"You are beautiful no matter what they say

Words can't bring you down

You are beautiful in every single way

Yes, words can't bring you down, oh no

So don't you bring me down today" (Christina Aguilera).

I used to listen and sing along to the song “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera when I was younger. I always knew it was about calling people beautiful. Initially, I did not know that this music video showcased such a diverse group of people. It wasn't exclusively people with illnesses. It included people hiding in their pain as well as people thinking they were ugly. I did not know it was about people who were just afraid to be themselves. Nor I did know what mental illness was.

Years later, this is still one of my all-time favorite songs. I now know what all of these things are and it gives this song such a deeper meaning. Too often in this world people have insecurities and do not want to be themselves. There are so many girls that do not think they are beautiful. It doesn't matter what society thinks; it only matters what you think.

To Those Girls,

Do you remember the days where you would frolic in the playground in kindergarten? You did not care about what people thought of you. You played with friends, by yourself, what you wanted to do. You did not conform, you were yourself. You swung on the swings with your hair blowing and your friend pushing behind you and then once you got it, you did it all by yourself. Do you remember having your first elementary crush and how you weren't afraid to say a simple “hello"? And that if he didn't respond well to you, you walked away without a care in the world? If that friend wasn't really your friend, you moved on without hating yourself?

These days are an example on how all of you should still be.

Although you are grown up now, you can still follow those morals. You are mature and worthy of so many things. Why let people who do not like you ruin you? It is their loss for losing you and shame on them for criticizing a beautiful person like you. I know a lot of you are struggling with mental illness. I know the voices inside your head are telling you how you shouldn't love yourself. It takes over you like a wave in the ocean collapsing on you. Surf the wave, go to shore, show the wave who's boss.

Because of all the hate and stereotyping in this world, you all feel as if you need to fit in. Fitting in is cool, but being yourself is better. The cliché phrase “you were born original, don’t die a copy” is a true phrase that everyone should follow. Do not be afraid to fit in all because of fear of people thinking you are not worthy or beautiful. Being beautiful is not just wearing heels, tons of makeup, long dresses, straight hair, or cute outfits in general. Being beautiful is showing your true colors, embracing your personality, quirks, flaws, and being yourself. Being beautiful is swinging on that swing and feeling free and yourself whether someone is pushing you or you're doing it alone. Being beautiful is saying hello to someone you like and if the person doesn't respond to your script, walking away and realizing you are still your same worthy self from before. Being beautiful is seeing the beauty of the world and being the brave girl you know you are. Being beautiful is being kind to others, helping others, and making this world a better place. Being beautiful is walking away from negativity and still being you. Beauty is not defined in what you wear, how many people like you, or a number on a scale, beauty is your soul and the kindness you hold inside of it. And if right now, you can't find the beauty, you will. It is very cliché to say that, but it is because it is true. You will find it, everyone does eventually and some people it takes more time. I found it in myself and you can find it in yourselves too.

Being beautiful is the girl looking at the mirror right now, wearing what she wants, acting how she wants, and feeling confident and proud of herself no matter what.

And that's the best feeling ever.

Keep being beautiful.