A Letter To Your Inner-Self
Dear Inner-Self,
I am writing to you in response to our recent conversation regarding our worth and beauty. You indicated to me that you felt like I was being too optimistic, almost fake, and suggested that I put my “reality” glasses back on. Shortly thereafter, you brought to my attention the bodily flaws we both share, including, but not limited to, our “muffin top,” our acne, and our ugly smile consisting of teeth too small for our mouth. I understand why you think these things. With the pictures of drop-dead gorgeous models with perfect bodies and illuminating smiles plastered over our eyes, how could you not? Because you think this way about us, you also think that we aren’t worth a single penny in today’s society.
I understand your reasoning behind these negative thoughts. You are partially right. We don’t have a flat stomach, we do struggle with acne problems, and our smile isn’t set to society’s standard of the perfect smile. As the other half of you, sometimes I feel the weight of these thoughts bearing me down into the ground. Sometimes the weight is so strong that I feel like I won’t ever be able to pick myself up off the ground. Furthermore, I accept your opinion that we are not perfect. With our knowledge of society’s definition of perfection and beauty, consisting of being tall, thin, and tanned, we do not fall into that category. We are probably not the only ones who accept your opinion either. Society’s definition of perfection and beauty is nationally recognized. No, it is not likely that our peers think that we compare to last year’s winner of America’s Next Top Model. However, I would like to bring up several factors that I believe may also bear consideration. In doing so, I believe it will be possible to reach a satisfactory conclusion regarding the issue of our sense of beauty and sense of worth.
According to The Free Dictionary, beauty is defined as, “a quality or a feature that is most effective, gratifying, or telling.” Mutually believing that using academic resources to drive a point home is logical and effective, I assume that you accept that definition of beauty as true. Nowhere in that definition does it state that a pleasing outward appearance is the only way one can be truthfully beautiful. We also have someone in our life that continually reminds us of just how beautiful we really are. In fact, that someone constantly compliments us on our kindness, genuineness, compassion, ability to love, and our profound intelligence. All of which are qualities that are the most telling of our true beautiful self. I also recall that person telling us that our eyes, the windows into the place where you reside, are an incredible piece of art.
In regards to our worth, I do not think there is any great concern that we will be sold for a price in today’s world. However, I do believe that we are worth more than you think. That same person who tells us we are beautiful also tells us that we are priceless and irreplaceable. Furthermore, I would like to present Proverbs 31:10 that states that our worth is far above rubies. We do have a place in this world, and I urge you to see it. Finally, I would like to present that you are not the only one who thinks and feels negatively about themselves. All around the world there are people just like you and I who are locked in this same battle. Even the fittest athlete or the prettiest model falls privy to self-hatred, body dissatisfaction, and an abundance of insecurities. This very fact is what I would like to change, not just for us, but for anyone who has ever felt this way. I only need your help to complete this somewhat daunting task.
Our individual points of view share the power of having a direct impact on the way we develop as an individual. Therefore, I believe it is possible to accomplish this goal by means of a compromise. According to your perspective, we are unworthy and imperfect by today’s societal standards. From my point of view, we are worth far more than we even realize and our imperfections are what make us a uniquely beautiful individual. I suggest the following steps be taken to ensure that we don’t ultimately destroy something genuinely beautiful. First, when you are having negative thoughts about yourself, acknowledge that they are there, but do not believe that they are undoubtedly true. When you are in this position, I will help combat your negative thoughts by thinking positive things about us, drawing attention to the most wonderful parts of us and away from the “problem areas” you believe that we have. This will alleviate the darkness surrounding you and take the overwhelming weight of negativity off of me. Once we can win our own battle, we can start to help others win their battles, spreading the word that everyone should just be themselves, despite the societal standards we have all been acting under. Sometimes a single individual can spark a revolution that will light up every dark corner of the world. I believe that individual is us.
Love,
Yourself
I am writing to you in response to our recent conversation regarding our worth and beauty. You indicated to me that you felt like I was being too optimistic, almost fake, and suggested that I put my “reality” glasses back on. Shortly thereafter, you brought to my attention the bodily flaws we both share, including, but not limited to, our “muffin top,” our acne, and our ugly smile consisting of teeth too small for our mouth. I understand why you think these things. With the pictures of drop-dead gorgeous models with perfect bodies and illuminating smiles plastered over our eyes, how could you not? Because you think this way about us, you also think that we aren’t worth a single penny in today’s society.
I understand your reasoning behind these negative thoughts. You are partially right. We don’t have a flat stomach, we do struggle with acne problems, and our smile isn’t set to society’s standard of the perfect smile. As the other half of you, sometimes I feel the weight of these thoughts bearing me down into the ground. Sometimes the weight is so strong that I feel like I won’t ever be able to pick myself up off the ground. Furthermore, I accept your opinion that we are not perfect. With our knowledge of society’s definition of perfection and beauty, consisting of being tall, thin, and tanned, we do not fall into that category. We are probably not the only ones who accept your opinion either. Society’s definition of perfection and beauty is nationally recognized. No, it is not likely that our peers think that we compare to last year’s winner of America’s Next Top Model. However, I would like to bring up several factors that I believe may also bear consideration. In doing so, I believe it will be possible to reach a satisfactory conclusion regarding the issue of our sense of beauty and sense of worth.
According to The Free Dictionary, beauty is defined as, “a quality or a feature that is most effective, gratifying, or telling.” Mutually believing that using academic resources to drive a point home is logical and effective, I assume that you accept that definition of beauty as true. Nowhere in that definition does it state that a pleasing outward appearance is the only way one can be truthfully beautiful. We also have someone in our life that continually reminds us of just how beautiful we really are. In fact, that someone constantly compliments us on our kindness, genuineness, compassion, ability to love, and our profound intelligence. All of which are qualities that are the most telling of our true beautiful self. I also recall that person telling us that our eyes, the windows into the place where you reside, are an incredible piece of art.
In regards to our worth, I do not think there is any great concern that we will be sold for a price in today’s world. However, I do believe that we are worth more than you think. That same person who tells us we are beautiful also tells us that we are priceless and irreplaceable. Furthermore, I would like to present Proverbs 31:10 that states that our worth is far above rubies. We do have a place in this world, and I urge you to see it. Finally, I would like to present that you are not the only one who thinks and feels negatively about themselves. All around the world there are people just like you and I who are locked in this same battle. Even the fittest athlete or the prettiest model falls privy to self-hatred, body dissatisfaction, and an abundance of insecurities. This very fact is what I would like to change, not just for us, but for anyone who has ever felt this way. I only need your help to complete this somewhat daunting task.
Our individual points of view share the power of having a direct impact on the way we develop as an individual. Therefore, I believe it is possible to accomplish this goal by means of a compromise. According to your perspective, we are unworthy and imperfect by today’s societal standards. From my point of view, we are worth far more than we even realize and our imperfections are what make us a uniquely beautiful individual. I suggest the following steps be taken to ensure that we don’t ultimately destroy something genuinely beautiful. First, when you are having negative thoughts about yourself, acknowledge that they are there, but do not believe that they are undoubtedly true. When you are in this position, I will help combat your negative thoughts by thinking positive things about us, drawing attention to the most wonderful parts of us and away from the “problem areas” you believe that we have. This will alleviate the darkness surrounding you and take the overwhelming weight of negativity off of me. Once we can win our own battle, we can start to help others win their battles, spreading the word that everyone should just be themselves, despite the societal standards we have all been acting under. Sometimes a single individual can spark a revolution that will light up every dark corner of the world. I believe that individual is us.
Love,
Yourself