You're only as good as they say. You're only as good as they think. You're only as good as they see. You're only as good as they want you to be.
Who are 'they' exactly? They are the people to look up to, the people that set the standards for all. They're the ones you envy and wish to become; the ones you might call perfect. They are the people you wish to see staring back at you when you look in the mirror.
Thats it, the breaking point, when you look in the mirror and point out at least a dozen imperfections, mistakes. Then you'll know that you will never be satisfied with yourself, and neither will anyone else. Because thats just it, you're imperfect.
Now, who are we? We are the ones who feel inferior. We are the ones who feel like our abilities are limited by the abilities they think we should show. We are the ones who know that we will never be perfect; the ones that will accept that but it still hurts them all the same. We are the ones that no matter how hard they try, they will never be good enough. We are the ones who try to have good intentions, only to be shut down. We are the ones who focus on our own mistakes and regret them every day of our lives. We are the ones who know what perfection is and know that it is not coming. We are the ones who's only wish is to love and be loved in return.
The image of perfection was already chosen, most did not match it. The test was already taken, most failed.
Perfection is your best friend in this cruel game were playing, and difference is always the enemy.
Laura Marano, a famous disney actress who plays on Austin and Ally would probably label herself in the second group.
She could easily point out many of her mistakes, which were practically chewing away at her life and soon there would be nothing left.
But, still she hid those well. She hid the pain she felt. She hid her thoughts of how, maybe, she will never be good enough. She just plasteured a fake smile on her face, as well as plenty of make up, and acted as though she was always on cloud nine. Even though she wasn't.
She just wanted someone to be able to read between the lines and know that she wasn't okay.
Yes, she is famous. Yes, she is considered a role model to many. Yes, she has millions of fans who adore her.
It wasn't even that she has no friends, because she has three amazing friends that she would not trade for the world. It wasn't that she had no career, she had a wonderful career that many times took up most of her day, if not, all.
It was simply that she has never felt truly loved by anyone in her whole life. Her sister, Vanessa, was not close to her. Her parents were always away on some sort of business trip. Rarely did they ever come home more than once a week.
Laura was all alone, and she couldn't help but wonder why. Maybe she was not pretty enough. Maybe she said the wrong things at the wrong times or maybe it was the way she acted. Maybe she didn't live up to everyone's expectations. Laura's main fear was that she would never be good enough, no matter how hard she tried.
She did not have a completely horrible life. She had food, a place to sleep, and basically anything someone needs to live.
But everyone has their own form of suffering, visible or invisible, and this was Laura's. Maybe she was taking this out of context.
Still, all she can do is try. Try to be the person everyone wanted her to be. Try to be good enough. Try to simply live her life and find out who she is, not who everyone makes her out to be. Maybe someone will help her find her answers, and maybe her dream will finally be complete. Maybe she will know the feeling of loving something and being loved in return.