“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed; and you are beautiful”- Amy Bloom

I am a girl with big dreams and ambitions; destined to leave an indelible mark in the world but I am not perfect.

The world is looking at us with a lot of expectations and sometimes this can be overwhelming; work, family, friends, groups roles, career, dreams and ambitions….name them. Sometimes we even leave no time for ourselves and when we do, we are not fully resting; I am a victim of feeling that I am always working even when I am not; there is always something to follow up on, something to figure out, someone to guide, a meeting to plan, something to read or write….. When we find love, we ask ourselves if it’s even possible, right, fair and any other reason not to really fall deep and enjoy the moments. Sometimes, it’s just good time and good sex; yes, you heard me right and even though you’re cringing right now as you read this, the truth is that none of us minds having a good time and good sex. There is however something always coming in between because we want to be there for others, to be their strength, to be looked up to as perfect role models, to please our bosses…… While there is nothing wrong with all this, could we be trying so hard to be perfect and forgetting to live even a little? Are we being so hard on ourselves and are unable to say NO or sometimes YES because we don’t want to disappoint? Are we living our lives and dreams on our terms or are we doing things we don’t like doing each day for display?

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that we should neglect living right, showing up for others, giving those groups you belong to and your work and family your best, paying the price you need to for your dreams. All I am saying is that you should show up for you too and feel okay with it; that you realize you are imperfect but still, beautiful and great.

I am so proud of myself for what I am doing at 28 years old and even though I know there are people doing better at my age and below, I celebrate my strides this far and those that are in my plan; some too ambitious but as I said, I am a dreamer and an ambitious girl. Sometimes it gets too overwhelming and other times I feel like I haven’t achieved anything really. I become too hard on myself and even though I know very well my star shines bright and I am dedicated to ensure it can only shine brighter, a little moment to let love in; to say no or yes and do me; to have fun….sometimes makes me feel like I am failing myself, my followers and protégés, my family and sometimes, my God. I am writing this article because I want to scream to myself and to the whole world that I am not perfect but still, I am great and every day I live and strive to live my purpose and I am doing all this in my imperfection.

I am not perfect, I don’t wanna be and I never will be. You will therefore hear, observe or learn things that you don’t like about me sometimes but that’s my imperfection; and sometimes, that’s me doing me and trying to have a life and it’s really up to you to choose which to focus on; my greatness or my imperfection. I am also learning to accept that I am not perfect and I can’t be and this is something you and I will have to live with.

My challenge to you and to myself is to not let our imperfections interfere with our beauty and greatness!