Living In Parameters

Artwork by Kate Ylagan (2017)

Some people will define you without knowing you. They will brand you as someone you are not and box you into some persona you struggle so hard not to be. They will tell you you've hurt them with bad intentions that never crossed your mind, evil plans you can never plot out even when you're at the peak of your anger. They will put words into your mouth and misinterpret your every word and every action. They will try to break you until you start doubting, until you question your own morals, until the reflection you see in the mirror is their version of who you are.

People will see what they want to see and you have to accept that you have no control over that.

Nevertheless, let this be a reminder that you are not the monster they say you are. You are not the kindest person, but you are not the worst either. You always wish people well no matter how they treated you because you believe in karma. (With the exception of one or two, maybe. Although that's a story for another day.) You may be too frank for somebody else' taste and you live with a "give it to you straight" attitude, but that's because you're never really a good liar (God, you're always getting caught.) and you were never a fan of sugarcoated and half-hearted truths. You find faults and you criticize only because you want to help people improve, yet you struggle to choose the words to soften the blow. You are far from being the best, far from being perfect, but you're not the worst because you're always making sure that your heart is in the right place.

Whenever you feel like you've lost yourself in limbo, stuck with the daggers being thrown your way, hold on to your truth. Trust yourself and remember that these people are not going to define you - you define who you truly are.


RM

To see more of Kate Ylagan's works, visit her Facebook page Obra ni Keyt.