You. Are. Beautiful. (Yes, even if you are a guy reading this, it still pertains to you. If it bothers you, just sub the word with handsome!) Think of those three words. Do you believe they could describe you? I do. Even though I may not know you, I know it's true. Beauty isn't only seen by appearance, but it is also by attitude and personality.

I struggle with seeing myself as beautiful at times. But I'm getting the hang of it though. I break out a lot, just like any other teenager, but worse. I also have tons of hairs sticking up 24/7 from my split ends as the result of being a swimmer (not to mention it's a fluff ball). I have purple and sometimes red, cold, sweaty hands and feet (it's called Raynaud's if you've ever heard of it). And the worst of these in my opinion, I have a huge issue with blushing. It is really bad when I get embarrassed, but even when I wake up in the morning, or am alone, I have big red sploches on my cheeks and it drives me insane.

You see, we all have issues and weaknesses that can come from our appearances. I've found solutions to help make these things seem a little more likable. For example, my hands. They drive me crazy most of the time because people will look at them and be creeped out. Or when we say prayers at school, I feel super self-conscious about grabbing someone's hand because every single time they make a comment about the cold. I even often wear gloves to school, even when it was the end of spring! It didn't help me much either. Eventually, I just got used to it and just made jokes out of it. If people want to be creeped out, then I'll do it because they know that I'm a really playful, and sarcastic person. My nickname at school eventually became 'Elsa' and people will randomly grab my hands and put them on their foreheads. I call them my instant ice-packs.

And for blushing? I'm still getting the hang of this one... I'll tell people the quote from Angry Birds, "I'm not blushing, I'm just Red!" Yeah, I know he meant himself, but I'm naturally red. Or, "I'm so white I'm red!" Or even tell them my middle name, which has to do with the color red. It's not easy to explain to my friends that why when I talk to a guy (that I don't even like), I blush without them thinking I do like them. Talking in front of a class or large groups are the same way for me. I've just eventually gotten used to all of the teasing and just put myself on the spot as often as I can to tell myself that I will not die by blushing. Earlier today, a lady asked me if I was sunburnt and I said, "No, I'm naturally like this. I don't like it." An older lady that goes to my church came into the conversation, "I like to see you more like this than with makeup. You may not believe me, but it just brings out your bubbly personality even more and it's honestly adorable. It makes you so much more beautiful." Her telling me that inspired me to start this chapter, because everyone deserves to hear those words.

A few months ago my teacher in church asked us, "How often do you look in the mirror and say, 'I am beautiful. I wouldn't rather look any different than I am'?" We all looked at one another. None of us could say we have.

She told us that we are all unique and were meant to show our beauty. But first, we have to be confident in it ourselves. She then gave us a challenge, and I am going to give you the same challenge now... Every single morning when you look in the mirror, say, 'I am beautiful just the way I am. Nobody can tell me otherwise.' I want you to do this. Don't believe any negative words from anyone, they are either jealous or don't have a point in life yet if they don't have anything better to do than mock others to make themselves feel better.

1. "When I tell you that you're beautiful, I don't just mean your appearance. I mean all of you; who and what you are, is beautiful."-Steve Maraboli

2. "Always know how valuable and uniquely beautiful you are."

3. "Next time when you think of beautiful things, don't forget to count yourself in."

4. "You are so used to your features, that you don't know how beautiful you look to a stranger."

5. "Hey there, beautiful. Go look in the mirror. Really look at yourself. Past the insecurities, past everything you think is wrong. You are beautiful. Remember that."