To my high school self,

Girl, what are you doing? Why are you so self conscious? Why don't you stand tall walking down the halls and have the brightest smile on your face? You are beautiful.

This may seem crazy or conceited that I would call myself beautiful, but I hate the thought that I believed the lies I was told. I hate that I would walk with a fake smile or that I would hang my head low in hopes that no one would notice me. If you are like me, you are probably a very joyful person; one to love on others while not loving on the person in the mirror enough.

My high school self thought I was 'fat.' No amount of makeup could cover up the imperfections I secretly saw in myself. I was built as an athlete, a volleyball player. Of course I didn't have a thigh gap or a thin stomach, but I wish I could go back and tell myself that that's okay. That no matter your size, you are loved by the Man who placed every freckle on your body, and every hair on your head. Even on the court I wish I could tell myself to be confident in my ability to play the sport that I was blessed to play.

I am here to tell you that you are outrageously beautiful. Make up or not, hair straight or curly, baggy t-shirt and all. But not jut outward; your heart is beautiful, too.

I love quoting The Help; "You is kind, you is smart, and you is important."

Outward beauty is tamed in our society to a certain image. Whether you fit in this category or not, I am here to tell you that outward beauty does not last, but a golden heart does.

So this is my letter. This is my letter of letting go of the substantial amount of regret for not believing in myself both inwardly and outwardly.

No shape, size, or eloquent word can define you. The works of God are the only things you can believe in order to believe in yourself as well.

To whomever is reading this, you are beautiful.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." -Proverbs 31:30