leadership
EMBRACING THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT YOU Maggie Z gave an insightful and poignant speech at the student-led Captains Assembly early in Term 1, about the power of gratitude and the importance of embracing the perfectly imperfect you. Below is an extract from her speech. I have always found it hard to embrace my imperfections, and I am used to giving myself a hard time for not being perfect. For me, it was how I appeared on the outside. I struggled to accept everything that I am – everything that my parents gave me. This stemmed from insecurities that accumulated over the years. One time my older sister and I went to Bali during the school holidays, and we had a tour guide. When you first see my sister and I, you wouldn’t think we’re siblings. It’s not just our facial features that are different – my sister has much fairer skin than I do; in my culture, being slim and fair is considered beautiful. So when the tour guide jokingly asked if my mother didn’t drink enough milk when she was pregnant with me, that comment stuck, even though I tried to laugh it off. I never know why people say the things they say, because words can hurt. I struggled to find the beauty in what others perceived to be my imperfections, and deep down I was tired and hurt. I wanted to love myself, but I didn’t know how.
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Last month, I volunteered as an Assistant Teacher at a primary school in Nepal. This experience made me realise what it means to be perfect. Every morning I was greeted by the children before class started, and it was their genuineness and sincerity that made me realise there is no definition for ‘perfect beauty’. When the children held my hand, stroked my hair and said, ‘ma’am, you are so beautiful’ I realised that they saw through to my heart. These children taught me to accept everything that I am, because the imperfect me is the most perfect me. Be yourself, because the imperfect you is the most perfect you. What other people think of you isn’t as important as what you think of yourself. Let the burden of perfection off your shoulders. Give yourself the self-love and positivity that you need and deserve. You will heal from the wounds, and in time you will see self-growth. You will grow to appreciate and be proud of the person you have become. So, love yourself and embrace your imperfections, because only then will you feel at peace with yourself and know true happiness. Maggie Z Culture and Diversity Captain
THE IMPERFECT YOU IS THE MOST PERFECT YOU
the ruyton reporter
