BORN to
Stand Out !
As a solution for shattered self-esteem , I spent my days trying to find my joy in the lives and routines of others . Even if that meant going against my values and beliefs . Anything they did , I did too . If they went to parties , I needed to tag along . Some had additional ear piercings and tattoos , so I pierced my skin to prove to myself that I belonged and to mask my differences in their eyes . All of that was to gain a fraction of acceptance that would compensate for my bleeding scars from a decade ’ s worth of stones . Until I found out the hard way — that I was not created to fit in , I was ‘ born to stand out .
In wake of the death of my only sister in 2016 , my soul broke into a million pieces , and I did not know how to pick up the bits to move forward . At that moment , I had reached rock bottom . However , that low point set the precedence for the greatest breakthrough in my life . At that moment , I discovered the real me and fell madly in love with my reflection and relished in purpose .
After clutching at my last straw , I finally took the plunge to seek counseling at a nearby church . Fortunately , the counselor opened my heart as wide as my eyes to God ’ s love and His purpose for me , as unique as I am , simply with an introduction to Psalm 139 : 14-16 . With my head tilted towards the sky , tears streaming down my cheeks , I finally realized that God didn ’ t make a mistake by making me this way , and I felt like a fool thinking otherwise . Psalm 139:14-16 became my daily mantra , repeated in the mornings , as I could finally stomach looking at my reflection . Here , God began to give me a fresh start to learn to love myself , clear from judgments or opinions . By the grace of God , I received a second chance to rise from the ashes with renewed resilience and strength to strive towards my unapologetic truth . No longer existing in the shadows , but embracing the freedom to stand out as God ’ s Exotic Masterpiece .
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