You Were A Baby Once, Too

You were a baby once, too
And we looked at you in the same way,
With awe at your unshakable happiness
And your unquestioning belief that the world loved you.

A confidence in yourself that was a simple statement;
Less than a statement because it was never a question.
Even as you grew, you carried a confident smile that spoke volumes.

When was the first moment that you doubted yourself?
What was the first negative word that you heard and took as your own?
When did the rushing river of doubt completely wash over the good parts and bury them deep inside of you?

Believe in yourself by trusting the vision of those who surround you;
They surround you for a reason: your beauty, your brilliance, your spirit, your depth.

Speak out loud and with conviction.
Don’t apologize for the space you use.
Tell them as though you believe it, even when you don’t.