Love Through Your Own Eyes
When I look around me and see people struggling to fit in, I can't help but feel a depth of sorrow for them that I find difficult to adequately explain. So many people seeking recognition from others, seeking to be validated and told they are worthy be it through the words or actions of those around them, or even from those who are all but strangers.
If someone does not tell them they are smart, they are idiots, if they are not complimented on their strength, they are weak, if they are not described as beautiful, they are ugly, and if they are not desired by someone, they are worthless. I see people running from relationship to relationship, terrified of being alone with themselves because then, in their minds, they are nothing.
It is a sentiment many of us have felt as we grew up, a sense of being alone and trying to discover who we were based on those we surrounded ourselves with. But while some of us grew into ourselves, grew comfortable in our own skin, others turned a high school sentiment into something they accepted as their personal truth.
Despite being told that they possess many qualities, they are still unable to recognize them within themselves. For these people, it is merely the words they hear that carry weight, rather than the truths that are.
If I had the power to allow these people to see themselves through the eyes of those who care about them, to replace their truth of yearning for validation with a truth of self-worth, self-recognition, and self-esteem, I would.
But the truth is, it is simply not within my power or anyone else's to do this for them. Only they have the power to stop and truly look at themselves. To tell themselves they are worthy of their own love, they are good at some things that others are not, and that they can value their opinion of themselves above those of others.
To the men and women out there who may be reading this post, you all have wonderful qualities within you worthy of your own recognition, worthy of sharing with the rest of the world. Whether you believe it or not there are things about you, characteristics and attitudes, that those who meet you wish they had within themselves.
I know people who seem to think they are always coming across as angry when in reality, I sometimes wish I was as assertive as they are. Some friends of mine seem to think that they are goofy in a negative connotation of the word, and that they do not fit in anywhere, I see them as highly intelligent with an amazing sense of humour that society could really use more of. Some friends see only their shy side that avoids confrontation at all cost, I see a sweet soul that is kind, caring, and peace seeking. There are also people I know that seem to think they are short and, well to be honest I don't know what else because I only see how very beautiful and photogenic they are even though they simply don't believe it.
I think an excellent example of the point I am trying to express are the campaigns Dove has been putting out for years about loving yourself and recognizing your own beauty. I thought this one in particular was quite well done. Click Here.
It is a sentiment many of us have felt as we grew up, a sense of being alone and trying to discover who we were based on those we surrounded ourselves with. But while some of us grew into ourselves, grew comfortable in our own skin, others turned a high school sentiment into something they accepted as their personal truth.
Despite being told that they possess many qualities, they are still unable to recognize them within themselves. For these people, it is merely the words they hear that carry weight, rather than the truths that are.
If I had the power to allow these people to see themselves through the eyes of those who care about them, to replace their truth of yearning for validation with a truth of self-worth, self-recognition, and self-esteem, I would.
But the truth is, it is simply not within my power or anyone else's to do this for them. Only they have the power to stop and truly look at themselves. To tell themselves they are worthy of their own love, they are good at some things that others are not, and that they can value their opinion of themselves above those of others.
To the men and women out there who may be reading this post, you all have wonderful qualities within you worthy of your own recognition, worthy of sharing with the rest of the world. Whether you believe it or not there are things about you, characteristics and attitudes, that those who meet you wish they had within themselves.
I know people who seem to think they are always coming across as angry when in reality, I sometimes wish I was as assertive as they are. Some friends of mine seem to think that they are goofy in a negative connotation of the word, and that they do not fit in anywhere, I see them as highly intelligent with an amazing sense of humour that society could really use more of. Some friends see only their shy side that avoids confrontation at all cost, I see a sweet soul that is kind, caring, and peace seeking. There are also people I know that seem to think they are short and, well to be honest I don't know what else because I only see how very beautiful and photogenic they are even though they simply don't believe it.
I think an excellent example of the point I am trying to express are the campaigns Dove has been putting out for years about loving yourself and recognizing your own beauty. I thought this one in particular was quite well done. Click Here.
If this post is hitting any reader where they live, I ask this of you; take a moment to evaluate yourself, to focus with intent not on what you dislike about yourself but on what you do like, on allowing yourself to believe the compliments you have been given and on putting positive spins on anything negative you may be telling yourself. Put forth the effort to love who you are until loving who you are is just.... who you are.
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
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