Today’s story is about a girl who always feels inferior about herself and usually covers herself up with a long school skirt and jacket because she has caning marks from her dad. Her dad has the habit of using his belt to beat her whenever he is drunk just to make sure she listens to him (or to get more alcohol for him) - and perhaps it was a way to make him feel good about himself.

This little girl never understood why she has to be whacked in such a manner. She only rememberx that it is important to run and protect herself in her dream, so she ran and ran and continued to run. But in her dream, there will never be an exit door or even if there is, the exit door is always locked. Thankfully, in reality, when one door closes, another door opens and she found her escape through playing sports and when she runs.

She is someone who smiles a lot everyday but behind those smiles is a hidden story. These smiles are ways she used to cover her scars but over time, she learnt to find joy and strength to keep her going. When she sees others smile, she recognises that she has the power to make others happy and that made her happier, in a way making her feel better about herself, that she is capable of something more.

She has never thought of becoming a leader but she became a leader through her actions and learnt to take on responsibilities. She became more accepting with wound scars, cuts and scraps as they are her battle marks from sports. She learnt to develop a high pain tolerance for cuts and does not let her past define her. She wears shorts and dresses even if they show her scars or sunburnt marks because that’s who she is.

She doesn’t need to care how others see her or think of how fair she should be, how defined she has to be, or how skinny or fat she is. Truth is.. #JustBeYourself.

Yes the girl is me. I like to have my own time, I decide how I want to spend it, I don’t please everyone, I don’t say nice words to make you feel good about yourself because you are not defined by me and vice-versa. In short, learn to accept yourself, learn to love yourself. There is only one Jean and I am the happy Jean whether you like it or not!