Tainted smiles, worn hands, mascara drenched cheeks, empty hearts. No one should ever feel alone or neglected. They say that the number one death in teenagers centers around drunk driving, however, we often forget the silence of the real killer. The killer that breathes the same air as you, follows you around, and makes you feel as if who you are is just not good enough. The lack of self-esteem in teenagers has contributed to problems such as depression, suicide, eating disorders, and bullying. The problem is that as a society we value what we look like on the outside a whole lot more than what we look like on the inside. How can we not think this way when at a very young age we are taught that the only way you can be accepted is if you look like the photoshopped illusions of the  models,actors,and actresses on T.V., magazines, and billboards. It takes away from what truly matters which is our inner beauty. What I am trying to say is…. no one realizes the importance of their inner beauty. No One realizes how their inner beauty can change the world or have the power to change someone’s life. The famous Audrey Hepburn once said, “For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody.”

Inner beauty is in the hands of the beholder. If you start to believe and fall in love with your natural beauty all will fall into place. No matter what you are told beauty is not about changing yourself to be ideal or to be more socially acceptable. Beauty, real beauty, the interesting, truly pleasing kind, is about honoring the beauty within you, and the positive energy, and kindness that you are offering to the world each day. It’s about knowing that someone else’s definition of pretty has no hold over you. I guess that the problem in today’s society is that people, in general, are so worried that other people will somehow dislike them if they have the courage to be themselves. When we come across those people that don’t accept us for who we are we should find the power within us to realize that they are not worth a permanent or temporary place in our lives. These people are just convinced by society’s idea that you have to look perfect to be beautiful even though beauty is widely interpreted across the world. We can choose to create our own definition of beauty by making inner beauty the main focus when we are discovering who we are, because news flash my friends, the media is a LIE!! It is a lie to fool suckers like us into believing that the perfect body unknown to blemishes, body fat, and permanent scars can be achieved. These con artists create these images in order to prey on the vulnerable. Do not let them consume you. Never be okay with giving someone the power to define your beauty. These models and these “icons” to which we are exposed to are just like us. Crazy, right? They get sad, just like us, sometimes they laugh for no apparent reason and ponder their insecurities JUST LIKE US. The next time you see a girl or a boy in a magazine do not underestimate yourself by comparing yourself to them. Embrace your flaws and imperfections. Always be thankful for what you were given because it is the differences that makes each and every one of us unique and beautiful. Strive to become a better version of who you are, and always keep in mind that, after all, what brings you success and fulfillment in life is how good of a person you are, not only to yourself, but to others. Life is so short and not guaranteed to anyone, so why waste it trying to be like somebody else?