To Myself

My eyes… the very thing that betrays me at times. They tell the story of my truth.

What is the truth, you may ask? The truth is simple—yet so difficult to put into words. Words can’t always describe it, but the look in my eyes can. A look that sees more than it speaks.

What do I see?

For many years, I refused to look in the mirror. And when I did, sadness would overwhelm me. Why? Back then, I didn’t know. But now I do. I was ashamed. Ashamed of my story. My eyes always told the truth, and I didn’t want to face it.

I tried so hard to keep living without ever truly looking at myself. But it showed—on my complexion, in my body, in my very existence. You can never be full without facing the mirror and smiling back.

The smile is the win. You’ve won when you are finally happy with the look that comes from your eyes.

Your greatest achievement in life will be the way you accomplish yourself. And when you accomplish yourself, you are able to accomplish the world.

How, you may ask? One answer:

Be the woman you dream your daughter would become.