Self-Image: The Canvas Painted by Others

A Portrait, Painted By Others
The portrait of yourself starts here. White and perfect, just like a new canvas that a painter is going to paint on. Instead of painting what the painter wishes to paint, others come around, and splatter their own paint on his canvas, different shades of colors, in clusters and saturations. These colors, not fitting right on the canvas, represents the portrait that the painter let others paint, for him. Now this painter can look at the canvas, and find the creative, beautiful art that is left behind by others and paint on top of this canvas to make it better than it already was. People often see themselves, and talk themselves down, just by the definition that others give to them. Self-image is not acquired by self-confidence and dignification, rather it is received by outsiders. The problem of self-image is a result of lacking confidence and positive self-talk. Often, bystanders will shoot each other down with harsh, defining words that the victim will never forget, and their canvas will often be forever changed.
My canvas held the expectation of an understanding, forgivable environment until the day of childish criticism and unreasonable expectations arrived

Fixing this problem was not easy, especially since I was in this same environment every day of the week during my freshman year. I have grown a lot since my first year in high school, both physically and mentally. I have a new self image of myself. I have been working out my arms and have been making them stronger. Now, my canvas cannot be wiped clean, but I have painted over it with my new self image. God had a plan for me to experience that unforgettable moment in the weight room, and I have overcome that through the image that he has given to me. I now see a tall, smart, strong young man that is going to strive through his challenges to come, on the path that the Lord has made for