Justin Bieber Says Love Yourself, And I Agree… Sorta.

I'm gonna get real for a minute…

It’s no secret that I love entertaining people, whether it be one on one or as a huge group. I learned a while back that God gave me a gift of being able to make people feel comfortable. I treasure that gift along with my quick wit; but I’ve always wondered why people like me, or even more, love me.

For years my self-worth has been attached to my looks. I’ve cried and asked why I couldn’t still have hair or why no matter how hard I try, I am still fat. I want to be a really good looking guy and haven’t really ever felt that I am.

When I was in therapy, my doctor would always tell me I needed to “love myself” more... but I couldn’t; to an extent I couldn’t even understand what she meant. In my mind, I was always the fat, stinky, dumb kid. All things that I’m not sure I ever was… I mean yes, I was overweight, but that didn’t mean I was smelly or stupid, but those are the things I believed.

Every guy I’ve ever truly had the hots for, didn’t feel that same way towards me. I always thought it was my weight; never taking into account, maybe my own demons were making me less attractive. Maybe it was because I didn’t have self-esteem, I didn't love myself, I didn't believe in my self-worth.

My 7.5 years in South Bend showed me that I could have an impact on a community and people, and helped shape the person that I want to be. But I still felt very uneasy putting my personal self out there to make friends or romantic endeavors. I sometimes thought that my friends and listeners in South Bend grew to like me because I was there for so long, or because I got involved with so many things.

Then I moved away, and that was the best gift I could have given myself. I figured out that my character was more than just because I was a morning show host. It’s who I am. I want to have a positive impact on the world. I want to make sure everyone lives a happy, abundant life. With or without radio, that’s what I want to do for people.

I’m so happy I learned all of those things because as of this weekend, seeing myself in the video attached, I realize even more why people are attracted to me socially or otherwise. I love who I am, the facial expressions I make, and the way I interact and how I look doing it. I see all of that in this video. I finally understand the “love yourself more” line my therapist would say.

I know that I’m not alone… low self-esteem is an epidemic; so many of us body shame ourselves... often unfairly. We wonder why people would like us and then later, after we are ashamed of and negative about ourselves, we wonder why we can’t attract the people we would like to have in our lives. I could never understand why anyone would like me, the fat guy, but I’m glad I never gave up on myself because I can finally see it.

As I quit shaming myself for not looking like Zac Efron, I realize my life is becoming so much more enriched. My relationships are better, I’m willing to put myself out more and in return I’m getting more back.

If you struggle with your image, I encourage you to stop the negative inner speak… quit dressing exclusively in baggy/comfortable clothes because “who cares”; truth is when you care about your look, your whole body posture changes. Stop judging every picture or video. You are unique and have a lot to offer, but your low self-esteem is keeping you from living and showcasing the gifts God has given you and life he wants you to live!

I always think people see a fat guy and they might… but it doesn’t keep them from wanting to be around me; and so far no one has called me a smelly kid; well, I mean since high school and that guy got smacked by the karma train.