Steph woke up scared; the nightmare had taken her back to her cold days. Steph was born like every other child, but somehow she was made to believe she wasn't enough, maybe never would be. She had lived with a constant fear of being rejected, and she strived so much to get her father's approval. Like a girl she was, she had craved her father's love and attention; she wanted to be looked in the eyes with affection, love, and adoration – all this she had wanted, she never received as a child.
What is the purpose of my existence? Why was I birthed when I won't be loved? She constantly asked herself. She lived with fear throughout her teens and wanted to become an adult so fast so she could leave home (her home). As an adult, she received love from outsiders, adornment, and got unmerited favor. She was made to believe, "Baby girl, you've got this, and you can do it." But somehow, her father's rejection kept coming into her mind unconsciously, limiting how far she could go. She wasn't the best, but not mediocre either; she was loved by young and old. Yet, that one approval she had lived all her life wanting had given her the wrong orientation about life.
And one day, she met someone new, then another, and another. They all said the same thing: "You're enough; you shouldn't live in your head and not be a shadow of yourself." She thought hard about this and somehow let herself breathe for a while. And then the breath was so refreshing – it was bliss, something she hadn't experienced in 22 years of living. She felt free, and then she thought, "Maybe I could live some more." She began to live, really living, prioritizing herself and ready to get a yes or no without feeling hard on herself. She saw the world as a beautiful place and would gaze into the sky to appreciate the beauty of nature. She would let go of people who messed with her peace, and ever since she saw the light, she had clung to it with utmost sincerity, hoping to make the best use of it and not go back into darkness.
Steph somehow found out, after years of living well, that she was loved by her father; situations just didn't allow him to show how much she meant to him. She was adored by almost everyone she sought approval from, but she was too young to understand. Maybe the love still meant something. She wasn't a product of her family's love; she was a product of everyone (outsiders) who walked up to her with embrace, kindness, and good spirit. She was a product of good people.
Like Steph, life has thrown something at us. For some, it's family-related; for others, it's their partner, children, or place of work. But Steph's story reminds us that we can always find the light. The light is much closer and nearer than we think; it's the willingness to be ready to get out of darkness and be ready to do whatever it takes to stay in the light. Good people exist. You can be the good people in others' stories. Change starts with every single person – being kind to everyone who comes into contact with us and making sure they feel much better than how they met us.
We all need help, but we're much better than billions of people in the world. So, yes, smile, cry when needed, and make it a priority to help at least one person every day. It doesn't have to be monetary; it could be, but it's not subjected to that. You can make someone's day better by complimenting their dress (not in a flirty way). It could be as simple as offering to help with a heavy load, making a call to that person, sharing your food, or as big as praying for them. The world will become a better place if you and I become what we want in other people for someone.
I sincerely hope this message gets to you with the brightest star and makes you feel safe.
A beautiful reminder : You're enough
