Popularity Is Overrated

Being popular is overrated by those who are not popular. I grew up insecure & timid, with little to no self-esteem. I would look upon the so-called popular kids in my school and ask myself "What makes them any better than me?" They were not more attractive. Their personalities were not more endearing. They didn't really dress any better than I did. They certainly weren't more kind or enjoyable than I was. So I never quite understood what made a person popular.

Many years later I reentered the world of education. I was given a glimpse of insight about the "popular" girls or guys. And upon closer inspection I noticed that they were indeed my equals not my superiors. They too had their own set of issues and woes. They had grief, sorrow, loss, insecurity, uncertainty, worries, problems, hope and dreams; just as I did.

Did this have an impact on my outlook in regard to myself? YES IT MOST CERTAINLY DID! I realized that they didn't really think they were better than me, they didn't look down on me, or truly dislike me. They just had their own life to concern themselves with. It wasn't, as I like to say, "all about me" at all. In fact their "air of superiority" had nothing to do with me. It was just their way of surviving. Their way of keeping their head above water. They knew how to "fake it 'till you make it".

I took this insight and used it on myself. I stopped second-guessing what others thought, said or felt about me. I focused on "it ain't nothin' but a thing". That was my inward quote; My moral booster. I stopped thinking of myself as inferior to others. I accepted what I had always told myself but couldn't quite believe, was afraid to accept. That there is nothing wrong with me and/or who I am. It's all an interpretation that I had been conditioned  to see, think, believe and feel about myself.

That was my undoing throughout my childhood and early adulthood. I was my own worst enemy. Mom told me that. My sisters pointed it out to me. Numerous others tried to convince me. But I just couldn't, wouldn't, was afraid to dare think it. Overcoming this one not-so-minute issue released a whole new me. I found myself smiling at people with confidence instead of in defeat. I started chatting briefly to folks instead of keeping quiet in fear of conjecture. I started developing the ability to "fake it 'till I made it". And you know what happened? I MADE IT! I made it real. I made me. AND IT WORKED. I'm healthier, happier and friendlier than ever before.

I like who I am. I like what I have become. I like me. And it feels good. And it's about time too. Love to all of you who take the time to read this and reflect on it. I hope it helps you to find better things about/for yourself and those in your life.

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