Knowing You
A Story on the Antidote for Self-esteem.
Reading an article about a young lady who was told that she was beautiful, but didn’t see it. She went on the path of destruction with depression, anorexia, bulimia, four attempted suicide, self-cutting, and other low self-esteem issues. I wonder.
I was born and raised in a country where the female body was considered an asset. Lighter skin increases your asset. ‘Pretty hair,’ up your value. Long hair, more value. An incredible body is an incentive. And if you have all of the above, that would perfection for many.
All of the above is what we can see on the outside. I happen to be blessed with a good amount of the above. I am also blessed with some of what they can’t see. I have been sexually harassed since I was ten years old. In those days they didn’t have a name for it. They do now.
As I grew older, I began to fear men. I have never been sexually assaulted, but I came close to it twice. I haven’t forgotten that incidence, nor the males who tried. That was more than forty years ago. It’s still written in the log in my brain. I do get a lot of attention from males, I don’t find it flattering. I think it’s because of the things many of them said. I wondered if they have a mother or any female relatives. Their focus is always on my body.
I exercise a lot and take good care of my body and mind. I never dress provocatively. I don’t wear makeup. I like my nails short and clean, no nail polish. (I love to cook) I don’t wear sleeveless or anything that will show too much of my body. My hair is natural. I don’t pierce my ears nor do I wear any jewellery. Not even a watch. I am married, my wedding ring spends more time in my house than on my finger. (I don’t dress like a nun. I like to be comfortable). I like myself the way God made me and I add nothing to it. It’s just that I don’t see myself as someone beautiful. I don’t have self-esteem issues. I take the time to know myself and know what makes me happy.
I get so much attention the way I look, I think if I try to add anything someone might kidnap me and do horrible things to me. Lol. Thanks to cable Tv and the ease of access to porn, rape has increased a lot in my country. I get paranoid sometimes from all of the attention.
My brain is my asset because, for most of us, the brain outlasts the body. How many 70, 80, 90 years old you know whose body is ravished by time and life, but their brain is in tiptop shape and form an elephant would envy. I feed my brain every day. Confidence is strength and power. Loving yourself is strength and power. Knowing yourself is strength and power.
Too much emphasis is placed on what the eyes can see, and the inner beauty that makes us special, different, and beautiful is ignored.
What the eyes can’t see is more valuable, beautiful, and lasting than what we can see. Love yourself. Know yourself, then no one can tell you who you are.
Knowing yourself and loving yourself is the antidote for all of our self-esteem problems.
Thank you for reading this piece. I hoped you enjoyed it. Please enjoy more from other writers on this platform.
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