Black Hair? Red Hair? Who cares?

Since a very young age my parents have told me to be myself, not someone else. I have never been one that wants to fit it. In my family there is no such thing as being normal. What happens when someone criticizes you for not being normal? Do you want to fit in or be original?

When I turned 15 or 16 I decided to do some different things with my hair. Naturally, I have very dark brown hair. One year for school I decided to try going jet black. I loved it but my friends referred to me as "goth" or "freaky." I never wore any black makeup or clothes so they were calling me these things just because of my hair.  Well a couple months ago I decided to try going dark red. I loved it. The color turned out a dark maroon. Again, instead of commenting on my hair, they went straight for, "Why would you want purple hair?" and "It makes you look weird." I found it odd that my boss didn't even realize I had done it but my friends who I see maybe once a month realized. Will I ever be good enough for my friends?

Since I was 8, I have struggled with my health, especially my weight. I have always been right in the normal weight zone except for my senior year in high school. When I was diagnosed with thyroid problems, I dropped 20 pounds extremely fast. My stomach just wasn't soaking up the vitamins and minerals I needed and I became very weak. By graduation in June, I had gained the weight back and was eating normally. It was a relief for both my family and myself. In late June, I decided that I wanted to go play Ultimate Frisbee with some friends. Keep in mind that these friends hadn't seen me for over a year and they had no idea what had been going on. The first thing one of my close friends said to me was, "Looks like you already gained your Freshman 15." I ended up leaving the game and went home in tears.

I know I am not perfect but it takes so much not to just tear apart my friends that have torn me apart. I could easily throw fat jokes out there or balding jokes. Instead I just ignore it but then I dwell on it. I know my friends don't purposely hurt me, but why say those things to begin with?

It has taken a long time for me to accept that God created us all individually, exactly how he wants us. In his eyes, we are perfect. As humans, we always want to be the next model or next athlete. What if for just a day, we were happy with our body? Don't ever try to impress someone. Be yourself. Be original, just the way God created you to be. You are good enough.