Self-Confidence

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who never allowed fear to cloud her actions and lived her childhood to the fullest. Her environment was filled to the brink with encouraging and supportive elders. As she began to grow older, her world suddenly came crashing down. Comments about her skin color and her hair were thrown at her and none of them were positive. There were such a few selections of representation around her that it was almost impossible for her to relate. Society became the evil stepmother, often out to get to her and almost every time succeeding. It didn't make it easy for her to love the fact that her skin color is equivalent to chocolate and the beautiful and spectacular fact that everything about her is a mixture of her mother and father. All thoughts running through her mind were negative and it was revealed in her composure and the way she spoke about her appearance in public. Self-consciousness engulfed her like a flame ready to destroy every part of her; without giving her a chance to even tame it or put it out.

That little girl is me.

For the longest time, I had to fight in order to believe in the beauty that I have inside and outside. Removing every last bit of negative thoughts that were embedded in my mind was one of the most difficult tasks I had ever executed in my life. Fighting the urge to downplay my beauty each time that it appeared in conversations with friends and such became one of my goals as the journey to self-love began. Concentrating on becoming a better version of myself which in return allowed me to understand what it meant to go through a period of time; when hearing words such as "you are beautiful" seemed to contain more lies than truth. Learning to accept the fact that when the beauty is taken away or disguised for a split second, the person that shines right through the seams is incredibly breathtaking, her soul is alluring and the words that come out of her mouth displays love, encouragement, inspiration, and hope...

Sure enough, many have been in the same place as I was about two or three years ago. The most important phrase to remember when going through this rough time is that "It'll get better." My desire is to let you know that you are enough, more than enough. You are absolutely astonishing, not talking about your appearance. Your soul is grasping and you deserve to be cherished. My dear, or whoever is reading this right now, I ask that you acknowledge all your features and all that is beautiful about you; even if it is the simplest of things. Write them down and place them somewhere that is constantly at eye level such as a mirror. Please erase the negative thoughts and think positively; I can guarantee you that it is easier said than done but it is a step that is crucial on this journey of self-love and confidence. Allow yourself to feel beautiful, wear that dress that you placed in the back of your closet because it made your love handles stand out more. Cut that hair of yours because it accentuates your features, love; only if this is what you want.

Devote a portion of your time to be alone; to reflect on yourself and be one with your inner self. Fall in love with yourself internally and externally; for that will allow you to never reject the beauty you have within and outside. Invest in a journal. I guarantee you that it will change your life. As of today, I challenge you to make a concrete list of some amazing characteristics about yourself. Be kind to yourself and I am certain that this can be difficult when it is the only mode of communication you have with yourself. You are a clear cup of water and every bit of negative thoughts are debris that will only soil the water... YOU... Therefore, understand that you have been brought this far to fulfill a purpose that was only meant for you to accomplish. To whoever reading this post, you are enough and everything will fall into place.