The following is a Guest Post and Guest Posts are not usually in line with the philosophy of Our Alter Ego. But this one here, is almost in line with it. I bet that's why they say friends have similarities on so many levels. Shammouille, thank you for penning this. It could not have been any more accurate and perfectly place. Yes, we all have internal conversations about ourselves that make us feel really down. And contrary to popular beliefs, as teenagers we have faced such mini-depressions so many times. They are days where you wake up and just want to have been dead rather. But then we pick our tiaras up and smile into the broad sky. Self-love. It's so important.
Be Light,
Much Love,
Iam Aehr.
. . .
Ever experienced that awful feeling of not being enough?
Not being worthy enough, not being deserving enough?
Remember those crappy days when you woke up, wanting nothing more than to just curl up and drift back to sleep, simply because that small voice at the back of your mind JUST. WON'T. STOP. HARASSING. YOU?
Been there, felt that.
We have always been taught how to excel in various fields:
Academics: How to get the top marks in assignments.
Sporting : "Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat" has been said over and over again by our P.E teacher, Coach, Sensei, or whatever you call it.
Social: Saying "Hi, how are you doing?" And making small talk as you come across someone you know.
Yet, we have never been taught how to appreciate ourselves first.
In the process of learning about and enacting social etiquettes, we lose ourselves.
No, actually, scratch that, we do not even have the opportunity to lose ourselves, for, ironically enough, we do not have time to discover ourselves in the first place.
Self-love?
Why is this important, you ask?
During the short span of time I have been breathing and been alive, I am positive that some few people will always be here for you, no matter what. They will always be the ones who will remind you how loved you are, be it when you are drunk and emotional, or sober and feeling down. And mind you! Those people are real gems, hold on to them, hold on to them TIGHT!
Yet, at the end of the day, you've only got yourself to deal with 24/7.
Your inner self is the only "person" who is going to stick with you, no matter where you can possibly be: at home, in the garden, when you are lying in bed wide awake at 3 in the morning, tossing and turning in bed, in the shower...EVERYWHERE.
"We only accept the love we think we deserve"
~The Perks Of Being A Wallflower
Truth has been said already. And no, this does not apply only to romantic love, but to all kinds of love that exist, platonic or not, to genuine friendships, to happiness and to so much more.
People can tell you how wonderful you are, night and day.
But if YOU do not believe you are, it defeats the whole purpose.
As soon as they have their backs turned, your fears and insecurities will override their opinion anyway.
Basically, it all comes down to one thing:
Loving the unique person you undeniably are is essential.
"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of hell, hell of heaven"
So, if you ever feel like:
~You are not pretty because of your crooked teeth.
Someone will go absolutely crazy over your so-called "imperfect smile" some day.
~You are too plump or too skinny and deserve self-harm.
You DON'T! You are gorgeous just the way you are.
No self-inflicted scars should mar that perfect body of yours.
Size does not matter.
Be confident, for "confidence is sexy."
~You are not beautiful.
Yes, you ARE! All you have to do is open up to the world around you and you shall be amazed by how much light you can bring to your own existence and to others lives.
Now, this is what I call "beautiful."
~You are not important enough.
All the cells in your body have a sole purpose: keeping you alive and healthy.
Think you are not important to them?
Think again! *wink*
~You are not intelligent enough.
There are 7 types of intelligence according to Howard Gardner.
You probably haven't found the one at which you would excel at yet.
Don't fret about it, give time some time.
~You do not deserve kindness.
Everybody does, get that through your thick skull.
Yes, we do mess up sometimes and end up hurting people in the process.
Still, that's not reason enough to believe that we are no longer worthy of kindness.
If you are wrong, try to make it up to them.
~You have too much emotional luggage.
One day, someone will help you unpack, tell you how much of a beautiful mess you are, and love you even more BECAUSE of that luggage you despise so much.
What I wish to convey is that, we are all unique in our own way.
And we definitely deserve all the positive things in life.
It is completely fine to hit rock-bottom sometimes; all we have to do is fight back and rise above it.
And most importantly, we should believe that we are enough, for ourselves and for the right people anyway.
So everytime that nagging voice weaves its way inside your mind, you know what to do.
In case you don't,
Use some duct tape and shut it up *wink*
Love yourself with your imperfections, they are perfect.
You matter.
You are important.
You are more than enough, believe it.
Learn to love yourself.
It might be one of the hardest things you've ever had to do.
I am working on it, I owe myself this much.
And so do YOU xxxx
For after all,
You are meant for amazing things that you can't even wrap your mind around.
Thank you Rhea, for letting me share a piece of my mind on your blog.
Your articles are lovely, really.
Your dedication and enthusiasm will take you places!
Keep up with the great job!
Love you ♡
- Shammah.F.Khadaroo