Soy Hermosa

So I was the little girl who used to wear glasses with thick lenses and silver braces. I was the little girl who quietly sits in the class, reluctant to raise her hand even if she knows the answer. I am the little girl who downplays herself and her capabilities so she could fit in with the innoncence of her classmates. However, I was the little girl who prefers to join the advance singing, dancing and piano classes because she seem not to fit in her same age-group. I was the little girl who  prefers to talk to adults than play with her friends because she finds listening to others' problems more enjoyable than playing chinese garter or volleyball. I was the little girl who was always afraid of being laughed at for her appearance, novel ideas and surname. So I keep saying that I was that little girl. When in reality is...I'm still her. 

I still feel her whenever I have to present in front of a crowd, when my opinions are being criticized, when I seem not to reach the goals which I have set for myself. I still feel her whenever I have to meet someone new, I fear of rejection, humiliation and to be unaccepted for who I am.

I no longer see her whenever I face the mirror, but I know that she's always a part of me. And I am happy that this little girl has grown up and evolved into someone stronger and accepting of her nature. For real acceptance does not come from what others think of you; rather, it relies on your willingness to accept yourself for who you are. That is something, this little girl will always be proud of. And so am I.

This evening, I have watched an episode regarding the life of Venus Raj, a Filipina beauty queen. I could identify a lot with her, in terms of the insecurities which she harbors and the social situations which led her to that disposition. I am inspired by her perseverance and faith that she will be able to prove herself worthy of acceptance from others. But what actually happened was, she learned to accept herself. And that in itself is the sole thing she needed from the very start.

They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I say, beauty is not only in the eyes of the beholder, but more importantly, in his ability to accept one's flaws and see one's potentials within.And to be able to see that, one must look into another with a humbled heart. 

Thus, I've come to realize that you cannot really please everybody; for not everybody has the eyes and heart to see genuinely. And that's okay. Because when I learned to accept myself, I already came to see and believe that I am beautiful.