There is so much beauty in acceptance.
But sometimes.....it's so hard to find that place. We all fight it. We fight it like soldiers on a battlefield. It's one of the biggest struggles we all face. Why is it so hard to be okay with what's in front of you? To be okay with what you have? To be okay with what you see? To be okay with who you are? ....Be okay with what IS? Somewhere along the way, someone set standards. Standards that must be met in order to be viewed as one thing. In order to be viewed as successful....talented....beautiful....important....worthy. Someone set these standards, and then someone else set them higher... And then do you know what happened? Someone else set them even higher. And these standards somehow manifested themselves into something so powerful... so desired... so imperative... that the world revolves around them.... bends over backwards for them.... spins on it's axis for them. We are conditioned to think that these things must be met, no matter what the cost. There is a reason why we define people as "celebrities" ....why we hold them on a pedestal. There is a reason why people with less money live less fortunate lives. There is a reason why there is an entire country thriving with glory and endless opportunities and not too far away is a country struggling to survive. There is a reason why that little five year old child never sees his father because all he cares about is his job. There is a reason why that thirteen year old girl goes home crying after school because she doesn't fit in. There is a reason why people spend more money on designer clothes than they do on food. There is a reason why people spend hours getting ready before going to that big business event. In the grand scheme of life, each and every one of those things pale in comparison to what actually matters. Somewhere along the way, it's those things that have become the focus. Those standards have spun a mean, nasty web that has yet to be untangled. And what this world fails to apprehend is that we are all an equal part of what takes place. Who you are and what you were given is all you need. You were given those things for an important reason and it's those things that are meant to play a part in your time here. But we get so blinded by bullshit and standards....bullshit standards....that a lot of the time, people don't even realize they have those things. And it's heart breaking. You were born with those things. But then one day, you changed your entire wardrobe to look like everyone else.... Then one day, you cut your hair because you wanted to look like the girl on the cover of that magazine.... And some of those things were lost. Then one day, you spent your entire paycheck on new shoes for Sally Sue's party.... Then one day, you tried a cigarette because all of your friends were doing it.... And some of those things were lost. Then one day, you changed how you act around those people because you want to impress them.... And more of those things were lost. Now, not only are those things lost....they are buried. And then one day, you woke up and you're a drug addict. Then one day, you woke up and you're an alcoholic. Then one day, you woke up and you have an eating disorder. The list goes on.... Sound harsh? Well, THAT is the power that those "standards" have on this world. Those beautiful things we were born with get lost in the smallest of ways through out our lives and some people don't start finding them until they are drowning. Some people never find them at all. We've all heard the quote "It's what's on the inside that counts" It sounds so STUPID and corny, but those are words of truth, my friends. Your soul, your heart, your passion, your mind, your joy, your thoughts, your instincts, your dreams, your LIGHT.... is what matters. That is what you were given... put on this earth to SHARE. It's devastating that the standards make us question those things.... hide those things... doubt those things.... lose those things. It doesn't make sense why we wouldn't love those things the most.... why THOSE things don't define who we are.... It doesn't make sense why looking at yourself in the eyes in a mirror is one of the hardest things to do. That doesn't make any sense. Who you are in this life IS NOT about whether or not you met those standards. Because here's the catch... the harder you try, the higher they get, and you will never...EVER be satisfied. And there it is... the web that this world can't find it's way through.
I can ONLY HOPE.... that who I am.... is so much more than the damn shirt I'm wearing or the fact that I have tattoos and half of a shaved head. I can only hope that what I have to say is louder than that. I believe we were all put on this earth for a reason. What you were given you are meant to have, and share, and be....to the fullest. Don't live your life as a mission to reach those standards. Don't let them define you, don't let them lead or guide you, don't let them create questions or doubt, and for the love of god.... don't let them destroy you. Find and accept all of the things you have....all of the things you are....and love them.
