I wish I could look in the mirror everyday
and think I looked beautiful.
I wish I could walk into a room full of strangers
with my head held high and my story to tell.
I wish I was really talented at something like everyone else.
I wish I knew what I was doing with my life.
I wish I was skinny to the bone so I could go to the beach
with pride and look like all my friends.
I wish I didn't have to say "goodbye" so often
that my chest aches in a familiar way.
I wish I thought better of myself.

I once knew a girl with a wide smile,
she had quite the interesting style.
She lived in the clouds,
and invited the crowds.
She swam with sharks,
and saw everything in colorful sparks.
When she was told to act her age,
she threw quite the rage.
Eventually life caught up to the girl,
and she never again stopped to twirl.

My heart becomes heavy,
as the children dance and I watch in envy.
Little do they know that fear is deadly,
they just throw confetti.
Oh, how I wish I could turn back time,
to play with dolls without it being a crime.
Back when I didn't have a care in the world,
and I just twirled.
Back when it was easy to make a friend,
now all relationships end.
I worry about my future,
and think back on when life was smoother.

Beauty should not be pain.
Beauty should not be starvation.
Beauty should not be hours of preparation.

Real beauty is personality.
Real beauty is found on the inside, and only an ounce of a person's real beauty is shown in their outward appearance.
Real beauty is formed by years of self love and compassion.
Real beauty is shown through a person's eyes and through the way they act when no one is watching.
Real beauty is found in the little things.

Look for real beauty in everyone and everything you see, including yourself.