“But there’s a hope that’s waiting for you in the dark
You should know you are beautiful just the way you are.
And you don’t have to change a thing
The world can change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we are stars and we are beautiful”
- Too many time as beings, we feel the need to live up to expectations that aren’t even our own. The life of a prisoner on death row characterises our very existence; getting up reluctantly every morning. Trapped in a cell numbered ‘LIFE’.
Dull concrete wall on all three sides the fourth being steel bars, a dull ceiling, cold concrete floors and then you have the little grimy window. So puny this casement, recollection of when you last counted or saw the stars proves impossible. Counting days to your execution is what you are accustomed to.
“I did not do it” or “It’s not my fault I am here, the world is to blame” or “I have a disability and I wasn’t able” are phrases you utter like an incantation in the hope they will stick and give a desired effect, yet no, it is not magic. Reality is you refuse to own your mistakes.
There is no denying that the world can indeed be a cold place. Where one often finds themselves surrounded by people who terminate the fire and soul they once had to a point the recognition of “self” in the mirror seizes.
The new born full of life you once were is robbed of its eccentricities and authenticities over a period, ultimately alienating you from the being you instinctually was born to be. Realisatnion of this fact gives birth to loathing of life in its entirety. As though one has been in slumber, the food, career path, relationships, hobbies the works are suddenly not fulfilling. There is a void.
Evidently, along the way; somehow, somewhere, you allowed the world to dictate what is Hot and Not, what body type, skin color, hair texture, career route, financial status is “right”. You let the world classify you based on your disability and not capability. In the quest to fit in, you attempted to change who you are and now you find yourself on death row for this crime.
Life is BLEAK! Bleak with an execution date. However, lying in your cell a few minutes before you are put to death, those last critical moments of solitude, you mutter, “Believe life eventually asks kindly”, with glowing eyes, excitement and a new found passion you repeat;
B..elieve
L..ife
E..eventualy
A..sks
K..indly
The word B.L.E.A.K suddenly has a new meaning. You were expecting and execution but have been granted a resurrection! Life asks; “Who are you? What are your dreams, strengths and goals? “Are you sure your disability hinders you going after your dreams? Why not get up, out of this imaginary cell and start living?
- “You change your life by changing your heart”, not losing essence of self. Every fibre of our being must remain intact. The world has to adjust to accommodate one and not the other way around.
Yes, that aha moment when you realise that hope does indeed seek and find you even in the darkest moment. However, do we always need to wind up in a cell, tortured mentally and emotionally to realise we are not living up to our fullest potential though?
Let us master the art of being unapologetic in our quest to live a wholesome life. When achieved we will find ourselves in a place that proves ultimately good for us always. We are born as birds of paradise, beautiful, colorful with a thirst and hunger for adventure, we should never allow those who have chosen to be grey like pigeons ground us.
Suffice it to say;
- “Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something not even me. Alright? Your dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something go get it. Period.”
………………….And you don’t have to change a thing the world can change its heart. Disabled, dark, short, tall, light, slim the list goes on, never change who you are to accommodate the world for there are ……..“ No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we are beautiful!”
- Alessia Cara, Scars to your beautiful
- Max Lucado, Christian Author
- Chris Gardner, from The Pursuit of happiness