"...and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
                - Matthew 28:20

        Sometimes, I've felt lonely in my life or unloved by those around me.  I felt like I got left out, that nobody cared about me, and that I was entirely alone.  I could be in the midst of a crowd, yet remained unnoticed and unacknowledged.  Sometimes I would even watch my friends leave me for others, and I was left to myself, feeling so awful and so lonely. I remember once during my Spanish fiesta at school, I may not have particularly been feeling alone at that moment, but I had throughout the week.  As I sat in the room I read three passages that really stuck out to me and I felt like they were meant for me.  They read  "You will always be surrounded by true friends", "No matter what your past has been, you will have a spotless future" and "No need to worry!  You will always have everything that you need".   Those touched me and I realized how much God loved me and was looking out for me.  He sent me those messages of encouragement to let me know that I'm not alone and I never will be, because He will be there to comfort me and speak peace to my soul.  I felt happy to know that someone was there and always would be there to back me up as I live the gospel.  In the story of the two thousand stripling warriors, they said, "Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall;  then let us go forth".  They knew that He would look out for them and they knew that He was there and so they were ready to go, happy knowing that their God would protect them.  As I was reading my scriptures one night, I came across this excellent scripture in Matthew 28:20.  It said "...and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."  As we live the gospel, we never are alone.  He will always be with us to back us up and give us that joy that helps us to go forward in life and experience happiness as we endure through our trials. The fact that He is there and with me just makes me so happy and gives me comfort because I can go, knowing that I have the Lord with me, so I can overcome anything, even if it means standing alone in the world, though not entirely alone.

*Remember that you are never alone and never will be, no matter how much it may seem like it, because God is with you and will never leave you.  He is always with you.  Trust Him.  He will lead you from the darkness into the beautiful light.*

"It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
          ~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," 1992 (commonly misattributed to Nelson Mandela, 1994 inauguration speech)

If you have ever doubted your self worth, doubted who you are, or doubted how wonderful you are, do not believe it, because it is not true and never will be.  You really are beautiful, lovable, and worth a lot.  You are your own person and determine who that person will be, not anyone else.  As you have probably already experienced, there will always be those people who tell you otherwise, because they don't understand that true beauty in a person lies in their heart. Don't listen to them, and don't let your mind make the lies they create into what you believe is a truth.  Whatever you do, don't let the lies get to you, because a fast downfall is when you let people hurt you, and when you BELIEVE it.  Sometimes, the problem is actually that they didn't know that it hurt you, and if you tell them, they may stop.  Don't just sit there and let them hurt you.  Be yourself and be happy to be the person you are.  If you lose your self-esteem, then your courage also weakens, and so does your faith in yourself, which causes your struggle through life to be even more difficult.  Don't be left in the dark.  Understand who you are; you have a destiny and you are perfect for that part; God picked YOU.  You are worth something, you are worth a lot. There is no such thing as an unimportant piece.  Like an artist when he paints or a sculptor when he creates things, they don't just add and extra, worthless stroke or an unneeded part. You don't usually see sculptures with two noses or four eyebrows.  The same goes for you.  You aren't like any other, you have your own role to play in the masterpiece; you are special.  Never forget that you are royal; a child of a Heavenly King.  Take the blinds off your heart and see how wonderful you truly are. <3

What I see
 Is not necessarily what I may be
I am beautiful
No matter what anyone says
I matter to somebody
Though it may no always seem so
Who cares what the others think?
My only care is my God
Who loves me for me

*Remember that the loveliest, joyful, and most radiant person is the one who understands who they are and sticks to it*

I often find that writing poems helps me to express how I feel when no one else will listen, and it helps me to take my mind off things. One I wrote not too long ago was:

The strength I need
Is the strength I lack
The only way to find it
Is to press forward
And not look back

The memories and pains
Of dark times past
Will haunt me through the years
Until I find that light
That will bring me peace at last

Let your feelings go
There's one who'll listen here
Pour out your soul to Him
Let Him reassure you
My child, I will always be near

Don't listen to others
And the awful things they say are true
They may seem right at times
But they're wrong
Because you know what's inside of you

Listen to your heart
Remember who you are
Your Heavenly Father loves you
And always wants you to know
That to Him you are better than the most beautiful star

*Keep trusting, because no matter what anyone says, you can make it and you are loved.  You are beautiful as long as you are on the inside.  Stay strong*