“It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people but care more about their opinion than our own.” — Marcus Aurelius
The year escapes me, but somewhere in my high school career, I entered the local beauty pageant. In a blue chiffon gown that was nothing like the other gowns I saw, I put on makeup, held a number, and walked onto the stage.
Why did I put myself through this? Because people kept telling me I was pretty and should enter. I don’t remember much of the evening, but I remember the confirmation I felt when I wasn’t called for another round. I was as unattractive as I thought I was…