What if?

I am perfect.

No pimples.

No bushy brows.

Not even a chipped nail.

That’s what the picture says.

But, on the inside…

I’m not beautiful.

Why are my eyebrows uneven?

Ugly.

I am anxious.

About college. About growing up just to be alone. About not being happy.

Anything and everything I am worried about.

So I shop to block the concerns from my mind.

But what if.

What if.

I didn’t post that selfie in black and white?

I didn’t pack on the creme to cover the red splotchy skin?

I tackled my problems head on?

What if I just prayed

And loved.

And smiled.

And breathed.

I am natural.

With pimples.

Bushy brows.

Chipped nails.

That’s what the picture shows.

And on the inside…

I am beautiful.

Beautiful.

My eyebrows aren’t even.

That’s okay. I’m beautiful.

I am not afraid.

About college. About growing up. About not being happy.

The Bible says, “be not afraid” 365 times.

 I’m fearless.

What if.

What if.

We were all natural.

And stopped packing on the creamy foundation.  

Took off the sparkly eye shadow.

And the thick black liner.  

What if.

We didn’t shop to cover our worries.

Stopped spending a paycheck on shoes that won’t make us happy.

What if.

We all realized that worrying will never change the outcome.

And smiled.

And prayed.

And loved.

And breathed. 

What if we were all natural?

Loved each other with the splotchy skin.

And the rich dark purple under-eye bags from a sleep deprived night.

What if… we removed the mask?

Would we still love each other?

I hope so.