Mission: acceptance

HAVE YOU ever felt like breaking down? Have you ever felt like shouting at the world? Have you ever felt like you don’t belong?

And have you ever felt that there’s nothing good going on?

Life isn’t fair. I know that. Everybody treats you like you’re no good at all. The way they look at you makes you want to disappear. And the way it feels to be judged by someone who doesn’t know you is worse than your deepest fears.

You want to be alone, but nobody understands that. Instead, they think you’re some kind of psychopath. You want to be free, but all they do is lock you up. You want to grow, but they never take the time to understand that.

Here’s the part where I say it’s okay. Although I know that it isn’t, hey, it’s going to be okay. It’s okay to break down. It’s okay to shout at the world. It’s okay to be out of place.

Believe me, it’s even okay to feel bad. Being alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely. Being alone makes you grow and discover your self. If ever they tell you that you’re different and you’re weird, tell them that it’s okay because it’s the real “you.” Embrace yourself, embrace who you are. Whatever you feel like doing, spread a pair of wings and reach far and wide.

Let them judge you. Let them scold you. Let them laugh at you.

But never ever let them change the real you.

I salute you for being true. You’re the greatest example of the cliché “Be you.” I admire you for being contrary to what they want.

And when you’re done finding your place in this world, remember that there are others who are not. Pass on the love and inspire them, so that they may feel accepted, like you did. Encourage them to be strong amid all the criticisms, so that they may bloom, like I did.

Danielle Marie Villavert Ferrer, 19, is studying communication arts at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.