I really did not think the time would ever come for me to write one of these “for ___” articles but I think some of the pals may need a little bit of a pick me up. So to all my friends who have EVER believed for one tiny hot second that you are not good enough or need to change something about yourself, this one is for you -

Dear bro/brother/brotheren (if you get it you get it),

You are something special did you know that.

There are times when I sit back and think to myself, “I am so unbelievably lucky they have been placed into my life”. I mean, come on, you are wise above your years (and I am talking owl licking the tootsie pop wise), so talented, and scatter the most outrageous amount of love I have ever seen it is ridiculous.

But sometimes I think you see yourself differently. Sometimes you think you are…

not good enough

not skinny enough

not pretty enough

not talented enough

not toned enough

not smart enough

not dedicated to your faith enough

not nice enough

not Blake Lively and Ryan Gosling enough (we have all been there)

not aesthetic on Instagram enough

not special enough

not strong enough

And the list goes on and on as you pick yourself apart into little pieces.

You tear yourself apart second guessing yourself and having your confidence shook to the point of which you just want your quirks become invisible.

Seeing you like this, tear stricken or feeling insignificant, breaks me a little every time. And I am not going to sit here typing on my computer telling you that I have it all together. At least twice a day I will think some of these same thoughts. I know how trapped you can feel under your own words, but that is all they are: your words. You have the power to say "hey subconscious pipe down".

I wish to the very depths of my toes that you say those words to the things in your head telling you you are not good enough for something. I wish that you see yourself the way I see you, your friends see you, the girl in your class who has a friend crush on you sees you, your mom sees you, and God sees you. And I am going to tell you a secret - the reasons you are tearing yourself down for, WE DO NOT SEE. WE ARE A BUCKET OVER THE HEAD, BANDANA OVER THE EYES IN A PITCH BLACK ROOM BLIND TO THOSE THINGS.

What we DO see is a servant hearted, unique, comical LIGHT to every person you interact with.

The impact you are making in this world deserves more than a round of applause, it deserves a standing ovation.

So that is what I wish for you. I wish you would see your quirks as strengths. I wish your confidence would grow overtime you looked in the mirror. I wish instead of picking yourself apart until you are no longer you, hear the standing ovation (I'll be the one with a t-shirt of your face screaming through a megaphone).

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.

H.A.G.S.,

ME