I am neither beautiful nor ugly—well, hopefully not. I am quite short and exceedingly overweight; to be honest, I am obese. If we were to meet someday, I can assure you that you would take an extra moment to look back, maybe even twice. You simply can't help it; I am that BIG. It takes some time—quite a while—for you to truly see me: my sense of humor, my kindness, and my goodness. Gradually, over several conversations, I will start to change in your eyes—I may even come to seem cute!

My close friends and beloved sister would advise you not to judge a book by its cover. I'm okay with you judging me, whether based on my appearance or what lies within. After a few years, I've developed thick skin; stares, rude comments, and pitying looks are nothing more than water off a duck's back to me.

The challenge lies with me: I often judge the book by its cover. The result is not pretty—I see flaws, some real and some imagined, and each one stares back at me, unblinking and unforgiving. I notice the rolls of fat hiding beneath my oversized T-shirt; I feel the pain in my knees; I see my unattractive thighs peeking out from a lovely dress, and I hear the anguish in my light-hearted banter. I see everything, and I would prefer to hide.

Today, I decided to stand in front of the mirror and confront my flaws one by one. Beneath the tears and pain, I finally discovered myself—the self I often ignored or forgot was there, waiting for me to recognize her. Isn't it strange? I have spent my life crying for others to see the real me, yet I never took the time to see her myself. That is life: we spend a lifetime searching for something that already resides within us.

I am neither beautiful nor ugly. In fact, I might just be one of the most beautiful people you will meet today!