It seems like the internet is full of so many negative people. They leave hurtful comments, press the dislike button for no apparent reason and even attack your personality and character without knowing you personally. In all that negativity, you could use a little encouragement. No matter your gender, age, sexual orientation, political preference or religious beliefs, you deserve to walk away from the computer today feeling beautiful and important.

First of all, please know you're beautiful. I am amazed at the amount of people who honestly don't think they are beautiful. If you don't think you are, perhaps your definition of beauty has been swayed due to the mainstream media. Beautiful is not big boobs and a tiny waist. Beautiful is not being tall and having large muscles. Beautiful is not just a compliment for a woman's outward appearance and it not an insult to a man's "manliness." Beauty describes your personality. It describes the way you donated money to that person who really needed it when you really needed the money yourself. It describes the way you didn't throw an insult back at the person who bullied you. It describes your character. If you don't feel beautiful, tell me, is it because you haven't been a nice person to those around you or because you aren't happy with the reflection you see in the mirror? Once you believe that what you have to offer comes from what's inside your heart rather than your outward appearance, you will begin to see your beauty. Think of all the people you've helped or encouraged over the course of your life. Think about the good deeds you have committed and the time and money you have donated. Think about your character. If you're a kind-hearted person, you're worth more than you could ever know and you are so incredibly beautiful.

Second of all, please know you're important. Though this is not just for those who are suicidal, I really want to make sure I communicate this to you properly in the hopes that you might believe me. If you feel or have ever felt like taking your life, think about the ones you're leaving behind. Think about the people who love you now and the people you have not even met yet that will adore you in the future.If you end your life when it gets hard, you're cheating yourself out of the opportunity for some really amazing things to happen. There are so many people that love you and want to help you. I know, firsthand, how frustrating it can be to hear people tell you they can help you or "get help" for you. I have suffered from anxiety my entire life and have had people tell me to see a therapist and "get help." It makes you feel like a failure. Sometimes, I would just say to myself, "I wish I didn't need help. I wish I was strong enough to help myself." But the truth is, sometimes we aren't strong enough to help ourselves. That's why we have friends, family and people who have dedicated their entire lives to helping people get through hard times. Deciding to find someone who can help you learn to value yourself could be a life-changing decision. If you want to try to find your worth on your own, figure out what you are good at or what you enjoy. If you love to golf, find a group of people who will go golfing with you. Get involved on a sports team or join a band. Find something to join where your place or position is important so that you can remind yourself that someone or something needs you. Join a religion that helps you recognize your worth. Knowing that the Creator of everything loved you enough to send his Son to die for you means you must be pretty special.

Please remember, before you log off of Facebook today, that you are so beautiful and important. No matter what that negative comment said, know your worth and know your beauty. Step one to truly being happy with yourself is knowing that you are unique and equally as important to this world as anybody else.