SmileA Story by Kathryn SmithSaw them roll their eyes at me every time that I thought that I was cool I will work this body I will burn this flame In the dead of night in the pouring rain On some Sunday when it's my face in the newspaper again All the rag magazines Black limousines They'll be getting in line It's just a matter of time I've always loved the camera. As a child I was extremely photogenic, and I still am. I enjoy getting my picture taken, and I love photography in general. When I was 10 I was chosen to model for a hospital brochure. And at the moment I have a photographer wanting to have a photo shoot with me. The reason why I enjoy pictures so much is because they are solid memories. And when we die, they'll keep us alive.
To me pictures are a form of art. To others it means I'm a narcissist. "You're vain!" "Selfish!"
I'm tired of being called out for someone I am not. Quite frankly it hurts. So I am here to set the record straight once and for all. Yes, there are days I feel I am blessed with good looks, and I try to be confident, but under my smiles is still a bit of insecurity. As a little girl I was often bullied and called ugly on a regular basis. And as I grew into a teenager I was constantly told to straighten my hair because it was ugly as well. When you're told you're hideous more than beautiful for so many years, those comments begin to stick to you inside. They stick to you so much that you begin to believe it. I now know that being ugly isn't in your looks. Being ugly is being a low person. I believe we are all beautiful, and I would never flaunt good looks. A true narcissist is the last beautiful thing on earth. There is no class and no elegance in arrogance. If you rub your appeal in other people's faces, it only makes you trashy. On the other side, I've learned if you constantly downgrade yourself and never take compliments, people think you have low self esteem issues. There is a healthy in-between you must have. At 18, a car crash sliced my confidence and self esteem in two. Now at 23 I am just beginning to feel pretty again. I still struggle with paranoia about my eye and the way it looks, but I'm finally just coming to terms with it. It took a very long time to build myself up again but having people call me a narcissist doesn't help. My mother recently told me that multiple relatives of mine think I have no life. I apparently post too much on Facebook. It's all about me, me, me! It's a punch in the stomach. I do have a life. I'm teaching and going to school. What if I enjoy connecting with people? What if some of my friends live across the Atlantic ocean? What if my favorite thing is to make others laugh? What if those "likes" make me giddy? I genuinely enjoy entertaining people and giving off a positive vibe. This world needs more of it. I'm not saying I rely on validation, but sometimes it's nice to have it around. One day I hope people will realize I'm just a normal girl trying to live her life. I'm going to show my face whether they like it or not. I'm going to smile for the camera and I'm going to blow the world away with some art. And when I'm dead and gone, perhaps these pictures will be appreciated. I challenge you to love your image.
© 2016 Kathryn SmithAuthor's Note |
Stats
672 Views
11 Reviews Shelved in 1 Library
Added on February 17, 2016Last Updated on February 17, 2016 Author
Related WritingPeople who liked this story also liked..
|