Dear Candice [the Girl],

Look at yourself and take a good look, too. You see that wide, bright, dazzling smile? Where did it go?

You have done so much over the years. Remember when you first joined the school choir and orchestra AND took martial arts for the first time? Remember when you opened that small mouth of yours to sing and shout?

But enough about that.

Look at yourself and take a good look, too. You see that wide, bright, dazzling smile? Where did you put it?

You have shared it with your family. You have shared it with your friends. You have even shared it with yourself every day you woke up. There you were each day, standing in front of the bathroom mirror, smiling that sweet smile of yours...

And pinching the fat on your cheeks

And pulling on the skin on your disappearing jawline.

And sucking in your cheeks to make your cheekbones stand out.

And sucking in your stomach.

What's happening to the little girl I once knew? Where is that smile she showered on so many others? You lift all the lives behind you, yet you have pulled yourself down so many times.

You have spent years exercising for hours each day, staring at the numbers on the scale, skipping meals, and hitting the reset button each time. You see the scale go down, and you could barely stay awake, no matter how "happy" and "perfect" you felt. You see the scale tip up, and you can barely stop exercising and drinking vinegar to shed those pounds. Reset. Reset. Reset.

STOP IT RIGHT THERE

Do you miss that jawline? Perhaps. Do you want that heart shaped face again? I'm sure you do. Do you want to weigh that perfect 120? Trust me, I have been trying for years.

But forget about all of that. What matters the most in you [and you...YEAH YOU READING THIS ARTICLE] should not be your looks. It should be your confidence, your positive energy, your compassion, and all the characteristics that bring good to the world and yourself.

No cutting jawline? No problem. Round face? Be proud of it! Not the weight you want to be in? At least be thankful you're healthy, alive, well, and loved!

Yes, the media may make their own rules about beauty and perfection, but screw all of that! You have so much going for you, and the fact that you're happy and healthy is sexy by itself.

You are beautiful, you are smart, and you have the power to command your own life, not anyone else. Celebrate all you can do and all you are, and I promise you that everything will fall into place.

Love and hugs,

~Candice [the Young Woman]