So recently I have become a fan of the show "Games of Thrones." I'm not very far in yet but in one of the first episodes the character Tyrion Lannister (who has already become one of, if not my favorite character) gives some very profound words of advice about embracing what/who you are whether or not others embrace you for it, or treat you poorly for it.

The context is that Tyrion is having a conversion with Jon Snow, the Bastard son of the monarch of the region, Ned Stark. When Jon takes offense to Tyrion's reference to him as a bastard, this is what Tyrion has to say:

"Let me give you some advice bastard. Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you."

This spoke to me in an incredibly powerful way. I think most people, if not all people have something about themselves that they wish was different but they simply cannot change. Tyrion's is his dwarfism, Jon Snow's is the nature of his conception. But these are only a few examples of the many things that someone may be which they may be ridiculed for and be simultaneously unable to alter.

Tyrion is right when he says that the rest of the world won't forget what/who you are, therefore you yourself should not try to forget or pretend that you are not. Embrace what you are, and use it to make you stronger. Pretending you don't have a scar or a black eye doesn't change its existence, it only makes you appear naive, unapproachable, or insecure. Strength flaunts a scar in the face of one's enemies that they might see what one has already survived.

Saying to yourself, "I know what I am, I love what I am, and it doesn't matter if anyone else likes it or not" is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself.

So, take your weaknesses and turn them into assets, and "Wear it like armour, and it can never be used to hurt you".