Real, not perfect

Yes, I care too much. Yes, the world doesn't care enough often.  But I care anyway.

Yes, I am very thoughtful. Yes, the world doesn't spare a thought as often. But I remain thoughtful anyway.

Yes, I am sensitive and perceptive. Yes, the world dons a thick skin often. But I remain sensitive and perceptive anyway.

Yes, I am very expressive. Yes, the world often finds it juvenile. I express anyway.

Yes, I love too much. Yes, the world doesn't reciprocate often. But I love anyway.

I stumbled. I fell. I rose. I achieved. I gained. I learnt. 

I cried. I laughed. I hurt. I ached. I survived. I healed. I learnt.

I loved. I lived. I wandered. I wondered. I wisened. I learnt.

I acknowledge my flaws...  

I own up to my imperfections.. 

I stand proud of my strengths..

There in lies my uniqueness.

Those who know me well also know that no matter what the circumstances around me, my being the same old self, has been both my weakness as well my biggest strength. 

That's me. That's us. That's most of us. Real. Imperfect and often broken and yet wonderfully impactful in many ways than we ever realise. 

It is indeed a challenge to remain yourself in a world that is constantly trying to transform you into a different version of yourself. A version of you that the world wishes to see and not what you are and wish to remain. And in today's highly connected and socially networked world, its very easy to lose one's individuality, one's priorities, one's real lives in an attempt to live up to, seek validation from others all the time or simply living in denial of our own real selves. 

By embracing the fact that as humans, each one of us is 'perfectly imperfect', could be the first step towards self enhancement.  It is important to sense the vibes that feel right and those not, listen to them with an open mind and if needed, do a timely filtering of any one and any thing or any thought that questions or casts an aspersion on your persona and pushes you towards self doubt. 

Step one done, the need to surround oneself with those who not only accept you for who or what you are, becomes the next most important thing. Those who accept you with your quirks and oddities and love you anyway sans any judgement, are the ones one needs to hold on to for dear life. They help bring out the best version of you, have your back when you seem to falter and infuse in you, a great sense of self worth. This recognition and resurrection of self worth seamlessly paves the way for self love which in turn forms the foundation for all other relationships in our life. If we are able to love ourselves, we will naturally look after ourselves better by living healthier and happier lives, thereby enriching our souls too.

Enriched souls draw towards one another, those who not only love, respect and appreciate, but bring out the magic from within each other, thereby completing this wonderous 'circle of love' that lasts a lifetime and beyond. 

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde