Depth and Vanity

One of the most profound feelings in life is looking into a mirror and finally saying  aloud "Okay. I like this. I worked for this." And I mean this in both a very vain and a very inward aspect. How many of you look into the mirror and think that to yourself? You look in it everyday, but do you see? Do you care what you see?

I have worked so hard to become what I am--both mentally and physically, thus I feel I deserve the right to be a little vain...but y'know...humble too. Vainly humble over what I have achieved.

I'll be the one body-acceptance-hating person on Earth who doesn't think it's okay to say "I am enough. I don't need to change anything about myself. I'm perfect the way I am. Screw what other people think." This is such a sad way to view yourself---that it's okay to turn from what you could be just because it's intimidating to work hard in order to be better. This is not freedom. This is caging yourself in a deep fear masquerading as self-acceptance. This is a facade that society tells you it is okay to wear.

We are not enough--we are not perfect. There are always ways to grow and change and find potential both inside and out; it is not enough to be fat and slothful and think "well I'm smart so nothing else matters. I don't care about being in shape just because society tells me I should." What a turn-off.

How wonderful it is to care. It's incredibly rare to find people that care about the broader spectrum of living--those that go beyond their set limit of potential, the ones that don't need self-help books and inspirational little quotes expressing that they're a special snowflake that deserves a pat on the head. I mean the well grounded people; the ones that observe themselves in the mirror and know that there is something lacking in the reflection, that there is and always will be something lacking. These are the people that are the true explorers of themselves; they know the caverns and crevices of their body and soul well enough that they can mold and shape their very being to the way they desire.

Every time I return to the mirror I am reminded of My Personal Alice, staring back with those starry eyes, haunting me with a past of self-destruction. Fortunately I have come to realize who the real soul is and how to keep it to myself. I see clearly what I admire about myself and I also recognize the areas in which I need betterment. I especially encourage others to take a long hard look in the mirror (naked!) each day to break down that facade until the day you can really see yourself and think "Wow, that hard mental and physical work paid off." You'll see it, trust me. You'll know.

Find inspiration within yourself; you don't need books and quotes and lectures from celebrities telling you how to love yourself. You discover how to love yourself, no matter what that entails. Love yourself wholly, and never settle for"accepting" yourself. There is no acceptance in freedom. LOVE yourself.  No one needs an author to tell them that--we have that immense pool of unfathomable power and inspiration dwelling inside of our souls.

Never be intimidated by your reflection. Never tell yourself you are good enough. Never stop learning to be better and greater than you were before. Never stop loving yourself for who you can and will become.