Dear BethanySlater,

"I look in the mirror.

I see a fat, ugly, and disgusting girl.

Everyone says that I'm pretty.

Didn't they say that lying is bad?"

~BethanySlater, PA
-SixBillionSecrets

Oh, girl, I've been there. I think all girls have, at one point or another, even if just for one short moment of their life. Don't listen to the voice in your head that constantly criticizes you. Everybody has that voice, and it is never happy. It wouldn't be happy if you were the twiggiest, "prettiest" model or superstar you've ever seen. You were created by God as His beautiful child--remember that every time you look in the mirror.

And if you still feel that you need to "fix" your flaws, be sure to talk to a parent or mentor or another trusted adult to make sure you keep the right perspective. It's okay to want to shape yourself into the person you want to be, but it's important that you're able to see exactly who you're becoming--and a mentor can help give perspective, keeping you the wonderful, beautiful girl God created you to be.

Never forget that the inside is more important than the outside. Yes, it's important to take care of your body. No, it's not okay to obsess over it. The more time you spend worrying about your outer appearance, the worse your inner character will become.

Be careful. Sometimes, the most dangerous flaws are the ones we care about...that aren't really there in the first place.

PS: Your post was really well-written :)