My mom has always told me to smile at myself whenever I looked at myself in the mirror. Whether I am intentionally looking into a mirror, walking by a window where I see myself or barely catch a glimpse of myself. I do. Even if I wake up at 3 am to use the bathroom, I walk by the mirror bedhead and all, I smile. Some people have looked at me like I am crazy when they caught me doing that.

But why do I do such a thing?

When my mom had first told me that, I was young and I did it because my mom told me so. I have always had so much faith in my mom, so of course, I would do what she told me to do. She has always been right in my eyes. When I was young I was always a happy little ball of sunshine so I never actually noticed the significance or difference it could have made in my life.

As life goes though, I became less and less peppy due to the stressors of growing up. Between school, society and the changes of growing up in general, I was just a bit more neutral. I was still happy, but not as happy and confident as I could have been. Instead of smiling at myself in the mirror, I would closely point out flaws. My mom's words of encouragement about smiling at the mirror has always stuck in my head. Unfortunately, they laid low in the back of my mind.

Years and years had gone by and I arrived at college. Freshman year was okay, I liked the classes and everything. I just went through the motions of every day. Sophomore year came and I continued to be neutral and went with the flow. Until one day my mom yet again suggested that I smile at myself in the mirror. I was going through changes. I “lost” 175 pounds and a head ache (if you know what I mean) and became a bit more independent with myself— which is easier said than done. Too-da-loo, silly boy!

After being stuck in a rut for quite a bit, I came home to my house from work to “I love ME!!!” written on my bathroom mirror in my brand new Diva by MAC matte lipstick from my mom. I would have killed her if it wasn’t such a wonderful gesture. She left it on the mirror for almost a month, even though I was back at school 98 percent of the time. When I read the words across the mirror, a smile slowly stretched across my face in the mirror. I smiled at myself even though my hair was a mess, I was wearing dirty scrubs, and had mascara running under my eyes. It then clicked, her words flashed back to me, smile at yourself in the mirror.

I even went back to school and wrote it on my own personal mirror, in a less expensive, Covergirl brand shade, of course.

Since then, I have noticed a major difference. I enjoy looking in mirrors. I like shopping for new clothes and admiring myself in the mirror. Instead of seeing flaws, I noticed what a nice smile I have and it is almost like my eyes have smiles of their own. My new favorite compliment I love to receive is about my smile. Before I thought a "nice" compliment would be "you're beautiful", "you're so pretty". I would now rather be told I have a contagious smile.

It may sounds cocky and conceited, but what's wrong with being confident? — wise words from my queen, Demi Lovato. What is wrong with smiling at yourself and being totally infatuated with yourself? Nothing. I have began to love myself again because of my mother's words, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Next time you feel down, write "I love ME!!" on your mirror or put a sticky note with the phrase wherever you will see it most often. Smile in the mirror. Look at yourself and just smile. Trust me, you will feel weird at first. You will wonder what the point it, but I promise you that it will help. It sounds and looks very silly, but you will see how beautiful you are just by smiling at yourself in the mirror. After multiple awkward smiles and sarcastic smirks, you will actually be happy to see yourself. It will feel amazing. Do yourself a favor and take a simple step in changing your life.

You cannot prove me wrong until you try.

Challenge accepted?