U.G.L.Y

"If you don't think you're beautiful, get a new mirror" they said.

So I did. 

I got a new mirror for $5 at target and it was pink and had a floral print on it. 

"If you don't think you're beautiful look a little harder" they said.

So I did.

I stared until my corneas burned and I cried because the longer I looked the more imperfections I found. 

I would line my mirror with sticky notes. 

"You're beautiful!"

"Smile! God loves you!"

"Have a good day QT"

But I was still ugly. 

If you don't feel beautiful,

Get as far away from a mirror as you can.

Run until you have to catch your breath and feel the way your body works and the way your muscles pull at each other to make you move. 

Watch the way your feet glide over the asphalt and the listen to the soft smack they make against the cement.

Eat what makes you feel good, and sometimes just eat things because they look pretty. 

Get lost in a good book or in the mountains or just your own thoughts.

Compliment other people.

Read your scriptures whenever you get a chance.

Be excited about little things. 

Pray when you feel weak.

Laugh at things you think are funny even if nobody else does. 

Don't always put on a brave face. 

Feel your emotions freely and NEVER apologize for feeling them. 

Listen to music you actually like. 

Do things that make you uncomfortable so that you can grow. 

Serve other people. 

Sing songs even if you hate your voice. 

Use your hands to do important things. 

Don't let anybody else boss you around.

Most importantly,

Don't let other people's opinions bother you. 

Everyone has one and they're all different and they're not all going to suit you.

Do what floats your own boat. 

The more you get to know yourself, the more you'll realize the only thing that's beautiful about a mirror is the person you see in it. 

And whether that person is beautiful and strong and courageous 

Or 

Cowardly and ugly and insignificant 

Is really up to you. 

And unless you're living in a fun house, 

A new mirror will only make it clear that you're unhappy. 

Stop living someone else's life and 

Do. Your. Thing. 

The things that make you beautiful aren't your on-fleek nails or too-fly jeans, but the way you make other people feel about themselves, 

And the way you feel about yourself.