Something to remember

Do you ever wish you could go back in time and know what you know now? I feel like everyone answers this question differently and for most it is a solid yes or no, but for me the answer is both. On one hand I would love a chance to go back in time and change my future, it would have saved a lot of tears and self-doubting, I would be at a completely different place in life and potentially a completely different person (whether that's good or bad; I'll never know). On the other hand, I wouldn't have met half the people I've met in life, or our relationship would have been completely different and for that reason alone I am sure I would be a completely different person. But what if I could have just seen myself through others eyes, what an intriguing and potentially magical experience that would have been. I could have seen, heard, and actually listened to all the people cheering me on instead of myself doubt. I could have gone after all of the opportunities that I didn't think I was good enough or smart enough or pretty enough, or just not ready for. I look back now and think of all those past conversations with old classmates, coworkers, friends, or supposed friends, family members, and family friends. I wonder if I could have seen myself through even just a fraction of their eyes who I would have seen.

To me I've always been the shy awkward girl who always finds a way or reason to overthinking and self-sabotage. My whole life I've been told that I'm smart and pretty or beautiful and that I can do whatever I want if I put my mind to it, but I've always seen other people I thought were prettier or smarter go after the things I want and I just wrote myself off. I always thought I didn't stand a chance next to them, and unfortunately a large portion of that mind set still exists in me today; But I have also realized that while there will always be someone better out there that doesn't mean I should count myself out. If there's one thing, I've learned in life it's that everything I'm not in my eyes I am in someone else's eyes. And that is why it is so important to take a step back and put yourself in someone else's shoes. People don't complement you just to make you feel better, most people are not going to take the time to fake complement you to make you feel better about yourself. So, the next time someone complements you believe them, because what reason do they have to lie to you. The next time a stranger tells you your pretty or that you have a beautiful smile believe them, they have no reason to lie. The next time a friend or family member tells you that they're proud of you believe it. Believe it then next time someone tells you, you can do it, because you can; Believe your crush the next time they tell you your cute. Believe every good thing someone tells you, because life is too short to live it drowning in self-doubt, and never forget that someone is looking at you thinking you are perfect, that you are everything they are not. So, love yourself unapologetically every day, and don't hold back in anything you do. Spread all the positivity and love you want to see in the world; complement that stranger because that's a nice shirt, or cool shoes, or I love that hat, help someone else feel the love we all deserve.