

6. A lady is not carefree or free-spirited. 

There is nothing more desirable to a man than a confident woman who holds her head high.  Ladies of Grace believes that self-image should be based on what God's Word says is true of us.  The world says you are worth a certain amount because you look a certain way or can perform a certain way.  God says you are valuable regardless of society's standards.

Remind yourself of the true basis of your personal identity.  Who you are is rooted in Christ and who He has made you to be.  Replay the fact that the most important part of your life is the part that only God sees.  His deepest concern is about the inner you.  True beauty is inner beauty, and it does not diminish but deepens as you grow older and your friendship with Him develops.

Lessons on the Inside: Manners & Etiquette Part Two

When we teach the Manners & Etiquette class on the inside we are typically allowed several hours for the teaching and it's broken up into two main sessions. One of the first principles is to "Start With Your Heart."  Elegance and etiquette typically go hand in hand and it shows in your eyes, your face, your smile, and your speech.

We advocate that the world of an elegant ladies look like this:

1. Your world is generally a more pleasant place.

2. Everyone speaks kindly and gently to you because you speak kindly and gently to others.

3. The more we act like a lady, the more we bring out the gentlemanly side of the men and boys in our lives. 

4. People will be more relaxed around you and seem to like you more. 

5. When you feel like a lady, you'll feel more beautiful.

6. Eventually, you stop feeling like a fake, because you've become a lady from the inside out and you might even develop the courage to graciously stand up for something you believe in, or for someone who has no voice.

7. You will gain a relaxed sense of confidence, an ease about yourself. You will start to feel more secure with yourself.

8. Whether by conscious effort or instinct, being a lady helps you be decisive and assured.

9. Being a lady is about being kind and choosing to believe the best in others and yourself.

You may be reading through these posts and thinking, "Why do women on the inside care about manners?" Well, just because they are on the inside doesn't mean they stop caring about themselves.  Next to offering Bible studies, this is the top request we receive from ladies on the inside.

Our next post will be "Misconceptions of Being a Lady." 

Lessons on the Inside: Manners & Etiquette Part One

Did you know we offer more than Bible studies to our ladies on the inside?  We do.  Occasionally, we offer a manners and etiquette class for the ladies. One of the first things ladies on the inside told our founder was, "I want someone to teach me how to be a lady."  We can do that.

In their class they learn any number of things and we will be devoting the next couple of blog posts to what the ladies learn in this class while they are on the inside. Ideally, this class is broken into a couple of sessions and at the very beginning they discuss what etiquette is and why it's important: Etiquette is not some highfalutin set of behaviors to make us look better, richer, fancier, smarter or better than everyone else. Etiquette helps us build successful relationships. Relationships at home, at work and in the community. You create memories with everyone … if you see yourself as a lady, you will bring great life to everyone with whom you encounter!

We create memories and bring good things to life when we conduct ourselves with elegance as ladies (and gentlemen).

We hope you enjoy this “Lesson on the Inside.”