If I could go back in time and be an advisor
To my younger self, now that I am wiser
I know the first thing I would do
Is teach her that she is beautiful too
For this is how myself I now perceive
But it would be hard to make her believe
That the awkward adolescent who the mirror terrifies
Is a lovely young woman who should, in her own eyes,
Be as awesome and unique as she aspires to be –
Confidence in herself would be her best accessory
For her beauty, wit, intelligence or character
She needs no external validation, she has all these in her
I would tell her to face the world with her dazzling smile
In any adversity it would help her go the extra mile
I would tell her to stop paying undue attention
To others’ opinions, their criticism is but an extension
Of their insecurities, the demons that haunt them
For their opinions, neither she nor they are to blame
In the same vein I would remind her to
Restrain herself from being critical of others too
I wish I could show her, make her aware
About others’ lives, most people hardly ever care
**
Of course she might not like my advice and be indignant
At her age, life is confusing and peer pressure is significant
The wisdom that over years I have imbibed
I would like to distil and in a nutshell provide
To her so as to protect her from pain
Prevent her from going down the path of self-doubt again
