You are Beautiful Just the Way You are
Embrace yourself
In the middle of the rolling hills and vibrant wildflower fields lived a girl named Stella. With her unruly curls that danced in the wind and freckles sprinkled across her nose like stars in the night sky, she was beauty personified—different in her way. However, that was not how it felt to her.
Since she was young, she has been bombarded with images of perfection—model-looking, smooth skin, flowing hair, and God-chiseled bodies. Her fingers scrolling through social media suddenly made her feel inadequate.
“If only I had straighter hair,” she thought, “or if my skin were smoother.”
Day after day, she stood in front of the mirror, wishing for a different reflection—any reflection that would fit the mold of beauty she was taught to admire.
One bright spring morning, Stella’s school announced a talent show. The excitement buzzed through the hallways, but she felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. She loved singing, and the thought of standing on stage set her heart racing.
“What if they laugh at me? What if I mess up?” The doubts swirled in her mind like a storm cloud.
Then, her best friend, Lily, took her hand and said, “Stella, you got a gift! You have to share it with the world. You are beautiful just the way you are!”
Stella smiled weakly, but somehow, the words did not ring that deep. How could she be beautiful when she felt so flawed?
With time, Stella sat and watched as her classmates got ready for the show. Some did dance routines, while others demonstrated other artistic skills. The more she watched, the more she became aware of her being an outsider.
The night of the talent show finally arrived. The auditorium was fully packed to the rim, and the air was electric with anticipation.
Then the performances began, and with each act, she could not help but feel awe and envy. As one succeeded another, she felt that she was not going to be able to measure up.
Then something happened that changed everything. A girl named Sarah, who, to Stella’s mind, had been the epitome of grace and beauty, stepped onto the stage.
She began singing, and then midway through the song, she forgot the lyrics. There was a moment of silence, and Stella held her breath, thinking of the worst. Then Sarah laughed—a real, contagious laugh that filled the auditorium. “Oops! Let’s try that again!” she said, and the audience erupted into cheers.
It was then that something just clicked in Stella. The beauty in Sarah was not just in her voice or the way she looked but in being herself— embracing her imperfections and sharing them with the world.
Then it was Stella’s turn. She felt a wave of fear wash over her. But as she stepped onto the stage, Sarah’s laughter echoed in her ears, and the warmth of Lily’s encouragement enveloped her. Taking a deep breath, she began singing. At first, the shaking in her voice could be noticed, but as she put her heart into the song, something magical happened. The audience bent forward in rapt attention at what was coming out—not just the voice, but the emotion.
She finished, and the room erupted into applause. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she knew she’d done it—she'd given a piece of herself to others. Right then, Stella finally realized that beauty wasn’t something one fit into but being truthful to oneself in all independence and embracing every quirk and flaw.
After the performance, her classmates surrounded her, showering her with compliments. “You were amazing!” they exclaimed.
For the very first time, Stella felt like she belonged. She looked around at the faces of her friends, beautiful and uniquely stunning in their ways, before realizing that they all had troubles and insecurities.
That night, lying in bed, Stella found herself reflecting on the evening, with thoughts of Sarah’s laughter, Lily’s unwavering support, and the feeling one gets from sharing her voice. She whispered to herself, “I am beautiful just the way I am.”
From that day on, Stella began to love her curls, freckles, and voice. She learned to raise her uniqueness and to raise others’ uniqueness.
She spread the message that beauty is not defined by societal standards but by the authenticity and love we all carry within ourselves, and with this, the world became full of light. And so, in that small town, amidst those wildflowers, Stella began to grow into the beautiful soul she had been created for her whole life. She reminded everyone around her that they too are beautiful just the way they, are.
