We are born with perfect, soft skin. What we decide to do with that skin for the rest of our lives is up to us. Some choose to express themselves through tattoos and others decide to pierce it with beautiful jewelry. Though, sometimes we are not able to choose what happens with our skin. We often look upon our scars with disapproval, something that is imperfect and needs to be covered up immediately. I have struggled with this myself, but I am constantly learning to see the beauty that lies within our scars. They remind us where we have been and that we have survived whatever was thrown our way.

I am a cancer survivor. Throughout my own battle, I acquired two scars. At first, I was rather unhappy and insecure about where they were placed. But as time has gone on, I learned not only to accept them, but to embrace them. My scars show my strength and that I conquered the fiercest of battles. We must not be so hard on ourselves about the way we look because we truly are beautiful and I want all girls to understand that. When I look at my stomach and see the scar that once held a tube that gave me nutrients I could not give myself at the time, I thank it for being there when I needed it most. When I look at my chest and see my scar that once held my port, I thank it for allowing the nurses and doctors to give me the medicine that I needed. I feel entirely blessed to have these, as I know that I got the chance to keep living without them.

We don’t get to have a say with most scars that we get, so let us not dwell on the fact that we have them. Scars are stories, history written on the body. You were stronger than whatever tried to bring you down in that moment, there is such beauty to that. Stay strong and embrace who you are, I will keep doing the same.