Do you ever wonder if the way you look
was a mistake?

Do you think it’s just more of a problem

for you? Why?

Is it because you think that most

look better than you?

Or perhaps they are in a more perfect

way than you feel you are?

What is the perfect look?

Who said so?

Who set the rules, to say who

looks better than the other?

Anyone can be pretty, beautiful,

no matter who they are

or how they look.

Beautiful is having beauty,

it was never said,

what kind of beauty.

You make your own beauty!

Pretty is said to be pleasingly attractive,

An act of pleasure.

Anyone can be pleasurable

and create enjoyment,

That defines beauty and pretty,

And it is within.

Sure, you can look good and attractive

on the outside,

But to be beautiful all over,

You must also be beautiful on the inside.

It is always said that,

Beauty is only skin deep.

No matter what the world may throw at you or

your mishaps, or disabilities,

You are unique,

and your uniqueness is what makes

you stand out from everyone else.

We cannot all look alike,

because if we did,

How would you be able to distinguish

your differences from anyone else.

We were all made different

for many reasons,

but it is what we do with our differences,

that makes us even more beautiful.

Just as there are different seasons,

There is day and then there’s night.

There are many different animals

of this world,

Many beautiful and different flowers

and trees of all kinds.

Everything and everyone from the beginning

was to be different,

that was the plan.

So, when you happen to see someone

That seem to be staring at you,

Because you may look a little

different to what they’re use to,

It is OK, your difference is out in the open,

they could be hiding theirs.

Keep your head up, be strong and proud,

and keep saying to yourself,

I am different, I am unique,

I am beautiful,

and if you want to deal with me,

then you must take me as I am,

I too came into this world,

loved as a child of God,

Just like you.

So, do not whine or whimper

about the way you look,

Accept the way it is, and have confidence

in just the way you are,

Believe and know

that the way you were formed

and the way you look

was never a mistake.

You were made to be you,

Not him, not her,

not me, not them, no one else,

But You!

I know you may feel weak at times, but in those moments I want you to remember what makes you strong. It’s your ability to create beauty out of pain. To find wisdom in the aches. And fill the empty spaces of my broken heart with love. What makes you strong is the way you allow yourself to fall apart and break. What makes you strong is the way you put those broken pieces back together like a heart shaped mosaic. This is also what makes you beautiful. Your ability to see the beauty in everything, and share that beauty with those open to receiving.

Like when your home was falling apart and toxicity filled the walls. You made sure that your little sister was still happy. You did what you could to show her the beauties of this life regardless of what was going on around you, which required you yourself to see the beauty in the little things and share that with her. You protected and guarded her with love. Or like the time you were struggling financially yet you still found ways to enjoy life and help her do the same with what we had, and when we lost our home though it was tough, you didn’t give up on life. You still knew that there’s more out there, you still found gratitude for the little things, though you didn’t have much you focused on what you did have and found beauty in the little moments. Like the walks in the park, or our late night bike rides, finding beauty in the warmth of the sun and the twinkles of the stars, finding gratitude for the freedom you felt each time you got on that bike and had the opportunity to go wherever you desired. You remained grateful for each breath you took,  each meal you ate and each person that helped you in any way. You see, your grateful, kind, loving heart & vulnerability is a strength not a weakness. It’s much more daunting to take off the masks, put down the walls, and let your heart love freely. 

Vulnerability is your strength because it gives people something they could potentially use against you. It gives people the opportunity judge and ridicule you for your true feelings and beliefs. 

It’s also allows you the opportunity to connect with others heart to heart. To honor yourself by honoring your truth. 

You also, aren’t afraid to look deep. To acknowledge a feeling as it arises and follow it down to its root, even if it’s one that’s painful, you still do your best to sit with that pain and learn its story. The way you dive deep into the dark seas of the unknown is courageous. Not knowing what lies beneath the surface you take that risk of getting hurt by what you come across when you dive in past the uncertainty. That requires a bravery not everyone has. Though at times you may fall subject to the distractions and forms of suppression towards unpleasant experiences and feelings. You always come around and take a deeper look at them when you regain your consciousness. You are strong because you do your best to honor your feelings. You are strong because you wear your heart on your sleeve. You have the heart to get through anything and find the deeper meaning to it all. You have an undeniable strength, so whenever you feel weak, defeated or depleted, remember this. Feel into your heart, soft and loving yet strong and powerful. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. So read this as many times as you need, until it’s ingrained in your brain that you are as strong, willful and powerful as can be. 

Love, 

The Secret to My Strength?

Well, to put it simply, “nothing,” said Jake for 25 years of his life. Now, in the middle of his 26th year around the Sun, it’s SOMETHING: more than SOMETHING, add an S after that G!

Bear with me, as I invite you to think about a time you could not help but compare: for me, that is every day! Every day, I think of someone who is better than me, whether it be getting to the top of a physical mountain or the mountain that is my mind, telling me to not write this story because I’m not going to win the contest for $350.

“I don’t want to fail, someone’s going to have a better story… this is to much! Oh Jake, you went to Hofstra University for a graduate degree in Sports Journalism, and you make a mistake that is equivalent to forgetting to breathe! Have you heard of google? You know, it’s only your life preserver when it comes to knowing anything in this world; you are not Bill Gates! After all, your initials do indicate that you’re “just average”. You will never be Bill gates! That is the old Jake April aka “Just Average.”

Don’t worry, I did not call myself that, but I do know how to dramatize… I guest the award I should win is: Best Actor because the way I dramatize is not “Just Average”, it’s better!

Better is what I want to focus on here: better is a word I would use all the time. Quite frankly, I still do!

Now though, I’m not going to say I’m better than any of you. I’m not going to lie, do I think I should win the contest because mine is not better compared to all of you? Heck yes… you should think yours is better, too. What it comes down to is: not winning the money, but how did I do? Not how did YOU do; I ALREADY WON! WHY? Doing my BEST is the MONEY; I did NOT leave any lose change for me to look down to!

As I wrap this up, the climax of this story is: did I lift the Strongest Weight I Could Today, And Not Compare It to You.

So, what is my strongest suit; it is not to compare my cards to you. As the famous Randy Pausch said, “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” In life we are all dealt different hands!