Keep it real.

I struggle against certain words like “perfect” and “clean” and “good” because people look at me and see “the girl next door.” And I look at myself and I know who I really am. I’m not perfect, I’ve made my mistakes. I’m human.

When I had just turned sixteen, an older family friend said to me, “Oh, sweet sixteen and never been kissed!” And I just thought to myself, “Um, yeah, if you only knew.” All the while, I smiled and nodded in agreement, but I was comfortably hiding behind my mask of words—perfect, clean, good, sweet.

Fakery…

We all hide behind masks—they declare to the world, “I’m perfect,” “I’m tough,” “I’m cool,” “I’m rebellious,” “I’ve got it all together,” “I’m sexy,” “I’m strong,” “I’m popular,” “I’m good,” “I’m just fine, thank you! And how are you? [Don’t really answer, because I don’t want to know. Fine? Oh, that’s great!].”

Lies…

Behind those masks we all cling to so tightly, we hide our real selves. We hide those words that quietly direct our lives, “I’m messed up,” “I’m scared,” “I’m a loser,” “I’m insecure,” “I’m lost,” “I’m ugly,” “I’m weak,” “I’m lonely,” “I’m terrible,” “I need help.”

Reality…

It’s when we tune in to the reality of our lives, when we pull those masks off and realize there has got to be something more to life, something bigger than ourselves and the fears and troubles that hold us back, that we can then begin realizing those dreams that have been crowded out along the way.

Awakening…

This is a generation thirsty for reality. This is a generation that is tuned into the raw elements of life. This is a generation that experiences the messiness of life and wants something more—that beautiful piece of artwork that reveals all that is good in life, and is not just projecting the appearance of good.

As I’ve thirsted for reality in my life, I have begun facing the ugly and the bad and nurturing the creative energy and the dreams I have in my life. And as I move in this direction, I am becoming empowered because I know who I am and who I am not.

We are empowered when we know who we are—both the good and the bad, driven by fears and dreams alike—and when we step out and begin to realize those dreams that were crowded out along the way, hidden behind those masks we all have to deal with one day…

Then we can begin to
Keep it real.

Melissa
Editor
Chattanooga Teen Scene

*This selection is an editorial written for Chattanooga Teen Scene/December 2007 ©