I met someone today

I met someone today. She was a woman yet so much like a child. She was so eccentric, almost strange. She was new yet oddly familiar.

I talked to her for a while.

I asked her what its like to be who she is. I asked her why she didnt care what others thought of her. She said she just didnt, she had enough faith in herself to believe that others opinions didnt matter.

I asked her what it was like to be free of plight and guilt. She replied that she just let all that go. That life was too short to dwell on things that were so insignificant that in the long term made no difference.

I asked her what it was like to be in love. She said it was wonderful and warm. That being with that special person was the perfect compliment to her wonderful life.

I asked her why she smiled all the time. She said because she was happy. Truly, deeply happy. And when youre that happy. Smiling is automatic, uncontrollable.

We sat there in silence for a long time.

Then she asked me, why do you care what others think of you. I replied thats how I define my self-worth. She said let me fix that for you.

She asked me why I felt sad and guilty. I told her that I let the little things get to me. I blame myself for other peoples problems. She said let me fix that for you.

Then she asked me about love. I told her that is such a complicated subject. I told her I wanted to be so open but I stay so closed. She smiled at me and said let me fix that for you.

She gave me her smile and said for me to hang on to this. That I needed it today and she always had more. She told me no matter what anyone else said I was beautiful and thats the truth. She told me that when other people behave certain ways its not my fault. Each person has control over their own actions. I cannot control anyone else and no one else can control me. She told me to just let go. Focus on the things I can control. Me. Then she said as far as love goes, that I already knew. She told me that my concerns were valid, my worries normal. But that if my feelings are hurt to speak up. Because if someone hurts you, they wont know unless you tell them.

I met someone today. She was a woman yet so much like a child. She was so eccentric, almost strange. She was new yet oddly familiar. I watched her in the mirror as she stared back at me. She said its time to trade places.