Self-Portrait: "Within , I smile"

by Luisanna Tejada

Journal Entry: 3/20/2018

Within , I smile

I am living in peace, despite everything that is going on around me.

I am love.

And love is acceptance.

Acceptance of what I can’t necessarily change.

Acceptance of life lessons.

Knowing and valuing that my worth is beautiful.

I am forgiveness.

Forgiveness to even the ones that have hurt me.

Or to the “why did this happen to me” type moments.

I forgive and I thank.

I thank you for allowing me to grow.

To have placed these obstacles in front of me that you knew I could overcome.

I am she.

I smile /

I smile for many reasons.

I smile because I found my voice.

I smile because I was strong enough to let you go.

I smile because at the end of the day I am in charge of my own happiness.

I smile because I am learning to love my body with every little imperfection.

I smile because I can look at myself the mirror and see that I am beautiful

that I am love,

that I am unique.

I smile because I can find beauty in my internal scars.

I smile because I will never be no one other than myself.

I smile because I can now accept the girl I used to be.

I smile because I am free.

Finally, I am free.

And within , I smile /

-luisanna tejada